Predator shaft question

[Da Poet]

i have gone through over 50 314's to find about 3-4 shafts that are superior in "hit".
sorry all you guys out there have to go through the same crap i did, but it's worth it.
for the beginner, any 314 will do.


chris G

Intresting. Were all 50 with the same joint type? I have a 314-2 myself and I am very happy with it, but what specific kind of shots, or what methods were you doing or trying that helped you decide that the 3-4 shafts out of the fifty worked better for you than the others?

 

[bogey54311]

Intresting. Were all 50 with the same joint type? I have a 314-2 myself and I am very happy with it, but what specific kind of shots, or what methods were you doing or trying that helped you decide that the 3-4 shafts out of the fifty worked better for you than the others?

heavier, darker shaftwood 314's have been the trick for me.

joint types dont matter.

i have a piloted 5/16-14 that weights 4.4 oz @ 13mm.

wouldnt trade the world for it.

VERY rare shaft.


chris G

 

[Da Poet]

heavier, darker shaftwood 314's have been the trick for me.

joint types dont matter.

i have a piloted 5/16-14 that weights 4.4 oz @ 13mm.

wouldnt trade the world for it.

VERY rare shaft.


chris G

So again, what was your method of making the determination that 3-4 shafts were better than the fifty others you tried? What kind of shots were you shooting, what kind of table, etc?

 

[bogey54311]

the table and shots don't matter.

we are talking about feeling and hitting extra solid.

ive been playing most of my life.

ive hit with every cue maker on the planet.

(also tips, ferrules, joint types, etc)

so adding those factors up, plus trying tons of one kind of shaft, i can truly tell the ok ones from the spectacular ones.

it did cost me quite a bit of time, effort, and $$.......but was worth it.


chris G


chris G

 

[Varney Cues]

Varney: you might think your "spruced up" version of a 314 "hits better," but I can gaurantee you that you've ruined the low-squirt capability of the original design.

-Roger

I assure you that you are wrong sir. Are you a cuemaker? Have you done several 100 314's for many elite players? If you'd like to make a "guarantee" statement like that...I'm willing to bet very high. We could have a top player play with both & give feedback. Its very funny to me that if I've "ruined" them as you say...then why do players who I've done this for in the past...send me new 314's that they haven't even tried yet...but want my upgrade. Not trying to be a jerk, but I have to call BS on your statement. Maybe you should go to NASA and help them with their rockets as well.
What you sir, don't realize...is that by threading a maple tenon about 1" into a hollow 314 shaft...still allows 4+ inches of hollow shaft...keeping the low deflection properties Pred intended. I am a professional, with a huge 314 customer base that would beg to argue with you. Don't knock what you haven't tried. Sorry to be so harsh Roger...but you made a very bold public statement...and its clear you are less than well informed.
I'll go so far to offer this to the first member who replies here...I'll do yours for FREE. Just please report your honest opinion here at AZB. I can do no more than that.
And to everyone who pm'ed, wanting your 314's done...pm's have been sent. Thank you. Everyone have a great day.
Kevin Varney...I don't make 314's...I make them better!

 

[tjlmbklr]

Its because of the odd sound they make due to the hollowness & factory ferrule...makes a sound people relate to stiff shafts. Sounds like a SW shaft with a Hard Moori/Talisman. I cured the sound by doweling a tenon & then threading on a real ferrule. Deflection-smecktion...I think they play better this way. I currently play with a 314 done that way with a Grice ferrule & Sniper. It plays way better than stock. Ask Tblmjkr (sp?) how he feels...I did his. And its the only way Gerda will play with her 314 now too.

Hey KV, thanks for the name drop. It's true my Josey w/ a 314 shaft modified by you does play exceptionally better then when the 314 was stock. .

 

[ShaneT58]

I'll send you mine if you want to do it for free and I'll report back with how it compares to the other stock 314 and stock OB-1 I have.

 

[No Illusions]

Hey guys. Count me as another. I play with both a predator and ob1 that Mr. Varney has worked his magic. They really do play much better and the hit is wonderful now. I'll be one to admit i'd never use either shaft without taking it to Kevin first. I feel very strongly about this. I'm no proplayer as are many of his customers but I'm an APA 7 & 9 and one of the top league players in my area.
Mark Mindel

 

[Varney Cues]

I'll send you mine if you want to do it for free and I'll report back with how it compares to the other stock 314 and stock OB-1 I have.

DEAL!!!
ShaneT58...since you were the first to reply...you get yours done for free.
PM me for my shipping address. I'll do it & ship it back Priority mail, the very same day that I receive it...that way you'll have a very short wait.
Please do as you say & report your true feelings about how the shaft plays after you get it back.
Seems today is your lucky day.

 

[Gus]

Mr. Varney...

I used to have a 314 & couldn't ever get comfortable with it, so I sold it, but about 6 months ago I switched to a Pred Z, and I love it! Could you compare/contrast the 314 and the Z? I'm a B/C player.

 

[Varney Cues]

I used to have a 314 & couldn't ever get comfortable with it, so I sold it, but about 6 months ago I switched to a Pred Z, and I love it! Could you compare/contrast the 314 and the Z? I'm a B/C player.

The only Z experience I can tell you is this...
Gerda tried one for a long time on tour. Frustrated, she finally gave up & went back to the 314. She said that it was very unforgiving with a slight mis-hit. She missed way too many balls due to the fact the smaller tip would punish you if you hit the cueball slighty off from where you intended. I find the Z hugely unpopular in my circles.
Sorry that I could offer no more info.
KV

 

[buddha162]

Its very funny to me that if I've "ruined" them as you say...then why do players who I've done this for in the past...send me new 314's that they haven't even tried yet...but want my upgrade.

Please read my post carefully, I said your tenon would ruin the low squirt characteristic of the shaft, NOT the shaft itself. It makes sense to me that many players prefer the hit and feel of a doctored 314; as I mentioned, the hit of a stock predator is something to get used to.

What you sir, don't realize...is that by threading a maple tenon about 1" into a hollow 314 shaft...still allows 4+ inches of hollow shaft...keeping the low deflection properties Pred intended.

Right, so what you have is a modified 314 that has MORE squirt than a stock pred, but perhaps less squirt than many traditional shafts. Any way you look at it, you have INCREASED the squirt characteristics of the original design.

-Roger

 

[buddha162]

I assure you that you are wrong sir. Are you a cuemaker? Have you done several 100 314's for many elite players?

LOL no, and no. Now please explain how this disqualifies me from making logical observations.

-Roger

 

[Varney Cues]

you have INCREASED the squirt characteristics of the original design.

-Roger

You sir are simply unwilling to learn...try having an open mind. Again I ask...are you a cuemaker & how many 314's have you worked on?
Its similar to this senario...you go & buy the finest, most expensive pistol made. Its the best of the best, everyone & all magazines say its the best you can buy...best pistol ever. Then you send it to say Ted Yost or Bill Wilson...and what you get back is smoother & shoots better than it ever did new.
Lets just want for the jury (ShaneT58) verdict....
Can we make a friendly wager?

 

[No Illusions]

I'd be more than willing to bet large on Mr. Varney's side as well if anyone would like. Hey KV save your breath this Budda is so clueless.

 

[bogey54311]

You sir are simply unwilling to learn...try having an open mind. Again I ask...are you a cuemaker & how many 314's have you worked on?
Its similar to this senario...you go & buy the finest, most expensive pistol made. Its the best of the best, everyone & all magazines say its the best you can buy...best pistol ever. Then you send it to say Ted Yost or Bill Wilson...and what you get back is smoother & shoots better than it ever did new.
Lets just want for the jury (ShaneT58) verdict....
Can we make a friendly wager?

man, i go to bed and you give my freebie away!

i feel i am in "tune" with a predator as much as any player possibly could be.

i would love to try it on one of my shafts.

please PM me your shipping address.


chris G

 

[Varney Cues]

man, i go to bed and you give my freebie away!

i feel i am in "tune" with a predator as much as any player possibly could be.

i would love to try it on one of my shafts.

please PM me your shipping address.


chris G

Just to show what a stand up guy I am...
I'm going to do bogey54311's for free as well. He is in tune with the stock 314 so his remarks will carry a lot of weight.
Thats all of the free stuff for now.
You gentlemen do realize this is my business and how I pay my bills & feed my family. Its not too often you see company's offer their service & supplies to strangers for free....and I'm doing it just to prove a point to a member who'll never spend one dime with me. I'll do this...but in my heart I'd rather spread goodwill by going down to the local room and giving a free cue to a league player who plays off the wall because they can't afford to buy a cue.
Sending pm now bogey54311.

 

[bogey54311]

thats awesome.
thanks.
just want you to know im gonna be brutally honest.
VERY fair, but honest.
can't wait to try.
i'll throw a couple bucks in to help ship it back.

do i have a ferrule choice? or do you find only one works best?
if you could put a short ivory ferrule on, i would love to try that.
i will pay for the ivory as well.

i play with a morri MED......i will supply that as well.

let me know your thoughts.


chris G

 

[Varney Cues]

bogey54311...
For the best possible hit...I'd suggest skipping the ivory. You'll be much happier with Saber T or Ivorine 4. The Saber T is very clean and totally chalk resistant. The Ivorine 4 is more like traditional linen ferrule...except its the most bulletproof option. I use the Iv4 on my j/b when someone wants my canvas tip threaded into a white ferrule insteard of the 1pc tip/ferrule combo. Either option is wonderful...the Iv4 will "hit" slightly harder.

 

[Cornerman]

I'd be more than willing to bet large on Mr. Varney's side as well if anyone would like. Hey KV save your breath this Budda is so clueless.

What exactly do you think Buddha said that is clueless???

What exactly do you think is Kevin's side that actually opposes anything Buddha said???

The fact is, Kevin doctors up 314 shafts, and they feel better. I don't doubt that for one second.

By the description that Kevin gives, Buddha says that the end result would be shaft that has more squirt than a stock 314. I don't doubt that for one second either.

Kevin might be saying that his doctored 314 still is low squirt such that most players wouldn't see enough of a difference. Plus the better playing feel would more than offset any perceived issues of a difference in squirt. I have no doubt for one second he'd be correct.

Buddha says that Kevin is coming up with retorts that are completely irrelevant. I don't doubt that for one second either.

Fred <~~~ figures this post will get misread as well.