Best shorty cue?

trob

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I have some wall issues in my garage and I think I’m going to get a better shorty cue. The one I have I like the weight .. it’s about 17 oz. But it’s a duff with a hard rock maple shaft. That hits a little stiff. The trouble shooter seems to get great reviews.. I also like the predator sport since I play with a low deflection cue. The shorty I do have does have a hard tip on it so maybe I’ll throw a soft tip on it and see if it hits a little better.
What have you all been using and what’s your review of how it feels compared to a full size cue.
 
My 3 piece jump/break cue is my go to for shots with a wall interference. Since it's an uncommon situation, the weight and tip hardness are not something I fret over. The 3 piece does allow removal of the mid section for a shorty that works in tight situations.
I do devote a portion of my practice to playing games with the phenolic tipped break configuration. It keeps me focused on striking on or very near center ball. A good technique regardless of tip hardness. 🤷‍♂️
 
Is a 52 inch cue is short enough?
How often do you get to use it?

If it’s not used a lot, I don’t see the need to spend too much money on it.
If it’s mostly practice that you use the table for or a friendly game, then it won’t be the end of the world if you move the cue ball a little.
 
Is a 52 inch cue is short enough?
How often do you get to use it?

If it’s not used a lot, I don’t see the need to spend too much money on it.
If it’s mostly practice that you use the table for or a friendly game, then it won’t be the end of the world if you move the cue ball a little.
I don’t care about the money considering what I already invested in the table and the room and it’s used enough that I want a good one. 48 inches is what I have now
 
I don’t care about the money considering what I already invested in the table and the room and it’s used enough that I want a good one. 48 inches is what I have now
but the predator is 52, that's why I'm asking.
Make sure that it's short enough.
 
I don’t care about the money considering what I already invested in the table and the room and it’s used enough that I want a good one. 48 inches is what I have now
This is why I like having all the same threads on all cues. Future proofing. I would simply take my dedicated jump cue and replace the jump/hard tip shaft with my playing shaft. Now I have a 50" cue that goes down to 40".

Edit: You have an air rush and a Revo... did you try them?
 
but the predator is 52, that's why I'm asking.
Make sure that it's short enough.
Oh I got you .. that’s definitely an option but it’s over $200. I don’t mind spending the money but I’d like to hit a couple balls with it before committing
 
I play league at a bar where the Jukebox interferes with one corner of the table. They haven't invested in a short cue so I have been. So far I have tried 2 of the 2 piece all wood cues you can buy from Amazon. Both are not good, probably should have been expected given they were around $50. Today I will get a McDermott junior cue in the mail. 42" and has the 1/2 weight bolt system in so I can adjust the weight. Also uses a standard McDermott joint so I can upgrade the shaft if needed. I believe the Tiger X extension adapter should work also. I would like the extension because of the peculiar corner pocket obstruction. I use the Tiger extension on my other cues. Anyway in a few hours I will hit some balls with it.
 
I have some wall issues in my garage and I think I’m going to get a better shorty cue. The one I have I like the weight .. it’s about 17 oz. But it’s a duff with a hard rock maple shaft. That hits a little stiff. The trouble shooter seems to get great reviews.. I also like the predator sport since I play with a low deflection cue. The shorty I do have does have a hard tip on it so maybe I’ll throw a soft tip on it and see if it hits a little better.
What have you all been using and what’s your review of how it feels compared to a full size cue.

There are shorty cues that are specifically designed to be weighted more correctly. For example:

https://seyberts.com/products/balance-rite-one-piece-shorty-cue


I have the trouble shooter (it was available locally for me). If I recollect correctly, I put new tip on it as it was rock hard. I think these cues are much better than a sawed off house cue, or even a kids cue (which is at least somewhat better balanced but it’s still going to be much lighter than your normal cue).
 
I have some wall issues in my garage and I think I’m going to get a better shorty cue. The one I have I like the weight .. it’s about 17 oz. But it’s a duff with a hard rock maple shaft. That hits a little stiff. The trouble shooter seems to get great reviews.. I also like the predator sport since I play with a low deflection cue. The shorty I do have does have a hard tip on it so maybe I’ll throw a soft tip on it and see if it hits a little better.
What have you all been using and what’s your review of how it feels compared to a full size cue.
The limited advice I can give is to never ever buy a Mizerak shorty cue. That thing was an absolute POS. I'm not one to break cues but I broke it in half and put it in the garbage can. Not out of anger either... it was literally the worst feeling cue I've used in my life. Just absolute piss poor in every way.

I have 2 poles that very rarely get in the way. If they do I use my jump cue to shoot them.
 
I have some wall issues in my garage and I think I’m going to get a better shorty cue. The one I have I like the weight .. it’s about 17 oz. But it’s a duff with a hard rock maple shaft.

If I had said cue, I would chuck it up in my lathe and work on the taper to soften up the shaft.
Where "work" on the taper would include:
a) using dial calipers or micrometers to measure the current taper
b) making the taper smaller near the tip
c) extending back 10-12"
d) blending the rest of the taper until it reached the hand-hold section
e) putting a softer tip on it.

For me this would only be the cost of the softer tip.
 
I play league at a bar where the Jukebox interferes with one corner of the table. They haven't invested in a short cue so I have been. So far I have tried 2 of the 2 piece all wood cues you can buy from Amazon. Both are not good, probably should have been expected given they were around $50. Today I will get a McDermott junior cue in the mail. 42" and has the 1/2 weight bolt system in so I can adjust the weight. Also uses a standard McDermott joint so I can upgrade the shaft if needed. I believe the Tiger X extension adapter should work also. I would like the extension because of the peculiar corner pocket obstruction. I use the Tiger extension on my other cues. Anyway in a few hours I will hit some balls with it.
Yesterday I took my extra revo shaft and put it on jump cue and it felt pretty good actually. Weight was right and I had the same 12.9 shaft and soft tip I prefer.
There are shorty cues that are specifically designed to be weighted more correctly. For example:

https://seyberts.com/products/balance-rite-one-piece-shorty-cue


I have the trouble shooter (it was available locally for me). If I recollect correctly, I put new tip on it as it was rock hard. I think these cues are much better than a sawed off house cue, or even a kids cue (which is at least somewhat better balanced but it’s still going to be much lighter than your normal cue).
This is one I’m interested in.. that’s the problem with the one I’m using I believe. It has a hard tip on it.
The limited advice I can give is to never ever buy a Mizerak shorty cue. That thing was an absolute POS. I'm not one to break cues but I broke it in half and put it in the garbage can. Not out of anger either... it was literally the worst feeling cue I've used in my life. Just absolute piss poor in every way.

I have 2 poles that very rarely get in the way. If they do I use my jump cue to shoot them.
Anything mizerak is junk lol I don’t know what Chinese company is making their stuff and selling it to Walmart but it’s not good.
If I had said cue, I would chuck it up in my lathe and work on the taper to soften up the shaft.
Where "work" on the taper would include:
a) using dial calipers or micrometers to measure the current taper
b) making the taper smaller near the tip
c) extending back 10-12"
d) blending the rest of the taper until it reached the hand-hold section
e) putting a softer tip on it.

For me this would only be the cost of the softer tip.
Yeah like I said I put my extra shaft on my air rush and with the softer tip and taper it felt much better
 
I have some wall issues in my garage and I think I’m going to get a better shorty cue. The one I have I like the weight .. it’s about 17 oz. But it’s a duff with a hard rock maple shaft. That hits a little stiff. The trouble shooter seems to get great reviews.. I also like the predator sport since I play with a low deflection cue. The shorty I do have does have a hard tip on it so maybe I’ll throw a soft tip on it and see if it hits a little better.
What have you all been using and what’s your review of how it feels compared to a full size cue.
Balance Rite. If they’re still in business. Weighted and balanced. You can easily play your entire life with one if you wanted to.
 
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