Other carbon fiber shafts?
- Thread starter Shotcy
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knifemakermike
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Carbon fiber component manufacturing is very expensive, you need a lot of units to make it profitable from a tooling perspective.
Time, adhesive, pressure and the mandrels all have affects on it's production. I've designed a lot of CF components in my real job. I have no clue how it is with cue shafts, but in components where structural consistency is a must CF is not used as a critical part. It might be used cosmetically as a crown in a golf club head but not as the main structure like a cue shaft would be.
My personal opinion is that super light weight shafts from a pure CG perspective is beneficial in CG placement and control of MOI, in practice I think you completely lose the feel when playing. I'm not that good of a player (6-7 rating, and I think that is way too high for me in the local area but whatever) but I quickly lose the feel when I play with some of these exotic shafts. I finally made a switch to a Mezz LD shaft and it took me quite a bit of adjustment, going to an even hollower feel when I have no touch to begin with makes me think I'll get worst.
Time, adhesive, pressure and the mandrels all have affects on it's production. I've designed a lot of CF components in my real job. I have no clue how it is with cue shafts, but in components where structural consistency is a must CF is not used as a critical part. It might be used cosmetically as a crown in a golf club head but not as the main structure like a cue shaft would be.
My personal opinion is that super light weight shafts from a pure CG perspective is beneficial in CG placement and control of MOI, in practice I think you completely lose the feel when playing. I'm not that good of a player (6-7 rating, and I think that is way too high for me in the local area but whatever) but I quickly lose the feel when I play with some of these exotic shafts. I finally made a switch to a Mezz LD shaft and it took me quite a bit of adjustment, going to an even hollower feel when I have no touch to begin with makes me think I'll get worst.
If pool stops using wood shafts, I do not want to play that game anymore. Leave the fancy crap to golf.
I do see quite a few players locally use the Revo shaft, can't say their games have improved much with it, although it may just take a bit more time.
Usually I point out that many players would be better off spending X amount of dollars on lessons and practice vs buying new cues/shafts. I see people with $400 leather cases and $1,000 worth of Predator cues and patches that are still at a C level of play.
I do see quite a few players locally use the Revo shaft, can't say their games have improved much with it, although it may just take a bit more time.
Usually I point out that many players would be better off spending X amount of dollars on lessons and practice vs buying new cues/shafts. I see people with $400 leather cases and $1,000 worth of Predator cues and patches that are still at a C level of play.
Put down ye olde pipe, or at least pass the dutchie pon the lef'hand side.
Nearly all sport-related C.F. manufacturing is done in Asia and carbon is quite capable as a stand-alone structural item.
I agree 100% with your comment re the feel of carbon. Riding a nice carbon bike feels like you have a giant cooler lid under you, compared to a steel bike. Of course, my carbon bike frame is 850g, while the steel one is closer to 1500g.
Nearly all sport-related C.F. manufacturing is done in Asia and carbon is quite capable as a stand-alone structural item.
I agree 100% with your comment re the feel of carbon. Riding a nice carbon bike feels like you have a giant cooler lid under you, compared to a steel bike. Of course, my carbon bike frame is 850g, while the steel one is closer to 1500g.
knifemakermike
Registered
I'm not talking about stress, I'm talking about consistent deformation. Look up any FEA (finite element analysis) of CF energy transfer vs titanium, CF is not consistent. Masts & booms are not used as high impact energy transfer. Actually CF has extremely low coefficient of restitution. The feel issue is related to relative amplitude coefficient.
As far as Asian manufacturing, you are right CF is mainly done there. To my point, Asian manufacturing cost have risen quite a bit. For most of these companies to pay up front and enter a manufacturing agreement to have CF shafts made is very costly.
There are a number of specialty houses in the US side to do it but cost is very high per unit..
The problem, as I see it, is that the smooth feel of the outside of the CF shaft is a "one time deal". One ding gets in there, and it's in there forever.
Whereas with wood, one can apply a small drop of water, swell up the ding, and then plane it back down with a shot glass no less--with essentially no long term loss.
Whereas with wood, one can apply a small drop of water, swell up the ding, and then plane it back down with a shot glass no less--with essentially no long term loss.
Not carbon fiber, those are fiberglass.
Dont bike parts withstand 'conistant deformation"? How about f1 have car's suspension hardware?
I also think that as of today, manufacturing costs are too steep for pool shafts, but I also think carbon is the next frontier for shafts.
I also think that as of today, manufacturing costs are too steep for pool shafts, but I also think carbon is the next frontier for shafts.
F1 front suspensions don't even have pivot points anymore (spherical bearings), it's all built into the bending moments of the beams (A-arms) around where the beams are attached to the chassis. The front end moves up and down so little it matters not.
On the other hand, one can bolt one end of a F1 chassis to a stiff wall, and place 30,000 pounds twisting load on the other and only bend the chassis by a degree or so.
I have a BeCue (from Europe) and love it.
Yes the Becue from Italy has been shipping for a year. We have shooting cues with 2 shafts 5.1 - Conical taper and Prime - Pro Taper. both with a special white coating. Then the break cue Dark Matter which is all black. There are carbon fiber butt and shaft. these are all a special joint called the B-Jont but I expect to see other joints later this year.
Ricky Bryant
USABecueOfficial@gmail.com
I own a Cuetec Earl Strickland Professional cue with a wood cored carbon fiber shaft.
It sounds different and seems to impart more energy compared to my other
Cuetec shafts that are fiberglass over wood. Deflection is about the same.
I also have a Cuetec 360 shaft that is wood over a short carbon tube that has decent
LD properties.
The butt is the usual fiberglass over a wood core.
I don't think these cues are available any longer but you can sometimes find them
on eBay. I use mine mainly for breaking.
That pretty much sums it up. I know a guy who just recently bought a new cue because his other one needed a tip.
I have seen a few good players using the Revo shafts. I don't expect anyone's game to improve with any change in shaft, unless that change just happens to fit with the way you have already learned to play the game. Using a low squirt shaft does not make pool easier, it just makes the calculations different. That difference in calculation just may fit someone's pool game better. I think more important is the consistency of the shaft. If you can expect the same results over and over again it makes for more consistent and fruitful practice.
I will say that I saw a top pro shooting with a Revo shaft. He was marveling at how great it was and how close it was to zero deflection and how many "impossible" shots he could make with it. He also happened to be trying to sell it. That should tell you something.