Radial joint pins

victorl

victorl

Where'd my stroke go?
Silver Member
Hey all, just a simple question about radial joints. I'm looking to get an aftermarket shaft for my cue (josey) and want to know if a standard radial joint shaft will fit on it before I order one. I know some makers use an extra-large pin in their cues. Is there any way to tell if my pin is over-sized or not?

Thanks in advance,
Vic
 
Genuine UniLoc Radial pins have 7.62 threads per inch, which is 3 threads per centimeter. The aftermarket radial look-a-likes I've seen are 8 threads per inch. These numbers are close and can fool the eye, but using a regular old grade school ruler you can measure in both inches and cm. If you have EXACTLY 3 threads per cm, you have a Genuine Radial pin. If you have any other thread count, such as 4 threads per half inch, it's an aftermarket.
 
If they all get their joint pins from Atlas, Prather and Unique, they should fit.
 
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As far as the outside diameter of the pin, the standard convention is the major diameter (the distance from the left outside edge of the screw thread to the right outside edge of the screw thread) is the size of the pin/screw/bolt.

Genuine Radial pins are 3/8-7.62 (I explained the 7.62 above.). Measure the major diameter of your pin. With a ruler it will look like 3/8". With a calipers, it's actually 0.370, but 3/8" is pretty dang close for our purposes.

As far as the major diameter of aftermarket radial look-a-likes, I'm assuming they are the same or very close, because I've hear of people putting Genuine Radial shafts on aftermarket radial look-a-like pins, and vice versa. The shaft goes on with some difficulty, which is completely understandable since the pin is just mangling the shaft's internal wooden threads. After some time (hours, days, weeks), problems develop such as a cracked shaft just above the rings.

To be 100% safe, call Josey.
 
Genuine Radial Pin tapped shafts (tapped in phenolic) will not go on aftermarket radial pins. Source: I have a predator shaft for Uniloc Radial and it does not fit any of my Tiger "Radial" or DP "Radial" or TNT Radial pins. 3/8 and 7.62 makes a difference.
 
Not all aftermarket pins are created equal. There are some that are the same. Overseas stuff is generally not the same as a real radial.
 
Zerius: Yes, you're absolutely right. You'd have a hell of a time getting a Genuine Radial shaft with a phenolic insert to thread onto an aftermarket radial look-a-like pin. The phenolic won't give like wooden threads would. The same would be true if you tried putting a 5/16-18 Meucci shaft onto a 5/16-14 Schon cue.

Please note that I was in no way advocating the marriage of a Genuine Radial shaft and an aftermarket radial look-a-like pin. No matter what, that will eventually end badly.

BTW: 3/8 and 7.62 aren't interdependent. I think you meant to say that there's a big difference between a Genuine Radial pin (3/8-7.62) and an aftermarket radial look-a-like pin (3/8-8).
 
There are 2 things getting confused here.

First, there are what we call "Import Radial" pins. These pins are not the same pitch as the brand name "Radial" pin. These are what jshelin is talking about. Most are something like the the 8 threads per inch. I'm not sure of the pitch, but I do know that they are absolutely not interchangeable with the brand name "Radial" pin jointed shafts.

Second, there are some inconsistencies in the brand name "Radial" pins and taps. There are taps that are undersized to make them fit tighter, and I've noticed some pins are slightly larger. I have seen brand name "Radial" shafts that were very difficult to thread on a brand name "Radial" pin. Almost without exception though, these will go together very well with just a little wax and a little work. Coat the pin liberally with the wax, and put some in the hole as well. Thread it together as far as you can comfortably get it, and then take it back apart. Do the wax thing again and put it back together. Usually 2 or 3 tries at this and it will fit amazingly well, even into phenolic. I can't promise it will work every time, but my experiences are good.


So, if you have the import radial pin (8 threads per inch) you will need a shaft specifically for that pin. (we can make them). If you have a brand name "Radial" pin and shaft that's too tight to get together. Try the wax.
 
jschelin99 said:
BTW: 3/8 and 7.62 aren't interdependent. I think you meant to say that there's a big difference between a Genuine Radial pin (3/8-7.62) and an aftermarket radial look-a-like pin (3/8-8).
Click to expand...

Thanks for the clarification!
 
victorl said:
Hey all, just a simple question about radial joints. I'm looking to get an aftermarket shaft for my cue (josey) and want to know if a standard radial joint shaft will fit on it before I order one. I know some makers use an extra-large pin in their cues. Is there any way to tell if my pin is over-sized or not?

Thanks in advance,
Vic
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure Josey uses Uni-Loc radial pin but why not contact him or his wife and ask to be sure? They are very nice people!!! http://www.joseycues.com/
 
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