nipponbilliards said:
First of all, I agree that it is the ratio, other than just the distance from the butt, which is important. It is because the weight of the cue depends on the length of the butt and the shaft.
I also believe a more backward balance such as 18 inches helps a player to draw the ball. On the other hand, with a more front heavy cue, a player can put some really nice top on the cue ball more effectively. For someone with a nice stroke; therefore, a more forward balance cue would give him/her the best of both worlds. I would love to hear everyones opinion on this point here in particular.
Richard
Hey Richard...have you ever done any measurements of the weight and balance point of the BUTT ALONE to see if there's any correlation in the overall ratio of balance? I also think the way a butt is weighted and balanced either through a weight bolt or the absence of one will drastically affect a cue. A cuemaker that doesn't use a weight bolt can also change it with a joint collar or internal weighting.
Yesterday was an off and on rainy day, I just stayed at the table and eventually got tired of making balls, so I got out a bunch of cues and started measuring. It might have been a worthless exercise, however it could possibly stir your thinking or someone elses to find something in the numbers.
Butt #1 was a Schon SS joint collar- Weight - 15.55 oz. (no weight bolt) - Balance Point - 13 3/4".
Butt #2 was a Joss SS joint collar - Weight - 15.80 oz. (has weight bolt) - Balance Point - 13 1/8" .
Butt #3 was a Joss SS joint collar- Weight - 16.05 oz. (has weight bolt) - Balance point -
13 1/8"
Butt #4 was an Adam Ritz ('85) SS joint collar - 16.05 oz. (has weight bolt) - Balance point - 12 3/4"
Butt #5 was a Meucci Metallic Nickel joint collar - 15.65 oz. (has weight bolt) - Balance point - 13 3/8"
Butt #6 was a Meucci Power Piston Implex joint collar - 15.80 oz. (has weight bolt) - Balance point - 13 1/8"
Butt #7 was a Hercek Ivory joint collar - 15.10 oz. (no weight bolt) - Balance point 12 1/2" (however with 4.2 oz. shaft on BP was 18 1/2" and 19" with 4.6 oz. shaft)
Butt #8 was a Hercek SS joint collar - 16.40 oz. (no weight bolt) - Balance point - 14"
Butt #9 was a 5280 wood to wood - 16.70 oz. (has weight bolt) - Balance point - 12 3/8
Butt #10 was Cuetec SS joint collar - 17.40 oz. (has weight bolt) - Balance point 11 1/4" (although this is supposed to be a playing cue...with the rear balance this cue is a super fantastic break cue)
Butt #11 was a Helmstetter with SS joint collar - 16.05 oz. (with weight bolt) Balance Point - 12 3/4" (WITHOUT weight bolt) 14.20 oz. and balance point is 14 1/4"
(The addition or deletion of a weight bolt causes drastic differences in the balance point of just the butt alone)
Hey Smorg...you know everything there is to know about cues and the game...do you have anything to add to this?? Oooops...didn't think so....