Shaft Warpage, Vertical Wall Rack

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mb-1953

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I purchased several new cues recently and keep them on the wall in a vertical rack. The bottom of the cue is supported by the lower shelf of the rack. The top of the cue fits inside a hole for each individual cue. I believe this is typical in billiard parlors.

The question is will this cause the shaft to warp? If so what display rack would would not. Thanks.
 
mb-1953 said:
I purchased several new cues recently and keep them on the wall in a vertical rack. The bottom of the cue is supported by the lower shelf of the rack. The top of the cue fits inside a hole for each individual cue. I believe this is typical in billiard parlors.

The question is will this cause the shaft to warp? If so what display rack would would not. Thanks.
Click to expand...

What causes a cue to warp is the natural properties and grain of the wood; woods not being seasoned or treated properly; improper installation, fit, or sub-par components/adhesives used during assembly; and then once the cue is sold, exposure to dramatic atmospheric changes like humidity and temperature. IMO a case with a nice airtight seal kept inside a closet or safe with little-to-no atmospheric change is best. A vertical wall rack is IMHO not the best solution to try to keep cues straight. Hope this helps.
 
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The rack in itself will not cause the cue(s) to warp.
Abrupt and extended changes in humidity should be avoided.
Bar cues that warp while in a wall-rack do so because the air behind the cue (wall side), is more humid than the air on the front-side of the cue, where air is drier and air movement is usually more present.
Cues left in such a condition should be rotated 180 degrees in the rack on a regular basis.
Then there's the bar player who leaves the cue leaning in the corner awaiting his next game. That's when 'mean ol mister gravity' comes into play.
 
Best if that cue rack is not on an outside wall where the wall can be colder than the rest of the room.
Mr H
 
mb-1953 said:
I purchased several new cues recently and keep them on the wall in a vertical rack. The bottom of the cue is supported by the lower shelf of the rack. The top of the cue fits inside a hole for each individual cue. I believe this is typical in billiard parlors.

The question is will this cause the shaft to warp? If so what display rack would would not. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Wall racks in most cases do not hold the cues perfectly vertical. Since this is the case unless modified, cues in these racks will lean one way or the other. Now since the shaft has the smallest diameter of the entire cue, if it is resting to one side or the other the weight of the cue focused at that point. To prevent warp-age from this, first make certain that base of the rack and the top of the rack are as level as possible, by using a bubble type level on the top and bottom of the rack. Then I would recommend placing inserts in the top holes of the wall rack that will keep the cues as straight up and down as possible. Inserts can be easily made by cutting and gluing in circular soft foam pads, make sure that the foam you use is durable enough to hold up for this use. Once the pads are glued into the holes find the exact center and punch a hole for the cue tip and shaft to slide through. This will keep the cue vertical in your wall rack all of the time and gravity will have little if any effect.

Last but not least, make sure that your wall rack is mounted in a temperature controlled room and that your wall rack is not located in direct sun light from a window. Believe it of not the Sun alone constantly beating down through a window will also effect the stability and color of materials used to build cues. Now many high end cue makers today are using UV automotive finishes on their cues, it is still best to not leave your cues in direct Sun Light to long periods of time.

Hope this helps
 
Wall racks in most cases do not hold the cues perfectly vertical. Since this is the case unless modified, cues in these racks will lean one way or the other. Now since the shaft has the smallest diameter of the entire cue, if it is resting to one side or the other the weight of the cue focused at that point. To prevent warp-age from this, first make certain that base of the rack and the top of the rack are as level as possible, by using a bubble type level on the top and bottom of the rack. Then I would recommend placing inserts in the top holes of the wall rack that will keep the cues as straight up and down as possible. Inserts can be easily made by cutting and gluing in circular soft foam pads, make sure that the foam you use is durable enough to hold up for this use. Once the pads are glued into the holes find the exact center and punch a hole for the cue tip and shaft to slide through. This will keep the cue vertical in your wall rack all of the time and gravity will have little if any effect.

Last but not least, make sure that your wall rack is mounted in a temperature controlled room and that your wall rack is not located in direct sun light from a window. Believe it of not the Sun alone constantly beating down through a window will also effect the stability and color of materials used to build cues. Now many high end cue makers today are using UV automotive finishes on their cues, it is still best to not leave your cues in direct Sun Light to long periods of time.

Hope this helps
 
A wall rack in an area that isn't exposed to direct sunlight WILL NOT cause a shaft to warp regardless of whether it is an interior or exterior wall. On the other hand if the cue is in contact with a wall that is wet, that is a different story.
 
Mounting a wall rack on a wall that is exposed on the outside to different climates is one sure way to get cues to warp. Always mount cue racks on an interior wall. Make sure no air condition or heating ducts blow directly on the area.
 
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