Joint Pins?

SCCues

SCCues

< Searing Twins
Silver Member
Does anyone have a good explanation why cue makers use so many different joint pins in their cues? I've wondered about this and I can't come up with a reason. I know some players think wood to wood joints with big joint pins have a better feel while others disagree. Some like 5/16x14 piloted joints (SS and ivory), Gina cues come with 5/16x18 piloted joints (SS and ivory), many cue makers use uni-lock radial pins, South West cues use a different pin (3/8x11) and the list goes on and on.

Wouldn't it be easier if the cue world only had maybe 2 joint pin styles? One for piloted and one for flat faced joints. It would sure make it easier for the Low Deflection shaft makers to sell their shafts without so many different joints to match shafts to.

I bought a JW cue once with a 5/16x14 piloted SS joint and I planned to use my 5/16x14 Predator shaft on it. When I got the cue my Predator shaft wouldn't screw on to the cue. I didn't know what the problem was at first and I later found out that my JW cue had an ACME thread 5/16x14 pin and my standard Predator 5/16x14 would not work on the cue without changing the threads!

James
 
SCCues said:
I bought a JW cue once with a 5/16x14 piloted SS joint and I planned to use my 5/16x14 Predator shaft on it. When I got the cue my Predator shaft wouldn't screw on to the cue. I didn't know what the problem was at first and I later found out that my JW cue had an ACME thread 5/16x14 pin and my standard Predator 5/16x14 would not work on the cue without changing the threads!

James
Click to expand...


Awe that sucks man. I know the feeling! worse thing in the world when your rented tux for your prom doesnt fit. Lol.
 
SCCues said:
Does anyone have a good explanation why cue makers use so many different joint pins in their cues? I've wondered about this and I can't come up with a reason. I know some players think wood to wood joints with big joint pins have a better feel while others disagree. Some like 5/16x14 piloted joints (SS and ivory), Gina cues come with 5/16x18 piloted joints (SS and ivory), many cue makers use uni-lock radial pins, South West cues use a different pin (3/8x11) and the list goes on and on.

Wouldn't it be easier if the cue world only had maybe 2 joint pin styles? One for piloted and one for flat faced joints. It would sure make it easier for the Low Deflection shaft makers to sell their shafts without so many different joints to match shafts to.

I bought a JW cue once with a 5/16x14 piloted SS joint and I planned to use my 5/16x14 Predator shaft on it. When I got the cue my Predator shaft wouldn't screw on to the cue. I didn't know what the problem was at first and I later found out that my JW cue had an ACME thread 5/16x14 pin and my standard Predator 5/16x14 would not work on the cue without changing the threads!

James
Click to expand...

Neither cue makers nor their customers have a definitive answer as to what is the best joint. I'm sure every cue maker has an idea of what is best and so do their customers. Most good cue makers will use whatever joint the customer wants and, in fact, a top cue maker once told me it doesn't matter what joint is used as long as it is done properly.

Until everyone agrees on the best joint, this situation will continue. I suggest you find a cue maker you like, who uses the joint you like, and work with him.

BTW, I think the last thing on the mind of cue makers is making it easier for low deflection shaft makers to sell their shafts. Why should they care? Frankly, many people, including myself, prefer shafts made by good cue makers over the after market low deflection shafts.
 
shaft joints

One reason so many different size joint pins were/are used is to keep others from copying their designs and the need to send the cue back to the original maker. Today though, there are taps and dies for just about every size so the repair person can work on a specific custom cue if he needs to. These new taps and dies are NOT cheap though, and add to the repair price in many cases.
Tom Gedris, Triple Cross Cues:cool:
 
TripXQ said:
One reason so many different size joint pins were/are used is to keep others from copying their designs and the need to send the cue back to the original maker. Today though, there are taps and dies for just about every size so the repair person can work on a specific custom cue if he needs to. These new taps and dies are NOT cheap though, and add to the repair price in many cases.
Tom Gedris, Triple Cross Cues:cool:
Click to expand...

Good point and one cue maker in particular comes to mind and it's Mike Bender. He uses a 3/8x14 thread pin on his cues and I have never heard of any other cue maker using that pin. If you need a shaft for a Bender you may well end up dealing with Mike Bender because of his rare joint pin.

James
 
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