There are several ld shafts I have been considering. I own a predator 314-2 and like how it plays. The other two I would be interested in more info about is the dominator and OB classic. Do they have more or less deflection, and how much more solid do they hit.
Deflection
- Thread starter Gilbertfan81
- Start date
I just finally switched back to a regular shaft and it was frustrating at first but now that I'm back used to a regular shaft, I'm playing much better. I just have better feel when playing with a regular shaft. I guess it's just a personal preference thing.
I've shot with OB, 314, HXT and others. I prefer my SS360 hands down.
Can you elaborate alittle?
Can you elaborate a little. Which of the LD shafts have you tried. Or what makes you think they don't produce less deflection. As for me I shoot with a OB2 but I don't like the feel. It fells like I have a marshmallow for a tip. But I know the amount of deflection is so good that I deal with the feel. My stock shaft feels incredible but I just cant control squirt or deflection with it. Im moving to a OB classic or classic pro for a little firmer hit.
Can you elaborate a little. Which of the LD shafts have you tried. Or what makes you think they don't produce less deflection. As for me I shoot with a OB2 but I don't like the feel. It fells like I have a marshmallow for a tip. But I know the amount of deflection is so good that I deal with the feel. My stock shaft feels incredible but I just cant control squirt or deflection with it. Im moving to a OB classic or classic pro for a little firmer hit.
Lots of info here...let me try and decode and summarize:
1) Not that this thread was about whether LD shafts are good or not...but the bottom line is they *DO* produce less cueball squirt (deflection). For most people this makes aiming shots with left and right english easier. There is really no shot that you can make with a LD shaft that you can't make with a standard maple shaft and vice versa. Some people think otherwise, but that is almost certainly because of what they are used to. Most all would agree that a solid maple shaft has a more *solid* hit. Duh...of course it will. I personally prefer the *feel* of my Andy Gilbert shaft over any LD shaft I've tried. However, since I'm used to 314-2 and OB Classsic, I can't really make a ball with it if I use English. Bottom line: get used to what you use. Learn it. You can "learn" english faster with LD shafts, but regular shafts give better feel. Its up to you to decide what is most important.
2) I have played extensively with the 314-2 and OB Classic. I find the hit of the OB to be better, *for me*. It seems to give better feedback and a more solid feel. I seem to have a better feel for the cueball. However, the 314-2 has lower deflection. Not by a mile, but a little less. The difference in deflection between the OB Classic and the 314-2 is *WAY* less than the difference between either of those and a standard maple shaft.
3) I second the advice of the poster who mentioned the SS360 shaft. That thing is out of this world! It comes very close to the feel of a standard maple shaft, but offers deflection somewhere in between the OB Classic and the 314-2. The feel, however, is much superior to either. I also prefer the taper to the OB, although I do like the 314-2 taper a lot. I highly recommend trying to find one. I hate telling people about it...I want it to be *my* secret lol. But okay...look at www.bdcuesandcomix.com
Hope this helps.
KMRUNOUT
1) Not that this thread was about whether LD shafts are good or not...but the bottom line is they *DO* produce less cueball squirt (deflection). For most people this makes aiming shots with left and right english easier. There is really no shot that you can make with a LD shaft that you can't make with a standard maple shaft and vice versa. Some people think otherwise, but that is almost certainly because of what they are used to. Most all would agree that a solid maple shaft has a more *solid* hit. Duh...of course it will. I personally prefer the *feel* of my Andy Gilbert shaft over any LD shaft I've tried. However, since I'm used to 314-2 and OB Classsic, I can't really make a ball with it if I use English. Bottom line: get used to what you use. Learn it. You can "learn" english faster with LD shafts, but regular shafts give better feel. Its up to you to decide what is most important.
2) I have played extensively with the 314-2 and OB Classic. I find the hit of the OB to be better, *for me*. It seems to give better feedback and a more solid feel. I seem to have a better feel for the cueball. However, the 314-2 has lower deflection. Not by a mile, but a little less. The difference in deflection between the OB Classic and the 314-2 is *WAY* less than the difference between either of those and a standard maple shaft.
3) I second the advice of the poster who mentioned the SS360 shaft. That thing is out of this world! It comes very close to the feel of a standard maple shaft, but offers deflection somewhere in between the OB Classic and the 314-2. The feel, however, is much superior to either. I also prefer the taper to the OB, although I do like the 314-2 taper a lot. I highly recommend trying to find one. I hate telling people about it...I want it to be *my* secret lol. But okay...look at www.bdcuesandcomix.com
Hope this helps.
KMRUNOUT
I think the SS360 is best bang for your buck. It's under priced and overlooked. Made to your specs and hits better than any production LD shaft I've used. I also use a Joss that was factory turned down to 12.5. I like it but it produces more squirt than the SS360 and it really shows on a 9 foot table. I keep the Joss in my case as a back up.
I also have an additional Joss shaft that seems to act the same. Joss is the best factory shaft I've used, the SS360 is the best ld shaft I've used. But if you want what everybody else has, go for it. Just my $0.02
I also have an additional Joss shaft that seems to act the same. Joss is the best factory shaft I've used, the SS360 is the best ld shaft I've used. But if you want what everybody else has, go for it. Just my $0.02
I can't really speak to the deflection difference between my OB Classic and my Joss or McDermott regular shafts but the nature of the classic pro makes for incredible shots.
Maybe its just me but on power stroke shots they react much better with the OB Classic.
I am not sure how many on here do these types of shots but I am talking about severe circle draw and force follow specifically after an object balls has been struck.
I basically use the OB Classic for 9ball or 10ball and the Joss for 8ball, 14.1 and any game that requires less movement of the cueball.
Maybe its just me but on power stroke shots they react much better with the OB Classic.
I am not sure how many on here do these types of shots but I am talking about severe circle draw and force follow specifically after an object balls has been struck.
I basically use the OB Classic for 9ball or 10ball and the Joss for 8ball, 14.1 and any game that requires less movement of the cueball.
I tend to agree with zpele. I have a jucied 314 Cat, a McD i2 & the OB Classic.
The 'juiced' sanded down 314 Cat has virtaually no Squirt/Deflection & plenty of swerve.
The OB Classic has very little Squirt/Deflection and has a bit of a soft hit feel but works very well.
The McD i2 has a little bit more Squirt/Deflection & is a bit more foward weight balanced. It plays LD but feels more like a regular shaft. It is not laminated but has a carbon tube down the shaft.
Tips make a big difference regarding feel.
I hope this helps.
The 'juiced' sanded down 314 Cat has virtaually no Squirt/Deflection & plenty of swerve.
The OB Classic has very little Squirt/Deflection and has a bit of a soft hit feel but works very well.
The McD i2 has a little bit more Squirt/Deflection & is a bit more foward weight balanced. It plays LD but feels more like a regular shaft. It is not laminated but has a carbon tube down the shaft.
Tips make a big difference regarding feel.
I hope this helps.
Ill Gotten Gain
Deceased
+1 Same here as well. It also helped me to appreciate how good a custom cue hits. No more LD shafts for me EVER.
12.5 mm tip to play on a 9' table, 13 mm is ok on a bar table
There is a "perfect" amount of deflection that I always strive for (I've described in past posts the process). This was always done according to the mm size of the tip. Using a conical tip is a big advantage in reducing deflection at the tip where it actually matters. We play the game with the TIP, not the shaft.
The most important part of the shaft, as far as deflection goes is the first couple of inches. I recommend no larger than a 12.5 mm tip to play on a 9' table, 13 mm is ok on a bar table (where you don't need to "pin" your shots as accurately).
There is a "perfect" amount of deflection that I always strive for (I've described in past posts the process). This was always done according to the mm size of the tip. Using a conical tip is a big advantage in reducing deflection at the tip where it actually matters. We play the game with the TIP, not the shaft.
The most important part of the shaft, as far as deflection goes is the first couple of inches. I recommend no larger than a 12.5 mm tip to play on a 9' table, 13 mm is ok on a bar table (where you don't need to "pin" your shots as accurately).
Yep... I agree. I have had all the Predators and all the OB shafts and the Classic Pro is my favorite. Low deflection and the hit is really solid compared to the Predator and OB wood ferrule shafts.
If you like whippy shafts why even respond to this thread?
I never heard of the Dominator but it looks ok on thier website.You cannot go wrong with any of the Predator shafts.Not sure if OB has totally fixed its problems with the ferule or tip pad or whatever.
There are a ton of LD shafts out there now,even costum cue makers are making them.
I never heard of the Dominator but it looks ok on thier website.You cannot go wrong with any of the Predator shafts.Not sure if OB has totally fixed its problems with the ferule or tip pad or whatever.
There are a ton of LD shafts out there now,even costum cue makers are making them.