Change ring work on a Predator?

Shorty

A banger at best...
Silver Member
Is it possible to change the ring work out on a Predator 314 shaft? If so, who can do it? I have a McDermott M9-4 with a warped shaft and I just purchased a Predator uni-loc shaft to replace it. I wanted to take the ring work off the warped shaft and put it on the Predator. Anybody know a cuemaker that can do this? I live in Melbourne, Florida and wanted to get a hold of Pete Omen to see if he can perform this perhaps, or does anybody know of someone I can mail both shafts to? I would also like to get the tip replaced in the process.

Thanks,
Shorty
 
I'm sure anyone can do it but try calling Predator to see if they have a repair shop locally that they suggest.
 
Yeah, can be done if the diameters leave enough room, but I would call predator for their advice. They are located about 20 minutes away from me, Up in Jacksonville FL. Would not be too bad to ship, If they take it on for you. In the old days they did that stuff I believe, I used to actually shoot a tourney each week with a few of the guys that worked there some years ago when they were still fresh on the market, But have no Idea If they will take this on these days as I am sure they are loaded down there with work. G
 
I could do it but don't want much cue work until after the Expo in March. Just too busy. Mike Webb can do it also and do a good job if he has the time. If you want someone closer to home look on the ICA website for someone closer to home. $40 to $50 should be the neighborhood someone would charge to do it, since they have to put a little finish on it also.
www.internationalcuemakers.com
 
Shorty, I was looking for that model on McDermotts site. Are you sure the uni loc fits. McDermott has two different quick releases as well as some renagade uni-locs before they were forced to switch due to patent rights. One is a quick release 3/8X16 and the other is a modified 3/8X10.
 
She is a uni-loc

Yes....that's what makes this cue so dern rare in that it is no longer made and evidently they did not make that many of them. I thought it was a quick release at first myself. I have the uni-loc predator shaft on it now as we speak and it fits absolutely perfect. The problem I think is that the ring work on the predator now, just a plain black ring, is wider than the brass ring work. I held them up next to one another. I would assume you could just take it off, cut it down, put the brass ring in it, and then put it back together on the shaft...not that I am trying to tell ya how to do your job mind you =), I just come from a long line of carpenters and woodworkers. I will post a picture of it later, it is a M9-4 Walnut version. I am even willing to ship the butt and both shafts if need be. Would you be willing to work with it Mr. Webb?

Shorty :D
 
Pictures of my McDermott

Mine is the M9-4 walnut version. I guess I do have a renegade uni-loc eh? Wonder if it's worth anything? Anyway, just wanted to show you what I have.

Also, anyone know where I can get some joint protectors for the butt and shaft as well? Would like some nice wood ones with an M on it perhaps.

Thanks,
Shorty
 

Attachments

  • m9_4-walnut.jpg
    m9_4-walnut.jpg
    3.2 KB · Views: 182
  • m9-1.jpg
    m9-1.jpg
    33.5 KB · Views: 141
If the ring on the Predator is wider, then I suggest you leave well enough alone. You can not shorten it by trimming. You would have to replave the insert also. The fit of the insert is very precise.
 
Okay gotcha...thanks anyway for your help!
It's a nice cue regardless.

Shorty
 
Shorty said:
Okay gotcha...thanks anyway for your help!
It's a nice cue regardless.

Shorty

Another option is to get a Predator partial and have your cuemaker of choice add the rings and insert.
 
Good thinking!

Also, I am going to see if I can find someone to swap me one with a silver ring and then I should be able to swap the rings around easier. The nice thing is, my predator is a brand new shaft, never chalked, so hopefully I will find someone to swap with. If not, I will just put it back on ebay and buy one with a silver ring...I am still on the losing end of this deal I gotta feeling.

Shorty
 
1pRoscoe said:
Did you get it off of ebay? Who was the seller?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7128019806

Guy outta Chicago. Nice shaft...looks new and he said it was. Joe was a bit more and the guy had cheap shipping. I have dealt with Joe in the past...referred a friend to him who bought a nice Predator off him. He has good prices, but I stumbled on this deal and could not pass it up, just did not think about the ring work.

Shorty
 
When you say wider, do you mean diameter or height?
If the predator fits, and you want to change the ringwork, this is pretty easily done, as long as the predator is at least the same diameter as the butt of you cue.
If the rings are taller on the predator, and you want it to match, the shaft will have to be shortened, and a new insert installed. If you can live with slightly taller trim on the shaft, the fix is a snap.
 
Sheldon said:
If the rings are taller on the predator, and you want it to match, the shaft will have to be shortened, and a new insert installed. If you can live with slightly taller trim on the shaft, the fix is a snap.
Perhaps a maple ring slid on before the decorative rings might work and not be too noticeable. That way you would not lose any length.

Tracy
 
You guys are the pros, so you know Better then I. whoes willing to take It on is the question. I think MW, and a few others has figured It out, and that was close to My thinking. the dia. and the ring width really plays into it IMO. The insert is also what puts It over the top, and out the box. yes, no dought it can probably be done, but as murray said, probably better with a partial in the first place. heck if you called, might even get lucky and they might be able to tap the insert as well, then all It would be is ring work. I know they have several joint sizes they can match, altough due to the circumstances not positive on this thread type. I have a mcdermott I made a shaft for, but was the old size thread. Also these days I have no idea if they can even take It on or not, but I have seen several thread sizes, new that you can buy already tapped from predator, or their distributers.
Oh by the way the Mcdermott shaft, I made a delrin insert to go in it, and yes It's still in there after six months of hardcore breaking with the cue, and a tight thread, as that's all I use it for. Curious If anyone else has been able to get a delrin insert to stick with confidence in it staying in there? I will say It seems to produce a different hit. Not saying It is good or bad, just that the insert worked, and is holding up. I have had to replace these in other makes of cues that came with them from the maker, they pulled loose on the customers, and i had to repair them, hence where i got the idea. Just wondering who knows the trick, I learned it My own, and sure someone else has also, because it's been done before, just want to see how many of you guys know first, hint is really simple and has kind of been mentioned before on another post. i did this to the cue before the post in question was written though. Greg
 
Sheldon said:
When you say wider, do you mean diameter or height?
If the predator fits, and you want to change the ringwork, this is pretty easily done, as long as the predator is at least the same diameter as the butt of you cue.
If the rings are taller on the predator, and you want it to match, the shaft will have to be shortened, and a new insert installed. If you can live with slightly taller trim on the shaft, the fix is a snap.

The predator is the same diameter...it fits very flush and nice. The problem is the black ring is wider than the normal ring work on the original shaft. I am just going to leave it be and play with it like it is. I may buy a partial one day and have it custom done. Otherwise, it is a great fit and will be a nice playing cue I think.

Shorty
 
RSB-Refugee said:
Perhaps a maple ring slid on before the decorative rings might work and not be too noticeable. That way you would not lose any length.

The problem with that, is you will have a very obvious glue line, + getting a piece of maple the exact shade will be tough. Anytime you glue 2 pieces of light wood together, the glueline can stick out like a sore thumb. (at least to my eyes)
 
Shorty said:
The predator is the same diameter...it fits very flush and nice. The problem is the black ring is wider than the normal ring work on the original shaft. I am just going to leave it be and play with it like it is. I may buy a partial one day and have it custom done. Otherwise, it is a great fit and will be a nice playing cue I think.

Yeah, sounds like that will be best. (aint broke don't fix it) :)
 
Back
Top