Invisible crack?

Lexicologist71

Lexicologist71

Rabid Schuler fanatic
Silver Member
I have a personal cue that I break with which has a phenolic ferrule/tip that recently developed a loud buzz in the shaft that is audible with the shaft removed and tapped in any location. The sound propagates through the entire shaft. When you tap the tip, it sounds the same as when you tap the joint.I have inspected the ferrule/tip, joint collar, joint insert, and the wood. All look and feel intact. I was told I have an internal crack in the wood. The process he went through seemed logical, but there is no surface evidence of any crack or grain irregularities anywhere in the shaft, much less the location he gave for the crack. The shaft is close to 20 years old. Has anybody else heard of such a beast or should I break out the magnifying glass and rerereinspect?
 
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Check the ferrule to be sure that it is not lose. I have run into this problem several times. It might feel look and feel tight but if you wiggle the ferrule and twist it and it is lose you will hear it and feel it pop. I know I have had to twist several times to find sometimes as it will appear to be tight.
 
There is a local player here that has 2 shafts that do this.

The shafts are standard 3/8-10 tapped,with no insert. There is NO movement in the joint collars,or ferrules. There is however,a fairly nasty buzz in both shafts.

It doesn't seem to bother him,but it bothers me that I offered to fix both of them for free over 10 years ago,but he wouldn't budge.

I explained to him that as best I can tell,that there is broken down epoxy rattling around INSIDE the ferrules,and that replacing the ferrules is the fix.

I'd have been upset with myself if I had done the ferrule on both shafts and still had the problem,LOL. Tommy D.
 
-Check the face of the butt and the shaft. Wipe them clean with rubbing alcohol on a paper towel.

-Check any and all weight bolts.

-Insert and/or pin could be loose.

-A loose tip or ferrule would 'click' not buzz.

-Check if the butt or the shaft makes any noise by itself.

-Check just below the ferrule for cracks.

This is a good start. I'd like a full report by the end of the week. (single spaced, hobo font):grin-square:
 
As advised, I used advanced inspection equipment (pliers) on the ferrule and it did turn just as foretold. The buzz disappeared and stayed gone after the new ferrule was installed. Thanks for the guidance and motivation guys.
 
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