new tip, customary to cut a few layers?

dchan320

dchan320

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
When you put on a new tip (single or layered), do you normally take it down a few or shape it at its' maximum height?

I'm wondering if it is just aestethics (i.e., looks better) or there is a playability factor involved. For example, why create an 8-9 layer tip when 6-7 layers is optimal.

-Doug
 
In my experience, some players like them trimmed as they feel the tip does play better. Other players say "Don't you dare trim any of that tip off, that's an expensive tip!!"
My 2 cents,
Gary
 
I usually just shape, no trimming. I like Tiger's Sniper or Onyx or Ultraskins as far as their height go.
I usually like it when a tip is a bit springy, too, but I really can't stand the Elkmasters - they are springy in a wrong way to me.

Usually it's about having enough useable layers.

Currently I'm playing with a worn down soft Snooker tip and it's a different feeling. Can't say better or worse, just different.
It has started to make that Snooker sound you always hear on Eurosport when they hit the ball - tchoiunk! :embarrassed2:

Cheers,
M
 
GBCues said:
In my experience, some players like them trimmed as they feel the tip does play better. Other players say "Don't you dare trim any of that tip off, that's an expensive tip!!"
My 2 cents,
Gary
Click to expand...

Thanks Gary. At the pro-shops I've gone for tip replacement, the new tip usually gets trimmed without any thought. The few times I've seen a friend's cue with a new tip installed, it looked pretty much the same.

I decided on my recent tip install to leave it full. Have to say it takes a bit getting used to looking at it. Haven't played with it yet, but will give it a try over the weekend.

-Doug
 
M.G. said:
I usually just shape, no trimming. I like Tiger's Sniper or Onyx or Ultraskins as far as their height go.
I usually like it when a tip is a bit springy, too, but I really can't stand the Elkmasters - they are springy in a wrong way to me.

Usually it's about having enough useable layers.

Currently I'm playing with a worn down soft Snooker tip and it's a different feeling. Can't say better or worse, just different.
It has started to make that Snooker sound you always hear on Eurosport when they hit the ball - tchoiunk! :embarrassed2:

Cheers,
M
Click to expand...

Exactly. I'm wonder how useable the first layer (under the logo/marking) is.
 
Unless the customer is very spesific, I trim the tip to a reasonable playing height.
 
I have some that want a Kamui brown full height and in 3 -4 months come back for a new one when there is more than plenty left, about the same amount others have me cut the new tip down to, then shaped and I don't see them for over a year or so..kinda goes by what the customer wants. I do personally prefer a cut down tip so the break in process is shorter and the playability is more consistant over the life of that tip
Dave
 
I cut a layered tip down to 4 layers on the shoulder... or the width of the notch in the back of a utility blade...

Kim
 
Most of my customers want the most tip for the money, so not much trimming for them, but the good players want consistency which gives them the Best tip, FOR THE MONEY, because thats what they are playing for. I have very good playing customers who want their tip trimmed to 1/4", and then shaped.
 
With me it depends on the size of the ferrule. If it is a full 13mm ferrule I leave the tip full sized unless asked to do different. If it is a Z shaft at 11.7mm I take a couple layers off.

I was once told that the correct proportion was the height 1/2 of the width. Can't remember who told me but I think it works out pretty close.
 
As a player I prefer the tip to have short sidewalls. As a builder, I leave a little extra meat. The trick is to understand the point at which too much sidewall decreases accuracy. Having a giant nipple on the end of your cue does nothing but make the game more difficult.
 
Mase said:
With me it depends on the size of the ferrule. If it is a full 13mm ferrule I leave the tip full sized unless asked to do different. If it is a Z shaft at 11.7mm I take a couple layers off.

I was once told that the correct proportion was the height 1/2 of the width. Can't remember who told me but I think it works out pretty close.
Click to expand...

This^^

It's all in the proportion. A skinny shaft with a tall tip looks goofy, and plays goofy too imo.

Tapering the tip is also important imo, it leaves room for mushrooming to occur and I also believe it enables you to impart a little more spin on the cue ball.

FjusbL.jpg


This was a tip on on a Z2, I only trimmed it down and tapered/burnished it. But from the factory it was so goofy tall and flush with the ferrule. I wish I had taken a before photo but looked like an afro.

This is the height I'd take it to if it were a new install as well though. Unless the customer specified otherwise.
 
As a customer, I like the tips left fairly high. I can shape it how I like that way. Also don't like my ferrule to come back all cleaned up unless I asked.
 
Having installed tips, and playing them, for only forty years, the best advice I can give is don't cut the tip down too much, especially single layer tips.

What people don't realize, is a tip is a natural material, that stabilizes as it wears. And, if you wear it down, rather than immediately cut it down, you have a much more uniform, consistent tip.

It takes that rare thing though. Patience, rather than expediency.

All the best,
WW
 
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