custom shafts

[tom haney]

I've seen all kinds of statistics about shaft deflection
comparing Predator, OB-1, TigerX, Meucci etc.

I have a Mottey with 2 original shafts and a TigerX shaft.
The guy who sold it to me told me the TigerX shaft worked a lot better with the cue.
I tried the original a couple of times and switched to the TigerX shaft.

After a few months I decided I just didn't like Mottey cues.
Recently, I decided to try it with the original shaft again and now I've decided I really like my Mottey.

It got me to wondering. Have they ever run tests on custom
cue shafts for deflection?
Maybe comparing shafts made by Mottey, Schick, Hercek,
Scruggs, Searing, Kersenbrock, etc.

What do you think, guys? Might be interesting.

 

[Rift]

Seems like I've read 10 different studies on shafts and deflection. A few done by independents and others done by the companies that make the shafts. All I can offer is for 3 years I've shot with a Predator 314 and I loved it. It took me maybe 2 months of playing to get used to it but after that it was very good. 2 months ago a friend of mine let me pick up his Mike Cochran cue and the difference was so amazing I called to have one made. The hit was something that I felt like I was missing for my entire of shooting pool. But really it boils down to my personal preference.

 

[tom haney]

In all probability many cue makers would not give their permission to have their equipment tested, now that I think about it.
Sorry if this was a dumb question.

Maybe I should have just asked how many of you prefer the original
shaft on your custom cue to one of these " designer" shafts?

 

[jingle]

good thought!

It got me to wondering. Have they ever run tests on custom
cue shafts for deflection?
Maybe comparing shafts made by Mottey, Schick, Hercek,
Scruggs, Searing, Kersenbrock, etc.

What do you think, guys? Might be interesting.

I would love to see custom shafts tested. I have been tinkering with the tip diameter and tapers on my Josey shafts to try to reduce the squirt some. I think I have them where I want them now (actually still waiting on the 2nd shaft to come back). I need to do some more comparisons, but it sure seems like they are very similar to my OB-1 as respects squirt now. I had Keith turn them down to 12.40mm at the tip and lengthen/soften the taper just a bit from what he normally uses. The first shaft still plays stiff like a Josey, but has quite a bit less squirt than before (prior to the changes it was 12.75mm with stiffer taper). I should have the second shaft back from him on Mon or Tuesday and I can't wait to see if it plays the same. I had it changed to the same specs and it had been 12.85mm with stiffer taper.

 

[tom haney]

I would love to see custom shafts tested. I have been tinkering with the tip diameter and tapers on my Josey shafts to try to reduce the squirt some. I think I have them where I want them now (actually still waiting on the 2nd shaft to come back). I need to do some more comparisons, but it sure seems like they are very similar to my OB-1 as respects squirt now. I had Keith turn them down to 12.40mm at the tip and lengthen/soften the taper just a bit from what he normally uses. The first shaft still plays stiff like a Josey, but has quite a bit less squirt than before (prior to the changes it was 12.75mm with stiffer taper). I should have the second shaft back from him on Mon or Tuesday and I can't wait to see if it plays the same. I had it changed to the same specs and it had been 12.85mm with stiffer taper.

A good post but one that illustrates the problem with such tests.
There are so many possible variables and individual preferences that come into play.
That's why they're called custom cues.

I know. I'm arguing against myself here. I do that sometimes.

 

[jingle]

A good post but one that illustrates the problem with such tests.
There are so many possible variables and individual preferences that come into play.
That's why they're called custom cues.

I know. I'm arguing against myself here. I do that sometimes.

You're right, I don't think comparisons among custom makers would be as readily accepted as comparisons of the mass-produced cues/shafts. With that being said, don't most custom cue makers have a "standard" or "default" tip size and shaft taper they will use if the customer doesn't have specific requirements?

 

[tom haney]

You're right, I don't think comparisons among custom makers would be as readily accepted as comparisons of the mass-produced cues/shafts. With that being said, don't most custom cue makers have a "standard" or "default" tip size and shaft taper they will use if the customer doesn't have specific requirements?

I believe so. Every custom cue I have bought was not originally made for me so I don't really know.
On EBAY some will say this is what it will be unless you would
prefer other specs.