question about HARD tips, for playing shaft

ctyhntr said:
A while back Duc Lam, CueMaster98 came out with a line of Molavia tips where hardness was based on compression. Newton Meter is the metric equivalent of foot/pound. You can use the search forum feature.
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Just to let you know, he's the first guy to advertise how much pressure he uses to make the tips play harder. All other companies just use descriptive words to relate to the pressure induced.

nineballsafety8 said:
So I put on 2 of the HH UltaSkins over the weekend, and WINNER WINNER, CHICKEN DINNER

PERFECTION!!!
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I've played with the Ultraskin HH on several different shafts, and I'll tell you right now. Not all of the HH are the same. At least of my batch. I've had two that played like a decent hard tip, but a third one was a ****ing rock. It hit so hard it seemed like a break tip. Also, I have a few suggestions for tips, but I'll wait for you to get a month of play on those HH's.

I know you're opposed to spending $15 every month or two for a new tip. My suggestion is find a cheap money match $20 or so when you feel like you need a new tip. Even though you're anti gambling anymore, should find someone you can beat up on for enough money for a new tip.

Also, if I can gather your unwritten words together. You're just basically looking for a tip that doesn't't mushroom and you can't feel compress right? But still grabs the cue ball too?
 
Hits 'em Hard said:
Just to let you know, he's the first guy to advertise how much pressure he uses to make the tips play harder. All other companies just use descriptive words to relate to the pressure induced.



I've played with the Ultraskin HH on several different shafts, and I'll tell you right now. Not all of the HH are the same. At least of my batch. I've had two that played like a decent hard tip, but a third one was a ****ing rock. It hit so hard it seemed like a break tip. Also, I have a few suggestions for tips, but I'll wait for you to get a month of play on those HH's.

I know you're opposed to spending $15 every month or two for a new tip. My suggestion is find a cheap money match $20 or so when you feel like you need a new tip. Even though you're anti gambling anymore, should find someone you can beat up on for enough money for a new tip.

Also, if I can gather your unwritten words together. You're just basically looking for a tip that doesn't't mushroom and you can't feel compress right? But still grabs the cue ball too?
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Thanks for the info on the HHs. I will make sure to pay attention to how they compare to eachother as I go through the few that I ordered. Also about your summation, mushrooming isnt really a concern, as I do all my own tips, and trimming up a mushroom takes less than 4 minutes to have a perfectly burnished and dressed tip again. The main thing I was looking for was a certain "hit and sound" I think I have found a pretty happy medium in the HHs so far. Granted I have only had about 3 hours of play time on them since the install, but so far they are performing quite well.

Also for those who have yet to try the HHs or want to in the future... they do still mushroom a little bit. I cleaned up the mushroom on my main playing shaft after about 2.5 hours of play (VERY minimal mushroom, but was still there), and redressed, and now it seems to be happy where its at.
 
nineballsafety8 said:
So, I would like some input from the experts... I have been using pressed triangles for some time now, and for the most part, really like the performance. However, they are a pain in the arse to make, and it is really frustrating to go through the two day process of making one, to have it turn out to be a "dud". I also would like to go to a harder tip. I dont have a durometer, but my assumption, is that a pressed triangle (the way I do it anyway) is likely in the 80ish durometer range. Which provides for a tip that performs AWESOME, but doesn't quite give me the sound, and feedback that I am looking for.



For a reference point, I sometimes will play with my jump/break cue that has a G10 ferrule/tip combo on it, and can shoot 80% or so of all stroke shots with G10, so I know that I have a stroke that is inline with using a harder tip without worrying about miscues (too much anyway).



So my question is, based on the above information, what hard tip would you reccomend for use one a playing shaft, that will give a VERY crisp FIRM hit, but still retain good grip on the CB.



The options that I have looked into are as follows:

UltraSkin HH (love the way the ultraskins play, but have only used a medium, which was way too soft, and I had a hell of a time keeping the side of the tip looking pretty... for whatever reason they just do not stay burnished well... and I know that does not affect the play at all, but I am picky about certain things)

Water Buffalo (I had one on a break cue many years ago, but only ever broke with it, and don't recall the characteristics all that well)

Super Pro (from what I have found via searches, this seems to be a good option, but have no experience with them, how they play, or their durability)

Renfro's KiTech (either hard or solid... but don't know which would be better for my situation, nor do I have access to try one)



My goal is to have a Hard tip, that plays well, but gives a nice "click" and stays burnished pretty well, and grips the cueball well.



Any further information you could provide would be greatly appreciated!
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You can make a harder tip out of a triangle if you let it soak longer + press longer and with a stronger force. And let it try completely before installation. My experience is that it is impossible to press a triangle too hard, I did some out of triangle for breakcues. I think that is what you're looking for, plays still very nice.

Harder is also possible with using Elkmaster, same procedure as described. But I don't like them, to me they are as a break tip OK, but for playing too hard and glasy. But maybe for you better than with a triangle?

Try it, you'll be surprised.
 
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nineballsafety8 said:
Thanks for the info on the HHs. I will make sure to pay attention to how they compare to eachother as I go through the few that I ordered. Also about your summation, mushrooming isnt really a concern, as I do all my own tips, and trimming up a mushroom takes less than 4 minutes to have a perfectly burnished and dressed tip again. The main thing I was looking for was a certain "hit and sound" I think I have found a pretty happy medium in the HHs so far. Granted I have only had about 3 hours of play time on them since the install, but so far they are performing quite well.

Also for those who have yet to try the HHs or want to in the future... they do still mushroom a little bit. I cleaned up the mushroom on my main playing shaft after about 2.5 hours of play (VERY minimal mushroom, but was still there), and redressed, and now it seems to be happy where its at.
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I have a Navigator Soft on my cue right now. Almost one month of play on it and it has mushroomed less than any other tip out there. Less than those HH's ever did. As for the sound, maybe your stick is the problem. Some ferrules are just too soft to produce the sound your after. Also you shouldn't be concerning yourself with the sound. Who cares if it makes a ping sound or not. If the tip grabs the cue ball correctly, why are you focusing on the sound?
 
Hits 'em Hard said:
I have a Navigator Soft on my cue right now. Almost one month of play on it and it has mushroomed less than any other tip out there. Less than those HH's ever did. As for the sound, maybe your stick is the problem. Some ferrules are just too soft to produce the sound your after. Also you shouldn't be concerning yourself with the sound. Who cares if it makes a ping sound or not. If the tip grabs the cue ball correctly, why are you focusing on the sound?
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I dont think the ferrule material is the problem,as I currently have LBM installed on my ferrules, but I have however thought about installing black G10 ferrules to firm up the hit some, but have yet to take that plunge. The sound thing for me is a training tool. I have a table at home, and usually play in rather quiet conditions. A very stroked ball has a different sound than an "ok" stroked ball. With a "pingy" cue, it is easier to decipher that sound.
 
nineballsafety8 said:
I dont think the ferrule material is the problem,as I currently have LBM installed on my ferrules, but I have however thought about installing black G10 ferrules to firm up the hit some, but have yet to take that plunge. The sound thing for me is a training tool. I have a table at home, and usually play in rather quiet conditions. A very stroked ball has a different sound than an "ok" stroked ball. With a "pingy" cue, it is easier to decipher that sound.
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A lot more factors are part of the ping sound than just tip and ferrule. Woods used along with joint materials and taper choice all play a part. If you need the ping, maybe you're looking for the magical elixir in the wrong place.
 
I wouldn't install G10. You won't gain much and it's very brittle without a thick cap. Schmelke uses the best melamine available today, the same stuff I use, and it is plenty hard enough.

I understand what you say about the ping. I depend on my ears to indicate a good stroke, too. That said, the further from center ball you go, the more that ping turns to a click, regardless of ferrule material or tip. Not every stroke will give you a ping, especially if you're using heavy spin.
 
Eric, I really wish you werent so damn far away, I would love to have a beer and pick your brain for an hour... or 8 LOL
 
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As you can tell, I like Dark beer as well (so says the man with a Guinness Harp tattoo)

Either of your picks are suitable as well :)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Hahahaha I prefer to not chew my beer, but I do appreciate a nice Guiness from time to time.
 
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