So I recently bought a shaft from a fellow forum member. I finally made the move to a LD shaft ( the I3 from Mcdermott ). I knew going in it probably wasn't going to fit flush because when I ordered the cue ( not from McDermott ) I asked for a different shaft and they called me and told me it didn't fit flush so I went with the original shaft. The shaft is just a touch smaller than the butt. When I roll them separately they both roll perfectly straight. When I roll them together it looks like there is a huge roll ( rolling straight on the table and butt end on the rail ). When I site down it looks straight so I'm just wondering if it looks like there is a roll because of the joint not being perfectly flush and will it affect anything at all the way it is? I'm going to end up sending it to Jayme to fit it flush but I have a couple tournaments coming up that I would like to use it in so it won't be for a bit..
Question from a banger :)
- Thread starter Dockter
- Start date
Put the shaft on the cue. Put the butt of the cue on the table, and have the joint of the cue resting on the rail. Roll the cue. Watch for a wobble at the tip. If not, the cue is straight. Rolling a cue on a flat surface isn't really a good measure as to if a cue is straight. Sometimes, gravity will flatten out a roll.
Hope that helps. Also, sometimes you have a perfectly straight shaft and butt, but the facings need to be redone. I've grabbed a ton of cues that were "warped" that straightened out after I threw the butt and shaft on the lathe and refaced the joints.
Hope that helps. Also, sometimes you have a perfectly straight shaft and butt, but the facings need to be redone. I've grabbed a ton of cues that were "warped" that straightened out after I threw the butt and shaft on the lathe and refaced the joints.
Sounds to me like the facing on either the butt or shaft could be off, which would cause the two pieces to roll fine separately but unevenly when put together.
I have a desk at home with a very flat surface and I just set the butt on that with the shaft hanging off the table and roll it while looking at the tip. If it rolls smooth and the tip stays straight, then it's good to go. If the tip is moving or you can see/hear a difference in how the butt is rolling on the table then you need to investigate further.
I find rolling on a flat surface like this even better than a pool table because I can get my eye down to table level (rails prevent that on a pool table) and the hard surface doesn't hide anything...some cues will look to roll pretty straight on a cloth covered table as the cloth can mask really tiny movements. On a flat, smooth, hard surface all is revealed.
I have a desk at home with a very flat surface and I just set the butt on that with the shaft hanging off the table and roll it while looking at the tip. If it rolls smooth and the tip stays straight, then it's good to go. If the tip is moving or you can see/hear a difference in how the butt is rolling on the table then you need to investigate further.
I find rolling on a flat surface like this even better than a pool table because I can get my eye down to table level (rails prevent that on a pool table) and the hard surface doesn't hide anything...some cues will look to roll pretty straight on a cloth covered table as the cloth can mask really tiny movements. On a flat, smooth, hard surface all is revealed.
Rolling a cue entirely on a flat surface does absolutely nothing to determine how straight a cue is. Let's say someone bought an aftermarket shaft for their cue, and the shaft was turned slightly off centre at the joint end. It may be slightly eccentric instead of perfectly circular, or out of round due to sanding. The shaft could be out by a few 100ths, and you'd see the joint bouncing up and down, and a gap that goes up and down. At the business end....the tip....the cue could be perfectly straight. Best trick to check for straightness is the one I mentioned. If you rolled a cue with a compound taper, such as a Schuler, on a flat surface, you'd say the cue is a dud. It isn't.
runouteasy
Banned
McDermott cues
Problem with McDermott cues is the butt and shafts are turned down together when the cue is made. This ensures that the original shaft for the butt will fit nicely, but other shafts may not and usually don't. They do not produce them to a precise diameter at the joint. You will find that the joint pin is not centered and when another shaft is put on it is off to one side. Just the nature of batch production cues.
Will it affect your play? Probably because when it's in your head it already has.
Problem with McDermott cues is the butt and shafts are turned down together when the cue is made. This ensures that the original shaft for the butt will fit nicely, but other shafts may not and usually don't. They do not produce them to a precise diameter at the joint. You will find that the joint pin is not centered and when another shaft is put on it is off to one side. Just the nature of batch production cues.
Will it affect your play? Probably because when it's in your head it already has.
I agree with that. I'm loving the feel of it but I've only shot with it twice so I have under 40 games with it and I'm still not use to it. I can't say if it's the shaft or if it's the mental shift of having a new toy but I feel my cuts are cleaner with it and my long shots fall more. I didn't even notice the "roll" until last night when I put it on the table to rack. I was just curious what other peoples thoughts were.
Thanks for all the responses and I'll take your advice Shawn. I feel it's usable either way I was just curious because ever other cue I've had has been perfect but I normally had shafts fitted and this is my first time not doing so.