Low deflection rant

FYI, if you want to compare cues, it is very easy to test them yourself. You don't need a robot. See the procedure here:
Dr. Dave,
You need pool glasses. I can tell from this video. Your speed will go up one ball if you get them. Best thing I ever did for my game.
Thanks for the tip. Sometimes I play with contact lenses, but I actually prefer using my glasses when I play. I'm not sure why ... maybe its because the prescription is a little different and I wear my glasses more than my contacts. BTW, when I play (but not always when I'm filming stuff), I push my glasses up a little higher (and up against my eyebrows).

Regards,
Dave
 
But people can surely feel when they get more or less with one cue or the other.

Pat and I had this discussion as well and while I agree with him that IF the tip does contact the ball at EXACTLY the same position the speed/spin ratio is ALL due to the speed at which the ball is struck, we came to a tentative agreement that perhaps the people who get "more" spin using one cue vs. another are seeing that because the smaller tip/different taper might be causing the tip to actually hit the ball at a different spot.
I agree that this is probably the most likely explanation for why some people might get more draw or English with a new LD shaft. Both the tip shape and shaft size could be factors. FYI, both of these effects are illustrated and explained in my January '08 and July '06 BD articles. Check them out.

Regards,
Dave
 
Predator's experiments showed first that the amount of deflection changes when the cue is rotated.
I have also heard this, but I have not seen any data. Nor do I know the details of their experiment (although, I am familiar with Iron Willy).

Two examples of data I have collected, with a well-designed, level-cue, repeatable, squirt-testing machine, can be found in my February '08 BD article (see Diagram 3) and August '08 BD article (see Diagram 2). My tests showed no significant variance with cue angle for a flat laminate shaft and an inexpensive solid maple shaft (with obvious grain asymmetry).

Now, if a cue had a slight warp, and/or if the cue were not held consistently in the testing machine, or if the testing machine had stroke inconsistencies, and/or if the tip were not rounded symmetrically, there could easily be squirt variance with cue angle. I'm not saying any of this applies to Predators testing. I'm just pointing out that there could possible explanations for unexpected trends.

Endmass physics is very well understood, and I would be very surprised if I saw data showing dramatic changes in squirt with cue angle. And if I saw such data, I would want it independently verified before I would believe it.

Regards,
Dave
 
...Now, if a cue had a slight warp...

There's an interesting idea: shafts that are intentionally curved in the last 6-8 inches or so. You WOULD have to keep orientation in mind--perhaps orienting the curve UP on draw and DOWN on follow (i.e., always oriented toward the center). You would need marks for different shots, in order to make sure the curve was always oriented toward the center...

...but I wonder if one could draw an advantage from that (pun somewhat intended)?

From the same reasoning, I wonder what advantage one might gain from slightly slanting ferrule ends, so the tip is on a slight angle? (it's rarely ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY to hit at perfect center). Again you would need orienting marks...
 
There's an interesting idea: shafts that are intentionally curved in the last 6-8 inches or so. You WOULD have to keep orientation in mind--perhaps orienting the curve UP on draw and DOWN on follow (i.e., always oriented toward the center). You would need marks for different shots, in order to make sure the curve was always oriented toward the center...

...but I wonder if one could draw an advantage from that (pun somewhat intended)?

From the same reasoning, I wonder what advantage one might gain from slightly slanting ferrule ends, so the tip is on a slight angle? (it's rarely ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY to hit at perfect center). Again you would need orienting marks...


You would gain the ability to rickochet your shaft tips all over the pool hall at will.

If the tip were on a slight angle then the forces acting upon it would not be concentric....there would be more pressure created on one side of the tip over the other, which would break down the glueing bonds.

This is why we FACE parts off when building a cue, b/c if the cue connecting parts such as the "A" joint (joining connection at the top of handle/wrap on a multi-piece butt securing the handle and forearm) If the faces of this joint are angular then uneven stress over time will cause the connection to move and the cue will lose its concentricity.

Its completely diff animal when the front of the shaft is warped....no matter the "curve" warp or orientation of the shaft, the tip (so long as your not miscueing) will always hit the ball in square fashion.

Angular joining surfaces b/t the tip and ferrule would add to the "hurt" your putting on a cue. It would be a SHEARING action on the tip, ORIGINATING AT ITS BASE at the bond itself.

There would be nothing good to come of having a tip/ferrule connection that wasn't perfectly flat/faced off correctly.
 
There's an interesting idea: shafts that are intentionally curved in the last 6-8 inches or so. You WOULD have to keep orientation in mind--perhaps orienting the curve UP on draw and DOWN on follow (i.e., always oriented toward the center). You would need marks for different shots, in order to make sure the curve was always oriented toward the center...

...but I wonder if one could draw an advantage from that (pun somewhat intended)?

From the same reasoning, I wonder what advantage one might gain from slightly slanting ferrule ends, so the tip is on a slight angle? (it's rarely ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY to hit at perfect center). Again you would need orienting marks...

I see it the opposite way..I would want the curve AWAY from center.
It's why some excellent players cross-stroke...to get more spin and
less deflection.
If your tip is coming UP to center on a draw shot it's like you're
trying to scoop the cue ball.
 
I'm glad that someone has addressed the issue of swerve and that it is probably more difficult to compensate for than squirt. I think this is especially true a lot of rail cut shots where you use low side spin to control the angle of the cue ball after it touches the rail. The squirt factor isn't so big on these kind of shots.

I'm sure to a certain extent that LD shafts will help people improve their games by minimizing squirt, but I believe that many people too often blame their misses on squirt, instead of swerve and throw.

This is a good point.....I explained a shot with one of my cues to a customer the other day and he hit it perfect just with the wrong speed so the shot didn't go....I told him do the same thing but put more speed on the shot and BANG shot goes.

Speed of the shot is very important when dealing with swerve and such.
 
I see it the opposite way..I would want the curve AWAY from center.
It's why some excellent players cross-stroke...to get more spin and
less deflection.
If your tip is coming UP to center on a draw shot it's like you're
trying to scoop the cue ball.

You may be able to stroke "up" on a follow shot....but the back hand has to dip to do this.......too low for it to work on a draw shot anyways, regardless if it works for overspin follow or not.....you can't do that for draw cuz the rail and table surface is in too close proximity to the grip hand.

if you could come with a "up" stroke for draw the CB would HOP like a jumpshot anyways....its not like your trying to scoop the CB it would be scooping the CB.

B/C when you typically see someone scoop they are not "up" stroking....the tip is bouncing off the table surface then into the ball which is why it jumps up.

So this is bogus for draw......argue it for follow if you like but it can't be done for a draw shot.

(just reaffirming what you said....to a degree)
 
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Define "cross-stroke," please. BHE? FHE?

I don't know from BHE or FHE.Not being a wise guy,I just don't think
in those terms and I got to work with what I got.
By 'cross-stroke' I mean I set up with tip at center ball on every shot.
Then I move the tip to where I hit whitey,without moving my bridge.
So when I warm-up stroke I'm cross-stroking.
Some players do the cross-stroking on their final stroke'
I have one friend who,when he wants maxi side-spin,aims at the
opposite side of the cue ball.He gets insane amounts of english.
(His tip changes direction on his last stroke)

So when I draw my tip is moving down through the ball.
With follow it's moving up through the ball.
With right english the tip is moving to the right.
I feel this gives me a 'kind' hit on the cue ball and I get more spin
with less deflection.I play with cues that allow me to aim this way.
I'm very picky about cues and use a 12mm tip with a dime shape....
..and the shaft has a modified carom taper.

I'm not recommending this as the only way to play...
..but personally,I wont be changing anytime soon.

ps Willie Hoppe says you shouldn't do this but I have
a picture of him completing the break shot at 3-cushion...
..and his tip follows to the right WITH the spin.
A lot of players do this unconsiously when they hit dead stroke.
 
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Thanks for your responses, Greyghost and PT109.

I'm just sayin': people have examined EVERY AVENUE they could think of to get an edge--but it has ALWAYS been a given that a straight cue is what you want.

But is that assumption really bulletproof? I don't know. But there might be people more expert than I who could think of a way to get some benefit from it.

I don't think we'd end up with cues like shepherd hooks! But it wouldn't shock me to find there was SOME way to squeeze out some new advantage from being able to hit the CB from a slightly different direction than was previously possible (or thought of).

And regarding draw and "scooping"...it could be possible that the SLIGHTEST bit of lift (much less than what would be needed to actually lift the ball) might allow for more spin for a given speed of hit--because of less frictional resistance to spin (because of a lower "normal" force).
 
If the tip were on a slight angle then the forces acting upon it would not be concentric....

Because you're hitting a sphere, the forces on the tip are already WILDLY eccentric. If anything, the idea of a slanted ferrule end would be to make the forces LESS eccentric (on the tip itself).

These are complex issues that I don't think can be answered at first thought (even by engineers). If someone had the right equipment and the right curiosity it would be interesting to see what might come of testing it. The only costs would be some time and some ferrules and tips.
 
I don't know from BHE or FHE.Not being a wise guy,I just don't think
in those terms and I got to work with what I got.
By 'cross-stroke' I mean I set up with tip at center ball on every shot.
Then I move the tip to where I hit whitey,without moving my bridge.
So when I warm-up stroke I'm cross-stroking.
Some players do the cross-stroking on their final stroke ...

What you are calling cross stroking is also called back-hand english (BHE) -- at least for shots with side english (not just draw or follow). Dr. Dave's web site has lots of information about this.
 
Thanks for the tip. Sometimes I play with contact lenses, but I actually prefer using my glasses when I play. I'm not sure why ... maybe its because the prescription is a little different and I wear my glasses more than my contacts. BTW, when I play (but not always when I'm filming stuff), I push my glasses up a little higher (and up against my eyebrows).

Regards,
Dave

You will notice a difference in a week. The glasses will allow your whole stance and game to change, and it might end up going lower (the stance) all on its own. I noticed you squinting in the video immediately. Its your face muscles subconsciously trying to lift your glasses up higher. Its a tell tale sign of a glasses wearer. I played with regular glasses for 10 yrs and never thought I needed pool glasses. then, when I got them, after a week I put my regular glasses on, and I couldn't see through them at all. I couldn't believe the difference. A normal player while in his stance and looking at the cue ball, can see the object ball clearly. And when looking at the object ball, can see the pocket clearly. He can see 2 things clearly simultaneously. A person wearing normal glasses, can only see one of the 3 clearly at any given time (while down in the stance).

I'm petrified of contacts, but if you can wear them, I've been told they are even better than pool glasses.
 
Because you're hitting a sphere, the forces on the tip are already WILDLY eccentric. If anything, the idea of a slanted ferrule end would be to make the forces LESS eccentric (on the tip itself).

These are complex issues that I don't think can be answered at first thought (even by engineers). If someone had the right equipment and the right curiosity it would be interesting to see what might come of testing it. The only costs would be some time and some ferrules and tips.
.

I didn't say eccentric....I said concentric.....basically on all shots that are within the miscue limit are going to make contact with the center of the leather tip. Thats why it has a radius.....so when you strike the CB the forces are centered and spread evenly through the tip.

I don't know how many tips I've seen that were just put on and not faced off properly and as soon as the player miscues POP the tip flies off......angular forces caused it to pop off as opposed to a centered force.

The CB is a sphere and the cue stick tip has a radius so that it can make optimum contact when striking the CB, b/c of the radius of ball/tip you can get a centered tip hit when out on the edges of the ball, If the tip were flat you would sometimes be making contact with the tips outer sides which would increase miscues.

There is NO benefit to having a ferrule with an angular face, but there would be definate weakening of the joining area b/t tip/ferrule.

The tip would eventually fall off....BELIEVE ME IF THAT WOULD HAVE A BENEFIT AT ALL SOMEONE WOULD HAVE DONE IT ALREADY!!!

The only angular joints on a cue are those found in full splice, half splice, butterfly cues. But these splices are always concentric, if there is one on "that" side then there is another on the "other" side to balance it out.

The idea that an angled tip/ferrule joining surface thats not square with the center line of the cue could have any kind of benefit is extremely far fetched. Not to mention that it would make changing the tip a real big PIA unless you have a milling machine.


The tip would still have the same radius as normal.....just one side of the shoulder of the tip would be thinner than the other side, but the tip of the tip wouldn't change......so what would be the point at all of doing that anyway?

There is none.....its a preposterous idea

Lastly the idea that it would only cost some time/ferrules and tips is also preposterous....what about the sensing equipment for the supposed tests, much less a repeatable system for delivering the shot the same way everytime, and I'm sure you would want to film the results with a high speed camera.

It would not be cheap to test at all......but it doesn't matter b/c it would be a pointless exercise.


And regarding draw and "scooping"...it could be possible that the SLIGHTEST bit of lift (much less than what would be needed to actually lift the ball) might allow for more spin for a given speed of hit--because of less frictional resistance to spin (because of a lower "normal" force)

Ok well like I said you cant upstroke on a draw shot b/c of the perimeters of the table and rails. You can upstroke somewhat on follow shots tho esp when the CB is near to the rail (NO I am not recommending doing that ever)

Any amount of upward angular force that you could give the CB while attempting a draw shot would cause the CB to HOP....you wouldn't be able to control your shot in an efficient manner.

You deduce that you will get more spin b/c of less frictional resistance to spin since the CB will be airborne for an arbitrary period. Well I'm here to tell you that you would NOT. First the forces of momentum are now divided. Instead of delivering the energy in a linear fashion, the energy will be partially angular and partially linear. So while total "power" was not lost on the shot, the quantitative parts of "power" :CB velocity and the spin applied to it will be changed.

First the velocity of the CB will have 2 distinct values as it was struck by an angular force. These two values will each be lessened as they share the energy from the hit to attain the result.

The CB will not go down table as fast, and the spin will be LESS!!!!!:eek:

Two reasons: 1)Linear velocitys energy quotient is shared by angular velocity of CB b/c of its attaining flight and bouncing thereafter, whatever momentum could have been saved by the absence of friction in the air will be lost to the bouncing of the CB when it returns from flight.

2) The Spin will be less b/c there will be less FRICTION to keep the CB in place as the stroke is applied. This is why you can get maximum spin jacking up to 90º and shooting a masse'......b/c the CB becomes trapped for an instant and can not roll forward, it is for a lack of better terms "pinched" out. The tip grabs the surface of the ball and due to the pressure b/t the tip/ball/table surface and makes it rotate reverse, once the spin starts to initiate forward motion will occur to the CB.

Now if we shot pool on telfon coated Ice you couldn't really get any kind of backspin at all since there would not be enough friction to keep the ball stationary long enough for the spin to be applied......the ball would just react too fast to forward motion.

For whatever reason players rationalize that less friction somehow always means more spin on the CB b/c its not hampered by the extra rotation friction....THIS IS NOT THE CASE (at least not always and def not in the situation we are talking about)

When you put on new cloth the ball is easy to draw right?......when it gets old and slick its not so easy to draw is it? What I have explained above is WHY


Everything in the game is like it is for a reason. Tip/ferrule bonding surfaces are square and not angular b/c its STRONGER, more concentric, and you get a more even dispersion of energy of the hit.

Cues are straight (typically) b/c thats the most efficient design for propelling a CB in all the diff ways we do. You can complete EVERY shot on a pool table with a normal playing cue. All this talk about more spin and bla bla bla....I say WHAT FOR!!!! A decent normal cue puts more than enough spin for whatever spin quantity that shot calls for.

Whats a cue that puts more spin on the ball do for you as a player? When a normal cue puts plenty of spin and then some? Whats the point? Most can't control what little spin they get already, now we want to magnify it?


LD shafts are the rage b/c of the lessor amount of compensation for squirt etc.....not b/c they spin the ball better.

Its one thing to develop a jump cue, for aiding in that type of shot as it just makes the tool easier to handle when jacked up.......I see your idea of the "crooked" shaft for "overspin" (even tho it wouldn't work) as nothing but a gimmick idea for people looking to buy a better game instead of working to get a better game.....


go find an engineer that believes a non concentric angled bond on the tip would be beneficial and I'll show you a guy that got his Diploma from the cracker jack box.....

just like BHE doesn't put any more spin than a normal stroke making contact at the same english mark.....its not like the tip Sticks to the CB, and that would be the only way that would work is if the tip did stick longer, and it don't.....tho it is possible that it can reduce deflection using BHE as the tip is cutting across the ball as opposed to the tip penetrating directly inline and through the CB in relation to the shot. No matter the cueing angle (left to right) you come in to that particular english on the CB your still going to be hitting the same quantity of surface area so long as its a good hit and not a miscue, doesn't matter if its BHE or if your dropping in with your bridge centered on the english you wish to apply.

The only reason that the deflection can be lessened is that the cue stick using BHE is not aligned through the shot, so the cueball is out of the way very quickly....the CB and stick in BHE have two differient VECTORS.......the way I shoot (centering my bridge and dropping in on the intended english, no pivoting) my stick and CB's vector are generally the same.


-Grey Ghost-
 
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You will notice a difference in a week. The glasses will allow your whole stance and game to change, and it might end up going lower (the stance) all on its own. I noticed you squinting in the video immediately. Its your face muscles subconsciously trying to lift your glasses up higher. Its a tell tale sign of a glasses wearer. I played with regular glasses for 10 yrs and never thought I needed pool glasses. then, when I got them, after a week I put my regular glasses on, and I couldn't see through them at all. I couldn't believe the difference. A normal player while in his stance and looking at the cue ball, can see the object ball clearly. And when looking at the object ball, can see the pocket clearly. He can see 2 things clearly simultaneously. A person wearing normal glasses, can only see one of the 3 clearly at any given time (while down in the stance).

I'm petrified of contacts, but if you can wear them, I've been told they are even better than pool glasses.

Where could I find some info on pool glasses I wear bi-focals and can't play with them on nor can I shoot my bow or wear them when I use a rifle scope.
 
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You will notice a difference in a week. The glasses will allow your whole stance and game to change, and it might end up going lower (the stance) all on its own. I noticed you squinting in the video immediately. Its your face muscles subconsciously trying to lift your glasses up higher. Its a tell tale sign of a glasses wearer. I played with regular glasses for 10 yrs and never thought I needed pool glasses. then, when I got them, after a week I put my regular glasses on, and I couldn't see through them at all. I couldn't believe the difference. A normal player while in his stance and looking at the cue ball, can see the object ball clearly. And when looking at the object ball, can see the pocket clearly. He can see 2 things clearly simultaneously. A person wearing normal glasses, can only see one of the 3 clearly at any given time (while down in the stance).

I'm petrified of contacts, but if you can wear them, I've been told they are even better than pool glasses.

Where could I find some info on pool glasses I wear bi-focals and can't play with them on nor can I shoot my bow or wear them when I use a rifle scope.
 
What you are calling cross stroking is also called back-hand english (BHE) -- at least for shots with side english (not just draw or follow). Dr. Dave's web site has lots of information about this.

Thanx
I thought back-hand english was what my father put on me when i was
being a brat..been a little spinny ever since :confused:

I'll visit the good doctor's site.
Although i've been feeling guilty about that,I promosed him some action.
I'll get around to it,Dave.
 
What you are calling cross stroking is also called back-hand english (BHE) -- at least for shots with side english (not just draw or follow). Dr. Dave's web site has lots of information about this.
I think cross stroking is another term for a swoop stroke.

Backhand English (BHE) is an alternative where the cue is pivoted before the final stroke, so the stroke can be straight.

Regards,
Dave
 
You will notice a difference in a week. The glasses will allow your whole stance and game to change, and it might end up going lower (the stance) all on its own. I noticed you squinting in the video immediately. Its your face muscles subconsciously trying to lift your glasses up higher. Its a tell tale sign of a glasses wearer. I played with regular glasses for 10 yrs and never thought I needed pool glasses. then, when I got them, after a week I put my regular glasses on, and I couldn't see through them at all. I couldn't believe the difference. A normal player while in his stance and looking at the cue ball, can see the object ball clearly. And when looking at the object ball, can see the pocket clearly. He can see 2 things clearly simultaneously. A person wearing normal glasses, can only see one of the 3 clearly at any given time (while down in the stance).

I'm petrified of contacts, but if you can wear them, I've been told they are even better than pool glasses.
Well, you've convinced me to wear my contacts more when I play. I'm actually due for a new prescription and some new contacts, so that's a good reason to switch. I've looked into getting Lasik surgery, but I decided to wait a few years, after I start need reading glasses (I'm near sighted).

Thanks,
Dave
 
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