Help with feel of shaft surface

[BWTadpole]

I had a few dings in my shaft that have been bothering me fixed, rubbed down and sanded. The only problem is that the shaft surface has now taken on this uncomfortable smoothness. Before I had the shaft treated for its injuries, I enjoyed its feel very much. It was a decently-used shaft when I got it, and it had a pleasant rough grain to it. I'm not talking about trying to shoot with a raw 2x4, but the shaft wasn't completely smooth. My bridge is where I get a lot of my feedback on my stroke, and now I can't feel a damned thing.

Will the shaft eventually wear back down to how it was before, or is there something I can do to aid the wearing process?

 

[Ballistic Billiards]

rough it up some

try a green scrub pad to give it that raw feel again.
your shaft was probabaly burnished well to seal the grain.
IMO, smoother is better.

 

[bob_bushka]

try a green scrub pad to give it that raw feel again.
your shaft was probabaly burnished well to seal the grain.
IMO, smoother is better.

My suggestion would be to dampen the shaft with a moist cloth(plain water). This should raise the nap on the grain a bit for you. I avoid the green kithen scrubber as it takes off wood. It does not take much moisture to raise the nap a bit so do not overdue it. If you want to take out chalk while you do it, use a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, they work great. If you want to burnish the shaft, those brown paper towels out of the mens bathroom work great. Fold them into a pad a burnish the shaft hard and fast as to generate a little heat.l

 

[billyjack]

My suggestion would be to dampen the shaft with a moist cloth(plain water). This should raise the nap on the grain a bit for you. I avoid the green kithen scrubber as it takes off wood. It does not take much moisture to raise the nap a bit so do not overdue it. If you want to take out chalk while you do it, use a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, they work great. If you want to burnish the shaft, those brown paper towels out of the mens bathroom work great. Fold them into a pad a burnish the shaft hard and fast as to generate a little heat.l

I agree. Stay away from the Scotchbrite pads. I just tipped a friends Joss who uses them regularly. Shaft was 13.25 mm at the ferrule. 12.8mm 4-6 inches back. This thing's gonna look like a Coke bottle in a few years. There are enough abrasive grits out there to get you about any finish you like. If you're not into super-smooth try something around 1000 to 1500 grit paper from the Auto parts store. You'll still remove some material, but it will be minimal.
Bill

 

[Pushout]

I agree. Stay away from the Scotchbrite pads
Bill

I've used these for years, but only lightly, and only if the shaft hasn't been sealed by a cue repair person recently. Excessive use will take off wood.

 

[ez2h8]

I agree with others. If it's rough, try the damp cloth, let it dry completely and then burnish with a piece of leather. If you have some Q cleaning papers (blue, yellow, green, white, I forget the order) you can use these to smooth the shaft out again, but would still burnish even after that.

I may take a lil bit of time to get it back to a glassy smooth feel but it can be done. I have used my Q cleaning papers and piece of burnishing leather on other people's cues that felt awful and they turned out great!


ez

 

[BWTadpole]

I appreciate the comments, but some of you are missing my point.

I'm trying to move from smooth to rougher, not the other way around

 

[ez2h8]

I appreciate the comments, but some of you are missing my point.

I'm trying to move from smooth to rougher, not the other way around

Oops, I will admit I am one that missed that point. lol.

I would say get some 1000 or 1500 grit sandpaper then and take the smoothness off. Or as another mentioned, a lil kitchen cleaning grit on a wet towel will remove the smoothness as well. I would be a bit worried about the wood being exposed but perhaps the natural oil of our hands will seal it with use.

ez

 

[KMRUNOUT]

I think I know exactly what you are talking about. When I do a "major" shaft cleaning (once or twice a year), I generally begin by washing the shaft under the tap. I might use a product like "Shaft Clean", sort of scrub the shaft the long way with a paper towel, and then rinse the shaft until all hint of the cleaner is gone. Now, if I stop right there, I have a very clean, although slightly rough shaft. It has almost the texture of velvet, or velour. There have been times when I didn't have time to complete my process and played with it in this state. I must say that the shaft slides fine in my fingers, but offers excellent feedback because I can feel it sliding against my bridge hand. I think this might be something you like.

I usually complete the process by burnishing the hell out of it with a piece of leather, and then finishing it off with a very high grit sandpaper. This yields a rediculously smooth shaft, which I like. Skip this finishing off process, and I think you will like what you have.

Kerry

 

[JimS]

The Magic Eraser will give you a slightly rough feel. Dampen very lightly and rub it just a couple strokes. More if needed.

 

[Tim5000]

I think I know exactly what you are talking about. When I do a "major" shaft cleaning (once or twice a year), I generally begin by washing the shaft under the tap.

WOW! You actually wash your shaft under running tap water? I've never heard of that, is it a common practice? Doesn't the wood absorb too much moisture?