Having a shaft turned down

spliced

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I have a 1980s schon cue with two shafts at 13.3mm. They feel way too big and I planned to have them turned down to about 12.3, but I just read that turning shafts down often causes warpage problems. Would it be a safer bet to just have a new shaft made?

Thanks
IM
 
I would probably suggest a new shaft at the diameter you desire. The reasoning behind the suggestion is this: should you ever decide to part with that cue, you are going to find it more difficult because the original shafts have been turned down to below 12.75mm...often the smallest diameter most people strive for.

When you begin to mess around with original specs, you begin to devaluate the cue's overall value...especially for a nice old Schon like you have.:)

Lisa

PS...I know we say we'll never, ever part with a cue...but sometimes 'life' happens.
 
fullsplicefiend said:
I have a 1980s schon cue with two shafts at 13.3mm. They feel way too big and I planned to have them turned down to about 12.3, but I just read that turning shafts down often causes warpage problems. Would it be a safer bet to just have a new shaft made?

Thanks
IM


If the shaft has stayed straight all of this time, cutting it down should not affect the stability at all. I cut down 30-40 shafts a year, with no problems...JER
 
BLACKHEARTCUES said:
If the shaft has stayed straight all of this time, cutting it down should not affect the stability at all. I cut down 30-40 shafts a year, with no problems...JER

I agree with both of the above posters. I also turn down shafts on a regular basis, and if the wood is good / old there is never a problem as long as it is resealed properly.

However, I also agree that turning shafts down to the size that you want will devalue the cue. I normally will not turn a shaft down to more than 12.5mm, because I think that smaller than that will effect the deflect / stability of you cue a great deal.

I am also a Billiard retailer, and when I purchase older cues for resale, I will deduct value from the cue if the shafts have been turned down beyond 12.5mm, my only reasoning for this is that it effects resale of the cue to some people due to shaft size

I suspect I would have an additional shaft made for the cue, that way if you do not like it your only out the cost of the shaft and the cue will maintain its full original value.

PS. Check Ebay, I often see Schon shafts for sale that are new and used, and most the prices are very good.

Have a nice day and good luck.

Manwon
 
ridewiththewind said:
I would probably suggest a new shaft at the diameter you desire. The reasoning behind the suggestion is this: should you ever decide to part with that cue, you are going to find it more difficult because the original shafts have been turned down to below 12.75mm...often the smallest diameter most people strive for.

When you begin to mess around with original specs, you begin to devaluate the cue's overall value...especially for a nice old Schon like you have.:)

Lisa

PS...I know we say we'll never, ever part with a cue...but sometimes 'life' happens.

I agree with you Lisa.

Having a new shaft made is not a great deal of expense and you should be able to get your money out of the additional investment because you can generally get more for a cue with three shafts, than two shafts.

Also, if you don't like the new small diameter shaft you can always go back to the original.

Good Cuemaking,
 
fullsplicefiend said:
I have a 1980s schon cue with two shafts at 13.3mm. They feel way too big and I planned to have them turned down to about 12.3, but I just read that turning shafts down often causes warpage problems. Would it be a safer bet to just have a new shaft made?

Thanks
IM

Keep the originals as is and get a new shaft at your preffered specs.
 
I had the original shaft from my Schon R12 turned down to a 12.75 by a local guy who does nice work, and it plays PHENOMENAL. No problems here!
 
Matt_24 said:
I had the original shaft from my Schon R12 turned down to a 12.75 by a local guy who does nice work, and it plays PHENOMENAL. No problems here!

You're still within the 'acceptable' range for today's shaft diameter preferences.

Lisa
 
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