Nib Questions about Cues

C

CoreanJustin

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Hello people of AZ Billiards!

After perusing these forums for a few weeks, I have finally decided to buy my own cue in an attempt to improve my game. Unfortunately, I am afraid that I may have ruined the cue on the same day of the purchase. For some strange reason, I thought that only extremely hot weather could cause my cue to warp; however, after doing some reading later that night, I found that cold weather can do the same thing. I could write about exactly what happened that day, but I will not bore you all with such a lame story. To make a long story short, I was outside with my cue for about 2 - 3 hours in roughly 50 - 60(F) degree temperatures. Although my cue was in a case, I highly doubt that it was in any way insulated, as the case was only 40$.

Moving on, I did notice that the shaft was not as straight as I had previously imagined. Should cues be "straight as an arrow?" The cue was not noticeably warped, but it did appear to slightly curve to one side. Like I said previously though, I cannot see anything extreme yet; however, I am curious as to how straight one can expect a cue to be?

In addition, how cold is too cold for a cue?

Additional details:
The cue is a McDermott Lucky L21 <http://www.billiardfactory.com/catalog/billiard-pool-cues/lucky-cue-l21-mcdermott-101212.aspx>

Pictures of my cue's shaft (probably useless):
http://i822.photobucket.com/albums/zz148/JippleStar/IMAG0207.jpg
http://i822.photobucket.com/albums/zz148/JippleStar/IMAG0211.jpg



Note: I apologize if this is in the wrong section and/or if I should have done a search prior to posting. I attempted to search for a similar post, but I got some error when I clicked "search this forum."
 
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Roll the cue on a flat surface like say a pool table. Do this together and apart. Does the tip lift off the table if you watch from the side as you roll it. If not does the middle of the shaft appear to get closer and farther from the table. This is called taper roll. If it does either of these try to reply with how much. Also do you know it was straight when you bought it 60 degrees isn't that cold.

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk
 
Oh and McDermott Lucky cues have a three year warranty. That covers warpage. As long as you are the original owner.

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk
 
It might be a visual illusion. Do as recommended by RoadHustler.


if worse come to worst, it will be a good time to upgrade the shaft! :thumbup:
 
I was actually thinking about visiting a pool hall or whatever later today, so I will give that method a try! Thank you both for taking the time to reply (:
Oh, and I did not check due the fear of embarrassing myself... Silly, I know x:
 
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I would doubt that weather would have much effect on that short of time. That's a pretty comfortable temp for a cue IMHO. Going from 15 degrees in the winter up to spikes of maybe 110 with humidity in the trunk of a car in the summer. That's NOT good for a cue.
 
If you have another shaft that fits you cue, use that as a comparison. I have a Falcon cue that I hated the original shaft. I purchased an OB1 at the time. Visually, I noticed a slight curve in it too (on the OB1 and not the orig). It didn't seem to show up in the rolling tests suggested like RoadHustler, but looking down the shaft I swear its there. Even though I think there's a bend there, I feel it still get a better feel with it than the original shaft and have been playing with that ever since. My point being that if you have something to compare it to, you can make a determination of whether to get it replaced. I purchased the OB1 even though the original was straight and the OB1 appeared to be bent, but stayed with it because I felt it performed better. Hope this helps.
 
I shot with a warped stick for about a year before I new it was even warped, but saying that what I have learned about cues and pool players "if it's in your head that there could be a problem then you will play like thers a problem".

I agree with some of the other posts. The weather was not that cold to warp your cue but some cases keep your cue very snug and other rattle around in a tube. Also all cue sticks even relly expensive ones will have a taper roll as first mentioned. Also as mentioned before if the tip while being rolled on a flat surface together and apart does not leave the table surface I would think you are ok.

With the information I provided one last thing that might help is that a slight warp can be fixed by a good Cue mechanic. Believe it or not they steam the shaft soft and on a hard surface bend the warp back into shape sand and clean the shaft and then test roll it on a lathe good as new.

So if the warp is in your head as mush as it's on the cue go get it fixed.

Hope this helps.
 
That's straight enough for me to play with. All I really care about is the tip. I've played with WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY worse warped cues than that.

If you get out of your own head about your gear, you'll play way better. Make sure the tip is good, and just shoot with hit. You'll know when it's too badly warped to play with, because you won't need to ask if it's too warped, you'll KNOW.

All the best,
 
"Q" Protectors said:
I would doubt that weather would have much effect on that short of time. That's a pretty comfortable temp for a cue IMHO. Going from 15 degrees in the winter up to spikes of maybe 110 with humidity in the trunk of a car in the summer. That's NOT good for a cue.
Click to expand...

I agree. Johnnyt
 
:eek:


I am confused. Did someone say that buying a Lucky McDermott was going to improve your game?

Buying any new cue and it being straight as an arrow would be like hitting the lottery.

Lucky cue=Lucky shooter.:smile:
 
Thank you all for taking the time to reply!

I took it back to the shop since I was going to buy a few things anyways and they checked for me. In fact, they even showed me a cue that was actually warped, which made me feel rather silly :p.

I do plan on buying a new tip though... eventually... *broke student here*

now all I have to do is play with my new cue * ^*;;

Again, thanks for all the help!
 
Okay, so sorry for bugging y'all again, but I played with it today and apparently there is a very very tiny wobble around the middle of the shaft. Like maybe half a mm if not less? I feel like it won't be a very big difference but should I send it in before it gets worse?
 
Thepip said:
I shot with a warped stick for about a year before I new it was even warped, but saying that what I have learned about cues and pool players "if it's in your head that there could be a problem then you will play like thers a problem".

I agree with some of the other posts. The weather was not that cold to warp your cue but some cases keep your cue very snug and other rattle around in a tube. Also all cue sticks even relly expensive ones will have a taper roll as first mentioned. Also as mentioned before if the tip while being rolled on a flat surface together and apart does not leave the table surface I would think you are ok.

With the information I provided one last thing that might help is that a slight warp can be fixed by a good Cue mechanic. Believe it or not they steam the shaft soft and on a hard surface bend the warp back into shape sand and clean the shaft and then test roll it on a lathe good as new.

Nvm lol wish I saw that post before saying anything else x:




So if the warp is in your head as mush as it's on the cue go get it fixed.

Hope this helps.
Click to expand...

Sounds good, I'll close this thread if I can later :3
 
ive had several warped cues and i couldnt really tell that they were affecting my play any. I had a guy at the APA cities straighten one once, and when he was done, it was straight as an arrow. But after some time the warp came right back in the same place. I dont think you can permanently fix a warped piece of wood, just temp fix it. But agreeing with the other guy, if you're sitting there thinking on every shot "my cue is warped, its going to affect my play", then it will. And unless its got a severe warp, honestly i wouldnt worry about a little bit of taper roll. If the tip stays on the table, you're probably good to go. Good Luck :thumbup:
 
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