Stiff hitting cue?
- Thread starter Ak Guy
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![Machinerys Handbook hollow vs solid shaft[1].jpg](/data/attachments/299/299298-d5940d3125ba00627a4cfdd63ec1e5e9.jpg?hash=1ZQNMSW6AG)
I don't really know what some people mean when they make remarks about the hit of a cue. Many times they don't know either and are just repeating what others say, or claim and if they are selling it to make it seem like it is that magic feather that will automatically make someone a pro.
I have tried cues and have cues that feel different. Some will sting my hand when hitting the CB. Others will feel soft like the cue has a shock absorber. Some will have a very solid feel. Is it from the tip, ferrule, joint, wrap or shaft?
I have changed tips and felt the difference. It is like putting different tires on a car or bike. Some will give it a softer ride even though nothing else has changed.
Some shafts will bend, watch the pros breaking, others won't. I think that refers to a shaft being stiff. That stiffness would depend on the type of wood and taper. That stiffness could make a difference in breaking and maybe deflection. That is always a debate on that and test results showing the deflection.
Changing shafts on the same butt will give it a different feel.
It comes down to what you feel comfortable with and most times there is very little difference between quality cues, but sometimes there is a clunker that doesn't feel right and you can feel it as soon as you try it.
I have tried cues and have cues that feel different. Some will sting my hand when hitting the CB. Others will feel soft like the cue has a shock absorber. Some will have a very solid feel. Is it from the tip, ferrule, joint, wrap or shaft?
I have changed tips and felt the difference. It is like putting different tires on a car or bike. Some will give it a softer ride even though nothing else has changed.
Some shafts will bend, watch the pros breaking, others won't. I think that refers to a shaft being stiff. That stiffness would depend on the type of wood and taper. That stiffness could make a difference in breaking and maybe deflection. That is always a debate on that and test results showing the deflection.
Changing shafts on the same butt will give it a different feel.
It comes down to what you feel comfortable with and most times there is very little difference between quality cues, but sometimes there is a clunker that doesn't feel right and you can feel it as soon as you try it.
Adding a little fuel to the fire about hollowness of parts 
In metalworking we make some parts hollow to make them more durable for applications that tend to bend the part. For an example if you were to make a reaction bar for a tractors steering, the part that connects the wheels to each other, it is a quite a lot more durable if the connection rod is hollow instead of a solid steel bar. It doesnt crack next to the threads cut on the ends of it, nor will it fracture in the middle like an solid bar tends to do over long time.
This has been tested in various applications and hollowing out / using hollow bar is widely considered to be the correct way of making parts like this for high stress applications.
Its a but hard to explain in english due to a language barrier, but hopefully that makes some sense. Feel free to ask for more on this if I made myself unclear about something :smile:
Wether or not this considers cue shafts is something that I cant take any part on. All I know is that hollowing some things out doesnt necessarily make them more fragile or weaker by any means.
In metalworking we make some parts hollow to make them more durable for applications that tend to bend the part. For an example if you were to make a reaction bar for a tractors steering, the part that connects the wheels to each other, it is a quite a lot more durable if the connection rod is hollow instead of a solid steel bar. It doesnt crack next to the threads cut on the ends of it, nor will it fracture in the middle like an solid bar tends to do over long time.
This has been tested in various applications and hollowing out / using hollow bar is widely considered to be the correct way of making parts like this for high stress applications.
Its a but hard to explain in english due to a language barrier, but hopefully that makes some sense. Feel free to ask for more on this if I made myself unclear about something :smile:
Wether or not this considers cue shafts is something that I cant take any part on. All I know is that hollowing some things out doesnt necessarily make them more fragile or weaker by any means.
I think it's funny that when discussing stiff or soft hitting cues with customers and friends, there don't seem to be a consensus among players as to what is a soft hitting cue or a stiff hitting cue,unless you go to the extremes like Meucci black dot vs a break shaft.
It seems that it's the feel of the tip it comes down to for many players.
It seems that it's the feel of the tip it comes down to for many players.
No, but it weakens the ferrule and tenon.
Unless you fill that hole with carbon fiber tube or something durable and light .