playing cue to break cue
- Thread starter skybitter
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NEVER EVER EVER BREAK WITH A PREDATOR (LAMINATED) SHAFT!!!!
That is like a cardinal sin. You will everntually shatter that shaft. Always use a solid rock maple shaft. I've seen some people do some pretty narley things. I've seen it happen first hand to a handful of guys that broke with their 314.
JMO...
r,
Greg
That is like a cardinal sin. You will everntually shatter that shaft. Always use a solid rock maple shaft. I've seen some people do some pretty narley things. I've seen it happen first hand to a handful of guys that broke with their 314.
JMO...
r,
Greg
It is probably not recommended, but I really don't know what it would hurt, depending on the power of your break.
When you change out the ferrule to a break ferrule/tip, the cuesmith will have to remove the spongy material and put a dowel into the front of the Predator shaft in order to install the break ferrule/tip, so it really won't be a Predator shaft anymore, anyways. It could still split, but probably not, with the dowel epoxied to the interior.
You said you have an 8 splice Predator shaft. I believe that is one of the early pre-cat shafts. They are pretty desirable. If it is in good condition, you might come out better to sell it and buy a solid rock maple break shaft for your cue. If the Predator shaft is thin, it won't make a good break shaft anyways.
Joe
When you change out the ferrule to a break ferrule/tip, the cuesmith will have to remove the spongy material and put a dowel into the front of the Predator shaft in order to install the break ferrule/tip, so it really won't be a Predator shaft anymore, anyways. It could still split, but probably not, with the dowel epoxied to the interior.
You said you have an 8 splice Predator shaft. I believe that is one of the early pre-cat shafts. They are pretty desirable. If it is in good condition, you might come out better to sell it and buy a solid rock maple break shaft for your cue. If the Predator shaft is thin, it won't make a good break shaft anyways.
Joe
hmm.. get a J&J break cue if you are on a budget, or just sell that predator shaft and get a break cue.
You don't have to use a solid rock maple shaft. curly maple can be used and then there's also Purpleheart. It makes a heck of a break shaft.
Yeah, I know you can use other woods too... just something solid.
I just personally like rock maple.
Greg
how much do you think i can sell this? the sneaky pete is my current break cue in the photos. i would like to include it too if ever i will sell it.
i bought the cue around $360 custom made, ivory, birds eye maple. have dings but rolls straight.
i bought the cue around $360 custom made, ivory, birds eye maple. have dings but rolls straight.
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That is a really good idea...the Predator shaft, if in decent condition, would easily pay for a JJ j/b cue. Some guys on here sell them for around $60-65 shipped in the US.
Joe
Try the J&J first...
Just my opinion but I would really try out the J&J break cues before buying one.
I read good-to-great reviews on them here and bought one on-line without ever cracking a rack with one. Personally, I had no cue ball control with it and felt the cue gave almost no feedback what so ever. The sad thing is that there are tons of J&J's being used around my area and all I had to do was ask and someone would let me try theirs.
I will say that one fellow around me uses a J&J jump/break with a J&J playing shaft with a hard leather tip and I like that set-up. It breaks the balls up well and give a good feel. Again, this is just my opinion.
It can be hard to try out some break cues, especially the high dollar ones, but you'll have no trouble finding a J&J to try.
Good luck-
Just my opinion but I would really try out the J&J break cues before buying one.
I read good-to-great reviews on them here and bought one on-line without ever cracking a rack with one. Personally, I had no cue ball control with it and felt the cue gave almost no feedback what so ever. The sad thing is that there are tons of J&J's being used around my area and all I had to do was ask and someone would let me try theirs.
I will say that one fellow around me uses a J&J jump/break with a J&J playing shaft with a hard leather tip and I like that set-up. It breaks the balls up well and give a good feel. Again, this is just my opinion.
It can be hard to try out some break cues, especially the high dollar ones, but you'll have no trouble finding a J&J to try.
Good luck-
The J&J compared to a normal playing cue will smash the racks much better but there wasn't much cue ball control to it. I threw on a samsara leather break tip and it was much better. But a player with a good break will break well with whichever cue.
Great advice though on that just go around the room and test out different break cues.
yeah you're right! i hope i can have a test hit first before buying one.but there's no one in my place i can try out even atleast one real good break cue. actually im eyeing for mezz power break 2, almost all i ask and read said this was really good, and worth it.
im the kind of person who seeks more and more, so i want to buy that will atleast satisfy me.
im the kind of person who seeks more and more, so i want to buy that will atleast satisfy me.
yes, if you are already eyeing the Mezz PB2 then I wouldn't bother with the J&J. It's a great break cue, but I have the PB1 instead. The J&J smashes the rack, but it wouldn't impress you, its just a terrific value for the price. Have you tried the Predator BK2? If you like that one, you can go for the Poison J/B cues, i think the series was VX or something, i forgot. But the poison j/b cues break always the same way as the BK2s and they are a lot cheaper.
Haha. Exactly! I mean on my playing cue I'd care more about that kindda stuff, but break cues are meant to take some beating. Goodluck with your purchase, both of those cues break extremely well and of course are popular items in case you might want to switch things up in the future.
I think (for a dedicated pool player) buying a cue is like a photographer buying a nice camera. You should buy the best equipment that you can afford. Does that mean buy the most expensive? No. The most expensive is not always the best.
I just bought an Andy Gilbert j/b and absolutely love it. I had the chance to break a few racks with one previously and liked the feel. I also liked the fact that it can be used as a playing cue. I played my league match with it last night -- and won! --- and it plays very well and breaks even better.
A Predator BK was on my list for a break cue to buy. I have tried the BK and BK2 and like the original better. I don't know what they changed between those two cues, but I definitely like the original better. No one wants to let go of their BK's either, so that should tell you something...
The McDermott Stinger is a really good breaker, too, but I just don't like the styling. I like equal parts of form & function in my cues
I have not had the chance to try a Mezz cue yet...
I just bought an Andy Gilbert j/b and absolutely love it. I had the chance to break a few racks with one previously and liked the feel. I also liked the fact that it can be used as a playing cue. I played my league match with it last night -- and won! --- and it plays very well and breaks even better.
A Predator BK was on my list for a break cue to buy. I have tried the BK and BK2 and like the original better. I don't know what they changed between those two cues, but I definitely like the original better. No one wants to let go of their BK's either, so that should tell you something...
The McDermott Stinger is a really good breaker, too, but I just don't like the styling. I like equal parts of form & function in my cues
I have not had the chance to try a Mezz cue yet...
I think (for a dedicated pool player) buying a cue is like a photographer buying a nice camera. You should buy the best equipment that you can afford. Does that mean buy the most expensive? No. The most expensive is not always the best.
I just bought an Andy Gilbert j/b and absolutely love it. I had the chance to break a few racks with one previously and liked the feel. I also liked the fact that it can be used as a playing cue. I played my league match with it last night -- and won! --- and it plays very well and breaks even better.
A Predator BK was on my list for a break cue to buy. I have tried the BK and BK2 and like the original better. I don't know what they changed between those two cues, but I definitely like the original better. No one wants to let go of their BK's either, so that should tell you something...
The McDermott Stinger is a really good breaker, too, but I just don't like the styling. I like equal parts of form & function in my cues
I have not had the chance to try a Mezz cue yet...
The Mezz Break/Jump is AWESOME. A few of us at the poolroom just bought break/jumpers so I've tried a few brands out recently. The Mezz is very very high on my list. I ended up going with a Poison primarily because I found it to be just as good but a fraction of the price of a Mezz.
Mika can break like that AND keep control of the ball. It's due to practice, talent, and skill. He could probably get close to the same results with a mop handle if you gave him 15mins to get use to it...
Before I got my Gilbert j/b last week I was using an old Huebler that I picked-up at a pawn shop for $26 to break with and it did a very decent job breaking 9 & 10Ball racks. If I played 8Ball I would have needed something with more 'punch' behind it.
Check out this video...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkByJCwTqSo
Personally, I try to break like I'm shooting any other shot, just with more power. My break stance is very much the same as my shooting stance and I try to use the same stroke and mechanics. That is more controllable for me. If you want to try to develop a 'power' break then I think this video can get you started.
Reading up on and trying different techniques is the way to find what works for you. Find a method that works well for you and tweak it how you need to.
I'm in no way an instructor, but maybe that can get you started.
Good luck-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkByJCwTqSo
Personally, I try to break like I'm shooting any other shot, just with more power. My break stance is very much the same as my shooting stance and I try to use the same stroke and mechanics. That is more controllable for me. If you want to try to develop a 'power' break then I think this video can get you started.
Reading up on and trying different techniques is the way to find what works for you. Find a method that works well for you and tweak it how you need to.
I'm in no way an instructor, but maybe that can get you started.
Good luck-