laminated shafts

K

kiinstructor

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
This question is for the cuemakers and players. I am looking for customer responses ie players and cuemaker opinions, who have used different types of laminated shafts. The reason Im taking this approach is that it seems like the average player who buys a cue with a predator shaft may like it but has never had experience with other types lke OB1 or straight flat laminated shafts. I was speaking to a fellow at a tournament last weekend who had a predator 2 shaft. He said the flat laminted shafts had to he held a certain way to perform well with the laminated straight up . I think he's a bit confused. What Im really wondering is whether or not the pie shaped shafts play better than the flat laminted shafts. Maybe a cue maker uses only predator shafts or OB1 but have heard player response about either. Seems like the OB1 have the most inovative design but is the hit that much better? Does it really have that much less deflection. Meucci has a shaft that they swear by and even have a video to show comparisons. Or maybe the shaft design isnt the Key. Maybe its the ferrule. Thanks for any advise or opinions.
Mark
 
I have tried the Predator shafts (all types), flat laminates and the old fashioned plain hard rock Maple. I tend to favor the flat laminates because of their stiffness and firm hit. I like hard rock maple if I can find the heavier type with high ring count.
All shafts deflect some, so IMO it is a matter of adjusting to the type that feels best for you.
There is some truth to turning flat laminates a certain way to enhance cue ball action (flat for more draw, vertical for side spin) but I don't think most players could tell the difference, one way or the other. I think you get the same effect with a plain maple shaft to a lesser degree.
What is the best shaft? What ever feels right for you!!
John
 
I sell a lot of flat laminated shaft blanks to other cuemakers and although many people play with them they are more sought after for break/jump cues. I put them on almost all my jump breaks. The hit is a little too stiff for most players with one exception. That is those who want a thinner shaft of under 12.5mm often like the extra stiffness of the laminated shaft. A shaft that size will have a stiffness about equal to a 13mm regular shaft. Won't be as whippy as most regular maple shafts cut down that small. The down side is that although flat laminated shafts tend to be more stable than regular maple if left 13mm or larger, they are more likely to warp when turned down thin. The above poster is right on about turning the grain to produce more spin, follow or draw on power shots. But on normal shots you won't notice much difference.
Chris
www.cuesmith.com
www.internationalcuemakers.com
 
I sell about 1/2 of the Qs I make with a flat laminated shaft. I have one on both of my playing Qs & my jump/ break. I have short fingers & so I play with a 12 1/2mm shaft. I like these shafts for all around play. I have Sniper tips on my playing Qs & have no trouble with draw or as much spin as I want or need...JER
 
iv shot with all pre-2nd gen predator shafts and the regular maple shafts and the shaft i prefer is the meucci black dot. i havnt found a whole meucci cue i think plays well. i use my black dot shaft on a cheepo maple but with matching rings. it looks like they were made togather. all in all i like the black dot shaft the best....so far no warpage either.
 
flat lam

i agree with chris and ridge runner,and most of my cues are made with the flat laminated shaft. i like the stiffer hit. i have had a player set up like hes going to shoot a shot, have him close his eyes, spin the cue in hand, then hit the cue ball. i have yet to find anyone that can tell me when the laminates are vertical or horzional from the feel of the cue.
 
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