How Long To Compress A Tip?

JoeyA said:
How long do you hold the tip compressed?
JoeyA
I compressed a mild dud for 24 hours or at least until it is dry, if that is what your are doing.
 
branpureza said:
You mean like in a vice? I think overnight should do the trick...

Yes, in a vice but I use a heavy two-piece brass tip compresser which holds the tip inside of a tube and keeps the tip from flaring out.

Does anyone have any thoughts on whether or not the application of milk or any other liquids are really necessary?

JoeyA
 
I personally don't think so, and from my experience, I don't know if you really need to leave them compressed at all. I always just pressed my tips as tight as I could go, then installed them. I tried soaking in alcohol, water and milk and noticed no discernible advantage. There will be a certain amount of springiness of the tip no matter what.
I think the milk dud thing is based on the concept that the casein in the milk will help to hold the tip compressed....... but again, I don't think its a noticeable difference.
Chuck
 
JoeyA said:
Yes, in a vice but I use a heavy two-piece brass tip compresser which holds the tip inside of a tube and keeps the tip from flaring out.

Does anyone have any thoughts on whether or not the application of milk or any other liquids are really necessary?

JoeyA

if you try to press the tip down the mass has to go somewhere. if it can't flare out how much compression is going to happen?
 
I would leave it pressed for a day or so... just to make sure it dried while it was compressed. And let it flair without the tube.

IMO, milk is best for soaking because it contains sugar and protein and acts as a glue for the loose fibers in the tip. Let the tip soak overnight before pressing.
 
Charlie Edwards said:
I would leave it pressed for a day or so... just to make sure it dried while it was compressed. And let it flair without the tube.

IMO, milk is best for soaking because it contains sugar and protein and acts as a glue for the loose fibers in the tip. Let the tip soak overnight before pressing.

Hi Charlie,

So the soaked tip is compressed while it is still moist and you wait until it is dry (a day or two) before loosening the compression?

Thanks,
JoeyA
 
RiverCity said:
I think the milk dud thing is based on the concept that the casein in the milk will help to hold the tip compressed
Charlie Edwards said:
IMO, milk is best for soaking because it contains sugar and protein and acts as a glue for the loose fibers in the tip.
I fully agree with the above quotes. And my experience shows that soaking is better than just pressing because liquid (half-and-half in my case) penetrates the tip and "changes" its structure so that it is really soaked.
Time of pressing depends on a tool you are using. Your description Joey seems to be similar to a special vice I used. Then 3 to 6 hours will usually do the trick, if we talk about maximum torque you apply. In that case there is no way a tip will restore it's initial shape after being modified in such conditions.
If you try to vary force and press a tip to medium, it could require to be left in vice longer.
24 hours soaking and 8-12 hours pressing are enough anyway.
Best wishes
 
I'm Never Too Busy To Help Someone

JoeyA said:
How long do you hold the tip compressed?
JoeyA


I had one in my back pocket during the 10 minute drive to the poolroom and that did the trick.
Doug
( when that moon hits your eye, like a big pizza pie, that's a Moori ) :)
 
JoeyA said:
Hi Charlie,

So the soaked tip is compressed while it is still moist and you wait until it is dry (a day or two) before loosening the compression?

Thanks,
JoeyA

Right.

I actually believe soaking a tip is, in reality, trying to make a bad tip into a good one. And it somewhat works.

IMO, it's better to know the bad tips from the good tips right out of the box. Then there is no need to soak. I use a durometer on a stand to test tips for hardness. With my experience using a duromerer on other applications and now on cue tips I can say honestly that my method is 100% successful for me.
 
In the 70's I soaked Blue Diamonds in clear laquer. I was tired of waiting for tips to break in.

Now I soak elk masters 3 at a time in water then compress. I use a steel plate in a vise and do all three. I have my vise handle and vise marked (indexed) that always gives the same compression. My tips end up .185 tall +or- a couple of thousands. I did that so they would always play the same.

Drink the milk and soak in water. Really IMO I don't think there is any difference. I soak in warm water for 15 minutes, then leave them compressed overnight. If the weather is warm that is enough time. In reality they could be left in there for days since they will not compress any more unless the vice handle is tightened.

At that compression, .185 thousands, is compressing a stock tip appx .070. They play like a med firm tip but definately not hard. If you want them harder or softer compress accordingly. You'll have to experiment a little with how your set up works. I'll just add, you'll need a basis and reference on compression so you'll know how to adjust.

Why pay for those high dollar tips when you can make your own and they play better. Mine have never mushroomed, hold chalk great and every tip plays consistant.

Rod
 
When I compres Elk Master's dry they still mushroom a little but play great.
When i use milk soak them close to a half hour then compress them I have found that they are almost @ the right hieght to start with and they didn't mushroom at all. I have made delrin and wood jigs for compressing tips, but I always leave them compressed for 1-2 days max.

Craig
 
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