Shaft taper

8

8onthebreak

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How many types of shaft taper are out there...you hear of "pro taper", etc.
I play with predator shafts primarily...what kind of taper would that be an example of?
 
That's a type of pro taper if it's a 314, euro taper on the Z. The number of taper types is virtually endless, regardless of the names. A cue maker can use any of many "taper bars" which is a kind of guide, or can make his own.
Generally, a pro taper is "straight" for (x) inches from the ferrule before it begins gradually increasing in diameter. The euro type is "conical". The length of the taper, the number of "steps" of the tapering, the angle, etc, etc, etc...
There really is no limit. If someone wants it, and is willing to pay for it, it can be done.

Ask this question in the Ask The Cuemaker section, and you could get an education far beyond your imagining. The depth of mathematical acumen that many of these guys possess - as a result of machining background, etc - is pretty staggering considering the modest living they earn.
 
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Tapers range from completely conical and stiff (the z2 is pretty straight/conical like a snooker cue) to being the same diameter 18-20" in and then tapered, and everywhere in between. Every cue maker has his own way of tapering a shaft and even every shaft will be slightly different. It's hard to say "I like this taper or that taper" because the density of shaft wood varies greatly. My Joey shafts have a long taper (though really it should be called a short taper), probably still at 13mm 16" in, but still hits fairly stiff because the wood is dense with tight growth rings. I have a Schon with a much shorter (longer) taper, maybe 10-12", that is equally as stiff because the wood is lighter with looser grain. My Meucci shaft is tapered like my Joey shafts, but is very whippy because it, like the Schon, is not very dense. I really just comes down to personal preference. I like the feel of a long taper because I have a long bridge, and I like my shaft to be right in the middle of the whippy-stiff spectrum... my Joey shafts are a perfect match for me. The Z2 is conical (11.75mm with a regular long [short] taper would be really whippy), and the other predator tapers are pretty much right in the middle.
 
I'm curious, what kind of taper does everyone like here...list what taper you play with, kind of cue and what u like about it?
 
I have a modified pro taper that extends about 18-20 inches down (I play with a 14 inch bridge) with almost no increase in diameter. Feels incredibly thin, yet it's actually 12.5.
 
I generally like eurotapers, but not so extreme like at Z2 or at a carom shaft. A slight eurotaper gives me the best and consistent feel in my hand. My WD700 is customized with 12,2 mm and eurotaper.
 
There are three tapers;

-conical, which is also called a "straight" taper.

-compound, which is also called a "pro taper." It is two or more conical tapers in the same shaft, which results in a "flex point." That point is also how each taper is defined. ie; a 16" pro taper (the two conical tapers meet 16" back from the tip.)

-parabolic, which is a sloping taper from the joint to the tip. Imagine a giant circle. Take a small section out and apply it to a shaft.

There may be other variations but these are the most known tapers.
 
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