has anyone else seen this, bumpers?
- Thread starter desi2960
- Start date
RBC
Deceased
I've replaced hundreds of them over the years. Never on my cues, but tons of others.
The fact that rubber doesn't compress is the reason it happens. When the player slams the butt on the ground, the rubber gets mashed up into the recess that's cut into the butt cap for it. The rubber acts more like a liquid and just spreads that load out sideways and blows out the butt cap.
I've always given extra room around the bumper when I fixed them so it's less likely to happen again.
I'm like Eric though, I don't like the typical round bumper sticking out too far so I opt for the square ended 5/8" push in stem bumper.
Royce
It must happen when the player side-loads the bumper while using the cue like a pogo stick.
Is that considered warranty?
Last year I sent a Tim Scruggs cue to Bob Frey for a new ivory butt cap.
The cue belonged to a friend who is really clumsy, so we ended up going with a delrin butt cap instead of ivory.
Then I sold him a TS cue that had never been chalked, and within minutes he was bouncing it all over the place.
This the same guy who put the limbsaver on the Black Boar I sold him.
Cuemakers need extended warranty programs for guys like him.
I made a series of test cues and one of the things I experimented with was how much force was required to blow out butt caps (using the bumper being discussed). I started with light taps on concrete and continually increased the hit until each configuration busted in some way. In some cases, it took a very serious and determined slam to bust something. In other cases, quite moderate. I broke enough to really get tired of replacing butt caps.
I tested different butt cap materials, but cap lengths, tenon sizes, different bumper countersink depths and diameters, and even the affect a phenolic insert had. I evaluated it all and decided to make certain decisions about each specific configuration to simply make it harder to blow out a cap. Based on my tests, I try and configure things to a level that should eliminate damage from a mild to moderate aww shucks hit on the floor. Beyond that, I decided trying to prevent damage from determined/purposeful slams is not part of my equation.
I tested different butt cap materials, but cap lengths, tenon sizes, different bumper countersink depths and diameters, and even the affect a phenolic insert had. I evaluated it all and decided to make certain decisions about each specific configuration to simply make it harder to blow out a cap. Based on my tests, I try and configure things to a level that should eliminate damage from a mild to moderate aww shucks hit on the floor. Beyond that, I decided trying to prevent damage from determined/purposeful slams is not part of my equation.
RBC
Deceased
On the contrary!
With many cues, the bumper is recessed fairly deep into the butt cap. Many of those cues also fit the bumper fairly tight in the hole, not leaving much room around the outside of the bumper. With these cues, a fairly light smack of the stick on the floor will cause the trapped bumper to squish out on the side. Doing so in a confined space will put tremendous pressure against the fairly thin wall of the butt cap resulting in a blown out butt cap.
Now, if enough room is left around the bumper, it's not really that much of a problem. Or, if the bumper is recessed just a little bit, then again, no problems. But, when 2/3 or more of the bumper is recessed in a close fitting hole, disaster is much closer than you think.
Royce
Changing from a 1" diameter bumper to a 7/8" diameter bumper pretty much fixed the issue for me. I also don't have to countersink as deep, as the narrower bumper already has a sleeker look than the 1". With the 1", I had to countersink it about 3/16" in order for it to look good. Otherwise it looks bulky & goofy.
the regular threaded style bumper with a few alterations
Last edited:
the modifying can be interesting at times , lol
i spun one out while doing this
that sob came out at me like a ninja star
:idea: I think we should take up a collection. For only $19/month you can be a part of the movement to supply Brent with new calipers. Don't wait. The time is now.
yeah, they been around awhile ,
but they are accurate and i love the big display
i usually wait till all three sets are buggered up and then re-stock
it's just one more thing on my to do list
send hickory burl instead please :duck: