shaft modification

twal

twal

"W"
Silver Member
I was thinking about making modifications to a standard shaft. I love the way my shaft feels but on medium shots it deflects a ton. From what i know mass at the end of shaft has a huge impact on deflection.

Was thinking about drilling a very small hole about 3 inches deep into the shaft.
Two concerns with this are how much this will change the feel & the other is if i dont fill the hole will the shaft eventually split and crack?

Anyone tried this?
Looking for some advice before i destroy a shaft.
 
It's all about the wood. You need premium, dense, high growth ring count shaft wood to do this effectively. If your shaft does not have this, you have to use plywood like other LD shafts.
 
It sounds like you are trying to invent Predator technology. Isn't this similar to what a Predator shaft is?
 
Try this, twal.
Go to a machinists supply house and buy a 3/16 inch stubby drill bit. It's a bit that is only about three inches long, and the reason for using it is to eliminate tool bit deflection as you bore the hole.
Place the shaft into the lathe with about 1/2 inch of the shaft end protruding out of the chuck and use a centering bit to start the hole.
Drill the hole with the 3/16 inch bit, being very careful that you feed it slow. If the cut is too fast you run the risk of heating the shaft to the point of warping the end.
Since you'll only be able to drill about 2 and 1/2 inches with the stubby, you can change to a longer bit at this time, still being careful not to overheat the wood.
When you are finished you can hold the shaft in a vertical position and pour thin super glue down the new hole. Fill it completely, count to ten, then pour it out. This will strengthen the interior of the hole.
You will then need to make a new ferrule for the shaft with a short tenon on the end to fit down the end of the shaft.
Trim it. Finish it. Install a new tip. You're done.
Whether this works will be entirely up to you.
Be aware that warp-age at the shaft end is a possibility.
Also, if you haven't the experience, or access to a lathe, then consider a Predator. That's what I use. :smile:
 
Find someone with a Predator shaft with similar tip and ferrule and try it out. A Predator shaft has a hole drilled into it about 6 inches.
 
No need to drill any holes. I usually just shorten my ferrule to about 1/2" or less (I like about 1/4 to 3/8") This effectively decreases tip end mass and therefore cue ball deflection.
 
twal said:
I was thinking about making modifications to a standard shaft. I love the way my shaft feels but on medium shots it deflects a ton. From what i know mass at the end of shaft has a huge impact on deflection.

Was thinking about drilling a very small hole about 3 inches deep into the shaft.
Two concerns with this are how much this will change the feel & the other is if i dont fill the hole will the shaft eventually split and crack?

Anyone tried this?
Looking for some advice before i destroy a shaft.
Click to expand...

What is a medium shot?
 
There is no magic modification that will make the shaft put more balls into the pockets.

It must be you and your skill................

Leave the dam shaft alone and learn how to use it.

Kim
 
twal said:
I was thinking about making modifications to a standard shaft. I love the way my shaft feels but on medium shots it deflects a ton. From what i know mass at the end of shaft has a huge impact on deflection.

Was thinking about drilling a very small hole about 3 inches deep into the shaft.
Two concerns with this are how much this will change the feel & the other is if i dont fill the hole will the shaft eventually split and crack?

Anyone tried this?
Looking for some advice before i destroy a shaft.
Click to expand...



The concept is fine, but it is very important to bore a straight hole. I would bore or drill the hole to 5/16, to a depth of around 4 inches. Then I would turn a piece of Balsa wood and fill the void in the shaft. Next I would attach a pad to the top of the shaft before applying the cues tip. This will protect the top of the shaft and stop it from cracking, I also would not put a ferrule on the shaft, I would apply the tip directly to the pad.

Hope this helps
 
Fill it completely, count to ten, then pour it out.
Click to expand...

And try and not do what I did, the last time I poured it into a new 3/8ths x 10 shaft.

I slipped and poured it all over my hand instead of the cup. Luckily, I have a can of Acetone handy when I do this sort of thing to myself.
 
Ya gotta quit doing that shit to yourself, One of my ex-fatherinlaws was a body man back in the macho days, no mask, no gloves . . .anything like paint thinner on his hands and he was down for a week!!!
 
I think cutting the ferrule down is the easiest thing to do.

The thing I did not want to do is end up with a shaft that feels like a predator. I really don't care for the way they feel.
Not that they are bad but just not my cup of tea.

I was simply "thinking about drilling the hole but not 100% sold on that idea unless there is something I can fill the void with. sorry I don't have any balsa wood laying around :)

I thought about pouring the glue in to coat or seal the wood.
I am not sure that would in wany prevent the possible craking of the wood. However I really like that idea. Would It help if I completely filled the hole with glue? Just don't think the trade off would be anything to reduce the over all end mass.

The thing is I really ony want to change this a little bit so it feels the same and reduces the CB deflection just a little, maybe 10%.


The only issue with cuttting down the ferrule is that I will lose the overall length of the shaft.
 
Blue Hog ridr said:
And try and not do what I did, the last time I poured it into a new 3/8ths x 10 shaft.

I slipped and poured it all over my hand instead of the cup. Luckily, I have a can of Acetone handy when I do this sort of thing to myself.
Click to expand...

C'mon, Blue. You were probably shaking like a dog shitting peach seeds when you were pouring the glue. Am I right? :smile:
 
twal said:
I think cutting the ferrule down is the easiest thing to do.

The thing I did not want to do is end up with a shaft that feels like a predator. I really don't care for the way they feel.
Not that they are bad but just not my cup of tea.

I was simply "thinking about drilling the hole but not 100% sold on that idea unless there is something I can fill the void with. sorry I don't have any balsa wood laying around :)

I thought about pouring the glue in to coat or seal the wood.
I am not sure that would in wany prevent the possible craking of the wood. However I really like that idea. Would It help if I completely filled the hole with glue? Just don't think the trade off would be anything to reduce the over all end mass.

The thing is I really ony want to change this a little bit so it feels the same and reduces the CB deflection just a little, maybe 10%.


The only issue with cuttting down the ferrule is that I will lose the overall length of the shaft.
Click to expand...

You do not need to fill the void.
 
Last edited:
twal said:
I think cutting the ferrule down is the easiest thing to do.

The thing I did not want to do is end up with a shaft that feels like a predator. I really don't care for the way they feel.
Not that they are bad but just not my cup of tea.

I was simply "thinking about drilling the hole but not 100% sold on that idea unless there is something I can fill the void with. sorry I don't have any balsa wood laying around :)

I thought about pouring the glue in to coat or seal the wood.
I am not sure that would in wany prevent the possible craking of the wood. However I really like that idea. Would It help if I completely filled the hole with glue? Just don't think the trade off would be anything to reduce the over all end mass.

The thing is I really ony want to change this a little bit so it feels the same and reduces the CB deflection just a little, maybe 10%.


The only issue with cuttting down the ferrule is that I will lose the overall length of the shaft.
Click to expand...

Do not leave the glue in the hole. Just let it stand for a few seconds, then pour it out.
Believe me, your modified Schon shaft will feel nothing like a Predator, just because a hole is in the end of it.
You don't have to shorten the ferrule if you don't want to. :smile:
 
Call Evan

twal said:
I think cutting the ferrule down is the easiest thing to do.

The thing I did not want to do is end up with a shaft that feels like a predator. I really don't care for the way they feel.
Not that they are bad but just not my cup of tea.

I was simply "thinking about drilling the hole but not 100% sold on that idea unless there is something I can fill the void with. sorry I don't have any balsa wood laying around :)

I thought about pouring the glue in to coat or seal the wood.
I am not sure that would in wany prevent the possible craking of the wood. However I really like that idea. Would It help if I completely filled the hole with glue? Just don't think the trade off would be anything to reduce the over all end mass.

The thing is I really ony want to change this a little bit so it feels the same and reduces the CB deflection just a little, maybe 10%.


The only issue with cuttting down the ferrule is that I will lose the overall length of the shaft.
Click to expand...

If you just want to shorten the ferrule call Evan at Schon. The number is on their website. I called and talked to him and he's a very nice guy. Tell him the overall length of the shaft you want, the length of the ferrule, shaft weight, type of taper you want, and all of that good stuff. You would have to fill out a form on his site. Tell him the model of your cue too.

You might not be able to tell a difference of 10%. The phone call could be a back-up plan if something goes wrong. I know his will be right.
 
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