Shaft Care

[jmizzo]

I will be getting my first radial/low deflection shaft in the mail tomorrow and I was wondering, what is the best way to take care of the shaft? My shaft right now is wood, with no finish where im stroking it, and I like the feel of the wood. I am assuming that radial shafts all have a finish on them. Is it ok to remove this finish? What is the best way to clean the shaft so that it doesn't split at the seams so to speak? Thanks for any help.

 

[kingwang]

I will be getting my first radial/low deflection shaft in the mail tomorrow and I was wondering, what is the best way to take care of the shaft? My shaft right now is wood, with no finish where im stroking it, and I like the feel of the wood. I am assuming that radial shafts all have a finish on them. Is it ok to remove this finish? What is the best way to clean the shaft so that it doesn't split at the seams so to speak? Thanks for any help.

I have a Z-2 and it's unfinished. I just wipe with isopropyl alcohol and a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser whenever the chalk buildup becomes too much.

 

[rcarson]

I have a 314-2 and usually I just wipe it down with a damp hand towel after I go to the restroom, which tends to be once or twice a night depending on how long I am at the pool hall/bar. Once I wipe it down with a damp hand towel I take my towel, the one I always have with me, and dry it by... stroking it... this builds up friction which creates heat, which drys and seals the shaft... Once my hands and shaft is clean it feels like new and I have never had any problems. I have had my shaft for about a year now.

 

[D Player]

You can do a search and find tons of advice on shaft care/cleaning -- probably much more than you'd care to read....

I have already looked through most of the old threads and will say that you can't go wrong by cleaning with alcohol, then burnishing to seal the wood. (I believe Predator actually recommends this). I have tried this for some time using denatured alcohol and a paper towel to clean and a piece of leather to burnish and have had good results.

I've also recently tried using Butchers Bowling Wax on my 314-2 based on recommendations from this site. It's worked fine, but I'm not convinced it's any better than the basic approach above.

Hope this helps.

 

[Cuedog]

You're going to get a bunch of ideas coming at you. There will be some that are repeated and are consistent. Which ever method you decide to use, be sure to take it to a professional a couple of times a year to have it cleaned and re-conditioned professionally.

Gene