Standard Radial Pin?

P

PoolDood

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I'm in the process of buying a Filipino cue off a friend and I want to make sure this is a standard Radial pin, capable of adding a 314-2 down the road.

I remember reading that Predator owns the patent on Radial & Uni-Loc and not all cue makers overseas use the actual Predator pin.

I've owned 3 cues over the last 10 years, Adam, Joss & Schon and all use the same 5/16x14 pin, so I'm not too familiar with anything else.



radialpin.jpg




Thanks

TJ
 
A cue maker will be able to match it up if he has the right tap, There are several different styles of radial pins, and all take a different tap.
 
Don't think Predator has a patent on either of those joints, never heard of that before. Cuemakers don't make joints to match the Predator shafts, it's the other way around.
 
What you have there is what we call the import radial. The "Radial" joint shaft that you are familiar with will not fit on that pin.

Predator does own the patent rights to the UniLoc joint, as well as the Trademark rights to the "Radial" pin. The Radial pin isn't patented that I know of, just trademarked.

We can build our full line of cue shafts to fit the Import radial, as well as the real Radial pins.
 
Royce,

For future reference, what are the thread sizes for both types of radial?

North America is 3/8-8

What is the overseas size?
 
Ghosst said:
Royce,

For future reference, what are the thread sizes for both types of radial?

North America is 3/8-8

What is the overseas size?
Click to expand...

I don't think the uni-loc radial pitch is exactly 8tpi it's somewhere between 7 and 8. The one is the picture looks to be more ~10, but I wouldn't be surprised if there weren't a whole mess of sizes.

edit: Sorry, I didn't see the "Royce" until afterwards. I'm sure he'll have more accurate info.
 
No worries, anyone who can accurately answer will do. I know my radial (American made custom cue) fits an aftermarket shaft like the Predator 314-2 with no issues when I ask for a radial joint. But I've never seen (and I've looked for it) anyone say, "hey guys, an American radial pin is xx/xx x x"

It would be good information to have. I'm fairly sure mine is 3/8 x 8.

I may just have to go a-thread-countin' later...
 
I just looked up some threads on this subject. A Uni-loc Radial is appears to be ~7.6tpi, but there are those who have made their own 3/8x8. Also it seems that there have been come slight differences in diameter as well.

I've always just assumed radial meant Uni-loc radial, but I guess that was totally naive.

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=157789
 
Ghosst

I think Angldemn is pretty close. I don't know the actual numbers on the Radial, but I measured one I have here and it came out to about .131" pitch, which is pretty close to 7.6 TPI. I would need a better way to measure than what I have handy to get real close, but I think this is close enough.

I have a tap that fits the import look alike pin. I don't like calling it a Radial because the word Radial is trademarked. It measures out to .125" pitch, which works out to pretty much dead on 8TPI.

So, the 3/8x8 is actually what's found in the less expensive imported cues. The better cues like Lucasi, Predator and a few others do actually use the Radial brand pin. Most cues made here in the US do use the 7.6TPI threaded screws which are the same as the Radial.

I hope that helps!
 
Ok, so if I get a set of custom joint protectors, what thread size do I tell them to make them to for mine which is a "Radial" and fits a Predator with a Radial joint?

I'm not only asking for me, it's a question that comes up time and again and you have to sift through tons of threads that have nothing to do with it. A list, somewhere public (maybe a sticky in the cuemakers section) would help immensely. Especially one with pictures. I have a 3/8 x 10 McDermott I can take photos of as well if needed.
 
Get a cue maker or repair man to replace the pin with a true Radial. Have the shaft plugged and tapped for the Radial pin and you're in business.

The few dollars that it will cost to have it done once will save you grief in the long run. I know what I charge but can't comment on other repairmen.
I would do the job for well under $100.
 
Ghosst said:
Ok, so if I get a set of custom joint protectors, what thread size do I tell them to make them to for mine which is a "Radial" and fits a Predator with a Radial joint?

I'm not only asking for me, it's a question that comes up time and again and you have to sift through tons of threads that have nothing to do with it. A list, somewhere public (maybe a sticky in the cuemakers section) would help immensely. Especially one with pictures. I have a 3/8 x 10 McDermott I can take photos of as well if needed.
Click to expand...

I tried to use a Radial Pin joint protector on a Filipino cue with a "radial pin" and it cracked ! The cue hits lights out though and I'm very thrilled with it in all respects. The JP issue is no biggie...Tom
 
Thanks for all the info.

I've used a Mezz WD-700 for about a year now and occasionally use Jacoby's Edge Hybrid. I was looking to add the Jacoby to this cue. I think my only option is to change the pin but not sure I want to go through that much trouble.

Thanks again for everyone's help, it was really appreciated.


TJ
 
RBC said:
Ghosst

I think Angldemn is pretty close. I don't know the actual numbers on the Radial, but I measured one I have here and it came out to about .131" pitch, which is pretty close to 7.6 TPI. I would need a better way to measure than what I have handy to get real close, but I think this is close enough.

I have a tap that fits the import look alike pin. I don't like calling it a Radial because the word Radial is trademarked. It measures out to .125" pitch, which works out to pretty much dead on 8TPI.

So, the 3/8x8 is actually what's found in the less expensive imported cues. The better cues like Lucasi, Predator and a few others do actually use the Radial brand pin. Most cues made here in the US do use the 7.6TPI threaded screws which are the same as the Radial.

I hope that helps!
Click to expand...

Royce:

Would the import "radial-a-like" pin perhaps more correctly be called a "ball-thread pin" to avoid the trademark issue?

And are the maintenance arbors for the import "radial-a-like" (ball-thread) pin hard to get?

-Sean
 
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