fixing a Z2 shaft idea.

[shojingod]

I have a Z2 that I got second hand were a previous owner used to break with, so the shaft has delamination issues in the first three inches where the pie section have cracked apart. This is the idea I had to get done (I don't have the equipment for this). The ferrule is intact. Remove the ferrule, drill out the foam core for 3 1/2 inches. Put elastics around that part of the shaft, plug the base(inside the hole) with a small piece of plastic then pour a small amount of a very liquid CA then utilize a small amount of air pressure to force the ca through the cracks. Once dried drill out again to remove the plug then use either a balsa wood dowel or carbon fiber rod filled with foam/insulation for the empty space. Then simply redo a new ferrule, clean up the shaft of ca that leaked through the crack, the tip. Then done. I know it won't be exactly like it was 100%. The CA will rebind the pie sections while the dowel will create another glue point.

 

[conetip]

The reason for the delamination is that the original glue has failed. The glue you are trying to repair with, is now adhering to the very glue that has already failed. Yes short term the thin wicking superglue will easily fill the delaminated gap with no real issues. It won't last though. 1st has already been mentioned, second is that the very thin cyno glues are also very brittle and will fail from the shock and flexing of the material over time. I doubt that anyone would do your repair and standby that repair on a failed shaft.

 

[iusedtoberich]

Predator used to warranty the shafts for life against delamination. I had 2 314-1’s personally replaced about 15 years ago. I don’t know if that’s still their policy. It’s worth asking them, imo.

 

[Michael Webb]

I have a Z2 that I got second hand were a previous owner used to break with, so the shaft has delamination issues in the first three inches where the pie section have cracked apart. This is the idea I had to get done (I don't have the equipment for this). The ferrule is intact. Remove the ferrule, drill out the foam core for 3 1/2 inches. Put elastics around that part of the shaft, plug the base(inside the hole) with a small piece of plastic then pour a small amount of a very liquid CA then utilize a small amount of air pressure to force the ca through the cracks. Once dried drill out again to remove the plug then use either a balsa wood dowel or carbon fiber rod filled with foam/insulation for the empty space. Then simply redo a new ferrule, clean up the shaft of ca that leaked through the crack, the tip. Then done. I know it won't be exactly like it was 100%. The CA will rebind the pie sections while the dowel will create another glue point.

Super glue is a bad idea. It dries to quick.
You stated you don't have the correct equipment.
STOP!
Just being honest, not rude.

 

[shojingod]

Super glue is a bad idea. It dries to quick.
You stated you don't have the correct equipment.
STOP!
Just being honest, not rude.

How about I get light material dowel like balsa. I'm not doing the work but trying to figure out a way to get it repaired somehow. Forget the CA and go with two part epoxy since it is drilled out we would have a solid back contact with a more solid core. You cannot glue to foam.

 

[shojingod]

Predator used to warranty the shafts for life against delamination. I had 2 314-1’s personally replaced about 15 years ago. I don’t know if that’s still their policy. It’s worth asking them, imo.

I'm not the original purchaser or know the original purchaser. The last person past away. It was given to me with a older joss butt.

 

[boogieman]

I'm not the original purchaser or know the original purchaser. The last person past away. It was given to me with a older joss butt.

I'd still contact them, you never know, they might still warranty it or offer a discount on a different shaft.

 

[conetip]

The only chance I see is seeing how far up the shaft the failures go, drill a small hole to prevent further separation up the shaft on each section. Then use an infusion resin to capillary attract into the failed sections. You will need to remove the coating of what ever is inside and clean it all the best you can before doing this. You could also make a specific balsa core insert as well, but that won't want to be soaked in infusion resin. It will change the cue too much with the added mass of the resin in the balsa. The amount of work involved, I doubt it will be worth the effort, unless someone donates their time in this repair.

 

[shojingod]

The only chance I see is seeing how far up the shaft the failures go, drill a small hole to prevent further separation up the shaft on each section. Then use an infusion resin to capillary attract into the failed sections. You will need to remove the coating of what ever is inside and clean it all the best you can before doing this. You could also make a specific balsa core insert as well, but that won't want to be soaked in infusion resin. It will change the cue too much with the added mass of the resin in the balsa. The amount of work involved, I doubt it will be worth the effort, unless someone donates their time in this repair.

I just throwing ideas around in my head at this time. I am also having a conversation with predator about it. We will see what comes up. The funny thing is it did not have this issue the shaft is pretty much perfect.

 

[Kim Bye]

All that work for a shaft that's severely damaged and abused. Get a new shaft, it's cheaper. This time maybe look into a regular non-laminated shaft. A subjective point, but I've never understood the appeal of the Z shafts. Too thin, that dead feeling and the construction means that it in my experience sooner, rather than lather will be expensive firewood.

 

[shojingod]

No luck with Predator. Well it's no real lost to me. I got the shaft for free but seeing how this shaft is I doubt I would ever buy a predator shaft in the future. There are so many options now a days that don't require the shaft to be hollow for the first 3 inches. There are so many affordable shafts out there that play pretty close and are not hollow, for less. Or I will get a custom guy to make me another LD shaft. P.S I already have a custom LD shaft. The Jacoby Ultra pro looks very interesting do.

 

[iusedtoberich]

What did predator say? What was the reason they would not warranty it? Just curious, as they did fix 2 of mine for free many years back.

 

[shojingod]

What did predator say? What was the reason they would not warranty it? Just curious, as they did fix 2 of mine for free many years back.

I don't have any receipt and I don't know if it was registered since the original owner is dead. They wanted me ship it to them on a maybe they will do something but before I had to fill out a form with information I don't have. I don't know when it was bought, from where, or have no receipt which I mentioned 6 emails in from the very beginning. Lot of wasted back and forth for something they new at the beginning they would do nothing. I would been happy for a good rebate on a new shaft. The shipping cost from where I am located would have been probably half the price of a new shaft in itself so that pretty much ended it. They recommended I look for a local cue repair person to see what can be done. That was pretty much it. I don't blame Predator in any way just wish they didn't egg me on for half a month with useless back and forth. Giving me hope something can be done or arranged when they new from the get go that I did have no receipt and was not the original owner. Also I believe their is a good possibility the person I got the shaft from was not the original owner either. Where I am located Predator is very very premium, local custom is pretty much non existent and I don't even know if anybody even do tip work locally(I moved here not to long ago). I'm located in Northern Ontario Canada.