Predator Shaft - 12.75mm or 13mm?

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DrCue'sProtege

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
i just noticed tonight that this new 12.75 Predator Shaft i bought seems bigger than the other 12.75 mm shaft i have for my Lucasi Cue. does anyone know if Predators are known to be a little big compared to what they advertise?

its pretty much the same size as the shaft on my Pechauer, which is currently 13mm. and i can lay it side by side with my other shaft for my Lucasi and i can see a difference, albeit just slightly.

or is perhaps my other Lucasi shaft actually 12.5mm? i guess either way, i think the reason i am playing bad with this Predator Shaft is because i dont like the tip and the shaft diameter is off just a little, it feels very uncomfortable to me.

DCP
 
I got scientific and bought calipers at an automotive store which measure in mm or inches. Not too expensive (I was sure to get one which was large enough to measure a billiard ball). I also bought a Tanita KD-200-110 scale at scalesgalore.com ($79.95). So no more guessing about sizes of balls/tips and weights of cues/balls.

Also I have experimented with different sized shafts in the past along with different tips and tip shapes. It is amazing how differently [different] shafts/tips/tip shapes will play. It can be like night and day.

I would suggest picking a shaft size (12.5, 12.75, 13.00, etc.), tip brand, tip hardness, and tip curvature (nickel,dime,etc.), then playing *only* with that.

In addition, Predator shafts have a lower cue ball deflection, so these will play differently than other shafts the same size.

It has been my experience that I need to "re-learn" how to shoot when changing shafts. It has taken me months to re-learn going from a 13mm nickel shape leather to a 12.5mm dime shape pig skin (Moori).

But the change was needed and best for the long run. I'm now playing better than ever, I just had to suffer for a few months. Everyone and their brother instantly sensed that my shooting went out the window when I made the switch, so they zoomed in for the kill! Oh the humanity! (I got even a few months later though...)
 
DrCue'sProtege said:
i just noticed tonight that this new 12.75 Predator Shaft i bought seems bigger than the other 12.75 mm shaft i have for my Lucasi Cue. does anyone know if Predators are known to be a little big compared to what they advertise?

its pretty much the same size as the shaft on my Pechauer, which is currently 13mm. and i can lay it side by side with my other shaft for my Lucasi and i can see a difference, albeit just slightly.

or is perhaps my other Lucasi shaft actually 12.5mm? i guess either way, i think the reason i am playing bad with this Predator Shaft is because i dont like the tip and the shaft diameter is off just a little, it feels very uncomfortable to me.

DCP
Click to expand...


DCP...you're pissing into the wind with the tip size as being the reason why you're playing bad with the Predator. .25 more or less in the size of the tip doesn't affect your play that much, nor should it make it feel THAT uncomfortable in your bridge. It's the other things that have come up in these forum discussions regarding a Predator shaft and you just can't pinpoint it as of yet. Try the hollowed out front end that's unlike any other shaft out there. Try the "HIT". Try the sensations that are transmitted to your backhand between a laminated shaft and a one piece well made maple. Try the fact that it DOES reduce deflection to a slight degree and your aim is now totally off. Try the fact that there's more spin and it may very well be affecting throw and causing missed shots. Try the fact that your english is taking differently and you're getting out of line.

Take any one or all of your other shafts and balance it across your index finger along with the Predator. Put a small piece of tape or notebook reinforcement at the balance point and measure all of them from the tip end. The Predator will be MUCH further back than anything you have. What's the weight of the shaft? I'll be willing to bet that it's lighter than your other one's, this will be affecting the balance of the cue. Bill was right in his post, you can go to Home Depot, Lowes, or an auto store and get inexpensive calipers, as well as a scale. In my opinion, EVERY serious player should have those two items to measure their tips and weigh their shafts, butts, and balls.
(Something sounds sexual about that). Go to www.tanita.balances.com for scales or the website that he listed. I have a Tanita and they are SUPER scales for the money. You MUST know the weight of your shafts and butts to have some semblance of consistency in your equipment.
 
well, drivermaker, i have to somewhat disagree. i think the harder tip is the main reason, it just has a much harder hit than my other cues, and i dont like this.

however, i have noticed the same thing on the shaft diameter with my Pechauer Cue, which is 13mm. it does have the Tsunami tip, but the 13mm doesnt feel comfortable.

as far as the shaft itself, it seems very solid. this Predator Shaft feels good in my hands, it appears to be made very well, and i think once i get it turned down about 1/4 mm, and a Tsunami tip on it that it will play just fine.

and if my regular Lucasi Shaft is actually closer to 12.5 mm, and this Predator is closer to 13 mm, it is almost 1/2 mm difference, and that would probably cause problems for most players, except Efren maybe.

i think the bottom line is that i am going to keep this Predator Shaft. if one of these days i decide to sell it i am hoping i can get a decent price for it on EBay, who knows. i am not sold on Predator Shafts yet, but i am going to give them a fair shake.

thanks for your comments, you make several interesting points, your knowledge is admirable.

DCP
 
DCP you 've only had the new shaft for a couple of days take some time to get used to it. Your 314 should be 12.75mm your lucasi could be 12.50. IMO most people don't give the shaft enough time (2 friends recently bought 314 and gave up on them after a week) it took me at least a couple of months to get used to hitting everything straighter. Most people suggest hard tips on the predator myself I prefer a softer tip.
 
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