shafts act different

B

billfishhead

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
ive moticed that shafts from different cue makers act , or warp. some are very stable,while others warp. some joint collars crack and others the ferrule expands.

btw,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,all shafts were kept in the same case, or a case stored right next to it
 
billfishhead said:
ive moticed that shafts from different cue makers act , or warp. some are very stable,while others warp. some joint collars crack and others the ferrule expands.

btw,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,all shafts were kept in the same case, or a case stored right next to it
Click to expand...

Shafts are wood and can warp. That being said, cue-makers take different steps to try to stop this. Trying to cut out the woods tendency to warp is the reason for making numerous incremental passes on a lathe taking the shaft blank down from an inch or so to it's final size. The use of treatments, such as Nelsonite also is used by many to help insure the wood to stay straight. The use of straight grained wood is used as the straighter the grain the less tendency for it to warp. Everything is done to keep it straight but never the less it can warp under some conditions.

There are different types of plastics, some are much stronger than others. Most Custom cue makers use phenolics type plastic which are very strong. On the other hand, most asian cues and Meucci use what is called a Multi-Polimer plastic which is not only much cheaper but also very much weaker. If the wood that an M/P type plastic is used on swells from moisture then that type ring will crack.

There are many materials that can be used for ferrules but nothing is made specifically for ferrules. All the materials that are used were actually designed for another proccess mostly in the electronics industry. They have many different proprioties, some hard, some softer, some shinier, some hold glue well but what almost all have in common is that they will absorb moisture to some degree and some much more than others. Fibre ferrules, which are made of cotton fibres, are very strong and can't be broken but they are notorious for absorbing water. When this happens they will swell in diameter and shrink in length.
When you asked about the shafts warping and some ferrules swelling this told me immediatley that wherever it is that you are storing your cues it is to damp and dampness will cause all that you have stated - warped shafts - swollen ferrules and cracked deco-rings.
Dick
 
rhncue said:
Shafts are wood and can warp. That being said, cue-makers take different steps to try to stop this. Trying to cut out the woods tendency to warp is the reason for making numerous incremental passes on a lathe taking the shaft blank down from an inch or so to it's final size. The use of treatments, such as Nelsonite also is used by many to help insure the wood to stay straight. The use of straight grained wood is used as the straighter the grain the less tendency for it to warp. Everything is done to keep it straight but never the less it can warp under some conditions.

There are different types of plastics, some are much stronger than others. Most Custom cue makers use phenolics type plastic which are very strong. On the other hand, most asian cues and Meucci use what is called a Multi-Polimer plastic which is not only much cheaper but also very much weaker. If the wood that an M/P type plastic is used on swells from moisture then that type ring will crack.

There are many materials that can be used for ferrules but nothing is made specifically for ferrules. All the materials that are used were actually designed for another proccess mostly in the electronics industry. They have many different proprioties, some hard, some softer, some shinier, some hold glue well but what almost all have in common is that they will absorb moisture to some degree and some much more than others. Fibre ferrules, which are made of cotton fibres, are very strong and can't be broken but they are notorious for absorbing water. When this happens they will swell in diameter and shrink in length.
When you asked about the shafts warping and some ferrules swelling this told me immediatley that wherever it is that you are storing your cues it is to damp and dampness will cause all that you have stated - warped shafts - swollen ferrules and cracked deco-rings.
Dick
Click to expand...

Dick I've used the MP type material for my joint, butt & ferrules almost exclusively since 1986. I can't recall ever having this problem. On the otherhand, I have done many repairs on cracked fiber ferrules. I can't believe that you have knowledge of MP rings, that have split, because the shaft somehow drew moisture. I do agree with you, that his problems ALL seem to be caused by moisture in his case & what you said about fiber & moisure is dead on...JER
 
the one that realy got me was the old Meucci stored in the same case as two Szambotis

the Meucci rings split 5 months after having the cue completely refinished and not played with

the Szambotis Ive never had a problem with

now Im storing the cues in the main shop, not the darkroom as before

btw,,,,,,,,,,I do live in Florida
 
billfishhead said:
the one that realy got me was the old Meucci stored in the same case as two Szambotis

the Meucci rings split 5 months after having the cue completely refinished and not played with

the Szambotis Ive never had a problem with

now Im storing the cues in the main shop, not the darkroom as before

btw,,,,,,,,,,I do live in Florida
Click to expand...
Since Meucci collars are hammered-on and not threaded, that was bound to happen on humid places. Pressfitted plastic collars and ferrules aren't strong enough to hold wood from expanding.
 
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