Stiff Shafts

TAP

"Banks are Always Open!"
Silver Member
I have slowly been whittling my tips down from the standard 13mm to about 10mm. I find doing this has greatly improved my game. I have English snooker cues with 9.5mm tips. My question is: Are there cuemakers out there that can make stiff shafts for american style cues with that small of a tip, while keeping the stiffness in the shaft? If so, what is the best wood to use for this type of shaft? My snooker cues all use ASH (like baseball bats).

I am looking to have a couple of shafts built? Can you do it, and for how much??
Thanks.
 
What taper?

I have used pro taper to date, however, I am open to best suggestion for this small of a tip. Please define parabolic and straght.
Thanks.
 
When I'm asked to make shafts that thin...I refuse. I always recommend the Pred Z shaft at 11.75mm for a thinner shaft. If 9 or 10mm shafts improved your game then don't you think a lot of the pros would be using them? Pro players tend to stay between 12 & 13mm with 12.5 to 12.7 being the most common. I'm sure there are others but the only two I can think of that use a thinner shaft is Mike Davis & Corey Deuel and they both play with the Z. Just my thoughts.:smile:
 
Varney Cues said:
When I'm asked to make shafts that thin...I refuse. I always recommend the Pred Z shaft at 11.75mm for a thinner shaft. If 9 or 10mm shafts improved your game then don't you think a lot of the pros would be using them? Pro players tend to stay between 12 & 13mm with 12.5 to 12.7 being the most common. I'm sure there are others but the only two I can think of that use a thinner shaft is Mike Davis & Corey Deuel and they both play with the Z. Just my thoughts.:smile:


i think he meant that 9mm-10mm shafts improve his game, not everyones game.
 
Here's one I did at 9.5mm. Smallest I've made is 7mm.

9.5mm.JPG
 
I was just wondering: When do we as players and potential cue makers draw the line in the respect of the tips diameter compared to pool?

Snooker players have smaller balls and I guess these are lighter as well, hence a small tip might be ok. I have seen snooker players play pool with snooker sticks but that must feel strange.. It must be like playing with soccer balls and a tooth pick ;)

So for pool, I guess there is a reason for having a bigger diameter? To handle the added weight in the pool balls?

Was just wondering :)

Kent
 
Newton said:
I was just wondering: When do we as players and potential cue makers draw the line in the respect of the tips diameter compared to pool?

Snooker players have smaller balls and I guess these are lighter as well, hence a small tip might be ok. I have seen snooker players play pool with snooker sticks but that must feel strange.. It must be like playing with soccer balls and a tooth pick ;)

So for pool, I guess there is a reason for having a bigger diameter? To handle the added weight in the pool balls?

Was just wondering :)

Kent
My cnc's soft limit is 5 MM from zero Y.:thumbup:
You get 10MM in diam., THAT'S IT. NO LESS.
Anything less will HAVE NO FERRULE. Just a pad.:angry:
:grin:
 
He he, well Joey, I can run my CNC to 0 but that is a little to slim :D
Anyway, even if I could make a shaft which is 5mm it's for sure a no go for me, I stick to the OB shafts and go for a "package".

Is the "record" then 9mm?

Kent
 
taper difinition

TAP said:
I have used pro taper to date, however, I am open to best suggestion for this small of a tip. Please define parabolic and straght.
Thanks.

Straight taper is a gradual straight taper from the tip to the joint. A parabolic od compound taper is one in where there is a compound curve from the tip to the joint. The pro taper has no taper for a distance and then picks up to the joint. X distance.
 
time

RocketQ said:
Straight taper is a gradual straight taper from the tip to the joint. A parabolic od compound taper is one in where there is a compound curve from the tip to the joint. The pro taper has no taper for a distance and then picks up to the joint. X distance.
John, it's about time someone spoke the truth, to many come here and speak and don't have a clue as to what there taking about, [by the way you do], most don't. I do know what is what, and they who don't know, and they will knock me and others who DO KNOW. Some, come here to hear them selves talk......most come here to learn...
come on knockers get it on......don't be shy............................

blud
 
Most customers I have dealt with have no idea exactly what they are asking when they want a 10mm tip, ect. Before doing the work I like to show them some shaft samples of something close to what they ask. The normal reply I get is OH!!! I don't want that!!!! Then of course I tell them it is actaully a 10.5mm and the one they will get will be smaller. At that point they are usually ready to listen to the guy with the calipers that knows exactly what thickness is what and what he is talking about!!! Often times they really want a 12.5mm or something more in that range. There are customer however that really do want super small shafts. I tell them the retapering process can take several months to help ensure stability and I still can not guarantee a straight shaft when it is all done. Already having a small shaft and playing with smaller balls you are in a diffrent catagory. I would recommend a gradual taper to keep some backbone in the shaft. Price should between $30 -$40. per shaft plus the price of a new tip.
 
Last edited:
cuemaker03 said:
Price should between $30 -$40. per shaft plus the price of a new tip.

If you are going to go down under 11.5mm you will probably have the price of a new ferrule also.
 
Last time I saw them........

Danktrees said:
oscar and ernesto have their shafts at 9mm no?

Oscar said his was an 8mm. Whats crazy is that that shaft taper is so stiff that it can take all the poundings that Oscars gives it.
 
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