Sniper tips
- Thread starter chipperd
- Start date
Hi,
Good observation! I never liked them, period. IMO, tips are a function of a hardness reading. With layered tips the glue adds to the mix as it is definitely a factor especially concerning how the side holds it contour with regards to the mushrooming factor.
If a player likes an 60 durometer hardness for his stroke for example, it does not matter which brand he plays with if he has that number other than the glue and maintenance factor in the layered tip.
Its all about marketing and branding and people tend to like the newest fad or marketing ploy. When a customer asks me for a sniper, I flat out tell them that I won't buy them. If they bring in a sniper, I will put it on with the precursor that they sometimes fail and I won't be responsible for replacement if it does. All of the stuff about wetting them and using a cup center during the installation is a the reason that I feel these tips are not where it's at.
To me, Moori Tips rock and are as dependable as the rock of Gibraltar. Never any problems and everything about them repeats to a high standard. I know there are people that would disagree with my assessment and I am fine with that.
Rick Geschrey
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Haven't had a problem....
...but I haven't purchased any for a while, so the ones I have are older.
Occasionally I have lost the first 1 or 2 laminations, but I attribute that to not using a new (sharp) blade when shaping. As long as my blade is sharp, I don't have any problems.
...but I haven't purchased any for a while, so the ones I have are older.
Occasionally I have lost the first 1 or 2 laminations, but I attribute that to not using a new (sharp) blade when shaping. As long as my blade is sharp, I don't have any problems.
snipers
I've recently run across several players that have complained about de-lamination problems with sniper tips. I don't personally prefer them until they are very short on the ferrule (about 1/16th inch at most). They perform OK at that point, in my opinion, but this seems very wasteful and short-termed. I much prefer Moori, Kamui and several of the single layer tips over snipers. They provide longevity and consistent playability and are replaced less frequently in my experiences. I also agree with a previous poster that sharp tooling is extremely important in any cutting process.
Tom Gedris, Triple Cross Cues
I've recently run across several players that have complained about de-lamination problems with sniper tips. I don't personally prefer them until they are very short on the ferrule (about 1/16th inch at most). They perform OK at that point, in my opinion, but this seems very wasteful and short-termed. I much prefer Moori, Kamui and several of the single layer tips over snipers. They provide longevity and consistent playability and are replaced less frequently in my experiences. I also agree with a previous poster that sharp tooling is extremely important in any cutting process.
Tom Gedris, Triple Cross Cues
Well.
Let me just ask you this for all sniper installers.
Are you moistening the tips at all when cutting them in the lathe?
Let me just ask you this for all sniper installers.
Are you moistening the tips at all when cutting them in the lathe?
I haven't bought any in at least a year and a half. I, myself always liked them and never have had any problems with installations or delaminating. I was installing pretty many until the Kamui's became popular but haven't installed any in over a year. I always kept them good and wet while trimming and never let them spread apart any while trimming.
Dick
Dick
Yep, I like them. I had 2 Snipers in my tool box. The first one delaminated and the second didn't. I chalked it up to the angle I held the blade on the first one. Maybe it wasn't my fault.
Hey buddy,
Like rhncue is saying when you're cutting them, keep them moist. That's the secret right there.
I don't moisten them. I cut the sides manually with a razor blade and use a dremel to grind the shape. Sand tip to blend ferrule. This way I minimize the danger of the tip peeling off.
IMO a solid tip works best for me.
Everyone of coarse have their own opinions on tips. If there was one that was best there would only be one instead of over a hundred or so different tips and hardnesses. I, myself however believe that with the advent of the first layered tip it spelled the demise of the single layered tip. As far as I'm concerned, the worst layered tip is still better than the best one piece tip. At present, I put on about 4 layered tips for every one solid tip in my shop. Who wants to continuously have to trim mushrooming, re-shape and scuff a tip?
Dick
Problem is, is not about what you like but what the customer likes. The way you are shaping tips does not work for me, sorry. Tiger recommends you to moisten the tip. If you do not do that and keep complaining about delamination then it's your issue, not Tiger's since you don't do what the manufacturer recommends.
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Hi Ben, I moisten all tips well when cutting. I'm pretty sure on this one, I cut straight across and probably put too much pressure on the tip. I usually cut at an angle. Now, I use the cutter and trim as close to the ferrule as I can and finish with the blade.
Actually never had any problems with delamination sir.
IMO what causes the delamination is the heat when cutting with a point tool. It affects the glue used in putting together the laminated strips. I don't make a go at it in one single pass, there's time to cool down between strokes. I may not follow the manufacturer's specs but I never encountered problems with it delaminating. I don't like the idea of wetting the tips in the first place. Could be just me.
I just want to share the method I use.
Well,
The method you use is not the method advised by Tiger.
Is because of stuff like that rumors start about all sorts of stuff. Tips are no good, etc, etc...
If you do not want to follow manufacturer advise then install only Triangles or Le Pro's. You won't have an issue for sure.
I don't wet them either.
Michael,
I sold hundreds of Snipers and install them locally and had this conversation with Tony from Tiger.
His advice was to always moisten a sniper tip or even a laminated tip, that will avoid trouble.
Ofcourse you do not need my advice but this is a suggestion from Tiger to avoid any issues. I do moisten a bit my laminated tips like Moori, Kamuis, etc.
Here is the link for the Tiger video on a sniper install on YouTube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1sx48J_N3A
I never said I had issues installing Tiger tips. In fact I never had any issue since I started using their laminated tips, or for any other brand for that matter. When it first came out, I never (I maybe mistaken) saw anything about how it should be installled. It was like 5 or 6 years ago. I just did it the way I installed all my tips.
I merely suggested another way of doing tip work.
So will you also make the same advise to Mr. Webb to just use Triangles and LePros because he doesn't wet 'em 'coz that's not following manufacturers' advise
?
So will you also make the same advise to Mr. Webb to just use Triangles and LePros because he doesn't wet 'em 'coz that's not following manufacturers' advise
hahaha, Actually, I like pressed triangles, they play pretty sporty. I take all advice good and bad. I've been around the block once or twice. :grin:
Sniper Tips..........Just Awesome !!!!!
YES, I will...........
Just because somebody is a cuemaker on here does not mean they know what they are talking about 100 % of the time. Tony is 100 % right about this issue and I'm glad he spoke up. I have been using Sniper Tips
for 5 years now with NO Problems at all..........EVER !!!!! and have heard all the wanna be repair guys and cue makers cry about Sniper tips being Junk or Trash tips that fall apart when installing or don't cut good and have to be replaced. Well I am here to set the record straight and say It's all Bullshit. It all comes down to following the advice from Tiger and others who know what they are doing. Real simple and easy to do just keep the tip a little wet, Use a SHARP blade, and do not apply tons of pressure when shaping. Just because Sniper Tips take a little longer to install then most tips to get them right does not mean the are No good or junk.
Maybe it's the installer and there lack of patience or refusal to do it the correct way that is to blame for giving a good product a bad name.
Next time before bad mouthing a product make sure you ask yourself this question. Is it really the product that is No Good or is it my Lack of Skill that just makes it seem that way ???
Paul
So will you also make the same advise to Mr. Webb to just use Triangles and LePros because he doesn't wet 'em 'coz that's not following manufacturers' advise
YES, I will...........
Just because somebody is a cuemaker on here does not mean they know what they are talking about 100 % of the time. Tony is 100 % right about this issue and I'm glad he spoke up. I have been using Sniper Tips
for 5 years now with NO Problems at all..........EVER !!!!! and have heard all the wanna be repair guys and cue makers cry about Sniper tips being Junk or Trash tips that fall apart when installing or don't cut good and have to be replaced. Well I am here to set the record straight and say It's all Bullshit. It all comes down to following the advice from Tiger and others who know what they are doing. Real simple and easy to do just keep the tip a little wet, Use a SHARP blade, and do not apply tons of pressure when shaping. Just because Sniper Tips take a little longer to install then most tips to get them right does not mean the are No good or junk.
Maybe it's the installer and there lack of patience or refusal to do it the correct way that is to blame for giving a good product a bad name.
Next time before bad mouthing a product make sure you ask yourself this question. Is it really the product that is No Good or is it my Lack of Skill that just makes it seem that way ???
Paul
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