Increasing grip area diameter

D

Dead Crab

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I would like to increase the diameter of my cue by about 1/4" where I put my grip hand, and not add much weight in the process.

The roll-on rubber grips the carom players use look like they are too thin, but if anyone knows their thickness, please post up.

The next option would be something like foam bicycle handlebar tape or rubber tape for aluminum baseball bat handles. The downside here could be the adhesive backing, although my cue does have a urethane finish.

Any suggestions?
 
There is a tape that is very light and only sticks to itself.
Try tennis or golf shops.
 
rubber grips

I tried several rubber grip types and the BLACK ones from Mueller are different from all others, thicker and way more durable...because of the way they are installed, by rolling them on, you could roll two - one over the other....they are cheap. but keep in mind the cue might not fit in a fitted tube-type cue case with them on. let me know if you get them and I will give you install instructions.....
 
When I built my swimming pool I had some clear flexible hose for the jets and other parts that seemed to have about the diameter you need. You could cut to whatever length for the weight. Check with a place that installs hot tubs and pools for possibilities. Seems the flex pipe was about 1/8" thick maybe a little less so that should give you the diameter you are looking for.

If the flex pipe / hose inside diameter is too small slitting it with a razor blade and then using a little clear tape might do the trick.

Obviously I love home made inventions.:wink:

Anymore my wife looks at most things in a store and then says, "Bet that Joe could build it." :eek:
 
My first question (but doesn't need to be answered) is why 1/4"? that seems like a huge change to me.

Anyway most of the cheap rubber grips are very thin. If you see $3 or $4 dollar prices they're really thin and wear out quickly. JUNK!

This one http://store.tipsproshop.ca/product.php?productid=16300&cat=0&page=1 is out of sight price wise but an excellent grip and considerably thicker than any I've seen which was a drawback for me but still like them. They'll last a couple of years.

I'd try the tennis grip tape mentioned. I think if you got a rubber tube with 1/8" wall thickness its gonna be pretty difficult to put it on without cutting and glueing also, you'd have to make the cut to match the taper of the butt for it to lay down well. The grip I gave you the link to can be rolled on but its a pain IMO.
 
Thanks. All of these are excellent suggestions.

I got the idea from an article in the NY Times today, where a woman pro golfer suggested that grip diameter was crucial to performance. Golf has different size grips, so does tennis. But pool is pretty close to one size fits all.

When I played tennis, I used a 4-5/8, and felt very different than the more common 4-1/2.

So, I want to try variations on grip, as the 3-7/8 of my cue always felt too small. Adding 1/8" to the radius will bring it to about 4-5/8. Can't hurt to try.
 
Bumper Stickers.

If you can play, the bumper stickers look like you have a budwieser stick or Walmart brand and will attract anyone to play you for anything. Seen it done it.

Really don't know if that will give you the thickness youyr looking for but just saying lol.
 
Dead Crab said:
Thanks. All of these are excellent suggestions.

I got the idea from an article in the NY Times today, where a woman pro golfer suggested that grip diameter was crucial to performance. Golf has different size grips, so does tennis. But pool is pretty close to one size fits all.

When I played tennis, I used a 4-5/8, and felt very different than the more common 4-1/2.

So, I want to try variations on grip, as the 3-7/8 of my cue always felt too small. Adding 1/8" to the radius will bring it to about 4-5/8. Can't hurt to try.
Click to expand...


You're absolutely right about those grip diameters, Dead. Make 'em too big and the cue ball will slice. Make 'em too small and you'll hook it. I would suggest grey foam pipe insulation, the kind you find at the hardware store, and some electricians tape. Keep up the good work. :)
 
While I understand the golf grip size mechanics, there is not a similar effect in pool because the wrist is articulated over different angles. In golf the wrist bends over the two bones in the axis perpendicular to the palm. In pool the wrist articulated perpendicularly to the way it articulates in golf.
 
It sounds like from the numbers you gave your are talking about circumference of the grip area, not diameter. If you want .5 inch increase on the circumference, try the regular slip on 3 cushion grips. A slip on grip thickness of 0.08 inches will give you about .5 inch increase in the circumference, if you slip it onto the original grip area of the cue that is 1.25" diameter.
 
Tramp Steamer said:
You're absolutely right about those grip diameters, Dead. Make 'em too big and the cue ball will slice. Make 'em too small and you'll hook it. I would suggest grey foam pipe insulation, the kind you find at the hardware store, and some electricians tape. Keep up the good work. :)
Click to expand...


Actually, I found some of the pipe insulation in the garage, and it is sticky enough that you don't need the tape. Unfortunately, at 3/8" thick, it is a bit like wielding a club.
 
iusedtoberich said:
It sounds like from the numbers you gave your are talking about circumference of the grip area, not diameter. If you want .5 inch increase on the circumference, try the regular slip on 3 cushion grips. A slip on grip thickness of 0.08 inches will give you about .5 inch increase in the circumference, if you slip it onto the original grip area of the cue that is 1.25" diameter.
Click to expand...

OK, so the slip-ons aren't exactly paper thin ... better than 1/16th inch, which is a meaningful increase.
 
MitchAlsup said:
While I understand the golf grip size mechanics, there is not a similar effect in pool because the wrist is articulated over different angles. In golf the wrist bends over the two bones in the axis perpendicular to the palm. In pool the wrist articulated perpendicularly to the way it articulates in golf.
Click to expand...

I'm mainly looking at options for a better hand fit. My guess is if you went the other way and shaved a 1/4" off the grip area diameter, most players would hate it and think they were playing with a pencil.

The smaller the object, the more the finger flexors are used, which just might also bring the wrist in unintentionally. For some, increasing the diameter may help keep the back hand more relaxed.

Just a thought.
 
if you like thicker butt dia. find a cue with thicker dia. it may have to be an
older cue 70-80 older joss or mcdermott had larger dia. that was old
school cues . i had a older meucci m-3 it was about what you want.
take care johnqbs
 
Dead Crab said:
OK, so the slip-ons aren't exactly paper thin ... better than 1/16th inch, which is a meaningful increase.
Click to expand...

Yes, you will definelty feel the increase in thickness. The rubber wraps as pointed out by 3kushn come in a few thicknesses. As a general rule of thumb, the ones less than $3 are very thin. The ones over $10 are thick.

I play with a rubber wrap on my pool cue. The reason I use it is you can hold the cue super loose and it wont slide out of your hand.
 
Dead Crab said:
Actually, I found some of the pipe insulation in the garage, and it is sticky enough that you don't need the tape. Unfortunately, at 3/8" thick, it is a bit like wielding a club.
Click to expand...


Mitch didn't know I was only being facet...faceti...silly.
I can recall a couple of times when a cue was actually weilded as a club. :wink:
 
Those rubber sleeves carry weight, but because it would be at the grip instead of in front or behind, you may not notice the added weight that much.
 
Dead Crab said:
I would like to increase the diameter of my cue by about 1/4" where I put my grip hand, and not add much weight in the process.

The roll-on rubber grips the carom players use look like they are too thin, but if anyone knows their thickness, please post up.

The next option would be something like foam bicycle handlebar tape or rubber tape for aluminum baseball bat handles. The downside here could be the adhesive backing, although my cue does have a urethane finish.

Any suggestions?
Click to expand...

If you don't care how it looks, the bicycle tape is a good way to go, I put cork handlebar wrap on my jump break cue and like the way it feels.
 
Tramp Steamer said:
Mitch didn't know I was only being facet...faceti...silly.
Click to expand...

On the face of it, it almost sounded ike a cogent argument.

And to the gentleman who indicated a grip the size of a pencil--I though we were talking "small" changes in typical butt diameters. Certainly if it got too small or too large the whole grip notion goes out the window.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top