Let's talk chalk

easy-e said:
Would now be a good time to remind everyone that their $2,500 cue doesn't play better than a $500 cue? I'll never understand why people get so involved in how strangers spend their money.
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Well some people love fancy cars, or exotic cars, other drive basic transportation. Like a Honda Civic.
 
easy-e said:
Would now be a good time to remind everyone that their $2,500 cue doesn't play better than a $500 cue? I'll never understand why people get so involved in how strangers spend their money.
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Well, that may be true in some instances but in general, I think that’s not true. A Omega watch keeps time just like any watch but its accuracy, reliability and craftsmanship is indisputably much better than watches costing less. Same is true of other CSOC chronometers but functionally, all watches do the same thing. It is just that better made, ergo more expensive, brands do it better. But make no mistake about this. The $2500 cue does not make the player perform better than a $500 cue despite that it may be better made and balanced. In my experience, $500 cues more often than not rely on a weight bolt in the bottom of the butt to make the cue’s weight and can weigh 1/2, 3/4, 1 oz and heavier. It is not the best way to achieve balance and feel in a pool cue but functionally, it performs like every cue ever made.

The debate will wage on about what makes a great pool cue. Custom made cues just are more exactly fabricated than
production pool cues. The construction time is longer and the cue maker is more involved in each manufacturing phase of a custom cue. Lots of hrs. are involved but in the final analysis, it’s the archer, not the arrow, that matters the most.
 
Bavafongoul said:
Well, that may be true in some instances but in general, I think that’s not true. A Omega watch keeps time just like any watch but its accuracy, reliability and craftsmanship is indisputably much better than watches costing less. Same is true of other CSOC chronometers but functionally, all watches do the same thing. It is just that better made, ergo more expensive, brands do it better. But make no mistake about this. The $2500 cue does not make the player perform better than a $500 cue despite that it may be better made and balanced. In my experience, $500 cues more often than not rely on a weight bolt in the bottom of the butt to make the cue’s weight and can weigh 1/2, 3/4, 1 oz and heavier. It is not the best way to achieve balance and feel in a pool cue but functionally, it performs like every cue ever made.

The debate will wage on about what makes a great pool cue. Custom made cues just are more exactly fabricated than
production pool cues. The construction time is longer and the cue maker is more involved in each manufacturing phase of a custom cue. Lots of hrs. are involved but in the final analysis, it’s the archer, not the arrow, that matters the most.
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Depends on the technology though. The most expensive automatic watches can be outdone by some of the cheapest quartz watches, just as wood will eventually be more and more outdone by composite materials and better manufacturing machines.
 
Bavafongoul said:
Well, that may be true in some instances but in general, I think that’s not true. A Omega watch keeps time just like any watch but its accuracy, reliability and craftsmanship is indisputably much better than watches costing less. Same is true of other CSOC chronometers but functionally, all watches do the same thing. It is just that better made, ergo more expensive, brands do it better. But make no mistake about this. The $2500 cue does not make the player perform better than a $500 cue despite that it may be better made and balanced. In my experience, $500 cues more often than not rely on a weight bolt in the bottom of the butt to make the cue’s weight and can weigh 1/2, 3/4, 1 oz and heavier. It is not the best way to achieve balance and feel in a pool cue but functionally, it performs like every cue ever made.

The debate will wage on about what makes a great pool cue. Custom made cues just are more exactly fabricated than
production pool cues. The construction time is longer and the cue maker is more involved in each manufacturing phase of a custom cue. Lots of hrs. are involved but in the final analysis, it’s the archer, not the arrow, that matters the most.
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Most cues no matter who builds them use a weight bolt to achieve the final weight. I used to build cues and always used a heaver wood like purpleheart under the wrap to the butt. Along with what screw I choose to join the handle to the nose piece, It provided a natural weight of around 18.5 to 19 ounces without being butt heavy. I still often needed a final small butt screw to fine tune the required weight.

If you remove the wrap from some older Meuccis you will find a series of holes drilled through the cue. Then they put in weights along the length of the wrap area hidden by the wrap. Then filled with what looked like Bondo and sanded smooth. If you have an older Meucci you can find them with a magnetic stud finder..
 
middleofnowhere said:
Most cues no matter who builds them use a weight bolt to achieve the final weight. I used to build cues and always used a heaver wood like purpleheart under the wrap to the butt. Along with what screw I choose to join the handle to the nose piece, It provided a natural weight of around 18.5 to 19 ounces without being butt heavy. I still often needed a final small butt screw to fine tune the required weight.

If you remove the wrap from some older Meuccis you will find a series of holes drilled through the cue. Then they put in weights along the length of the wrap area hidden by the wrap. Then filled with what looked like Bondo and sanded smooth. If you have an older Meucci you can find them with a magnetic stud finder..
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I have a $230 Schmelke cue that I ordered at 19.5 ozs.
It weigh's 19.7 and no weight bolt.
Pretty close for a cheap production cue.
 
measureman said:
I have a $230 Schmelke cue that I ordered at 19.5 ozs.
It weigh's 19.7 and no weight bolt.
Pretty close for a cheap production cue.
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I have a Schmelke JB purpleheart cue myself. Bangs balls like a champ! It always surprises me how few people know about Schmelke.
 
chenjy9 said:
I have a Schmelke JB purpleheart cue myself. Bangs balls like a champ! It always surprises me how few people know about Schmelke.
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I show people my Schmelke cue and keep the name hidden.
I do tell them it's production cue.
Most people guess it at around $500 give or take a little.
I paid $230 delivered.
 
chenjy9 said:
I have a Schmelke JB purpleheart cue myself. Bangs balls like a champ! It always surprises me how few people know about Schmelke.
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Years ago they made a truly horrible cue. The joint looked like plumbing fittings. Handles like ball bats, even wraps like a tennis racket. They looked like they had never seen an actuall cue before. Check out the bumper on the cue in the picture. It looks like it came off a crutch. I think it has taken a long time to rid themselves of that past reputation.
 

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Poolmanis said:
Why people not mention top reason that makes Taom best. It reduces bad contacts close to 0%. I can play months and months without "clings" with it.
2nd best is because it is so clean it is actually giving cloth more lifetime.
That was mentioned also in later chalk Dr. Dave video too and he uses Taom but also say use whatever you want.
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Probably why many Carom and Snooker players use Taom.
 
Anyone with a 3d printer can make a Taom chalk holder. My son made me several.

Great chalk but too expensive for me because I too often leave it on the rail at the end of a session.
 
middleofnowhere said:
Most cues no matter who builds them use a weight bolt to achieve the final weight. I used to build cues and always used a heaver wood like purpleheart under the wrap to the butt. Along with what screw I choose to join the handle to the nose piece, It provided a natural weight of around 18.5 to 19 ounces without being butt heavy. I still often needed a final small butt screw to fine tune the required weight.

If you remove the wrap from some older Meuccis you will find a series of holes drilled through the cue. Then they put in weights along the length of the wrap area hidden by the wrap. Then filled with what looked like Bondo and sanded smooth. If you have an older Meucci you can find them with a magnetic stud finder..
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There is a tremendous difference when the cue maker uses a smaller lighter weight bolt that’s headless and can be positioned within the butt instead of screwing in a much heavier bolt in the bottom of the cue butt. I’ve seen cues with a 1 oz bolt screwed in the bottom underneath a rubber bumper. How much does that bumper and hunk of metal affect the balance and feel of the cue? How many players actually know what their cue has? How many understand the anatomy of a pool cue, let alone the nuances of constructing one? Weight bolts for some cue makers are a crutch used to make the customer’s weight.
 
Gear101 said:
So what's your favourite chalk, now a days.

Personally I have a hard time spending more than 5 bucks and cube. I'm really enjoying some Predator blue that someone gave my not to long ago. Pretty smooth but kind of messy, but plays well.

Go post your up, thanks.
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Masters gold for my gold 860. Perfect match. Also Im afraid that if I started using $5
a cube chalk my game would improve so much I might turn pro
 
fastone371 said:
I hardly ever see OB chalk mentioned. It seems to work very well, I have a few cubes and keep 1 in my case in the event that the table chalk has a hole that reaches China, I don't like blue ferrules. I also like that it is relatively rare, it makes it easy to recognize my cube.
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OB is good chalk. It was rated number 2 chalk, right behind the number one chalk, Magic Chalk. OB was thrilled to be mentioned so highly and was happy with that testing that put them there. Though, it is made in China, not sure if that matters but it does do many.
 
ChicagoRJ said:
OB is good chalk. It was rated number 2 chalk, right behind the number one chalk, Magic Chalk. OB was thrilled to be mentioned so highly and was happy with that testing that put them there. Though, it is made in China, not sure if that matters but it does do many.
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Well those that do not like stuff made in China, would not have vechicle that run.

As most cars, trucks, motorcycles, and vehicles have components made in China.
 
I was surprised at the demand for these Taom chalk holders. Obviously I wasn't the only one tired of chasing them around. I sold out of my last run but if there is enough interest I'll make another batch. Details are here ($15 for a set of 3, including shipping):

Chalk Holders for Taom Pyro - $15

A few people messaged me about these so I printed a batch for sale. The Taom Pyro chalk is great but it’s small, rolls around, and chips when it falls. These chalk holders are easy to grip and can be used with or without a magnet. The chalk can easily be pushed out from the bottom for...
forums.azbilliards.com

If you have your own 3D printer, I'm happy to just email you the STL file for free.
 
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