Cue shaft size, matetial?

SeniorTom

SeniorTom

Well-known member
I bought a playing cue ,Pechaurer, really nice wood grain and very simple. It has the standard 13 mm wood shaft included, and that's what I've been playing with for the last month or so. I really enjoy the 13 mm shaft, and also the wood aspect of it, and have a hard time using my 12.4 mm carbon fiber shaft. I have never really shot much with the 12.4 mm carbon fiber shaft, it has been sitting on the sidelines a bit until I have been ready to try it. I don't know if it is the size or the material, but I can't seem to shoot very well with the 12.4 mm carbon fiber shaft. I won't say I shoot lights out with the 13 mm, but I shoot very good with it. My hands are on the large and lanky side, and it seems like a 13 mm fits my bridge hand much better than a 12.4 mm. Is this uncommon? Does anybody else prefer 13 mm and wood shaft? Will the carbon fiber be something I get used to, or should stick with the larger size shaft? I have been playing about a year and a half now.
 
It took me about 6 weeks to transition from a 12.75mm Z2 to a 12.5mm Z2 s-tuned shaft.
I could shoot easy shots equally right off the bad, but shots with speed of spin were "just off".
It boils down to muscle memory when the adrenaline is dumped into your system.
Your muscles have to instinctively know which shaft is on the stick.

The time/delay of accommodation surprised me greatly.
 
All my shafts are 314-2 Predator’s in 13mm and I love them, probably wouldn’t mic at 13mm now with all the playing time they’ve had but it’s what I’m used to. I like the Revo 12.4 too but not enough to make the switch
 
tim913 said:
All my shafts are 314-2 Predator’s in 13mm and I love them, probably wouldn’t mic at 13mm now with all the playing time they’ve had but it’s what I’m used to. I like the Revo 12.4 too but not enough to make the switch
Click to expand...
What bothered me yesterday while playing the 12.4 mm Rogue carbon fiber shaft was that I couldn't make anything consistently. It was like I had lost a skill set when I feel like I'm as good as I've ever been. It was really mind boggling. I think I have always played better with a 13 mm then thinner shafted sticks. I got several different shafts and I go back and forth, but yesterday it seemed quite evident that I enjoy a 13 mm over a thinner stick.
 
SeniorTom said:
I bought a playing cue ,Pechaurer, really nice wood grain and very simple. It has the standard 13 mm wood shaft included, and that's what I've been playing with for the last month or so. I really enjoy the 13 mm shaft, and also the wood aspect of it, and have a hard time using my 12.4 mm carbon fiber shaft. I have never really shot much with the 12.4 mm carbon fiber shaft, it has been sitting on the sidelines a bit until I have been ready to try it. I don't know if it is the size or the material, but I can't seem to shoot very well with the 12.4 mm carbon fiber shaft. I won't say I shoot lights out with the 13 mm, but I shoot very good with it. My hands are on the large and lanky side, and it seems like a 13 mm fits my bridge hand much better than a 12.4 mm. Is this uncommon? Does anybody else prefer 13 mm and wood shaft? Will the carbon fiber be something I get used to, or should stick with the larger size shaft? I have been playing about a year and a half now.
Click to expand...
It's probably a combination of the material, and diameter difference. If your CF shaft were 13mm, then you are adjusting to one less variable IMO.
🤷
 
SeniorTom said:
I bought a playing cue ,Pechaurer, really nice wood grain and very simple. It has the standard 13 mm wood shaft included, and that's what I've been playing with for the last month or so. I really enjoy the 13 mm shaft, and also the wood aspect of it, and have a hard time using my 12.4 mm carbon fiber shaft. I have never really shot much with the 12.4 mm carbon fiber shaft, it has been sitting on the sidelines a bit until I have been ready to try it. I don't know if it is the size or the material, but I can't seem to shoot very well with the 12.4 mm carbon fiber shaft. I won't say I shoot lights out with the 13 mm, but I shoot very good with it. My hands are on the large and lanky side, and it seems like a 13 mm fits my bridge hand much better than a 12.4 mm. Is this uncommon? Does anybody else prefer 13 mm and wood shaft? Will the carbon fiber be something I get used to, or should stick with the larger size shaft? I have been playing about a year and a half now.
Click to expand...
I learned the hard way that when moving to a smaller diameter shaft that you must be more critical on tip placement on the cue ball.
 
I have switched back and forth between various shafts I own and have always played better with 13 mm over 12.4 mm. I don't think it's the material as much as the diameter that takes time adjusting to. I am wondering if it's time to make a commitment to 13mm, and accept that as my go-to size? I own a Rhino 12.9mm cf shaft and don't have issues with adjusting to it. Anything less in size seems to be harder to control.
 
SeniorTom said:
I have switched back and forth between various shafts I own and have always played better with 13 mm over 12.4 mm. I don't think it's the material as much as the diameter that takes time adjusting to. I am wondering if it's time to make a commitment to 13mm, and accept that as my go-to size? I own a Rhino 12.9mm cf shaft and don't have issues with adjusting to it. Anything less in size seems to be harder to control.
Click to expand...
it is harder to control, your tip placement has to be more precise the smaller the tip size, the smaller the shaft the smaller the tip.
 
I get the impression that a 13mm cue is more for beginners than experienced players, is this true. (me 1.5 years)
Is it known how many professionals use larger cues, 13mm?
 
SeniorTom said:
I get the impression that a 13mm cue is more for beginners than experienced players, is this true. (me 1.5 years)
Is it known how many professionals use larger cues, 13mm?
Click to expand...
Gorst uses a 12.5mm, use what works for you, you can get more action out of a smaller tip, that can be good and bad if you know what I mean.
 
SSP said:
it is harder to control, your tip placement has to be more precise the smaller the tip size, the smaller the shaft the smaller the tip.
Click to expand...

Smaller tip diameters require a more deliberate stroke.
But you can do more with the CB !
 
MitchAlsup said:
Smaller tip diameters require a more deliberate stroke.
But you can do more with the CB !
Click to expand...
Then this could be a possibility in the future, when I develop my stroke a bit better. Right now my stroke is a bit inconsistent, and I am thinking a 13 mm might be best for me right now? Also, flexibility has gone down somewhat in my fingers due to age, and it seems like a larger diameter shaft is more manageable.
 
Smaller shafts are superior. I was using smaller shafts when 12.75 and 13 were the standard. I use to hop on to a snooker table with my buddy and he would use the snooker cues and I kept shooting with my cue.

If you’re out of form the smaller shaft will end your match quickly. Always carry a 13 for these occasions till your mind and body is warmed up.

The reason is you can be more precise with cue ball contact.

I know they go even smaller today and I wouldn’t recommend it. 12.5 is probably the smallest I go. This size feels weak on certain shots that deal with draw. I feel it doesn’t have the power to move the ball. I feel like the shaft is going to snap. That’s just me. You have to put a lot of effort.
 
shooter_Hans said:
Smaller shafts are superior.
Click to expand...
Yes, I can see why. Although, larger hands governed by older eyes may say differently for me, lol.
shooter_Hans said:
If you’re out of form the smaller shaft will end your match quickly. Always carry a 13 for these occasions till your mind and body is warmed up.
Click to expand...
Good advise!
shooter_Hans said:
The reason is you can be more precise with cue ball contact.
Click to expand...
Sometimes I wonder if precision starts to deteriorate as the shaft diameter gets smaller especially for somebody with larger hands.
Thanks for your post I appreciate it.
 
SeniorTom said:
Sometimes I wonder if precision starts to deteriorate as the shaft diameter gets smaller especially for somebody with larger hands.
Click to expand...

Anything from brain to tip can be a factor. Eyes, core muscles, and bridge come to mind as the most prominent. If your bridge is centered and square, then the stick will only sit lower. If it (your bridge) isn't, there will of course be other habits to consider.

FWIW, the majority of my shafts are production 13ish mm. Like all gear, they do more pool than I could possibly cover and the tips pop on right out the box - give or take usually negligible tolerances. Trimming isn't actually a problem, just a bother.
 
To be honest here. My keilwood is 12mm and it seems like it’s the same size as my standard 11.75mm at least to my vision. Maybe due to the ferrule being shorter on the 12? Not sure. When I use the cues other regular shaft which is 12.5mm I can tell a big difference between that one and the other 2. So it’s quite possible since you cf is a bit smaller to start it feels even smaller for whatever reason my 12 feels small. My hands are large also, but prefer 11.75mm, and also don’t have any issue going to a 13mm anytime. Just don’t get as much cb action with the 13. And after using a 13 a while switching back to the 11.75 feels wonderful. It’s actually easier to aim with it.

Plus you said you were only been playing a year and a half and that can do it too. If you have enough time in you’ll be able to aim wherever you want with almost any cue.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top