Speaking of cue weight.... Any science to it?

DoubleD said:
This is only true for exactly one weight/speed combo.

dld
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Not sure I understand your point exactly but I don't believe that to be true from what I do understand. For example, I believe a range of cue weights from 17 to 18.5 ounces (or so) will yield a significantly higher CB speed for me than a cue in the range of 22 to 24 ounces (or higher for that matter). My comment was meant "in general", I doubt that it is perfectly linear. For example, I have 18.3 ounce and 23 ounce break cues. My break speed is 3 mph plus more with lighter cue.
 
ddadams said:
So I've been wondering about this for a while..

Does cue weight have an effect on ball speed given same speed of stroke? I would assume it does but I can't manually test this as I don't have proper equipment.

I would assume that hitting a ball at just 5 mph with a 21 ounce cue would produce a bit more speed than a 17 ounce cue, but I'm not sure?

I'm wondering if a heavier cue might be better for me rather a light cue mainly as I feel with a heavier cue and the shots that require the utmost of speed control (mainly for safeties) having a naturally slower stroke due to the weight may help.

But if the force of the extra weight would have an effect then I'll just have to learn to hit excruciatingly soft on demand. Most of the time I can but some shots require the touch of an ant as you all know and its a bit more challenging.
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You might ask a karate forum. If a 90 lb person hit you with a 80mph karate chop, would it hurt the same if the person weighed 280 struck you at 70mph:D. Somehow ''Follow Thru'' makes me think I'd prefer being hit :banghead: by the lighter person.
 
The post was actually about trying to find if there was a scientific answer to which cue would give less power given the same slow stroke :grin:


Got focused on faster hits and breaks but I kind of figured out what I need.


Good discussion regardless. Thanks guys.
 
Here's my $0.02

I have always preferred a lighter cue, 15 to 17 ounces with a soft tip.

I can always add power when I want it, but hitting soft delicate shots with a heavy cue & hard tip just always seemed difficult to me.

Balance point is personal preference. when I switched to the lighter LD shafts I removed the weight bolt in my cue & the balance came back.

If one can maintiain the speed of stroke a heavier cue will deliver more force than the same speed of stroke with a lighter cue.

If a lighter cue allows more speed of stroke it probably would deliver more force as a unit of increase adds to a number that is squared vs a unit increase of mass which is not squared.

There is a break even point since the initiator of the velocity & acceleration(the player) has limits.

The bottom line is, to increase the force of a break shot with the contact point being equal, the speed of the cue ball must be increased as its weight/mass stays the same. What cue in a certain persons hands allows that is the question and can only be determined through experimentation & measuring the speed of the cue ball. Or... by feel & perception.

Just my $0.02

Good LucK with your choices dd.
 
Any Science too it

One comment that's applicable to a cue and how its related to the effect it had on play is a Balabushka. I noticed those cues were generally in the 20oz range, they used ebony butts and s/s joints and the weight was more foreward than allot of other cue mfg at that time. My thinking is because of straight pool and the importance of powering the cue ball with follow thur balls back in the day when then cloth was non directional and had allot of nap, add in humidity....everything moved around needing allot more effort, was nice having a cue do that work for ya, don't think a 18oz buska would of been as effective in creating the extended churning 12 o'clock high cue ball.
 
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