Joint protectors - are they essential?

[Mike in MN]

I didn't read all the posts, but I'll toss my two cents into the ring. All it's going to take is ONE careless mistake leading to a dropped cue. Whether you drop the butt or the shaft, if the joint end hits the ground, you're going to be wishing you had joint protectors on.

The plastic ones sell for under $10 in the Mueller's catalog, and even if you only need them once, that one time is going to save you almost $100 on a pin repair. In my opinion, it's foolish NOT to have them.

 

[cut shot]

I use em on any cue that is worth playing with. I do not put them on my crapola cues that cost around 40 bucks & play terrible. They saved me once so, I am a believer.

 

[qbilder]

I tried them & can't stand them. I found myself juggling them and the cue while taking them off & trying to put the cue together. And it's a PIA stuffing them away while i'm playing, then having to dig for them when i'm done. I much prefer just pulling the cue out, putting it together & playing.

 

[PDX]

I once opened up my car door to get out with my case in hand. I was holding the strap. I hadn't zipped the top and when I stood up, the weight of the cue caused the case to pivot and the cue and shaft to fall out onto the street. Luckily only the joint protectors hit the ground and the rest of the cue was still in the case. It was an ivory jointed custom that I had just paid $900 for and would not have been too happy with a cracked joint.

Patrick

 

[greyghost]

am i hearing you correctly....are you complaining about joint protectors? lmfao

I tried them & can't stand them. I found myself juggling them and the cue while taking them off & trying to put the cue together. And it's a PIA stuffing them away while i'm playing, then having to dig for them when i'm done. I much prefer just pulling the cue out, putting it together & playing.

OH COME ON!!!! I wouldn't expect that to come from you brother lol...you sound like a woman!!!:wink:

OMG ITS SUCH A PIA TO PUT MY JOINT PROTECTORS AWAY! lol

I WISH THERE WAS A MORE EXPEDIENT WAY TO PUT MY CUE TOGETHER B/c IT TAKES SO LONG!!!!

Your not going to switch to those quick release joints on all your cues are you partner?:wink:

for whatever reason i find this completely hilarious....I could see him getting aggravated...but yet all the patience to build a great cue....go figure

-Grey Ghost-

 

[qbilder]

OH COME ON!!!! I wouldn't expect that to come from you brother lol...you sound like a woman!!!:wink:

OMG ITS SUCH A PIA TO PUT MY JOINT PROTECTORS AWAY! lol

I WISH THERE WAS A MORE EXPEDIENT WAY TO PUT MY CUE TOGETHER B/c IT TAKES SO LONG!!!!

Your not going to switch to those quick release joints on all your cues are you partner?:wink:

for whatever reason i find this completely hilarious....I could see him getting aggravated...but yet all the patience to build a great cue....go figure

-Grey Ghost-

LOL it's not about time. You should know that. I'm all about "slow". It's simplicity. I can't stand juggling my cue and joint protectors while trying to take them off & put the cue together. I'm always afraid of dropping it. Seems complex & frustrating. It becomes a ritual dance before & after every match LOL I'd rather keep the cue solid in my hand & put it together without the extra hassle. I'm not a multi-tasker.

 

[poolplayer2093]

Condoms aren't necessary either but it's probably a good idea to have one on if.........

i don't normally put them on my shafts but i always put the one that protects my pin on. i guess i should use the shaft ones too but i'm in a pretty dry part of the country so i think i can get away with it.

an ounce of prevention and all that

 

[Snapshot9]

JP's

To each his own, but I have played nearly 49 years, and never had an 'accident' with my cue because I take care of how I handle it. Personally, I think JP's are overrated, and are not necessary, and they are a hassle to have to take off and put on everytime you shoot. Custom ones look very nice though.

 

[akaTrigger]

I always forget about my joint protectors, but I thought the other day it'd be cool to have some that say "Trigger" on them for my custom designed Jim Buss cues!

 

[Mike in MN]

LOL it's not about time. You should know that. I'm all about "slow". It's simplicity. I can't stand juggling my cue and joint protectors while trying to take them off & put the cue together. I'm always afraid of dropping it. Seems complex & frustrating. It becomes a ritual dance before & after every match LOL I'd rather keep the cue solid in my hand & put it together without the extra hassle. I'm not a multi-tasker.

There's an easy way to do it my friend.

1) Take the butt of the cue out of the case.
2) Unscrew the joint cap from it.
3) Set the joint cap and the butt of the on the table.
4) Repeat steps 1-3 with the shaft.
5) Screw the cue together.
6) Screw the joint caps together and put them in your pocket, or your the accessory pocket on your cue case.

You don't have to be a rocket scientist, you just have to realize that you shouldn't be trying to hold everything at once in your hands.

 

[pwd72s]

Hi I have a set of my joint protectors being shipped bact to me for refinishing, the owner forgot to fasten the latch on his case, and the cue came out on the concret surface in the parking lot . from what I gather, no damage to cue, WAHOOO!!!!!!!!!! I'll fix them No Charge. Jim

Beautiful stuff there Jim...

 

[Tbeaux]

Joint protectors are not absolutely necessary. I'd always recommend having one on the joint pin though. I do use both protectors but only cause the shaft one doubles as a scuffer.

 

[TheBook]

I have them but don't use them. They just complicate things and offer more opportunity to mess up the butt or cue while fumbling to put them on. I have dropped them, and banged the butts and shafts while trying to juggle all 4 in 2 hands.

I have never had any problems by not using them.

 

[Spimp13]

I have them but don't use them. They just complicate things and offer more opportunity to mess up the butt or cue while fumbling to put them on. I have dropped them, and banged the butts and shafts while trying to juggle all 4 in 2 hands.

I have never had any problems by not using them.

Please tell me you are joking when you say they complicate things and offer more opportunity to mess up the butt or cue lol.

 

[Mike in MN]

I have them but don't use them. They just complicate things and offer more opportunity to mess up the butt or cue while fumbling to put them on. I have dropped them, and banged the butts and shafts while trying to juggle all 4 in 2 hands.

I have never had any problems by not using them.

Please tell me you are joking when you say they complicate things and offer more opportunity to mess up the butt or cue lol.

I'm with Matt on this one, Book. You hold the JP in one hand, and the cue section with which it is paired in the other hand, and you screw them together (or apart, depending on your current needs). How is that complicated? Is it complicated for you to screw your shaft onto the butt of the cue as well?

Why would you ever try to hold all four in your hands at the same time? Slow and steady wins the race, Book ol' pal. Do one at a time

 

[catscradle]

If the cue is a mid-range production, used frequently, always kept in case, not exposed to heat, cold, dust, damp, yadda yadda, are joint protectors strictly necessary?

Not in my opinion. I have joint protectors on all my cues, but I consider them in the same light as veneers, inlays, etc.; they're decorative.
JMHO.

 

[DRW]

If the cue is a mid-range production, used frequently, always kept in case, not exposed to heat, cold, dust, damp, yadda yadda, are joint protectors strictly necessary?

No! Playing since 1974, never owned a pair, never bent a pin.

 

[ridinda9]

Condoms aren't necessary either but it's probably a good idea to have one on if.........

an ounce of prevention and all that

If only someone had told your daddy that .
but he was too cheap to use one . . . .:sad:

 

[sfleinen]

If only someone had told your daddy that .
but he was too cheap to use one . . . .:sad:

Little Sammy (who's into Star Trek and other space fantasies): "Cor! Mom, I wish I were shot into space!"

Mom (Little Sammy's mommy): "If your father acted ten seconds earlier, you would have!"

(Sorry, couldn't resist! )
-Sean

 

[mullyman]

I didnt used to believe in JP's until I accidently dropped my cue butt right
onto the pin and bent it. Not an expensive cue, but it cost me anyways. I
take them off, and put them on once every time I play. It takes 30 seconds
each time, and thats a small price to pay for my piece of mind. :grin: Now
thats with my custom Mottey. If I had a mid range production, they wouldnt
mean as much, but I'd probably still have a set on there.

It takes you 30 seconds to put on joint protectors?:grin:
MULLY