Stiff cues and deflection

[hdgis1]

It seems that people are in love with stiff hitting cues. So, I'm curious as to whether or not the characteristics that make a cue a 'stiff' hitter are the same ones that make a low deflection shaft what it is? What do you all think?

Chris

 

[LAMas]

Please define what you call deflection vs squirt vs swerve.

There may be some interpretation differences.

http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~cross/PUBLICATIONS/39. squirt.pdf

A stiff or high mass end of the shaft will cause the cue ball (CB) to leave the impact at an angle from the of the path of the shaft (squirt away). To demonstrate this, shoot a spot shot with a broom stick handle - stiff and high mass. the object ball (OB) will prolly hit the side rail and not the pocket - larger angle + large squirt.

 

[dr_dave]

It seems that people are in love with stiff hitting cues. So, I'm curious as to whether or not the characteristics that make a cue a 'stiff' hitter are the same ones that make a low deflection shaft what it is? What do you all think?

Low-squirt (low-cue-ball-deflection) cues are usually not very "stiff" (unless they are made out of carbon fiber, for example). For more info on how squirt and stiffness are related, see:

http://billiards.colostate.edu/threads/squirt.html#endmass​

Regards,
Dave

 

[dr_dave]

Please define what you call deflection vs squirt vs swerve.

FYI, definitions, illustrations, and video demonstrations can be found here:

http://billiards.colostate.edu/threads/squirt.html#confusion​

A stiff or high mass end of the shaft will cause the cue ball (CB) to leave the impact at an angle from the of the path of the shaft (squirt away). To demonstrate this, shoot a spot shot with a broom stick handle - stiff and high mass. the object ball (OB) will prolly hit the side rail and not the pocket - larger angle + large squirt.

Endmass alone, even with a flexible (non stiff) shaft, can create significant squirt. For more info, including video demonstrations, see:

http://billiards.colostate.edu/threads/squirt.html#endmass​

Regards,
Dave

 

[manwon]

It seems that people are in love with stiff hitting cues. So, I'm curious as to whether or not the characteristics that make a cue a 'stiff' hitter are the same ones that make a low deflection shaft what it is? What do you all think?

Chris

Chris, this is a question that can have many different explanations. First in most cases a cues butt doesn't add or decrease deflection, the cues shaft is the main component of this process. For a shaft to be considered low deflection it doesn't have to be laminated or spliced together, how ever, it must have a low end mass. Low end mass is achieved by using a light weight ferrule material and by coring out the front 6 to 10 inches to reduce weight. This is what keeps the tip on the cue ball longer, and to achieve this a shaft doesn't have to be laminated at all. By selecting light wood, coring, and installing a similar light weight ferrule material low end mass can be achieved with a solid wood shaft.

Chris I agree that people do like stiff hitting cues, and the reason in my opinion is because of the feedback received when the cue ball is struck, and because a stiff hitting cue transmits power better than a weak flimsy cue. There are many techniques that will effect how stiff a cues hits, such as, the wood used, the tightness of the cues joint connection, and the general construction of the cues other parts. If a cue is built with sloppy tolerances, in others words the cues parts do not fit nice and snug before gluing much of the cues hit will be reduced to useless vibrations that detract from firmness and power generated.

Hope this helps.