My friend's Predator break cue had a messed up ferrule and he broke it at the ferrule. So we did a test and made a dowel to insert in the hollow, About an inch deep, and put on a regular ferrule. the cue hits pretty darn good. Have you had a similar experience with these shafts? Is changing Predators' design at the tip change the hit for better, worse or non-negligible?
Predator Shaft alteration
- Thread starter abbassi
- Start date
abbassi said:
The hit should be different, the deflection should be different, Better is defined based on an individual preference.
Your going to get all kinds of opinions on this. It definetly changes the hit, feel, and deflection. I think you may not notice it as much being that it is a break cue. You can change the cue dynamics by using different ferrules and tip combinations. If it feels good to you, that is all that matters. 
Of course predator would suggest never altering thier design but I have heard people that have done this tell me that they like the way the cue hits after doweling it. I am just about to do it to one of my old predator shafts so I will see for myself.
Of course predator would suggest never altering thier design but I have heard people that have done this tell me that they like the way the cue hits after doweling it. I am just about to do it to one of my old predator shafts so I will see for myself.
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NineBallNut said:Your going to get all kinds of opinions on this. It definetly changes the hit, feel, and deflection. I think you may not notice it as much being that it is a break cue. You can change the cue dynamics by using different ferrules and tip combinations. If it feels good to you, that is all that matters.
You, without a doubt, are correct in your assumption that changing the ferrule to a different type and or dowelling the front of a Predator shaft will change it's feel and performance. I'm also very sure that many people would feel that they like the hit better with the change since many people don't like the feel of the hit with a Predator. However, Predator spent many years in developing the Predator shaft to do one thing and that one thing is to not deflect the cueball any more than is absolutely unavoidable. To change their Parameters may make the shaft feel much better in play. You may like the feel much better than the original design. These things MAY happen. What is certainly going to happen is that it's going to change the shafts ability to not deflect the cueball as little as possible. The only reason the shaft was developed and the only reason that you purchased the shaft was for this ability to limit the cueball deflection so Why would you want to compromise that ability? There are many shafts that probably hit like you want at a much lower price.
This is tantamount to someone buying a race car all decked out to do one thing and that is to handle good at high speed and then changing the suspension to something real light and cushy. It's now true that it feels much better to ride in but when it goes around a curve at high speed it rolls over. Wouldn't it have been much smarter to purchase a comfortable, smooth riding, street vehicle instead of an exspensive race car that you intend to change so that it is no longer able to race?
Dick
I agree 100 % with you on this. The problem with thier design is such that if you break the ferrule off right at the bottom, u are out of luck trying to restore it back to original specs without shortening the cue and doing a heck of a lot of work.rhncue said:
the original poster asked about doing it on a break cue. I personally don't think that deflection is a major concern here unless your putting incredible spin on your breakshot....lol. but maybe I'm just an idiot and don't know what I'm talking about.
As for my cue, the only reason I am doing it is because it is a shaft that another person had turned down below recommended diameter. The walls are dangerously thin at this point and I risk breaking the shaft. So For me it isn't going to cost me anything to try it out and see what the differences are. For anyone just wanting to convert just because.... I agree with you in the fact that you bought the shaft for specific reasons and should stick with original design.
When the ferrule on a predator cracks or breaks off this is a good way to fix the shaft without sending it back to Predator.
Myself, This makes the predator shafts feel more like a regular shaft. This is a good fix for me since I don't like a Predator shaft anyhow.
Chris
Myself, This makes the predator shafts feel more like a regular shaft. This is a good fix for me since I don't like a Predator shaft anyhow.
Chris
I think this could be a good, happy medium on Predators...it may deflect the ball a little more but you'll have more feel to it.....
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IT's a shaft for breaking.showboat said:
I think DURABILITY is a must.
A hollowed-out end with a thin soft ferrule ain't durable.
JoeyInCali said:IT's a shaft for breaking.
I think DURABILITY is a must.
A hollowed-out end with a thin soft ferrule ain't durable.
That's what I never understood about predator's design on a break cue. How can you expect durability and longevity with a hollow shaft right near the impact area?
