Predator 314 issues

ScottW

ScottW

Fo' shizzle!
Silver Member
So partway through my league match tonight, I discover to my dismay that my Predator 314 shaft - the shaft I've had for all of a little over a month - has a crack in the ferrule, top to bottom. Lovely!

Is this common/uncommon with these shafts, to have troubles with them so early?

I ordered it from Mueller's - I'm going to call them tomorrow and see about returning it for another shaft. Otherwise I'm going to have to get it repaired, I suppose.

Grr!
 
ScottW said:
So partway through my league match tonight, I discover to my dismay that my Predator 314 shaft - the shaft I've had for all of a little over a month - has a crack in the ferrule, top to bottom. Lovely!

Is this common/uncommon with these shafts, to have troubles with them so early?

I ordered it from Mueller's - I'm going to call them tomorrow and see about returning it for another shaft. Otherwise I'm going to have to get it repaired, I suppose.

Grr!
Click to expand...

If you have the warranty card and/or sales receipt, call Predator customer service directly (info id on their website). They will make it right. They may make it right without the paperwork, but that will make it much simpler.
 
I don't know that I've still got that stuff - I had the shaft delivered to me in Atlanta, where I was at the time, and I've since packed up and moved back to Colorado where I live - I don't know that I brought that stuff with me. Grr.
 
preditor

I think a much better alternative to that preditor is the new CK IMPACT shaft available from Chester Krick at CKcue.com. Butterflycues
 
Are you sure it's a crack?

Predator uses a very soft ferrule material that scratches easily. I've had scratches on my 314's that I swore were cracks until they get polished out on a lathe...

If it is a crack, you should be able to feel it while hitting balls, esp. with predators.

-Roger
 
I've broken two ferruls on a 314. Both times were elevated cue shots where I was jumping the edge of a ball, and both times, the ferrule literally broke in half, so I don't think that they crack in the same way that other ferrule materials do. Before everybody jumps all over me for jumping balls with a 314, I need to make it clear that although I have a jump cue for full ball jumps, and close jumps, I do however, expect to be able to jump half balls and edges with my playing cue without ferrule worries, and Predators ferrules don't stand up.
dave
 
I've been playing with a predator shaft for 4 years and never had ONE problem. I love them!
 
Are you sure it's a crack? The ferrules are softer than standard so they scratch easier, is the shaft making a noise when playing with it? Like posted above, usually when their ferrules fail, they really fail and you can't play with them anymore.

Either way they cover their ferrules for life if they are above 12.25mm in diameter.
 
send it in

If it is a crack, all you have to do is send it in. They should take care of it. I have had good success with them in the past with any problems that have come up with ferrules.
 
Call them

Predator stands by their warranty, unless you have modified the product. It is one of the strong points for me using their equipment.
You don't need a reciept, but you will have to fill out a form that you can download from their website. They do all their repairs in bunches, so if you miss the turn in on Thursday, you will have to wait unitl next thursdays turn in and the following weeks send out.
http://www.predatorcues.com/images/Return Form.pdf
PREDATOR CUSTOMER SERVICE: If you have any questions or need any maintenance work done on your Predator product, use our Contact Us form or call customer service at 1-888-314-4111 or at 1-904-448-8748 for international callers, or e-mail us at customerservice@predatorcues.com.
 
Thanks for the Predator contact and warranty info. I play with predator shafts and I haven't had any problems, but just in case something comes up this is very good information.

SCCues
 
I have destroyed two Predator ferrules on my BK. Cracked and mushroomed the whole ferrule.
Both times Predator replaced them with no problem. For returns and repairs, they are awesome.
On a lighter note, I won't be destroying any more Predator ferrules. I now have the BK2. I couldn't be happier with it.:)
 
buddha162 said:
Are you sure it's a crack?

Predator uses a very soft ferrule material that scratches easily. I've had scratches on my 314's that I swore were cracks until they get polished out on a lathe...

If it is a crack, you should be able to feel it while hitting balls, esp. with predators.

-Roger
Click to expand...

I use Predator too and no problem.

Has anyone else heard that the Predator is now being made overseas and imported? I wonder if it's true and if the quality is the same?

Chris
 
I've been playing with 314 Shafts since they were made with 6 piece or 12 peice shafts in the mid 90's and have Never had a ferrule break or crack ever.

They do however scratch incredibly easy and will look cracked, however I have never seen one break.

My buddy retired his old 314 shaft to his break cue a few years ago when he got his new 314. This guy has the best break I have ever seen for a non-pro, just a sledgehammer, and that ferrule is over 6 years old and still hasn't broken.....

And anyone recomending someone elses shaft over a 314 obviously isnt worried about Squirt and must be a complete God of Aim and a complete genious with physics, cause nothing comes close to the accuracy of a 314. Nothing.......
 
Well, just spoke with Muellers. They won't just do a blind swap (dangit) - I'll have to send it in and then see if they'll consider it a warranty issue (i.e. no obvious signs of abuse, which there aren't any).

I may just bite the bullet and take it to a local shop and see if they can't referrule it for me and eat the $$. I've got a singles qualifier tournament coming up next weekend and reaaaally want this shaft back in shape by then. No way I'd get it in time if I had to send it off/get it fixed/get it shipped back.

Predator itself lists a 7-10 day turnaround for such work as well, on their website.
 
Jedi V Man said:
I've been playing with 314 Shafts since they were made with 6 piece or 12 peice shafts in the mid 90's and have Never had a ferrule break or crack ever.

They do however scratch incredibly easy and will look cracked, however I have never seen one break.

My buddy retired his old 314 shaft to his break cue a few years ago when he got his new 314. This guy has the best break I have ever seen for a non-pro, just a sledgehammer, and that ferrule is over 6 years old and still hasn't broken.....

And anyone recomending someone elses shaft over a 314 obviously isnt worried about Squirt and must be a complete God of Aim and a complete genious with physics, cause nothing comes close to the accuracy of a 314. Nothing.......
Click to expand...

I have had a similar experience with my Predator. I would classify myself as a B to B+ player (an A- at my best) and I use ONE cue (and my main game is 9 ball). I break and shoot with my Schon w/predator shaft. At my best, I feel like I have a fairly strong 9 ball and 8 ball break. I regularly make 1-2 balls and pop the cue ball in the center of the table. The point is, I'm not talking out of my butt - I can back up my talk. Anyhow, I don't go easy on my Predator shaft at all. I use it for both breaking and shooting, and I've had not one problem. Heck.....I haven't even shaped the Moori since I bought the thing over 6 months ago. I can't say enough nice things about them.

I must also agree with your comment about the accuracy of a Predator shaft as well. When I started using a Predator over 4 years ago, I feel like my consistency/accuracy improved at least 20%. It immediately gave me an extra edge, and I've sworn by them since.

I tell all new players, that the only cue they will ever NEED is a Predator Sneaky pete. They just need to decide if they want a wrap, or a steel joint. Of course, this is just my personal advice to players who like my game and ask for my advice.
 
ScottW said:
Well, just spoke with Muellers. They won't just do a blind swap (dangit) - I'll have to send it in and then see if they'll consider it a warranty issue (i.e. no obvious signs of abuse, which there aren't any).

I may just bite the bullet and take it to a local shop and see if they can't referrule it for me and eat the $$. I've got a singles qualifier tournament coming up next weekend and reaaaally want this shaft back in shape by then. No way I'd get it in time if I had to send it off/get it fixed/get it shipped back.

Predator itself lists a 7-10 day turnaround for such work as well, on their website.
Click to expand...

You have ANYONE else besides Predator or Mike Webb referrule your 314 you might as well just throw it away and play with another kind of shaft.

Trust me, it WON'T play even CLOSE to right.....
 
pillage6 said:
Is the ferrule cracked and making noise when you play with it or is it just scratched?
Click to expand...

It's cracked - I just happened to spot it last night during my match, I didn't feel it while shooting. It's cracked enough that you can see it and feel it by rubbing a thumbnail over it.
 
Matt_24 said:
I must also agree with your comment about the accuracy of a Predator shaft as well. When I started using a Predator over 4 years ago, I feel like my consistency/accuracy improved at least 20%. It immediately gave me an extra edge, and I've sworn by them since.

I tell all new players, that the only cue they will ever NEED is a Predator Sneaky pete. They just need to decide if they want a wrap, or a steel joint. Of course, this is just my personal advice to players who like my game and ask for my advice.
Click to expand...

Exactly.

All these other people are making flat laminated stuff and compairing themselfs to a 314, it just aint the same. The only thing that MAY be as close is an OB shaft and I havent tried one yet and already heard of a few warping/delaminating....

A 314 shaft will revolutionize your game once you realize you no longer have to compensate for Squirt.

People who use my 314 for the first time on a long cut shot miss the same shot all day long till they realize the ball aint squirting anymore, just aim for the spot on the object ball as if you were using center ball and shoot it.

No wonder it is the most used shaft on the pro tour, it makes "some" aspects of the game much easier.....

Shapes is a whole nuther issue. And they don't sell anything, except table time, to improve that.....

:D
 
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