problem with warping shafts?

R

racer rx

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
The last couple cues that I've had developed minor warps in them. I do not leave them in cold basements and store them in my case when I am finished playing.

I do not leave them in my car and they go where ever I go.
I especially carefull not to leave them around heat resisters.

Winter's here are really dry... but what is causing my shafts to warp. Could it be crappy wood from the cue makers?

What are the causes of warping shafts?
 
From what I know a warped shaft is caused by one of two things. A shaft that was not cured for long enough before it was turned down will warp, or a shaft that was not cared for properly and exposed to heat will warp. I dont beleive cold temps will cause it to warp.
 
Sudden change of temperatur or humidity can cause the shaft to move. Extreme temperatures can do it too. Cold temperature on very dry humidity can still do it I would think. Since it would still drastically change the moisture content of the shaft.
Bad wood from the start ain't good either. If the grains are wide apart and crooked, it will likely warp. Cutting wood too fast ( not letting the shaft move as much as it can b4 the final cut) can be guilty too. My favorite cuemaker takes months before he takes the final pass. Some of his shafts have been sitting for more than a decade.
Maybe Blud, Mike W, BCM and Bandido can add to this.
Racer, btw do you have a hard case and is the cue a custom one or production?
 
Hey Joseph,

I have a production cue. "Viking" with a Instroke hardcase.

I thought Viking use good kiln dried wood...? Maybe time to shop for another cue.
 
I noticed a *very* minor warp in my cue.

Presumably small ones will develop from the lateral force applied to the cue whenever you don't strike centre-ball, on the cue deflection?
 
Sorry to have left you out Ted. lol
I know you dip your shafts on Nelsonite to help alleviate warpage.
Racer, I heard and read Viking age their shafts properly.
But, wood is wood. It will still move if it wants to.
Dennis Dieckman said they never stop moving.
Pin, shaft buckles everytime you hit the ball with a good force.
 
IMO, the stability of the shaft has as much to do with the grain of the wood as it does how it was dried, cured etc. Shafts with tight, straight grain are less likely to warp on their own than ones with uneven grain patterns and lots of "cathedrals". Of coarse, tight straight grained maple is not as easy to come by, and therefore more expensive. A cue maker like Blud is probably the guy you'd like to reply.
 
Warping shafts has always been a big problem for many a cuemakers. The main problem is that wood moves forever. Soak it dip it, no matter, if it wants to move, it's moving. I age my shafts for about a years or so, when possible. All of the cuemakers I know, do buy kiln dried woods. Cut them at a slow pace and cut them for month's and month's, a little at a time. Then you will yeild about, 80%, the rest are tomato stakes.
blud
 
I could use some tomato stakes come about next spring Blud. I know you have a lot of plants too.
Don
Welcome back Bludman
 
i have a cue that has a shaft made from an old bar cue.
years of being abused and the wood has settled is the opinion of the guy who made it. ive had it for years and its still straight
 
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