Can you make a tip softer?

IntoTheRail

IntoTheRail

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Ok, so I have been using Hercules tips for a very long time now. The original ones (not the H2) are becoming increasingly harder to find in a medium hardness. I ordered some from the billiard warehouse but they were actually hard tips. I played with them anyway and they werent too bad. Then I found some mediums on ebay, 7 of them. I bought them and when I put one on my cue it was way harder than the hard tip I had just cut off. The medium's had a "M" on the back and the hards had a "H" so I know im not crazy.

So is there a way for me to soften these things up a bit or should I just move on to something else?
 
I might be wrong here but I don't believe you can soften tips without damaging them. If you want a softer layered tip try a Sniper. I also had to change brands not too long ago for the same reason. I have a Molavia Soft on my cue now and it is nice. Relatively soft with excellent gripping characteristics. Good luck in your search...
 
IntoTheRail said:
Ok, so I have been using Hercules tips for a very long time now. The original ones (not the H2) are becoming increasingly harder to find in a medium hardness. I ordered some from the billiard warehouse but they were actually hard tips. I played with them anyway and they werent too bad. Then I found some mediums on ebay, 7 of them. I bought them and when I put one on my cue it was way harder than the hard tip I had just cut off. The medium's had a "M" on the back and the hards had a "H" so I know im not crazy.

So is there a way for me to soften these things up a bit or should I just move on to something else?
Click to expand...

I used to use Hercules tips, also, but I don't like the new ones as well as the older ones, either.

I found that a Talisman soft tip (not the pre-domed ones) works very well for me. I think it compacts to a medium after a week or so of play.

Joe
 
IntoTheRail said:
Ok, so I have been using Hercules tips for a very long time now. The original ones (not the H2) are becoming increasingly harder to find in a medium hardness. I ordered some from the billiard warehouse but they were actually hard tips. I played with them anyway and they werent too bad. Then I found some mediums on ebay, 7 of them. I bought them and when I put one on my cue it was way harder than the hard tip I had just cut off. The medium's had a "M" on the back and the hards had a "H" so I know im not crazy.

So is there a way for me to soften these things up a bit or should I just move on to something else?
Click to expand...

An old trick I used to use on hard tips was to take a "four way" file (available at any hardware store) and softly pound the tip for about five minutes (use the flat fine side of the file for this). I called this "tenderizing" the tip. The constant pounding would break down the tip a little and soften it up. It is just leather after all. Then I would shape it, rough it up and play with it. :wink:
 
IntoTheRail said:
Ok, so I have been using Hercules tips for a very long time now. The original ones (not the H2) are becoming increasingly harder to find in a medium hardness. I ordered some from the billiard warehouse but they were actually hard tips. I played with them anyway and they werent too bad. Then I found some mediums on ebay, 7 of them. I bought them and when I put one on my cue it was way harder than the hard tip I had just cut off. The medium's had a "M" on the back and the hards had a "H" so I know im not crazy.

So is there a way for me to soften these things up a bit or should I just move on to something else?
Click to expand...

I don't know about layered tips (hercules )? A duab of saliva will soften LePros, and sometimes they can be pretty hard. If it's on the cue stand the cue up straight as you don't want the sides of the tip to break down. I've never needed more than two treatments.
Rod.
 
IntoTheRail said:
Ok, so I have been using Hercules tips for a very long time now. The original ones (not the H2) are becoming increasingly harder to find in a medium hardness. I ordered some from the billiard warehouse but they were actually hard tips. I played with them anyway and they werent too bad. Then I found some mediums on ebay, 7 of them. I bought them and when I put one on my cue it was way harder than the hard tip I had just cut off. The medium's had a "M" on the back and the hards had a "H" so I know im not crazy.

So is there a way for me to soften these things up a bit or should I just move on to something else?
Click to expand...
I have used neatsfoot oil for years - an old 1 pocket player turned me on to this and cautioned me to use only 1 drop on the center of the tip - then be prepared to waste a piece of chalk - because for the first 20 minutes or so the tip will still be moist - also it helps to leave the stick - tip upright overnight - so it soaks in - I use it on all hard tips and have turned many players onto a drop when they complained as you have - the word is around the poolroom and every so often someone will come up ask for some of my "magic" tip juice - never had any complaints and many guys come back for more.

good .luck - hope it helps
 
jay helfert said:
An old trick I used to use on hard tips was to take a "four way" file (available at any hardware store) and softly pound the tip for about five minutes (use the flat fine side of the file for this). I called this "tenderizing" the tip. The constant pounding would break down the tip a little and soften it up. It is just leather after all. Then I would shape it, rough it up and play with it. :wink:
Click to expand...
I like this technique. I've pounded the tip a couple of times with the course side. Puts a few holes in it, then turn the file to the fine side (which is still course) and "roll" the tip accross then tap it all down.

Years ago I made my own tip tapper buy taking a 12" flat bastard file and cutting a 2" section out so it travels easily. Roll the tip then tap it down. A real file is soooo much sharper than a tip tapper.

If you want to make one it takes an abrasive cut off wheel to cut a file. Band saw or power hack won't touch it.
 
gesan said:
I have used neatsfoot oil for years - an old 1 pocket player turned me on to this and cautioned me to use only 1 drop on the center of the tip - then be prepared to waste a piece of chalk - because for the first 20 minutes or so the tip will still be moist - also it helps to leave the stick - tip upright overnight - so it soaks in - I use it on all hard tips and have turned many players onto a drop when they complained as you have - the word is around the poolroom and every so often someone will come up ask for some of my "magic" tip juice - never had any complaints and many guys come back for more.

good .luck - hope it helps
Click to expand...

I think I asked this question awhile back and you gave me a similiar response.

I actually did use the neatsfoot oil, and it worked great.
I suggest making sure the tip is dried out of the tip before playing.
Otherwise, you will miscue often.

I found the neatsfoot oil at a shoe repair store.
 
jay helfert said:
An old trick I used to use on hard tips was to take a "four way" file (available at any hardware store) and softly pound the tip for about five minutes (use the flat fine side of the file for this). I called this "tenderizing" the tip. The constant pounding would break down the tip a little and soften it up. It is just leather after all. Then I would shape it, rough it up and play with it. :wink:
Click to expand...
You are giving me a flash back to when a file was hanging on a chain in the pool room. There was always someone in the room who could roll the tip on the file and soften it up then tap it till it was just right. I don't remember the last time I saw someone do this, it is a forgotten art.
 
okinawa77 said:
I think I asked this question awhile back and you gave me a similiar response.

I actually did use the neatsfoot oil, and it worked great.
I suggest making sure the tip is dried out of the tip before playing.
Otherwise, you will miscue often.

I found the neatsfoot oil at a shoe repair store.
Click to expand...
I'm glad to hear it worked for you - you are correct about the miscues also - typically only for a short time
 
macguy said:
You are giving me a flash back to when a file was hanging on a chain in the pool room. There was always someone in the room who could roll the tip on the file and soften it up then tap it till it was just right. I don't remember the last time I saw someone do this, it is a forgotten art.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I learned this in the 60's back in Dayton from an old timer. One more thing, I would constantly turn the tip while pounding it, just a little bit at a time, to reach every part of it with the file. Tap, tap, tap, slow turn, tap, tap, tap, turn, etc. And you don't always tap from the same angle either. A little on top and then a little more to the outside of the tip (top side only, not the edges). You want to get the whole tip "tenderized". And I would also apply pressure while rolling the file across the tip intermittently. Turn the tip while doing this as well.

The whole process might take five minutes, and the tip was now ready for play. No oil or water necessary.
 
jay helfert said:
Yeah, I learned this in the 60's back in Dayton from an old timer. One more thing, I would constantly turn the tip while pounding it, just a little bit at a time, to reach every part of it with the file. Tap, tap, tap, slow turn, tap, tap, tap, turn, etc. And you don't always tap from the same angle either. A little on top and then a little more to the outside of the tip (top side only, not the edges). You want to get the whole tip "tenderized". And I would also apply pressure while rolling the file across the tip intermittently. Turn the tip while doing this as well.

The whole process might take five minutes, and the tip was now ready for play. No oil or water necessary.
Click to expand...

An old thread, but I am going to try this tomorrow. I am a bit lost on what "rolling" the file means exactly, if you or anyone else could better explain that referenced it.

Thank you
 
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