Cue Length and Balance Point

[Angle Detective]

I'm 6'3" and need to hold my 58" Meucci near the butt cap to have a vertical rear forearm. This puts the balance point about 14" forward of the most forward part of my stroking hand. I am considering buying a very long cue. I was thinking over 63" perhaps, but I wonder about balance point among other things.

I feel most comfortable when I am only about 8" behind the Meucci's balance point, but in order to maintain a vertical stroking forearm, this requires me to pull my bridge hand back by about 7" by bending sharply at the elbow. It also puts my head too close to the cueball for comfort.

I don't know if the following measurement can aid in finding the appropriate length of a cue, but when I spread my arms straight out like wings, the distance between the points at the end of my palms/base of fingers is 65".

I don't know how a cue balances with extra length. I'm also wondering if wood choices would be significant in this regard. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

 

[QMAKER]

Balance point on longer cues

I'm 6'3" I am considering buying a very long cue. I was thinking over 63" perhaps, but I wonder about balance point among other things.
I don't know how a cue balances with extra length. I'm also wondering if wood choices would be significant in this regard. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

I'll wade in here and give you my take on this. I follow Dieckman's advice and make the balance point on the butt at the 1/2 way point. When you add the shaft it usually shifts the balance point forward 4" (+-) depending on the weight of the shaft, of course. So, if you had 31" butt the 1/2 way point would be 15.5 plus 4" for the shaft and your balance point would be 19.5" (+-). I don't know if this is what you are looking for but to shift the balance point is not difficult regardless of the woods. The problem will be in getting someone to make a cue 62" or longer. My equipment is maxed out at 60" because I set the pin early in the cue making process.

Bob Flynn
denalicues.com
International Cuemakers Assn.

 

[Mc2]

I'm 6'3" and need to hold my 58" Meucci near the butt cap to have a vertical rear forearm. This puts the balance point about 14" forward of the most forward part of my stroking hand. I am considering buying a very long cue. I was thinking over 63" perhaps, but I wonder about balance point among other things.

I feel most comfortable when I am only about 8" behind the Meucci's balance point, but in order to maintain a vertical stroking forearm, this requires me to pull my bridge hand back by about 7" by bending sharply at the elbow. It also puts my head too close to the cueball for comfort.

I don't know if the following measurement can aid in finding the appropriate length of a cue, but when I spread my arms straight out like wings, the distance between the points at the end of my palms/base of fingers is 65".

I don't know how a cue balances with extra length. I'm also wondering if wood choices would be significant in this regard. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

Just a few things to be aware of. First, you will find it difficult to find shaft wood that is long enough, even if you do it may warp easier with the extra length. Second, your cue will not fit in most standard cases.


good luck, jimbo.

 

[krbsailing]

Trial & Error Perhaps!?

I'm 6' tall and feel comfortable playing with a 57" to 60" cue!

The secret IMHO is that the cue be balanced properly to your preferences!

Personally, I prefer a cue which is a little forward balanced.....say between 18.5" to maybe even as far foreward as 20" from the bumper.

You may need to try some different cues out to get a feel for what you personally like.....nobody here is going to have the precise anwser you what you personally are looking for -- only some solid advice.

I've got a 60" Paul Allers cue which is brand spankin new that I'd send to you for $300 plus shipping, etc. If you didn't like the cue I would be happy to refund your money, if it's returned as recieved, less the shipping charges!?

You'll just need to try some different configurations to see what feels better to you. But, my guess is that based upon your height a 59" to 60" cue is going to be alot more comfortable.

Good Rolls to Ya,

Ken

 

[Angle Detective]

Mismatched lengths of butt and shaft?

I'll wade in here and give you my take on this. I follow Dieckman's advice and make the balance point on the butt at the 1/2 way point. When you add the shaft it usually shifts the balance point forward 4" (+-) depending on the weight of the shaft, of course. So, if you had 31" butt the 1/2 way point would be 15.5 plus 4" for the shaft and your balance point would be 19.5" (+-). I don't know if this is what you are looking for but to shift the balance point is not difficult regardless of the woods. The problem will be in getting someone to make a cue 62" or longer. My equipment is maxed out at 60" because I set the pin early in the cue making process.

That is such a simple way of determining it. I don't know how I overlooked that the balance of the butt by itself would be roughly half the way up. I suppose even with the many types of woods available this wouldn't vary by much. And shafts are probably pretty standard weights as well I assume?

Bob, let me just say that your website is fantastic! I learned so much from it. And I don't know how you can sell your cues so cheaply with all that goes into them. Your attention to detail and quality is apparent.

Thanks Jimbo for the advice. Ken, I'll have to pass on the offer. I really want to be able to stretch out with my cue. And I like the 8" behind the balance point area.

Another question for those still here:
How do you feel about mismatched lengths of butts and shafts? I don't mind them not fitting in a standard case. I'm talking about playability and non-warping and anything else you can think of to consider. Say I were to get a 63" cue that had a 30" shaft and a 33" butt for instance.
Thanks

 

[Paul Dayton]

I have always tried to make my balance point almost 1/3 of the length of the cue. That works out to 19.33 inches for standard.

I just made a 64" cue for a customer and I scaled everything up but the front 16". I was afraid that leaving the various diameters the standard size would be too whippy. The customer was 6'8" tall.

 

[QMAKER]

Making money building cues!!!!!

T

Bob, let me just say that your website is fantastic! I learned so much from it. And I don't know how you can sell your cues so cheaply with all that goes into them. Your attention to detail and quality is apparent.

Thanks

Thanks for the compliment. I decided long ago that there was no money in making cues, at least for me. I would have to call it (cue making) an obsession. Kind of reminds me of a story I had read somewhere, "The old cue maker was asked what was going to do with all his newly won lottery winnings". He replied, " I guess I will just keep making cues until I go broke, AGAIN".

Bob Flynn
denalicues.com
International Cuemakers Assoc.