Radial shaft becomes loose.

Bank2Win

Bank2Win

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Any ideas on how to keep my radial shaft tight on my cue? Seems like after i am playing a while i will notice that the hit and sound of the cue changes and i always think great there goes my tip again, but then i remember to tighten my shaft. What could i do to keep it tight?

Thanks for any help.
 
I have the same problem, I use a 314-2 with the phenolic insert.
I had put some wax on the pin and it worked to keep it tight.
ill find out the name of the wax
 
Duh, that is a good idea, sometimes the answer is so simple. I'll try it and see how it works
 
A Related Topic

Paul Drexler worked with the originator of the radial pin to make an improved design. I think it is exclusive to PFD cues, but if you like the radial hit, you've got to try the "Max Radial."

This pin holds tight to the shaft threads from the first turn to the last. I'd bet you could thread a shaft 2/3 of the way then play a set. The pin seems to offer the best features of the traditional radial without any of its drawbacks.
 
I think the wax would loosen the fit more. It would not tighten it. We use candle wax to loosen a very tight fit for radial pins.
 
Bank2Win said:
Any ideas on how to keep my radial shaft tight on my cue? Seems like after i am playing a while i will notice that the hit and sound of the cue changes and i always think great there goes my tip again, but then i remember to tighten my shaft. What could i do to keep it tight?

Thanks for any help.
Click to expand...
when you take your cue apart, take a cotton swab like you would clean your ears with and wet the tip and swap the inside of the shaft. It will cause the wood to swell slightly and tighten the fit.

Straight from Chris Nitti

may have to repeat a few times a year
 
joelpope said:
when you take your cue apart, take a cotton swab like you would clean your ears with and wet the tip and swap the inside of the shaft. It will cause the wood to swell slightly and tighten the fit.

Straight from Chris Nitti

may have to repeat a few times a year
Click to expand...

Wax the pin . Just a little bee wax works the best ...
 
As the inventor of the Radial pin I would suggest a little water if the inside is wood. It will expand the wood and be very tight.

Probably the shaft was not taped properly in the beginning or your cue has an imitation Radial pin.

Bill Stroud
 
bstroud said:
As the inventor of the Radial pin I would suggest a little water if the inside is wood. It will expand the wood and be very tight.

Probably the shaft was not taped properly in the beginning or your cue has an imitation Radial pin.

Bill Stroud
Click to expand...

I thought the radial pin was first used in the medical field. Either way water is the way to go. I personally just fill the hole with water for a minute or so. You'd be surprised how little actually soaks in from being burnished by the pin. I've done this for years on loose pins of all wood to wood joints.
 
I know a few guys that has radial joint becoming really loose. I too experience once. Now I avoid radial pin joints.
 
bstroud said:
As the inventor of the Radial pin I would suggest a little water if the inside is wood. It will expand the wood and be very tight.

Probably the shaft was not taped properly in the beginning or your cue has an imitation Radial pin.

Bill Stroud
Click to expand...

What if your shaft thread is phenolic?
 
Craig Fales said:
I thought the radial pin was first used in the medical field. Either way water is the way to go. I personally just fill the hole with water for a minute or so. You'd be surprised how little actually soaks in from being burnished by the pin. I've done this for years on loose pins of all wood to wood joints.
Click to expand...

The Radial did not come from the Medical field.
It was my own invention. The idea came to me from looking at ball screws on my CNC and the tightness yet ease with which they moved.

It was not designed originally to work with phenolic I would guess that a little spray adhesive would probably work.

If a radial becomes loose it is because the cuemaker used the wrong tap or used the wrong drill. It is not the design.

Bill Stroud
 
Uni-Loc* Radial Variations..

Disclaimer:
I'm not a CueMaker....
Assuming we're talking about Uni-Loc Radials. 7.60 Threads per inch.. :
(I think that's what Bill Stroud. Mentioned once.. is that right Bill? :smile:)

Some Information about Uni-Loc* Radial Pins that might be affecting Pin to Shaft fits..

1) There are 2 Radial Pin Taps sold by the supplier. (The Machine Tool that cuts the internal Threads in the Shafts Bore)..
The Recomended Bore size is .312"..
One is the Standard Tap, the other is called "Undersized Tap"..

I don't know if Uni-Loc Corporation of America "Makes Them".. or, if an aftermarket Person makes them.. I buy them from Atlas Billiards Supplies.
They are the distributors. (?)

I use the Undersize Tap because I want my cues to have a REALLY snug fit while threading them on the shafts. It insures me alignment..
I use the Standard Tap for my Joint Protectors..
Joint Protectors don't need a snug alignment fit like the shafts need and the player doesn't need to fuss with a tight Joint Protector everytime..


2) The Stainless Steel Radial Pins are "Bigger" than the G10 Pins (The Glass/Epoxy ones)..

I don't know if Uni-Loc* makes those G10 Radial Pins..
They fit looser into the same Threaded Hole than their Metal Counterparts..
Troy's (Koin Kid) G10 Radials are sightly snugger that Atlas' G10 Radials..
Maybe the same manufactuer, but, one seems more polished, making them slighty looser from the wear of polishing..
Just my experience with Uni-Loc Radials..

Alton
 
Last edited:
the joint on my break cue sometimes loosens after a hard break. its got a radial shaft. will try the water/q-tip trick. is there another reason why this might happen? i'm thinking it might be related to vibrations.
 
My cue maker puts really thin super glue inside the threads of loose shafts (a few drops) shook it around and then turned it over and let all the excess glue out. I would not do it if you didnt have a radial tap and a way to reface the shaft but ask your cuemaker. Obviously you wait until it is thoroughly dry before you screw it together.
 
I tried the bees wax, and that seemed to work, but i like water idea as well, the cue is a chris nitti, and i would assume that he is not using an imitation radial pin. When this shaft was new it fit just right and seems like over time with the constant unscrewing and screwing of the cue the bored out wood became worn out. I think the water swelling of the wood is the way to go.
 
bstroud said:
As the inventor of the Radial pin I would suggest a little water if the inside is wood. It will expand the wood and be very tight.

Probably the shaft was not taped properly in the beginning or your cue has an imitation Radial pin.

Bill Stroud
Click to expand...

When you know your stuff, you know your stuff :thumbup:
My shaft had gotten a bit loose on the Radial Pin and every once in a while I would notice a funny hit only to find out that my shaft
had cracked loose from the butt just a hair etc....
I read this post by Mr. Stroud, take a little water, fill up the screw hole in my shaft, let sit for about 20 sec., then pored out the water and let shaft sit until was dry.
NOW that shaft is snug as hell on the Pin. It now takes a little elbow grease now to put the cue together and no more worries about the shaft coming loose during play.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top