Metal pool cue ferrules

B

benefactor

Registered
Hey guys...

Have any of you ever seen metal ferrules (like what you see in Snooker) that were meant to be used on pool cues with wider tip diameters? I only ask because I think it looks so much better but I haven't come across any thus far.
 
I've seen some brass ones way back but they should not be allowed due damaging the cue balls.
 
Metal vs. other

Tradition...
I have hit many 1000's of balls with the metal ferrules, I bought a decent snooker cue, the hit never seemed very solid. Sold it. I then used my SW and had a snooker size shaft made for it and the hit was MUCH better! Of course, it was a SW.
But even my cheaper cues hit better.

I have used my "Yankee" type cues with different sized shafts and they just play better. I have even let many of my snooker friends use my cue and they "ALL" like to play with MY cues. They still go back to theirs because it's theirs.
I think the main reason , personally, is they do not spend the kind of money we do, to get a good cue. The regular average players spend maybe up to $300 and we will spend any where between $500 and $1000 just to get a very good cue. Their "best" cue, which many of their top players use seems to be a "John Paris" for about $1200+.

And of course...tradition.
 
spktur said:
I've seen some brass ones way back but they should not be allowed due damaging the cue balls.
Click to expand...
As long as there's a tip between the metal ferrule and the cue ball, you won't damage anything.

A woman who plays here locally has a metal ferrule and it makes a very audible "clink" sound whenever she hits the ball, but I haven't gotten to play with it personally.
 
> I see these on some of the really cheap import cues from Wal-Mart. It's not a solid ferrule though,just a thin-walled aluminum collar surrounding a plastic core with threads in the end for the screw-on tip.

The reason traditional snooker cues have brass ferrules is they are usually made from ash,not maple,and the brass keeps from splitting the end. Keep in mind a LOT of snooker players have tips in the 9mm range,which is just under 3/8 of an inch.

Another reason you will almost NEVER see them on a POOL cue is that it was discovered a LONG time ago that a metal ferrule doubles or triples effective deflection,kinda like the reverse of the Predator effect.

Even worse than this is using a threaded metal stud to mount the ferrule on.

Jim Buss said he drilled out a shaft and used a 5/16-18 joint pin in it,then put a tip and ferrule on it. He had the shaft out and asked Corey Deuel a question about a shot. Corey picked up the cue without knowing it was rigged,took the shot and didn't even contact the object ball LOL. Tommy D.
 
spktur said:
I've seen some brass ones way back but they should not be allowed due damaging the cue balls.
Click to expand...

How would it damage the cue ball? The only way I could see it damaging the cue ball is if someone's tip came off! If you are using a leather tip then there should be no way that a metal ferrule would mess with the cue ball.
 
benefactor said:
Just as an off-hand question, what are the pros/cons of having a cue with a smaller tip?
Click to expand...

Well depends really on what you want it for! Some people like a smaller tip because they have smaller hands and it is hard for them to close bridge the cue. Some people want a smaller tip because they want to be able to get out a little further on the cue ball, and get that extra English on it. Some people want it for less deflection at the end of the cue.

The biggest con for most players is that you have to be more accurate with it! Because the cue tip is a little more precise then you have to be more precise as well. A lot of beginners are playing with 13mm, and a lot of more advanced players are playing with 11.75mm - 12.5

As with everything in this sport it is all subjective, and you have to find what works best for your style of play.
 
RBLilly said:
How would it damage the cue ball? The only way I could see it damaging the cue ball is if someone's tip came off! If you are using a leather tip then there should be no way that a metal ferrule would mess with the cue ball.
Click to expand...

As the tip wears down a little you can chip the cue ball. The tip is flexible and will give and allow the ferrule to contact the ball. I have actually seen this type of damage.
 
Metal ferrules can be found at your local Ace Hardware store.
Yep, it's true. Common thin wall brass tubing. My good friend Andy Gilbert built a cue for a guy several years ago, and the guy wanted a brass ferrule on both shafts. Although brass ferrules aren't exactly my cup of tea, it was a damn fine looking cue, none the less.
 
Most of the ferrules on the masse' cues that Gene (Crown Cues) makes are brass ferrules. Some folks prefer Ivorine or something different, but most prefer the brass.

The tip size is larger on the masse' cues, too.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top