I have read many threads discussing the need to reface a joint when both the shaft and butt are straight but the cue doesn't roll flat when screwed together. I'm curious, what happens to a cue to cause the joint to need refacing? I have a five year old cue that used to roll flat. The butt and the shafts are still straight. However, the cue does not roll flat when screwed together. My thanks in advance to all the excellent cue makers from whom I've learned so much. Chuck
Joint Refacing
- Thread starter cjohnsonjr
- Start date
Some times it's a build- up of dirt. If you have ever dropped the shaft, it could have a spot where the edge is rolled over. I just faced off one, that had gotten wet & the wood at the joint had swollen...JER
Your pin could also be slightly bent. I cringe every time I see a player slam his cue butt into a case, pin down, with no joint protector.
Mr H
Thanks for the responses so far. However, I keep my joint clean and always use joint protectors. There is no chipping or damage to the edge of either joint face. The cue is stored in the case joint up, and I don't believe the pin is bent. Any other possible explanations?
Perhaps I'm asking the wrong question. If the butt and shafts roll straight, the pin is straight, there is no dirt, nick, or other damage to the joint face or edges, what would cause the cue not to roll straight when screwed together. BTW the shaft has a phenolic collar, the joint is a solid ivory joint with a brass Radial pin.
Try this:
Screw the shaft on, but not all the way. Hold the butt up where you can see light between the joint and shaft collars. Screw the shaft on slowly, and look for one side of the shaft collar touching before the other side. If you see this, you have a bent pin.
Screw the shaft on, but not all the way. Hold the butt up where you can see light between the joint and shaft collars. Screw the shaft on slowly, and look for one side of the shaft collar touching before the other side. If you see this, you have a bent pin.
The place that is least protected from moisture, is the joint. The entire butt is protected due to the finish. The shaft will eventually get a patina sealer, from the oils & moisture from your hands. The joint has no such protection It is the one place that moisture can enter & be absorbed into the wood. With that absorbtion comes swelling. That can cause the matting parts to be just a hair off...JER
Thanks a lot for the responses. I'll check for a bent pin an look for signs of swelling. Chuck
To be fair...you'll be hard pressed to actually see anything. I've done many of all makes that looked absolutely perfect yet wouldn't roll smooth until faced again.
I think people are getting off track with the slightly bent pin theory here. You are still pulling two flat surfaces together tightly and that is what causes a cue to roll true or have a wobble. Some causes are, you might have shot with the cue once or so without the cue being screwed together all the way. I will let one of my best secrets out of the bag. If you don't have a lathe or can't afford to have your cue refaced, do this.
1. Screw it together tight
2. Roll it on a pool table
3. When the ferule it pointing slightly up in the air or not touching the table, simply go to the joint and where the shaft and butt are screwed together take a utility knife or blade and lighty scrape a little off the joint collar of the shaft, butt, or both that are flat on the table.
4. Put cue back together and roll until straight.
Don't go nuts, hand face a little at a time.
Remember, face off part 180 degrees from high side of ferule to joint end.
1. Screw it together tight
2. Roll it on a pool table
3. When the ferule it pointing slightly up in the air or not touching the table, simply go to the joint and where the shaft and butt are screwed together take a utility knife or blade and lighty scrape a little off the joint collar of the shaft, butt, or both that are flat on the table.
4. Put cue back together and roll until straight.
Don't go nuts, hand face a little at a time.
Remember, face off part 180 degrees from high side of ferule to joint end.
I have had several cues with ivory move with time . Ivory is organic .
That is what I was going to say as soon as I seen that it had an ivory joint. Ivory changes shape from humidity, heat or cold and as it ages.
Dick
Thanks for all the help. I didn't know ivory could move over time. If I were going to send the cue out for refacing, I would not hesitate to send it to RatCues. For those who don't know, Ryan does absolutely excellent work at an excellent price. Thanks again, Ryan. Chuck
Agreed...you can do no better than Ryan.