Comparing notes on my X breaker

[MasterClass]

Hello Everyone
I recently accquired an X breaker and was pretty please with the way it performed. I could break pretty well with it and jump well with it too.

However i notice 2 things. The first was that after the 2nd day of my purchase i lost the bumper. Now there is a hole on the butt that I need to cover up. This is no unfortunate incident. I notice that my friends X breaker seems to be coming off after using for a short period of time. He told me that it is not unusal that he has to go look for his bumper after his game as it would just come off. But if you try pulling it out it is very firmly in place so the vibration has got something to do with it i think.

The feel of the X breaker is very stiff on the break. It is kind of like you are digging in the garden with a hoe and suddenly you hit a rock that sort of feeling. Quite a numbing sensation. I wonder if the phenolic tip is the reason for that feel and the vibration problem. I am afraid that if i replace the tip with a leather one like my Pred Bk that i was previously using i would not be able to jump as well any more.

Could any X breakers out there give me your opinion please?

Thank you.

 

[MacGyver]

I thought X breaker didnt have a phenolic tip....?

 

[9Ball_JJ]

I didn't think that it was a phenolic, but I could be wrong. It was supposed to be harder than a phenolic tip and hold chalk better due to a static charge.

 

[Ali88]

mine

The tip is not phenolic, however I don't know what it is, I have not had any problem with the knob falling out either, you should get a Maximizer for it it will dampen the vibration......JMO......Al

 

[MasterClass]

Though from most opinion I have gather seems to suggest that the tip on the X breaker is not phenolic. It feels as hard as phenolic. I do not think it is any form of hard leather tip.

I was considering changing the current original tip on the x breaker to a leather tip such as a moori Q.

Has anyone tried doing so? Would it seriously hamper the ability of the cue on doing a jump shot? I used moori Q on my predator bk and found that i can break hard enough while still maintain control over the cue ball. But i cannot jump with it.

Lastly, is it possible to remove the tip off the x breaker? The advertisment says that it is a tip that never needs replacing. But can it be removed without damaging the ferrule and a new tip can be fitted?

Thank you for your opinion.

 

[Nostroke]

The tip is threaded onto the ferrule so i dont think you can just stick a moori on there and have it hold. You will also void the warranty im sure.

 

[shinobi]

I was considering changing the current original tip on the x breaker to a leather tip such as a moori Q.

Before you try that, you can test your theory by finding a spare 5/16x14 shaft with a leather tip on it and using that on your X-Breaker.

 

[Deadon]

My bumber is/was always on the floor after breaking. Tight when you check it, then it pops off. I have tried several times with the manufacturer to get the update maximizer thing. It seems like there must be some problem because I keep getting the run around, ie..please send serial number..where did you buy it...C'mon I bought it from Joe, 3 months ago. No response. I think they must have a structural problem with the cue and the maximizer is an attempt to repair it, hence something keeps making this tight fitting bumper keep flying off. The feedback is extremely hard as indicated above, but no miscues, so I guess its OK. However, my XB is currently in the case and I am using a Gilbert, at least until I can get the update and compare them.

 

[X Breaker]

Though from most opinion I have gather seems to suggest that the tip on the X breaker is not phenolic. It feels as hard as phenolic. I do not think it is any form of hard leather tip..

No it is not. I have sent you a PM about a week ago, have you received it?

I was considering changing the current original tip on the x breaker to a leather tip such as a moori Q.

Has anyone tried doing so? Would it seriously hamper the ability of the cue on doing a jump shot? .

Yes, it would seriously hamper the jumpability.

I used moori Q on my predator bk and found that i can break hard enough while still maintain control over the cue ball. But i cannot jump with it..

I will have a new shaft made for the IPT which features the Xtreme technology with a leather tip. We are still running test on this design but it should be ready in a couple months.

Lastly, is it possible to remove the tip off the x breaker? The advertisment says that it is a tip that never needs replacing. But can it be removed without damaging the ferrule and a new tip can be fitted?

Thank you for your opinion.

The X Breaker features a tip which is different from any other tip. The strongest tip on the market now has 50,000psi in compressive strength. The Xtreme tip has over 65,000psi in compressive strength. Most phenolic tips do not hold chalk well, and require a lot of piking. The Xtreme tip holds chalk via an electrostatic force and chalk really stays on. Our customers have been very happy with the tip because it is powerful yet controllable.

Another benefit of the X Breaker is its "flatness" off the break. Most jump break cues are either good for jumping or good for breaking, but the X Breaker is engineered to be proficient at both departments. Recently, the X Breaker was used in a comparison with four other break cues (the Predator BK2, Sledgehammer X model, Mezz Poerbreak 1 and 2) in the May issue in the Cues magazine in Japan, and the X Breaker was voted the most powerful breaking cue. The pros were also impressed with how the X Breaker has solved the dilemma of combining jump and break in the same cue. The X Breaker tested was just the original version without the maXimizer.

If you try to remove the tip, you will void the warranty. I would highly recommend against it. You will/may also change the performance of your X Breaker.

Another issue is the balance. We balanced each X Breaker individually. Our shafts are usually heavier than the shaft used on other break cues. It is my strong belief that the balance is very important regarding the performace of the cue. Our shaft also feature a parabolic taper, which is not straight conical or pro tapered. If you have another shaft made for your X Breaker, or try another shaft made by someone else, it will not perform the same, because of the difference in balance, taper, and some other features.

If you have any more questions, please email me at info@xtremebilliard.com.

I have sent you a PM after your initial post, I do not check my PM all the time and sometimes my PM box is full. I check my email very regularly. Please feel free to email me any time.

I hope this helps.

Thank you for choosing the X breaker.

Richard

Deadon,

I have sent you a PM. I am sorry I though I have sent you a reply via email. You can order a maXimizer from your dealer, who is Joe in this case. He has extra maXimizer in stock and I am sure he will be more than happy to sell you one. I am sorry. I usually reply my emails within hours.

You can also glue the original bumper with a couple drops of wood cement (white glue) to make it stay in the butt in the mean time. Using wood cement would allow you to remove the bumper in case you have to change the weight or add the maXimizer on later. Please only add a couple drops. The old bumper was designed to pressure fit. The air pressure from breaking is what caused your bumper to come out.

The maXimizer is going to be a standard feature on all the X Breakers, it is threaded rather than pressure fitted. But you can insert the maXimizer into your original X Breaker even without the threads, and again, if you like, you can add a drop or two wood cement for your peace of mind. The maXimizer should stay even without any cement.

Please accept my sincere apology about the issue you have with your bumper, and I am sorry about our miscommunication.

Thank you for keeping the X Breaker in your case rather than selling it. Thank you for choosing the X Breaker.

Please let me know if you have any more question.

Richard

 

[ribdoner]

Hello Everyone
I recently accquired an X breaker and was pretty please with the way it performed. I could break pretty well with it and jump well with it too.

However i notice 2 things. The first was that after the 2nd day of my purchase i lost the bumper. Now there is a hole on the butt that I need to cover up. This is no unfortunate incident. I notice that my friends X breaker seems to be coming off after using for a short period of time. He told me that it is not unusal that he has to go look for his bumper after his game as it would just come off. But if you try pulling it out it is very firmly in place so the vibration has got something to do with it i think.

The feel of the X breaker is very stiff on the break. It is kind of like you are digging in the garden with a hoe and suddenly you hit a rock that sort of feeling. Quite a numbing sensation. I wonder if the phenolic tip is the reason for that feel and the vibration problem. I am afraid that if i replace the tip with a leather one like my Pred Bk that i was previously using i would not be able to jump as well any more.

Could any X breakers out there give me your opinion please?

Thank you.

U can snug the fit by wrapping tape around the bumper prior to inserting it in the cavity.

It might also minimize the vibration/numbing issues.

Regards, Adashka Chachula

 

[Icon of Sin]

The tip is not phenolic, however I don't know what it is, I have not had any problem with the knob falling out either, you should get a Maximizer for it it will dampen the vibration......JMO......Al

I agree. get the maximizer, it will help with the vibration and will cover up that hole in the back. I have a second gen version of the x breaker and it maximer screws into the back, its not coming out.

Along the lines of changing the tip to a leather tip, why did you buy an x breaker then? The tip that's on it is one of the biggest selling points and one of the best benefits of the cue. It breaks a ton.

 

[Ali88]

I don't Know

Deaden, i don't know what the problem is , all I did is pm Richard and he helped me right away!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[MasterClass]

No it is not. I have sent you a PM about a week ago, have you received it?

I have sent you a PM after your initial post, I do not check my PM all the time and sometimes my PM box is full. I check my email very regularly. Please feel free to email me any time.

Deadon,

I have sent you a PM. I am sorry I though I have sent you a reply via email. You can order a maXimizer from your dealer, who is Joe in this case. He has extra maXimizer in stock and I am sure he will be more than happy to sell you one. I am sorry. I usually reply my emails within hours.

You can also glue the original bumper with a couple drops of wood cement (white glue) to make it stay in the butt in the mean time. Using wood cement would allow you to remove the bumper in case you have to change the weight or add the maXimizer on later. Please only add a couple drops. The old bumper was designed to pressure fit. The air pressure from breaking is what caused your bumper to come out.

Richard

Hello Richard. As the topic suggest, this thread is for me to find out more about the X breaker from other users experiences. Yes I did receive your PM and sent you 2 emails as you have suggested which I never received any reply. I tried my local supplier who said that he too wrote to you but did not get a respond. Perhaps there is some problem with your mailbox. The experience is no less vexing as what Deadon has described above.

I appreciate you finally deciding to share that there is a problem with the rubber bumber which does fall off. A piece of information you forgot to offer in your earlier response. But i cannot blame you as any representative of the product would probably have a bias opinion. That is why I wish to compare notes with your other customers.

I bought the X breaker off a friend who bought it for only 2 months and decided that he hated it. Not everyone feels the same way about the x breaker feel. I however tried it and was satisfied with the way it break and jump.

To date i have not seen a national player here use the X breaker. Most of them uses the BK. I would have stuck to my BK if I did not need a jump cue as my old its George case could not fit one. Perhaps the feel of the strange tip is the reason. I do not think that the tip is particularly fantastic on the control aspect of the break. And as i could not replace it to a feel of my preferance then it is more of a disadvantage then advantage. So bottomline if you do not like the feel of the tip on an X breaker then you can forget about it. Period.

Lastly, I am not here to criticise the X breaker. I believe it is not perfect. It has its advantages and misgivings. I am just here to solicit opinion.

 

[X Breaker]

Hello Richard. As the topic suggest, this thread is for me to find out more about the X breaker from other users experiences.

Thank you for your reply. I am not sure I understand you, you probably are not but just to make sure, are you saying you do not want me to answer any question in this thread?

Yes I did receive your PM and sent you 2 emails as you have suggested which I never received any reply. I tried my local supplier who said that he too wrote to you but did not get a respond. Perhaps there is some problem with your mailbox. The experience is no less vexing as what Deadon has described above.

I receive on average about 30 emails a day about the X Breaker and I do answer them to the best of my ability, usually within hours of receiving them. I received Deadon's emails and I have communicated with him via emails a few times, but I think I did not send him my last email asking him to order the maXimizer via Joe, which I honestly thought I did. Since he did not receive it, I believe there was a miscommunication. So far, I have not had any problem receiving emails except from you and your local supplier.

Would you mind telling me who is your local supplier?

Which country are you from?

I have two dealers in the US, one in Europe, two in Japan who also take care of the Southeast Asia orders.

Would you mind to give me the email address of your local supplier so I can find out if something has gone wrong? I would like to know why you and your local supplier are having problem sending me email, have you tried PM me? I am sorry about this. Please give me a chance to amend it.

I appreciate you finally deciding to share that there is a problem with the rubber bumber which does fall off. A piece of information you forgot to offer in your earlier response. But i cannot blame you as any representative of the product would probably have a bias opinion. That is why I wish to compare notes with your other customers.

The bumper is press fitted. Since the original bumper was made with rubber, it will wear off over time, especially if it is taken out all the time. Our new design will not have this problem because it is threaded on.

In my PM to you, I asked you which dealer you bought your X Breaker from and when as you mentioned "recently" in your post, and you should have a maXimizer if you did, so I wanted to make sure there was not any mistake on the part of our dealers.

We do not really have complains of the rubber coming off, but since the bumpers were made with rubber, just like other press fit bumpers, they would wear out over time and the pressure may eventually pop the bumper out. Also, you have to understand that the bumpers were mass produced in a factory which could not possibly guarantee a super tight tolerance on all the rubber pieces, that is why we made improvement and have our maXimizer now manufactured in Japan.

To date i have not seen a national player here use the X breaker. Most of them uses the BK. I would have stuck to my BK if I did not need a jump cue as my old its George case could not fit one. Perhaps the feel of the strange tip is the reason. I do not think that the tip is particularly fantastic on the control aspect of the break. And as i could not replace it to a feel of my preferance then it is more of a disadvantage then advantage.

Would you mind telling me which nation are you from? I asked because there are quite a few national players in the United States, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Netherland, Norway, Japan, Taiwan, and so on using the X Breaker.

If you don't mind me asking, did you try your X Breaker before you purchased it?

I am sorry your experience has not been fantastic with the X Breaker. If you replace another shaft with a leather tip, you will not be able to jump as well as you do now.

So bottomline if you do not like the feel of the tip on an X breaker then you can forget about it. Period.

I am very sorry to hear that. But basically I believe it applies to all cues.

But from what I undertand, you tried your friend's X Breaker, and you like it, that is why you made the purchase. Is it correct to say you are happy with the way it jumps and breaks, but you do not think it is the "perfect" cue?

Other than the bumper, which can be amended by using our new standard maXimizer, would you mind telling me what is it about the tip that you are not completely satisfied with?

Would it be the shape? Usually, if you do not think you are getting the control you should, it may have to do with the shape of the tip.

Or the weight of the cue perhaps? Would you like me to send you a few weight bolts to try change the balance and weight a bit?

Please let me know so I can try my best to serve you. Thank you.

Please try to email me at info@xtremebilliard.com if there is anything else I can do for you.

I am here to help so please do not hesitate to ask. Thank you very much.

Richard

Lastly, I am not here to criticise the X breaker. I believe it is not perfect. It has its advantages and misgivings. I am just here to solicit opinion.

PS, I agree we are not perfect, but we would like to be as perfect as possible, so I want you to know I really appreciate your comment and feedback.

Unlike a lot of companies, we make continuous improvement to our cues all the time. Even if only two or three customers have reported a lost bumper, we will work on the problem and improve it.

Actually, we only have one competitor in our belief, and that is ourselves. Our motto is to always stay ahead of the game by meeting or exceeding the standards which we have set out.

So, I do not think you are criticising our cues, and I appreciate your comment.

I am glad to hear that you are pleased with the performance of the X Breaker, and I would like to know how I can make your experience with the X breaker even better. Thank you.

 

[MasterClass]

I will try to answer your questions briefly as my thread is fast becoming a squabble between us.

Firstly. I have answered this before, but since you asked i will answer it again. Yes I have tried the X breaker before I bought it off my friend. Yes it does a respectable job at breaking and I would say better then average job at jumping with a dart stroke and pendulum stroke. No, it is not a fantastic experience for me. That kind of experience i reserve for the special custom cues that i have the luxury to play with.

But the hit as I have described in the first thread which another user concurred later on, it feels like hitting a rock with a hoe while digging on the ground. I felt that the hit is too hard and hence the query into the material the tip is made of and if it could be changed.

Perhaps my statement about you participating in my thread was alittle ambiguous. Please feel free to post your opinion. Information like the validity of the warranty and how the tip was mounted with a screw are good information.

http://chalkbilliards.multiply.com/ is the link to the local supplier. The friend whom I bought the X breaker from bought it from here. It is also the country I resides in. If you are in this part of the world perhaps we can meet and have further discussion on our opinions or a fist fight! Kidding.

The rubber bumper failing off is a problem I am trying to rectify. I believe this is not a unique situation. neither is it a case of old bumper being worn. It is a relatively new product. New cue. The feel of the hit is something I am exploring the possibility of changing.

Lastly. I know that you feel that your break cue is a wonderful product. The truth is, your break cue is not far from being a wonderful product. However, every individual would have a unique experience using the X breaker simply because each and everyone of us may, stand differently, swing differently sight differently, cue through differently etc. Otherwise everyone would have been a world champion using a southwest!

I would have like to be able to achieve as closely to the feel that I like with your X breaker. But i hope you understand that i am entitled to my opinion, good or bad. simply because I paid money for my x breaker. So if you only want to hear good things about your product, i am afraid this thread may not be the place.

 

[Icon of Sin]

Im curious? If you didnt like the hit of the cue, why did you buy it? (you stated you tried it before you bought it)

Also, did you read up about the X breaker at all before purchasing. In my opinion, it was a semi major purchase, something that made me want to do some research before hand. I learned about the tip, read multiple user experiences, talked to Richard numerous times before hand before I made my purchase. By looking up info on the cue you would have learned of the tip material (not phenolic) and you would have learned that the tip cannot be replaced (as it is threaded onto the cue).

Sounds to me like you just went off on a whim and purchased the cue without knowing anything about it and now you dont like it.

Along the lines of not seeing a national player use one. Im not sure what nation you are from, but Charlie Bryant was just on ESPN Friday and was breaking with his. The commentators made numerous comments on how strong his break is and that he was averaging more then 2 balls on the snap. Hope this helps.

 

[pharaoh68]

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Richard is a great guy and he makes a great cue. The X Breaker is more than just that. It is a ground breaker. I have tried several other jump/break cues in the past and held them all to be about the same. I even went so far as to buy the $20 ebay specials that were poorly constructed because, for the money, they break just about as good as the rest and hey! A Jump cue is a jump cue, right?

Wrong! The X Breaker breaks harder than any other cue I've ever used. And you can still retain control of your cue ball, something that most phenolic tipped cues have trouble with.

And as far as jumping goes, this is the best jump cue yet. Deadly accurate and easy to use!

And for those of you who experience problems with the cue, remember, Richard is a pleasure to deal with and an excellent guy. If you experience a problem, contact Richard and see what can be done about it. He is beyond fair!

 

[MasterClass]

For some reasons Pharaoh68 and Icon of Sin would always appear singing praises of the X breaker whenever someone ask about a break cue.

If you are happy with the way your X breaker then this thread really is not for you so please do not post here unless you have some constructive comments not childish opinions! "semi major purchase" what the hell is that?? I need a break cue and a jump cue. Yes I have tried the damn cue before I bought it! Answering this for the third time. And yes the damn cue works well for me to buy it. I do not know how many X breaker distributors allow you to keep the cue for weeks of testing but here I only get to try it a few time before i bought it. Yes, the damn cue jumps pretty well, break pretty well but feels like shit to hit with. So i open this thread to see if anyone has tried modifying the damn x breaker and still remains effective. And yes I know now the damn tip is not phenolic but what is it? If it feels like phenolic then what the hell is the difference whether it is phenolic or not?

In almost every televise match the commentator will always comment on how well or hard the player breaks, irregardless on what the break cue uses! If i works for everyone and consistently make 2 balls and controll the cue ball everytime then don't you think everyone will be using an X breaker by now?

I have provided Richard with the link to my distributor as well as the country i resides in for him to verify my claims if he likes. I have check my out box and verified that my 2 emails to him was dated 11 April which till date there was no reply. How to be more then fair when they do not reply? All I get for a reply is this:

"Dear Sir/Madam,



Thank you very much for your interest.



Your concern and satisfaction is of the utmost importance to us.



We will reply your email as soon as possible.



Once again, thank you very much for taking the time to visit our site.



Best wishes,



Xtreme Engineering Team

Xtreme Billiard Concepts, Inc.

www.xtremebilliard.com"

He has also avoided mentioning about the problems with the bumper coming off until some else also posted encountering the same problem. And at that point it was not even a problem! I can live without a bumper. I can live without a maximizer. I can even live with the damn lousy hit that the X breaker has! But I am just seeking out opinion if it could be improved not some X breaker crusaders senseless blabbering. This thread is not for X breaker promotion!

I was guilty of trying to recommend the X breaker to a few other friends as I thought that I was pretty good break cue. But now I regret buying. At least I had the courtesy not to knock the X breaker as Richard would to predator products in other thread. But now as long as someone ask about an X breaker now I will make sure they know how that X breaker hits like shit and breaks lousy compared to a predator bk.

 

[Icon of Sin]

For some reasons Pharaoh68 and Icon of Sin would always appear singing praises of the X breaker whenever someone ask about a break cue.

Because it is that damn good.

If you are happy with the way your X breaker then this thread really is not for you so please do not post here unless you have some constructive comments not childish opinions!

They are not childish opinions. They are positive opinions of a breaking cue you wanted to "Compare notes on" Last time I looked, the title of this thread didnt say "Post here if you are not happy with your X Breaker"

"semi major purchase" what the hell is that??

Major enough to not want to buy 4 or 5 different break cues to see which one I like the best, and do some research on break cues before buying a particular one. Not major like buying a 1000+ dollar playing cue, hope I cleared that up.

Yes, the damn cue jumps pretty well, break pretty well but feels like shit to hit with.

If a cue feels like shit in any aspect to me, I dont think I will be buying it. Besides, the jumping great and breaking great that you mentioned will be seriously modified by putting a leather tip on the cue. The major selling point of the cue is the tip, which you want to cut right off.

If it feels like phenolic then what the hell is the difference whether it is phenolic or not?

Big Difference... about 18,000 psi more then the strongest phenolic tip out there. Plus it is a whole different material. That is like saying, whats the difference between steel and titanium. There is a big difference, but without research a person wouldnt know this.

In almost every televise match the commentator will always comment on how well or hard the player breaks, irregardless on what the break cue uses!

You asked who uses one, I told you who, and where he was last seen, nationally and what the announcers were saying about said persons break.

If i works for everyone and consistently make 2 balls and controll the cue ball everytime then don't you think everyone will be using an X breaker by now?

No, due to sponsorships and such, (See Earl and Allison, definately not the best playing cue out there, but they are getting paid to endorse it)

It looks to me like you didnt know anything about this cue before you purchased it. Hell I am a perfect example of this, I looked up all that I could regarding this cue, positive opinions, negative opinions, factual information regarding the structure of the entire cue and I purchased the cue without trying it at all and I was perfectly happy with it because I knew what to expect.

Whenever someone asks about a sneaky pete, I recommend a Bob Frey because that is what I like, whenever someone asks about a breaking cue I am going to recommend the X Breaker.

BTW. Your first sentence in this thread stated you were please with the way it performs, now your last one said it hits lousy. I am never pleased with a lousy hitting cue.

Compairing it to a Pred BK is a users opinion. I think it hits better then the BK and BK 2 as I tried both of them, but that is my opinion that I am sharing with you since you wanted to "Compare notes".

 

[Wolven]

I did a lot of research before buying the x-breaker. Yet it is no substitute for actually holding the cue in your hand. Of course sometimes that is impossible to do so. I bought the maximizer and it has a tendency to come out a little after breaking.
I'm going to have to glue it in but don't want to do it before my heavier bolt gets here. Hoping it will get here soon as Richard mailed it a couple of weeks ago.

I like x-breaker the only problem with it is that the metal rings are higher than the wood around it. The cue does have a rock hard hit that you can feel in your bones. The maximzer helps to alleviate that. However, on some breaks I feel like the cue is buckling or something. Not sure, but it is like the wave energy is moving in two directions away from qb and then back. I could be wrong.