Newbie shaft questions:

Halfjack87

Halfjack87

In Training
Silver Member
Newbie shaft questions:

So I'm playing with a cue stick I bought a few years ago (Viper Sterling) and it looks like the shaft has warped a little. Since I'm trying to develop my ability now, I thought I ought to go ahead and replace the shaft - in fact, maybe buy a few shafts.

1) Are shafts universal in terms of fitting to the butt (excepting quick-connects sets) - can I buy pretty much any shaft and expect it to screw in just like the original, or how do I know apart from physically trying it out?

2) Can anyone explain shaft taper to me? I don't understand the variance or the importance, and shafts for sale online don't seem to spec taper...

3) Do shafts normally vary much in terms of weight and length, or is that always in the butt?

4) Do shafts vary much in terms of how the ferrule or tip is attached? If so, what should I be looking for?

5) My plan is to replace my current shaft with a cheap shaft with a good 13mm medium tip, get a hard tip to put on my existing shaft to use for breaking, and get a 2nd cheap shaft with a good 12mm medium tip to compare play with the 13mm - any comments?

Thanks in advance!
 
I'm sorry, did I post this in the wrong area?

Trolling aside, please let me know if I should post these questions elsewhere, and I would be happy for the admin to move them appropriately.
 
Newbie shaft questions:

So I'm playing with a cue stick I bought a few years ago (Viper Sterling) and it looks like the shaft has warped a little. Since I'm trying to develop my ability now, I thought I ought to go ahead and replace the shaft - in fact, maybe buy a few shafts.

1) Are shafts universal in terms of fitting to the butt (excepting quick-connects sets) - can I buy pretty much any shaft and expect it to screw in just like the original, or how do I know apart from physically trying it out?
each joint screw is a size that the shaft fits, i.e. 5/16x18, 3/8x10, piloted 5/16x14, radial pin, etc. The shaft mates to the joint screw.

2) Can anyone explain shaft taper to me? I don't understand the variance or the importance, and shafts for sale online don't seem to spec taper...
the taper of the shaft influences the way the cue plays, stiff or whippy, or somewhere in between, or on the extremes. Search for this, lots of stuff.

3) Do shafts normally vary much in terms of weight and length, or is that always in the butt? yes, shafts can vary and so can butts.

4) Do shafts vary much in terms of how the ferrule or tip is attached? If so, what should I be looking for?avoid screw-on tips. ferrules are made of different materials and lengths, and produce different "hits"...hard, soft, in between... as do tips.

5) My plan is to replace my current shaft with a cheap shaft with a good 13mm medium tip, get a hard tip to put on my existing shaft to use for breaking, and get a 2nd cheap shaft with a good 12mm medium tip to compare play with the 13mm - any comments?good idea.

I'm not a cuemaker, but this will get you started. You could also search some cuemakers websites, ask questions through email, and/or talk to them personally. Good luck and have fun!
 
it's good to see people answering the basic questions (nicely).

If you're really interested in all these things i would do the following:

-ask other players if you can hit a ball or two with their cues, then look up background info on your own
-start up conversations with other players to see what they know
-read threads on cuemaking, cue reviews
-if you can find someone (cue repair person, or cuemaker) who will let you, ask them if you can tour their shop.
 
Stand up member rayay is. Everyone has to start somewhere. Were fortunate to have folks like you along the way on this site.

Take care,
-Davekat
 
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