Cue Stick Rattles

S

Spike8ball

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Hello,

Not sure if this is the right forum, but here goes...

I have an older Helmstetter cue that I bought back in the early/middle 80s. About 6 months ago after 15 years off, I started playing pool again and the stick felt pretty good.

I just had a Kamui Black Soft tip installed but I don’t think that caused this problem, which is the shaft with or without the butt attached rattles.

Sort of like a slow motion tuning fork, but it seems to be internal. Still plays OK, I guess but I’m probably not the best person to judge how a cue hits.

Doesn’t rattle when playing, just when I hold the stick and bump it with my hand, or gently drop the shaft on the carpet.

If you have any ideas, I would appreciate it. I’ve been thinking about one of the new LD shafts or cues, maybe now’s the time...

Thanks.

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chances are that the buzzing is comming from the but either around the weight bolt where glue has dried and cracked over time and has built up enough to make a rattle sound or its in the A joint.

i would try taking out the weight bolt and shaking it out.

the weight bolt could be glued so you might have to use a soldering iron to heat up the bolt and lossen the glue, just be cautious as to not over heat the bolt, it could casue damage to the cue.

Good luck.
 
Hi,

Check the weight bolt first if you have one. If not you have a buzz which could be coming from the A-Joint, or some area of the cue where the glue left air pockets during construction. Over the years the wood could have moved causing the problem.

Your joint pin may be loose also. You need to take it to a cue maker for inspection. My advise is leave it alone as it shouldn't effect the performance of the cue unless it is super bad. You are looking at a potential big ticket repair job.

Rick G
 
If I read it right:

"the shaft with or without the butt attached rattles"

Which reads to me as the shaft has a rattle.

And if that is the case, it may be the threaded insert that the glue has let go on. Whomever did the tip can probably take a look at it for you... Let him know the noise began after the tip was done, but don't press the issue with him. I'm sure he will want to make it right and you happy.

If the repair is beyond him, perhaps you can find a more comprehensive repair person in your area, or there are quite a few on here willing to help you out as well. I'm sure it is a minor thing from the sound of it.
 
Spike8ball said:
Hello,

Not sure if this is the right forum, but here goes...

I have an older Helmstetter cue that I bought back in the early/middle 80s. About 6 months ago after 15 years off, I started playing pool again and the stick felt pretty good.

I just had a Kamui Black Soft tip installed but I don’t think that caused this problem, which is the shaft with or without the butt attached rattles.

Sort of like a slow motion tuning fork, but it seems to be internal. Still plays OK, I guess but I’m probably not the best person to judge how a cue hits.

Doesn’t rattle when playing, just when I hold the stick and bump it with my hand, or gently drop the shaft on the carpet.

If you have any ideas, I would appreciate it. I’ve been thinking about one of the new LD shafts or cues, maybe now’s the time...

Thanks.

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Click to expand...

If what your post states is true, then the problem is in the deco-rings on the shaft, not in the butt. The glue has failed and is letting the ring components rattle and when the shaft is tightened down on the joint facing, the clearances are compressed and the rattle ceases. Try twisting or moving the different deco-ring components and see if there is any movement or play.

Dick
 
Yes, that's it, the shaft rattles when it is by itself, so that is good information.

It did start after the cue tip install so I think I will start there. It has been very dry and cold here (Fort Worth, TX) and I bet that had something do do with it.

Thanks for the replies/help.

By the way, does anyone recognize the cue? I know, I'm the one that bought it but it has been a long time...
 
could also be air pocket under tip.i have heard them make a surprising amount of noise.
 
I was just tapping it again on my finger and it really seems like the rattle is about half way on the shaft. Could be an air pocket, and it did start after the new tip.

I'm going to take in back Friday and see what they say. It's Fort Worth Billiards and they are great to work with.
 
Damn, I luv these. They're like little puzzles.

Dick thinks it's deco rings and it very well could be except for one consideration. The rattle is present when the cue is together. That would suggest to me that when the joint is in compression, so are the deco rings.
They shouldn't rattle.
I just dbl. checked to make sure. Piloted SS collar.

Obviously, if the problem developed immediately after a tip install, I'd be focusing in that area. It could be something as simple as bad glue debonding.
Have the installer check the tip. Personally, I love it when people tell me it's time to open a new bottle.
 
I was just tapping it again on my finger and it really seems like the rattle is about half way on the shaft. Could be an air pocket, and it did start after the new tip.
Click to expand...


it's funny how something so minor as an imperfect tip or tip job can cause the shaft to rattle halfway down or even all the way down the shaft,but i have seen it happen before.

also like Neil said if the tip doesn't fix it,it could be the ferrule.
 
Sounds like a loose insert in the shaft or possibly loose ringwork that, when tightened up to the butt, most of the movement is stopped. I'd let your local repair person/cuemaker look at it. Could be cheap fix if it's easy to re-glue.
 
The funny part is this is the first tip I have ever had installed professionally. I have always done them myself. I'll know Friday when I take it back.
 
Mystery solved. The rattle was coming from a loose ferrule. Shows you what I know... I didn’t know the ferrule was threaded on and like a few said, the glue gave up.

Took it to Fort Worth Billiards and it took them maybe... 5 minutes to re-glue it for me.

No charge - and I learned something.

Thanks for all the replies. These forums rock!
 
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