Checking cue for straightness

Standbykid

Standbykid

Results or excuses?
Silver Member
What's the best method for checking the straightness of a cue or shaft?

I've heard that rolling them on the table is inaccurate.

I apologize if this thread has already been done.

Thanks,
-J
 
Standbykid said:
What's the best method for checking the straightness of a cue or shaft?

I've heard that rolling them on the table is inaccurate.

I apologize if this thread has already been done.

Thanks,
-J
Click to expand...

You need one of those floating scanning laser robots like they have in the beginning of Aliens.

Um, or just hold the shaft against a known straight reference to check for any obvious bentness by sight.
 
Honestly, I have never seen a cue that rolls straight on a table be crooked enough not to be able to be played with. If it's that bad of roll it's going to be noticeable just by rolling it. Thats been my experience and I'm sure alot of other people. The other most reliable method is to scope it like a rifle.
 
LHP5 said:
Honestly, I have never seen a cue that rolls straight on a table be crooked enough not to be able to be played with. If it's that bad of roll it's going to be noticeable just by rolling it. Thats been my experience and I'm sure alot of other people. The other most reliable method is to scope it like a rifle.
Click to expand...
I once told someone I have 25 sticks and not one is dead straight or one shaft. 20 mins later he had a box of brand new pred shafts and was rolling them on the table out 30 shafts about 8 had no real noticeable roll and that was to his eye I bet half those were not dead straight

1
 
Standbykid said:
What's the best method for checking the straightness of a cue or shaft?

I've heard that rolling them on the table is inaccurate.

I apologize if this thread has already been done.

Thanks,
-J
Click to expand...

buy a one $1.00 cylindrical (pen like) laser pointer from Dollar store (it has roughly same diameter as shaft near the tip) and place over tip with laser pointing to the butt, laser line should splits cue evenly all the way to end of butt, rotate cue say 10 degrees at a time, check, repeat until rotated 360 degrees, if laser splits cue evenly at all trials on shaft region and at butt area where you hold cue , i would consider straight.
 
Standbykid said:
What's the best method for checking the straightness of a cue or shaft?

I've heard that rolling them on the table is inaccurate.

I apologize if this thread has already been done.

Thanks,
-J
Click to expand...

Lots of cue makers roll the cues and shafts on a table before shipping out.

They'll have a flat table or piece of slate at eye level when rolling.

If you don't have it at eye level, you need to bend over and watch it as it rolls.

The only inaccurate thing about that would be your eyes.:)
 
Ya know, we HAVE been through this before BUT it is important so... I always roll a cue on a table at first inspection just to see if it's close. Then I crouch down and look at the taper area for little variances. Next I roll the cue on the rail and the table. Next I roll the separate parts on the table. If at all possible I take it to my buddy Mike Pancerny's to check it in the lathe. A couple times the joint needed to be refaced and that cured a slight problem.

Just remember that a little, and I mean a little movement during any of these check methods doesn't mean the cue's crooked. Another thing, I have had a cue roll crooked and then roll or spin straight a day or three later or vice versa! Wood MOVES!

When I've sold a less than straight cue here, and I only sold one with a crooked butt, it was with FULL disclosure and a reduced price beforehand. When I sell a cue that I have checked and found to roll straight, I always tremble until I hear that the buyer received the cue and loves it. It's a perilous transaction :rolleyes:...Tom
 
I just assume every cue has a bit of "taper roll." That way I can save my worries for the important things.

Wood is a natural material and will move. Doesn't affect the play. If you want laser straightness forever, buy a cue made out of titanium.
 
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