Cracked shaft

TheThaiger

TheThaiger

Banned
Asked more in hope than expectation, but is a crack in the shaft terminal?

My ferrule has cracked, and, directly beneath it, the shaft has a fine hairline crack running about 8 inches down it. I realise ferrules can be changed, but is there anything a CM can do with the shaft to repair it? The crack is very small - you can only see when held up to the light - so is it possible to either seal it or re-taper it?
 
Yes it can be fixed . It will have to have the tenon replaced and a new ferrule .If it is a small crack it will be as strong as new.
Jerry
 
I can't believe how big that hole is in the middle of a Predator shaft behind the ferrule! It is one of the reasons why some repair men don't like working on Predator shafts. I've fixed a couple too. They hit about the same when I was done.
 
JerrysCues said:
Yes it can be fixed . It will have to have the tenon replaced and a new ferrule .If it is a small crack it will be as strong as new.
Jerry
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Jerry,

The way I read it, he says the crack is about 8 inches long. It may not be very wide (yet) but that is a pretty "big" IMHO.

But I'd be interested in the outcome if you take this on.

Gary
 
I recently had a cue that the shaft was split open like a banana and when I was done it hit really solid. I jury is still out on how long it will last but for now it felt and looked great. Was a great learning experience.
 
Glue is stronger than wood. Open up the crack and force the glue in. Should last a long time if you don't expose the shaft to extreme heat or cold.:thumbup:
 
One should ask the OP, how did it get that way in the first place? It can be fixed, and if the user treats it well, it will be golden for years, but if the original problem was due to abuse,......no repair will handle what the original didn't, IMO.
To crack a ferrule AND 8"'s down the shaft........draw your own conclusions. A picture would explain a lot in this case
Dave
 
Dave38 said:
One should ask the OP, how did it get that way in the first place? It can be fixed, and if the user treats it well, it will be golden for years, but if the original problem was due to abuse,......no repair will handle what the original didn't, IMO.
To crack a ferrule AND 8"'s down the shaft........draw your own conclusions. A picture would explain a lot in this case
Dave
Click to expand...

Picture attached, albeit not a great one. The crack is just a very, very thin white line down the shaft, perfectly straight. It emanates from where the ferrule has cracked, and is about 5 inches, and can't be felt with a thumbnail, so isn't deep.

The cue is a cheap, Chinese made McDermott. I bought it used and it was bashed-up bad by the original owner - it was warped, dings and dents everywhere, and several cracks in the ferrule, both vertical and horizontal - none of which where from tip to shaft, but now one of those cracks has spread from the tip to the bottom of the ferrule.

I noticed a different sound a few months ago, and thought the problem was with the butt, but it's now clear it's the ferrule and/or shaft.

So, Dr CMs, what's the prognosis? Is this fixable? I really don't care what it looks like after the work's done. I love the hit of this shaft and have no desire to replace it.

Spotsetc009.jpg
 
I zoomed the picture and it looks to me like a surface scratch, typically done when sliding into a case and it catches something on the edge, like the zipper track or some debris down in the bottom of the case. It seems too straight for a crack. They usually follow the grain of the wood and this doesn't. Also the mcdermott ferrules are pretty tough and withstand quite a bit of punsihment in my experiences. The noise you hear may be a loose weight bolt or ferrule or tip lifting in the middle of it. I would have a local repair guy (if you have one nearby) look it over and do a shaft cleaning. I bet that line will disapear.
Dave
 
Dave38 said:
I zoomed the picture and it looks to me like a surface scratch, typically done when sliding into a case and it catches something on the edge, like the zipper track or some debris down in the bottom of the case. It seems too straight for a crack. They usually follow the grain of the wood and this doesn't. Also the mcdermott ferrules are pretty tough and withstand quite a bit of punsihment in my experiences. The noise you hear may be a loose weight bolt or ferrule or tip lifting in the middle of it. I would have a local repair guy (if you have one nearby) look it over and do a shaft cleaning. I bet that line will disapear.
Dave
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Thanks. I did wonder whether it was a scratch, but the ferrule is split from tip to shaft, and the line down the shaft runs directly underneath it. Would be a hell of a coincidence if it were just scratched!

As you say, these ferrules are pretty indestructible - I thought that too, which is why I used to break with this cue as well as play with it. In fact, I thought it was so indestructible I sold my BK2 and spare cue, with the intention of using this one forever. That plan lasted about 15 mins lol.
 
shaft crack??

First step, clean shaft AND polish ferrule. Maybe a scratch on BOTH.

Next step, take it to someone capable of assessing the damage with a strong magnifying lens and get their assessment. Then decide what to do.

If the shaft means that much to you, spending a few $$$$ to find out from someone appropriate is worth it.

Tom Gedris, Triple Cross Cues:cool:
 
TripXQ said:
First step, clean shaft AND polish ferrule. Maybe a scratch on BOTH.

Next step, take it to someone capable of assessing the damage with a strong magnifying lens and get their assessment. Then decide what to do.

If the shaft means that much to you, spending a few $$$$ to find out from someone appropriate is worth it.

Tom Gedris, Triple Cross Cues:cool:
Click to expand...

Thanks. Ferrule is definitely cracked, so that will need replacing regardless.

So, is it possible play with a shaft that's cracked? Can you glue it or turn it down to get rid of the crack? There are few CMs here in the UK - the only one I know lives on the other side of the country.
 
TheThaiger said:
Thanks. Ferrule is definitely cracked, so that will need replacing regardless.

So, is it possible play with a shaft that's cracked? Can you glue it or turn it down to get rid of the crack? There are few CMs here in the UK - the only one I know lives on the other side of the country.
Click to expand...

If the shaft is actually cracked you will have to have it repaired before you play with it or you risk doing further damage. Do youself a favor and if you have to play grab a different cue until you get it back from the CM you choose. If it is a crack there are variable fixes that could be done depending on the crack. I believe that Dave has the experience to give the advice you should follow and especially since it was seconded. Sounds like if you can't get the ferrule done yourself then a trip across the country for the cue is in it's future unless you find another CM closer.
 
cracked shaft

It can be done, as the guys have already said by a good cue repair man..I have fixed several solids and 3 Predators that are still playing...Something like that I do for FREE here locally..And explain there is no warranty expressed or implied..If it doesn't hold, no hard feelings because no money was exchanged..I have no doubts they will last, I trust what I do..But it's free advertisement for me...And also I tell them to "stop breaking" with the shafts! No complaints yet..
 
By the looks of the pic, I'd guess a scratch. If it is cracked, you'd see two cracks. One on each side, unless, of course, it is a laminated shaft.

Either way, it can be repaired.
 
poolguy4u said:
I can't believe how big that hole is in the middle of a Predator shaft behind the ferrule! It is one of the reasons why some repair men don't like working on Predator shafts. I've fixed a couple too. They hit about the same when I was done.
Click to expand...

IMO, this is not good advice. Predator shafts have been around for about 15 years or so. If a cue repairer doesn't know how to replace the ferrule by now, I wouldn't trust him with my shaft.

The whole point of a Predator shaft IS the hole at the front of the shaft. If you replace it with a solid tenon, it will not play the same. You have added mass to the front end, thus defeating the purpose of the LD properties.
 
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