S
Sputnik
Guest
Definitely not from pounding with cue sticks because they maintain their roundness. Must be a chemical process. Anybody knows why?
Hi Sputnik,
Yes, cue balls do become smaller.
While I was the equipment and site guy, for the Pro, tour, I checked this out. I would a randomly measurement test, all the balls from time to time.
I, had to measure an older set to prove that the one ball and cueballs were the smallest balls.
How this happens, is you break with the cue ball and it inturn stricks, either the, one ball at it's speed or strickes the two head balls, at the same time. Doing this the cue ball is pounded on every break. [your cue has no measurable differance on the cue ball]
Next, what happens next is the one ball is struck more than any of the other balls. When you [break] or plow into the head ball, the [1 ball] one ball, inturns hits the two balls behind it.
So it does get tripled hit. So with that being the case, the one ball, after a time will become the smallest ball one the table with the cue ball being a close second, or maybe even tie at times.
rock&roll
Blud
Yes, cue balls do become smaller.
While I was the equipment and site guy, for the Pro, tour, I checked this out. I would a randomly measurement test, all the balls from time to time.
I, had to measure an older set to prove that the one ball and cueballs were the smallest balls.
How this happens, is you break with the cue ball and it inturn stricks, either the, one ball at it's speed or strickes the two head balls, at the same time. Doing this the cue ball is pounded on every break. [your cue has no measurable differance on the cue ball]
Next, what happens next is the one ball is struck more than any of the other balls. When you [break] or plow into the head ball, the [1 ball] one ball, inturns hits the two balls behind it.
So it does get tripled hit. So with that being the case, the one ball, after a time will become the smallest ball one the table with the cue ball being a close second, or maybe even tie at times.
rock&roll
Blud
Your small balls
You can also make the balls smaller by using sandpaper or a brillo pad to clean them.
Be sure to do this with your set at home- you'll find that you become a much better player after removing just 1/32" of the diameter. Remove 1/16" and you'll be running out like JJ <u>immediately<u> !
Good luck!
-pigy
You can also make the balls smaller by using sandpaper or a brillo pad to clean them.
Be sure to do this with your set at home- you'll find that you become a much better player after removing just 1/32" of the diameter. Remove 1/16" and you'll be running out like JJ <u>immediately<u> !
Good luck!
-pigy
CB's definitely get smaller due to chalk on tips.
Chalk is an abrasive.
Chalk is an abrasive.
Zimmer,
No matter what game you play, the one ball, for the most part, winds up, up-front. Not always, but most of the time. If someone just played straight, or one pocket pool, this is differant. I was refering to 9-ball and also 8 ball.
As far as chalk, It doesn't come into play here. It does not make that much differance., Still don't matter much that one of us, could pick up on the size, unless we used a measuring device, for roundness. Or go to the extrem, and measure an old, old set of pool balls.[not reffering to them in this post]. If a set is so old that the cue ball or any ball is smaller by looks, your way past time bying a new set.
Zimmer the cue ball gets used ever shot, however it will not srink like the one ball. As I said, the one ball, gets squized on every break shot, cue ball hitting the one ball from the front, and two [back up balls] from behind.
blud
No matter what game you play, the one ball, for the most part, winds up, up-front. Not always, but most of the time. If someone just played straight, or one pocket pool, this is differant. I was refering to 9-ball and also 8 ball.
As far as chalk, It doesn't come into play here. It does not make that much differance., Still don't matter much that one of us, could pick up on the size, unless we used a measuring device, for roundness. Or go to the extrem, and measure an old, old set of pool balls.[not reffering to them in this post]. If a set is so old that the cue ball or any ball is smaller by looks, your way past time bying a new set.
Zimmer the cue ball gets used ever shot, however it will not srink like the one ball. As I said, the one ball, gets squized on every break shot, cue ball hitting the one ball from the front, and two [back up balls] from behind.
blud
L
locki
Guest
hmmm...i think it has something to do with the ambient temperature and pressure the balls were played. if the balls are usually played on a room with low temperature, (air conditioned rooms) even worse on an area with a relatively higher ambient pressure, then definitely the balls would shrink/compress over time.
Locki,
Keeping that in mind, all balls average out no matter where we were, or where we were going to play and measure balls.
However, that was never an issue.
I, knew from the begining of my test, we would be at differant, pressures, humidty, temp. and whatevers. Being so, that was never a worry. All measurments [expanstion and shrinkage], was equal within the rack, at the place we were doing our measuring,,,,same temp, same moister, same pressure and so on. Not a factor at all. Didn't come into play, no need, it didn't apply.
Whatever is happening at the time of play, your stuck with it, and all is equal.
blud
Keeping that in mind, all balls average out no matter where we were, or where we were going to play and measure balls.
However, that was never an issue.
I, knew from the begining of my test, we would be at differant, pressures, humidty, temp. and whatevers. Being so, that was never a worry. All measurments [expanstion and shrinkage], was equal within the rack, at the place we were doing our measuring,,,,same temp, same moister, same pressure and so on. Not a factor at all. Didn't come into play, no need, it didn't apply.
Whatever is happening at the time of play, your stuck with it, and all is equal.
blud
S
Sputnik
Guest
Zim, I remember that thread, yes. But I just am not convinced that pounding is the reason because if it were, then by the time it gets noticeably smaller, it would be like a moonrock.
Perhaps the color puts an anti-corrosive protection to the other balls? Blud's observation is interesting. If the 1 ball indeed gets smaller, then it could be the pounding. I will have to compare the sizes. One way to find out is to line the balls side by side against the rail for size comparison. The rail serves as a horizontal reference for the height of the balls.
This is the reason why I always have a cue ball in my cue case with me.
Perhaps the color puts an anti-corrosive protection to the other balls? Blud's observation is interesting. If the 1 ball indeed gets smaller, then it could be the pounding. I will have to compare the sizes. One way to find out is to line the balls side by side against the rail for size comparison. The rail serves as a horizontal reference for the height of the balls.
This is the reason why I always have a cue ball in my cue case with me.
I don't buy any of this. Has anyone checked the balls with a micrometer, or is this just speculation? I don't see any pieces of the ball remaining on the table. Or is the theory that the balls just compress? I'll check the rack when I go to the poolroom tomorrow, but based on my education of materials, like I said, I don't buy any of this.
Just to keep in mind, not all pool balls are the same size. If you mix the sets of balls, you may end up with balls that are not the same.
Just to keep in mind, not all pool balls are the same size. If you mix the sets of balls, you may end up with balls that are not the same.
S
Sputnik
Guest
Another observation is that it's the cheaper balls that get smaller fast. It's probably in the material used. Ergo, you will not notice it, Reno, if you go to a first class pool hall. Go to the sleezy ones.
L
locki
Guest
yeah, i think i just reviewed too much for my final exams in my thermodynamics subject earlier on...
some balls get smaller faster like the 1 ball and the cue ball because they get more compact as they are being hit and smashed. also, chemical reactions might be taking place as well, you dont know if some liquids spilled on the balls or whatever...
some balls get smaller faster like the 1 ball and the cue ball because they get more compact as they are being hit and smashed. also, chemical reactions might be taking place as well, you dont know if some liquids spilled on the balls or whatever...
yes, Reno,
I did and do, check each ball with a "indicater". All the balls were measured with an "indicater", and all were consitant, in size, weight and being round, or we went to a new set.
I also weighed each ball, including the cue balls.
Sometimes the cue balls will vary in weight, by a few grams. So all were weighed and "matched" up as close as possible. This way, when the "pro player" goes from one table to another, he has close to the same conditions.
I kept written records of each tournament that I was involved in for years. However last year when the big Texas flood came through the house and shop, [30" of water], we lost those records along with personal belongings. O-Well..
Good balls come polished and are of very close tolaranes in size and weight from the factory.
I built a jig for checking and testing the size and roundness of each ball. It was a flat plate with 3 ball bearings sitting in small circle, with holes drilled the a bit smaller than the bearing size, and they were pressed into the holes.
Then I have a 3/8" rod coming up with a dial-indicater attached to it for checking and sizing and also checking the roundness of each ball.
I do not "guess" at anything I do, or speculate.
When I write an opinion on a subject, it's been tested and proven by me, or I will not post it.
I do my best to do it the right way when testing anything. After completing my test, I then can come to the table with valiad information.
While I was the equipment and set up guy for the tour, I was totally responsiable for all the players equipment. They are the best players in the world, and I made darn, sure the equipment was up to speed. No, sir, I don't guess at anything.
As far as using the rail to check them, no way. You would be just guessing at the height.
Good question for you folks!
WHAT IS THE SPOT USED FOR???
2 answers,
First and far most, it's used as a cushion to protect the besd cloth.
It's also used for a referance point at which to locate the rack of balls.
But, the spot was put there to keep the head ball from tearing the cloth.
This is because each time the balls are broke, the cue ball normally sails above the cloth and comes down on the head ball causing it to "dig" into the cloth, and leaving a small hole.
Test this,
Lay a peice of paper about halfway between your breaking spot and the head ball. Then break them as you normally do. You will see that most of the time the cue ball is "air born" before it hits the intended racked balls. With a soft break, it will not get air-born, but breaking hard, it will get air-born.
rock&roll
blud
I did and do, check each ball with a "indicater". All the balls were measured with an "indicater", and all were consitant, in size, weight and being round, or we went to a new set.
I also weighed each ball, including the cue balls.
Sometimes the cue balls will vary in weight, by a few grams. So all were weighed and "matched" up as close as possible. This way, when the "pro player" goes from one table to another, he has close to the same conditions.
I kept written records of each tournament that I was involved in for years. However last year when the big Texas flood came through the house and shop, [30" of water], we lost those records along with personal belongings. O-Well..
Good balls come polished and are of very close tolaranes in size and weight from the factory.
I built a jig for checking and testing the size and roundness of each ball. It was a flat plate with 3 ball bearings sitting in small circle, with holes drilled the a bit smaller than the bearing size, and they were pressed into the holes.
Then I have a 3/8" rod coming up with a dial-indicater attached to it for checking and sizing and also checking the roundness of each ball.
I do not "guess" at anything I do, or speculate.
When I write an opinion on a subject, it's been tested and proven by me, or I will not post it.
I do my best to do it the right way when testing anything. After completing my test, I then can come to the table with valiad information.
While I was the equipment and set up guy for the tour, I was totally responsiable for all the players equipment. They are the best players in the world, and I made darn, sure the equipment was up to speed. No, sir, I don't guess at anything.
As far as using the rail to check them, no way. You would be just guessing at the height.
Good question for you folks!
WHAT IS THE SPOT USED FOR???
2 answers,
First and far most, it's used as a cushion to protect the besd cloth.
It's also used for a referance point at which to locate the rack of balls.
But, the spot was put there to keep the head ball from tearing the cloth.
This is because each time the balls are broke, the cue ball normally sails above the cloth and comes down on the head ball causing it to "dig" into the cloth, and leaving a small hole.
Test this,
Lay a peice of paper about halfway between your breaking spot and the head ball. Then break them as you normally do. You will see that most of the time the cue ball is "air born" before it hits the intended racked balls. With a soft break, it will not get air-born, but breaking hard, it will get air-born.
rock&roll
blud
S
Sputnik
Guest
blud said:
I guess I have no choice but to believe you, blud. Thank you!
good point about changing out balls.
Anything a room owner can do to make better play will "pay off" for him or her, in the long run.
Some room owners, don't do what is best for there rooms. Most of this is by not realizing what he or she could do to help towards a better place to play, which creates better play. If a person comes in and plays and does not make balls for any reason, he or she will go do something that they will have fun at.
It's really nice to see someone, run out time and again and the balls don't skid or squirt and never roll off, causing you to miss a shot.
Clean cloth, clean balls, and a nice set of good playing balls. All of these things make a big differance in play.
Most rooms are doing a great job today in making the customer feel at home.
Some just want what money they can get out of you, today and could care less for tomorow.[ very few of these are left].
blud
Anything a room owner can do to make better play will "pay off" for him or her, in the long run.
Some room owners, don't do what is best for there rooms. Most of this is by not realizing what he or she could do to help towards a better place to play, which creates better play. If a person comes in and plays and does not make balls for any reason, he or she will go do something that they will have fun at.
It's really nice to see someone, run out time and again and the balls don't skid or squirt and never roll off, causing you to miss a shot.
Clean cloth, clean balls, and a nice set of good playing balls. All of these things make a big differance in play.
Most rooms are doing a great job today in making the customer feel at home.
Some just want what money they can get out of you, today and could care less for tomorow.[ very few of these are left].
blud
The cue ball and the numbered balls need to be with in .0001 or up to 4 tenths. not .001 or 2 thousands. Even with your own cue ball, your hurting your practis play. This meaning, that if you have one good ball and all others are differant, you will not shoot your angle shot with any kind of a straight line in which it was intended.
Just a dirty ball [with a thin film of whatever] on it, will not go to the desired angle. This is because it has a film of whatever on it and that alone will change the angle direction. On close shots, it doesn't matter to much.
However on distance shots [long shots] it becomes more of a problem, because the dirty ball is not the true angle when you hit it.
Another words, if you see what you want to hit, and you shoot it that way, the film makes the ball bigger in size, so the longer the shot the more angle the object ball will go.
Shooting center ball and making the object ball go right, now take a film of dirt , or whatever, and the ball is a wee bit biger on that spot, and now shooting the same way, you will have the object ball go more to the left. Like taking a hard blaa, as opposied to a softball.
hope you can understand this.
blud
Just a dirty ball [with a thin film of whatever] on it, will not go to the desired angle. This is because it has a film of whatever on it and that alone will change the angle direction. On close shots, it doesn't matter to much.
However on distance shots [long shots] it becomes more of a problem, because the dirty ball is not the true angle when you hit it.
Another words, if you see what you want to hit, and you shoot it that way, the film makes the ball bigger in size, so the longer the shot the more angle the object ball will go.
Shooting center ball and making the object ball go right, now take a film of dirt , or whatever, and the ball is a wee bit biger on that spot, and now shooting the same way, you will have the object ball go more to the left. Like taking a hard blaa, as opposied to a softball.
hope you can understand this.
blud
blud said:
You're right about the one ball and cue ball being the two smallest balls on the table after awhile. Not that it's any big deal, but for the sake of discussion, if there was constant play in 9-ball with the same set of balls, over time the cue ball would be the smallest ball on the table with the 1-ball coming in second. My reasoning is the cue ball is involved in every shot, with the 1-ball the second most contacted ball. And through contact and subsequent abrasion the balls are worn down over time. Rooms that clean their balls regularly in a cleaning machine wear down their balls even faster. In the 24-hour room I play at, 95% of the players play 9-ball and the owners try to rotate new sets in as the used sets are sold through the pro shop to people looking for a deal (super pro aramith). Some of the older sets' cue ball and 1-ball are about 1/2 oz. lighter than the standard 6 oz. weight. The popular gambling tables especially prone to this
Playing with a lighter than normal cue ball isn't fun, especially if you're playing one-pocket. The caroms and little touch moves getting through tight spaces are not as precise. In 9-ball, substituting the lighter cue ball for a new one and using the older, lighter set of balls is just one step away from playing with the big ball on a bar table. The side-draw shot angles change, and other position adjustments are required.
Someone who favors the draw shot for position and plays pretty good with an old set of balls in his poolroom?... try slipping in a new cue ball in the game and see how difficult it is for him to adjust to the heavier ball.
Generally speaking, the creamier the color of the cue ball the newer (and heavier) it is.