Shaft diameter measurement location

[littlewing1208]

Are shaft diameter measurements always measured at the ferrule? Or is there a standard location from the end of the shaft that the shaft measurement is made? I have an OB1+ that I ordered that is measuring 12.4ish but when I bought it I selected the default options which should mean 12.75mm.

 

[HawaiianEye]

I've always measured across the ferrule and used that measurement. From the ferrule down towards the butt it gets bigger once the taper kicks in. Sometimes the taper begins way down the shaft and sometimes it starts very near the ferrule.

 

[Double-Dave]

It depends.

Some shafts are say 12.5 just below the tip, 12.3 just below the ferrule and 12.5 4 inches down the shaft.
Then I would say that shaft is 12.3mm.

Another shaft is 12.5 just below the tip, 12.6 just below the ferrule and 12.7 4 inches down the shaft.
That shaft to me is 12.5mm.

Shaft number 3 is 12.3mm just below the tip, 12.6 just below the ferrule and 12.7 4 inches down the shaft.
That shaft to me is 12.6mm.

gr. Dave

 

[Patrick Johnson]

Since (as others have said) shaft tapers vary a lot, it only makes sense to advertise the width of the "shaft" as whatever the width of the tip itself is. I think that's what just about all shaft makers do.

In other words, if you ordered a 12.75mm "shaft" it should be 12.75mm at the tip.

pj
chgo

 

[AtLarge]

Since (as others have said) shaft tapers vary a lot, it only makes sense to advertise the width of the "shaft" as whatever the width of the tip itself is. I think that's what just about all shaft makers do.

In other words, if you ordered a 12.75mm "shaft" it should be 12.75mm at the tip.

pj
chgo

But the tip should be installed to match the diameter at the top of the ferrule (except for some snooker guys who like mushrooms). Sometimes they are not -- the tip could be larger, smaller, or tapered. So when a shaft diameter is specified "at the tip," it really should be a ferrule diameter. Then the tip is installed to be flush with the ferrule.

 

[HawaiianEye]

Since (as others have said) shaft tapers vary a lot, it only makes sense to advertise the width of the "shaft" as whatever the width of the tip itself is. I think that's what just about all shaft makers do.

In other words, if you ordered a 12.75mm "shaft" it should be 12.75mm at the tip.

pj
chgo

I agree with you. The "base" of the tip where it touches the top of the ferrule is the same size as the ferrule top. Whatever that size is, is the diameter of the shaft in my book...no matter how much the ferrule, shaft, or tip is tapered upward or downward from that point.

 

[Dave-Kat]

Agreed with very end of ferrule where tip meets shaft. That to me is shaft diameter. Taking 3 diameter point measurements and averaging ? Never heard of such a thing. I want to know where the rubber meets the road.

Have a Great Day,

-Kat

 

[poolguy4u]

Are shaft diameter measurements always measured at the ferrule? Or is there a standard location from the end of the shaft that the shaft measurement is made? I have an OB1+ that I ordered that is measuring 12.4ish but when I bought it I selected the default options which should mean 12.75mm.

:frown:


The tip and ferrule diameter is not the same as a shaft diameter.

When someone is selling or buying, you should know the tip/ferrule

diameter and what kind of shaft taper it is.


The Predator Vantage shaft is advertised as a 12.9mm tip but the shaft

is over 13.25 in diameter. They just want to trick the customer into

buying a fat shaft.








.

 

[Double-Dave]

Agreed with very end of ferrule where tip meets shaft. That to me is shaft diameter. Taking 3 diameter point measurements and averaging ? Never heard of such a thing. I want to know where the rubber meets the road.

Have a Great Day,

-Kat

I am not averaging if you meant me with your comment. I sell a lot of used cues
and just as an example, lots of tip guys don't know what they're doing and you can
have a shaft that is not thinner then 12.8mm anywhere at all, except for the top
half of the ferrule where it tapers down to 12.3mm. This is not a 12.3mm shaft imo,
nor is it a 12.55mm. It is a 12.8mm shaft that could use a new ferrule.

gr. Dave

 

[Double-Dave]

:frown:


The tip and ferrule diameter is not the same as a shaft diameter.

When someone is selling or buying, you should know the tip/ferrule

diameter and what kind of shaft taper it is.


The Predator Vantage shaft is advertised as a 12.9mm tip but the shaft

is over 13.25 in diameter. They just want to trick the customer into

buying a fat shaft.








.

Predator is notorious for not being too exact with their measurements. I have had
Z-2 shafts that were over 12.0mm and 314-2 that were over 13.0mm. Others were
right on the mark or just a tad below. Never much below though.

gr. Dave

 

[Bavafongoul]

littlewing1208.....it has taken me a long time to dial in my cue specifications......and a lot of cues along the way as well. One of the challenges was determining how the shafts should be made for the custom cues I've ordered. Naturally, cues I've acquired through the secondary market, such as my Prewitt cue, I had absolutely no say in the shaft size or how the shafts were made. Ergo, I am now able to furnish my cue-maker the information needed to make the shafts the way I like them to be.

I like the diameter of my shafts to be 12.7 - 12.75mm with a long pro taper length that I've worked out with my cue-makers. Keep in mind that all woods are not alike.........all cue shafts are not alike........and not all cue-makers make shafts the same way.......what's at the tip of the shafts is as important as how the shaft was made.......when you look for a cue shaft, measure the ferrule at the tip and where the shaft diameter noticeably widens......typically that starts pretty early and imperceptibly at first but look to 6-8" back and with some shafts, 10-12" and even up 17-18" like with some older Joss West cues I have owned. There will be some combination size & length (taper) that appeals to you the best and that's what will become your benchmark for when you buy a cue or have one built.

Matt B.

 

[Bob Jewett]

... you can have a shaft that is not thinner then 12.8mm anywhere at all, except for the top half of the ferrule where it tapers down to 12.3mm. This is not a 12.3mm shaft imo, nor is it a 12.55mm. It is a 12.8mm shaft that could use a new ferrule.

gr. Dave

I'm reminded of another time I took some shafts into a local reputable shop to have some tips put on. One of my 13mm (or so) shafts came back 1mm smaller at the tip. The idiot helper (or maybe the idiot manager) had taken the side of the tip down a little too aggressively with a chisel. I'm pretty sure that was what was used as I used to watch the previous owner finish tips but he didn't gouge ferrules. My solution was to cross that place off my list and to spread the word.

I agree with DD's comments above. That was a 13mm shaft in need of a new ferrule.

So, I think you need to include the taper along with the diameter specification. For a shaft that is nearly cylindrical (very slightly tapered) from tip to 4", I'd take the diameter at the ferrule near the tip. For the bizarre shapes, you need to discuss it with the buyer/seller so there's some chance you will agree -- there is no obvious, right place to measure.

 

[MitchAlsup]

Since (as others have said) shaft tapers vary a lot, it only makes sense to advertise the width of the "shaft" as whatever the width of the tip itself is.

It it perfectly possible to specify the taper of the shaft as an equation, but only about 0.2% of the pool players would be able to make use of the data in that form. So, manufactures don't.

 

[pdcue]

It it perfectly possible to specify the taper of the shaft as an equation, but only about 0.2% of the pool players would be able to make use of the data in that form. So, manufactures don't.

If you limit the group to cuemakers, I am confident that figure would sky rocket up
to 0.4 or 0.5%

Dale