Radial vs. 3/8x10

jingle

jingle

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I have always used a cue with the 3/8x10 pin and like the way it feels/plays. However, it seems like many cue builders are now using radial pins. Assuming the collars and set-ups are the same other than the pin, would the radial pin cue have a similar feel/playability to the 3/8x10 pin that I'm used to?

Are there any advantages to a radial pin versus a 3/8x10? (stability, longevity, precision, etc.?) Thanks for your replies.
 
Last edited:
jingle said:
I have always used a cue with the 3/8x10 pin and like the way it feels/plays. However, it seems like many cue builders are now using radial pins. Assuming the collars and set-ups are the same other than the pin, would the radial pin cue have a similar feel/playability to the 3/8x10 pin that I'm used to?

Are there any advantages to a radial pin versus a 3/8x10? (stability, longevity, precision, etc.?) Thanks for your replies.
Click to expand...

I used a 3/8X10 pin for over 10 years but switched to Radial about 4 years ago and have never looked back. They go in perfectly straight every time, they fit the threads in the shaft better, by their design there is less friction on the female threads so there is less wear, they are heavy so as to help moving weight forward and in my opinion, although others may disagree, they are the best pin ever put into a cue. When I build a cue for a client I, of coarse, will use whatever pin they desire but I do my best to talk them into a Radial. If I sound biased it's probably because I am.

Dick
 
Good and Bad

I have played with both pins. I feel the hit is very close if not identical within all aspect of cue control and feedback. However, I have heard varying opinion as to the longevity of the radial's ability to maintain integrity in the shaft. In other words the shafts strip out over time. Now I have heard this from a couple cue builders which I will leave their names out since they are not personally posting this response. I have seen this problem personally with radial cues, but have also seen this in other pin styles where a wood to wood joint is used. Personally I choose the time tested 3/8-10 but in a modified southwest style.

Others will chime in to knock what I have to say, but everyone is entitled to their opinion based upon their experience with above mentioned products.
 
Radial Pin

rhncue said:
I used a 3/8X10 pin for over 10 years but switched to Radial about 4 years ago and have never looked back. They go in perfectly straight every time, they fit the threads in the shaft better, by their design there is less friction on the female threads so there is less wear, they are heavy so as to help moving weight forward and in my opinion, although others may disagree, they are the best pin ever put into a cue. When I build a cue for a client I, of coarse, will use whatever pin they desire but I do my best to talk them into a Radial. If I sound biased it's probably because I am.

Dick
Click to expand...

I am with you Dick. The Radial Pin (tm) is the best thing there is since sliced bread :). It is accurate, smooth as glass and does NOT wear the threads in a shaft like the 3/8-10 rough threaded pin. If the threads are damaged in a shaft it is because the operator abused the cue.

There are 4 different weights which help to balance a cue properly.

I think the Radial Pin (tm) is wonderful not to mention the best pin for cuemaking.

Good cuemaking :)
 
Arnot Wadsworth said:
I am with you Dick. The Radial Pin (tm) is the best thing there is since sliced bread :). It is accurate, smooth as glass and does NOT wear the threads in a shaft like the 3/8-10 rough threaded pin. If the threads are damaged in a shaft it is because the operator abused the cue.

There are 4 different weights which help to balance a cue properly.

I think the Radial Pin (tm) is wonderful not to mention the best pin for cuemaking.

Good cuemaking :)
Click to expand...
SS, brass, aluminum, titanium and now in G10.:)
 
I like both pins, but the radial are a lot easier to install perfectly straight. I know a few people who say they can feel a slight difference in the hit, and like the 3/8-10 pin better. I can't feel any difference, and I think if there is any difference in the hit, it is very very slight. I should also mention that I only like the 3/8-10 pin when the threads in the shaft have been cut with live tooling (as opposed to tapped) and then sealed. If you don't do it this way the threads have a tendency to wear and chip over a long period of time.
 
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