stiffer cues or whipper cues cause less deflection?

Just about Any cue vibrates when hit from the side. I know people compare It to golf clubs, but since one is hit on the side, and one hit on end, It's hard for me to see a fair comparison, but I could be wrong, I did not major in physics or anything. I mean there may be some areas in common, but not sure as to how much.

I try to stay off the subject of another maker, but there is something to the amount of force used with these cues as to how much deflection takes place IMO, I hear and see It being more of an issue in the newer versions, but that's the case with many, many others also, and that's one of the reasons I believe that it depends on the person. I can run a rack with one, but picked up a bar cue the other night and did the same thing. A person that can adapt easily, can shoot with just about anything. you learn to take what the cue gives you, and stay within It's limits, just like you choose your selection of shots according to your level of play at the time, and your weaknesses and strong suites. From watching others use them, the new laminated shafts seem better on the long draws that want to rattle the pockets, but that area is again subject to shot selection & stroke alot of times anyway. Some people prefer a predator on theirs.

Maybe it's not their first pick, but I don't see why a pro could not play with one, altough I dought they would have one off the rack anyway, unless it just felt right for their feel that way.

To Me It's just another style and feel, I have had a few myself, though older models. I prefer a really stiff shaft & hard hit, but can shoot with one If I had to. Many cues I have had felt the same way, and gave me trouble on the same shot selections even with a little stiffer shaft, so alot of it could be in my stroke or amount of force I am using to get shape. keep in mind this mostly takes place on a power type shot. I know many people that won't shoot with anything else, so just depends on the individual IMHO.

The most important thing to me is that the cue play consistantly all the way around, and is balanced the way I like it. Then comes the type hit, and amount of deflection which is just an added personal preference of mine.
 
drivermaker said:
How do YOU or anyone else on here measure for rigidity and flex? Do you have modern equipment to do it...do you do a bend on the table or whack job for vibrations...hit a ball and warp speed and watch the bend in the shaft by eyeball...or just go by what everyone else says?
First let me say, I have nothing against Bob M., or his cues, so I am not looking for a fight about Meucci's with anyone. ;)

You can place the bumper on the floor, hold the sfaft at the end of the "pro taper" and brush chalk onto the tip. You can see the cue flex while chalking. I have a Schon, I had an ivory ferrule put on it and the taper slightly modified. The first time I chalked the cue, after the mods, I could feel it had less spine. I can't really say I felt the added flex during shooting, but did notice it had more action. All one would need, to measure flex is a ruler, some string and a weight. There are two ways to do it. Determine how much mass is required to flex the shaft X distance, or determine the ammount of movement for X ammount of mass. I have never done either, because I did not see the point in doing so. Also if you do, try this experiment, do it twice on the same shaft. Do it once and record the outcome, then rotate the shaft 90 degrees and do it again. I think you will get two unlike readings. The two unlike readings, is the whole point behind there being red dots in the first place.

Tracy
 
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I don't know many people that do this these days, but use to mark My shafts when I had one that was really inconsistent, because to me that is more important then the amount of deflection, altough I do like the stiffer shafts, I have had them in many type tapers. but still believe the taper plays a large roll in deflection also. I just want to be able to rely on My aiming regarless of how much deflection I need to account for. Maybe not everyone can see this when it happens, but I honestly think I do, it looks like a miscue sometimes It's so bad, I do not hear it, and It happens on easy shots with the correct speed used even though it's a routine shot, so i check My tip for It, and no sign of a miscue taking place. I wonder how many peoples heads that screws with that don't realize what's happening, and know their aiming was too close to be off that bad. it could really mess with someones head. it's all part of knowing your cue, and making ajustments, but still gets me sometimes, even when I think I know what's going on. The funny thing about this, is it can happen in quite a few makes, and probably more to do with the nature of wood. I think this is another reason why the radially consistent shafts are so popular, even though most of the attention is on deflection. most atleast play the same all the way around. I do not play with one anymore, but i can see that having and benificial effect on some peoples play. If someone's having an issue, and wants to make sure that's not the problem, just mark the cue for a night with a piece of tape or something, keep it facing up in the same position on every shot, and see if it helps, If not there may be other issues.
 
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