DRDave: I don't want to take over a thread on "Cyclops vs brunswick & aramith"
- Thread starter Pete
- Start date
I think it would be very difficult to accurately measure a propensity to skid because skidding is such a random event. You'd probably have to hit 10,000+ shots (of each ball set) to have enough skids to make the data reliable.
In-direct methods (analyzing the surfaces of the balls, etc.) are just guessing since you don't know if one set skids more than another. i.e. let's say you find that Cyclop balls have a smoother surface than Aramith balls, so you conclude that smoother surfaces cause skids....but you don't really know if Cyclop balls skid more often or not.
You could "force" a skid by putting chalk at the OB contact point (as DrDave has done before, I think), but that's going to cause skids in nearly every shot regardless of ball set.
Tough problem.
In-direct methods (analyzing the surfaces of the balls, etc.) are just guessing since you don't know if one set skids more than another. i.e. let's say you find that Cyclop balls have a smoother surface than Aramith balls, so you conclude that smoother surfaces cause skids....but you don't really know if Cyclop balls skid more often or not.
You could "force" a skid by putting chalk at the OB contact point (as DrDave has done before, I think), but that's going to cause skids in nearly every shot regardless of ball set.
Tough problem.
Skids have very little to do with the balls and everything to do with dirt and chalk. A skid occurs when debris affects the contact point between the cue ball and the object ball, always at slow speeds. The increased friction at the contact point increases the throw causing the object ball off its expected path. The "thud" you hear is the cue ball jumping off and returning to the table as a result of the increased friction.
RBC
Deceased
A true "skid" is really caused by excessive friction between the cue ball and the object ball. Usually, it's when a chalk spot just so happens to fall right on the contact point during the shot. Some of today's special chalks tend to stickIt can also be caused by a scratched or rough spot on the cue ball doing the same thing. The rough spots can be caused by the cue balls bouncing on a hard floor when they're knocked off the table. Or by pocket nails used to hold the pockets in place not being installed correctly. Or also by solid phenolic of G10 tips that scuff up the ball when breaking.
There a a lot of claims of "skid" that are really referring to the cloth being "slippery", allowing the cue ball to slide more than usual. This is always on new cloth, and is just a part of the game.
In either case, it's very unlikely that the actual cue ball has much to do with it.
Royce
There a a lot of claims of "skid" that are really referring to the cloth being "slippery", allowing the cue ball to slide more than usual. This is always on new cloth, and is just a part of the game.
In either case, it's very unlikely that the actual cue ball has much to do with it.
Royce
runouteasy
Banned
True friction between the object and cue balls causes skids.
It's also true that a loss of traction between the bottom of the object ball and the cloth causes skids. If any of you ever shot at a pro event on brand new cloth with these balls you would understand that the slick finish on the balls is the real problem here. On dirty cloth v with more friction they don't skid nearly as much
It's also true that a loss of traction between the bottom of the object ball and the cloth causes skids. If any of you ever shot at a pro event on brand new cloth with these balls you would understand that the slick finish on the balls is the real problem here. On dirty cloth v with more friction they don't skid nearly as much
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So you are saying that friction and a lack of traction (friction) causes skids??
A sliding cueball is not a skid.
RBC
Deceased
I think you're talking about 2 different things.
The friction between the balls at contact is what is most commonly know as "skid".
The friction between the object ball and the cloth will have no significant affect on the direction of the object ball.
Royce
As others have pointed out already, you're using the term incorrectly. What you are talking about is "slide" not "skid'. Slide is very noticeable on new cloth with clean/waxed balls when a stripe rolls straight into a rail and it keeps its spin and effective has draw as it comes off the cushion. It is also seen when a ball rolls into a cushion at 45 degrees and takes a big arc as it comes off the cushion. That is not skid.
Skid is from high friction, slide is from low friction.