*** Seasoning a New Shaft - What's your technique?***

D

Dakota Cues

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
What steps do you take to get it to feel like something you've played with forever, or at least what do you do to make it feel as good as it possibly can?


It seems like when a shaft is new, it has kind of a raw feel to it until you've played with it for quite some time. Then it gets a nice patina to it and feels like it's part of you.

Is there any way to speed up this process, or to make a new shaft feel even better than it came from the cuemaker?

Thanks!
 
Last edited:
Sorry, should have clarified. Just a typical, brand new shaft.

I just want to see if there are any tricks to make a new shaft feel like one you've played with forever... without having to play with it forever. LOL!
 
Dakota Cues said:
You have a new shaft.

What steps do you take to get it to feel like something you've played with forever,
Click to expand...

You could take a cigar and make a half dozen burn marks on it, then bang it around the wood shed to give it all those little indentations, apply chalk liberally and forcefully to the shaft, and finally spill some beer on it and let it dry.....

or at least what do you do to make it feel as good as it possibly can?
Click to expand...

Apply some carnuba wax, let dry (1 hr), remove residue, burnish with cloth, and go play.
 
nothing

Dakota Cues said:
You have a new shaft.

What steps do you take to get it to feel like something you've played with forever, or at least what do you do to make it feel as good as it possibly can?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

If it is from a custom cue builder I don't expect to have to do anything to it. Lesser shafts might need a light sanding with 600 grit, a cleaning with 99% alcohol, then burnishing. After doing all of this once then I would sand with 1500, 2000, and 3000 grit and burnish again. A toss up if I would put any slick'm on my cue shaft or not. I haven't really found any that worked better than naked wood. One trick if adding a slick'm is to do it after the alcohol cleaning while the wood is wide open and get it in the wood a little ways and then recoat after the final sanding and burnishing.

Hu
 
When your new Josey arrives, it'll feel just fine. Go ahead, ask me how I know. ;) All you'll need to do is chalk the tip, and play...
 
Edited the original post with this info:

It seems like when a shaft is new, it has kind of a raw feel to it until you've played with it for quite some time. Then it gets a nice patina to it and feels like it's part of you.

Is there any way to speed up this process, or to make a new shaft feel even better than it came from the cuemaker?

Thanks!
 
time on the table

I know what you mean. I finally have a new predator shaft playing and feeling just right, which took tons of play. I have a backup, new predator shaft, sitting in my case with the same specs and doesn't feel the same; "rough" as you stated. I would love to have it feel the same way as my current shaft feels, but I think the only thing that can make it feel that way is play. I don't want to sand it or put any product on it which could affect its playability and/or stability. Hence, I think "time on the table" is the only method.
Cheers, Mark
 
You want a new shaft to feel like you've been playing with it for a while, right? Only way to speed up that process is to spend more time playing with it. The more you play with it, the sooner you'll become accustomed to it.
 
Dakota Cues said:
What steps do you take to get it to feel like something you've played with forever, or at least what do you do to make it feel as good as it possibly can?


It seems like when a shaft is new, it has kind of a raw feel to it until you've played with it for quite some time. Then it gets a nice patina to it and feels like it's part of you.

Is there any way to speed up this process, or to make a new shaft feel even better than it came from the cuemaker?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Smear the playing surface with Ear wax and rub it in.:smile: The best thing around to break a shaft in and to seal it is the natural oils from your hands. So when you are sitting around watching TV, grab your shaft and stroke it up and down with your hands. In a short time it will feel smooth as silk and ready for action, just be care not to over do it, it could explode!!!!!!!!:D
 
Voice of experience perhaps, Craig? Ya gotta git outta that pool hall more often. Maybe go chase some griz bears or something.
Seasoning, Montreal Steak Spice, ummmmm.

I slather on the Q Wax and burnish the heck out of it with a piece of leather.
And yes Craig, I'm into leather.
 
Stroke the shaft vigorously with a piece a leather and a little carnuba base wax. The heat generated from the friction will seal the shaft in no time.
 
wrap it in duct tape and bury it 4 feet deep in your backyard

let it season from 36 to 48 hours...then dig it up

allow it to soak in a bathtub full of Kettle One Vodka..for AT LEAST 4 days..

note it must be kettle one... no other brand works...

lean it against the wall at a 37.265 degree angle for at least a week without disturbing it

scrub it down with an SOS pad soaked in chlorine

and fully rinse in the tub of vodka.use a "BIC" lighter to remove the excess alcohol..

burnish with the fur of an infant seal..

and you are GOOD TO GO!!!!
 
Dare we say . . .

softshot said:
wrap it in duct tape and bury it 4 feet deep in your backyard

let it season from 36 to 48 hours...then dig it up

allow it to soak in a bathtub full of Kettle One Vodka..for AT LEAST 4 days..

note it must be kettle one... no other brand works...

lean it against the wall at a 37.265 degree angle for at least a week without disturbing it

scrub it down with an SOS pad soaked in chlorine

and fully rinse in the tub of vodka.use a "BIC" lighter to remove the excess alcohol..

burnish with the fur of an infant seal..

and you are GOOD TO GO!!!!
Click to expand...

You may have "issues" and should seek professional help . . . :eek:
 
Preparing a new shaft

Dakota Cues said:
Edited the original post with this info:

It seems like when a shaft is new, it has kind of a raw feel to it until you've played with it for quite some time. Then it gets a nice patina to it and feels like it's part of you.

Is there any way to speed up this process, or to make a new shaft feel even better than it came from the cuemaker?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I take some 1500 grit sand paper and smooth the shaft out with the fine grit paper. Next take a new paper towel (I like Bounty), fold it and rub the shaft back and forth to get the wood feeling real smooth after using the 1500 grit paper. Next apply a coat of Butcher's Bowling Alley Wax and let it dry completely. This wax is harder than most to get off because it's not a light type of wax, but more of a heavy wax for a bowling alley's punishment. After you've buffed off the Butcher's wax hit the stroking end of the shaft again lightly with the 1500 grit paper again and then come back with the folded paper towel and you are ready for action with a super smooth new shaft that's got a good seal from the wax.

James
 
I sand it with 1500 grit sandpaper, and then apply butchers wax. Then resand with 1500 and apply butchers wax on, remove by buffing, then reapply butchers wax a final time, and buff again.

The process takes me about 1-2 hours.

I always rub in a buffing manner after playing with cue, and blue on shaft just wipe away.

About every 3-4 months I use magic eraser, but since I have been using butchers wax it is less and less necessary. But on cues I pick up on secondary market i start with magic eraser then go back to new shaft treatment.

Is that what you asking?

Ken
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top