Shaft diameters - why?

Underclocked

Underclocked

.........Whut?.........
Silver Member
Why do so many cue makers offer up beautiful cues with shafts already tapered to size? More often than not, they are already set at 12.XX mm. Wouldn't it be nearly as simple to offer the shafts slightly oversized, say 13.5mm and then taper them down to the buyer's request?

I believe such an offering would entice a wider audience to consider buying ... at least the audience would be increased by one guy. :)
 
custom tapers

Many cuemakers will taper a shaft any way you want, but many feel that the characteristic "hit' of their cues comes the specific dimensions of the taper they use, and they are reluctant to change it since they feel it is an important hallmark of their work.
 
Underclocked said:
Why do so many cue makers offer up beautiful cues with shafts already tapered to size? More often than not, they are already set at 12.XX mm. Wouldn't it be nearly as simple to offer the shafts slightly oversized, say 13.5mm and then taper them down to the buyer's request?

I believe such an offering would entice a wider audience to consider buying ... at least the audience would be increased by one guy. :)
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Hi,

The most important engineering feature on a cue is the shaft. It is singularly the item that reflects the hit, feel, or feedback of a cue makers brand and is the cue's signature. This is due to the density of the shaft and the taper.

I for example do not sell shafts under 4.0 oz and have a parabolic taper only offered it in 13mm and 12.75, thats it. If you want another taper I am not interested in being your guy since I wish to have all of my cues have a very stiff hit which is the product of my taper.

Some cue makers have the reverse attitude and will accommodate you with any taper you want and that's their approach and that's ok too.

If you are investing in an hand made custom cue, you need to do some research and play with a lot of cues before you make your choice.

Good luck,

Rick
 
Thanks for the replies.

Wouldn't the shaft/cue provide at least as stiff a hit with a 13.25mm end?

That happens to be my preference. :) I guess I'm thinking as long as you go larger initially, one could always be taken down in dimension should the customer so choose. It's hard to add back. :grin:
 
Underclocked said:
Why do so many cue makers offer up beautiful cues with shafts already tapered to size? More often than not, they are already set at 12.XX mm. Wouldn't it be nearly as simple to offer the shafts slightly oversized, say 13.5mm and then taper them down to the buyer's request?

I believe such an offering would entice a wider audience to consider buying ... at least the audience would be increased by one guy. :)
Click to expand...

I've done that for many years.
 
Underclocked said:
Why do so many cue makers offer up beautiful cues with shafts already tapered to size? More often than not, they are already set at 12.XX mm. Wouldn't it be nearly as simple to offer the shafts slightly oversized, say 13.5mm and then taper them down to the buyer's request?

I believe such an offering would entice a wider audience to consider buying ... at least the audience would be increased by one guy. :)
Click to expand...

What I like to do for local customers, is to leave the shafts at about 13.25 until they come to pick the cue up. I then work the shaft down gradually, giving them a chance to feel it, until it feels just right to them. With the round pole sander this is easy to do and doesn't take long. You can always take a little more off, but you can't put it back on.
 
Thank you for doing that - I'm sure a lot of folks aside from myself appreciate that flexibility.
 
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