There are a few shafts in Murphey's case that were worked on with this tool at the DCC. Curious to see how they look now after a few months. They rolled A LOT better immediately afterwards at DCC....
OK, so I bought one of these straightening things and I tried it out on a couple of shafts. Damned if it didn't work. I have never used one or anything like it before and I think it's the sort of thing that you get better at the more you do it so I'll have to look for more crap to practice on, but that being said it worked out pretty well for me. After I had it as straight as I dared to try and make it I could feel some slight compression marks as I spun the shaft in my hand. I let it sit for a couple of days and rolled it out on the table, still straight. So I put it on the lathe to condition and clean and as it spun in the lathe I could feel the compression marks so I took it off and put the cue together and hit a few with it and could feel no contour changes. I spun it in my hands and again could feel no compression marks. So, back in the lathe, I think maybe what I was feeling was the slight wobble that the shaft still had.
In the end I think this thing works, I'll check the shafts every so often to see if they have maintained their "straightness", and I know it's only been a few days but so far so good. Now then, I'd have to be pretty drunk or desperate before I trust myself enough to use this on one of my main players, at least until I become an expert, but over all - not to shabby. I did find out that you really need to be sure that you're working on the "high" part of the shaft, otherwise adding to the bend makes it flop around like some ridiculous fish, but really, when used correctly, not to bad.
OK, so I bought one of these straightening things and I tried it out on a couple of shafts. Damned if it didn't work. I have never used one or anything like it before and I think it's the sort of thing that you get better at the more you do it so I'll have to look for more crap to practice on, but that being said it worked out pretty well for me. After I had it as straight as I dared to try and make it I could feel some slight compression marks as I spun the shaft in my hand. I let it sit for a couple of days and rolled it out on the table, still straight. So I put it on the lathe to condition and clean and as it spun in the lathe I could feel the compression marks so I took it off and put the cue together and hit a few with it and could feel no contour changes. I spun it in my hands and again could feel no compression marks. So, back in the lathe, I think maybe what I was feeling was the slight wobble that the shaft still had.
In the end I think this thing works, I'll check the shafts every so often to see if they have maintained their "straightness", and I know it's only been a few days but so far so good. Now then, I'd have to be pretty drunk or desperate before I trust myself enough to use this on one of my main players, at least until I become an expert, but over all - not to shabby. I did find out that you really need to be sure that you're working on the "high" part of the shaft, otherwise adding to the bend makes it flop around like some ridiculous fish, but really, when used correctly, not to bad.
Jacobyguy,
I noticed in the video that the guy twists it just a little bit as he's using the tool. Is that to try to minimize the grooves or flat spots on the shaft? Curious. Thanks.
for 2 reasons. to help minimize the flatening in one spot, but mostly to compress the entire high side of the warp.
I know some of you are straightening shafts and i know some of you saw brandon straighten shafts at the expo. Lets get some reviews here!
I would like to offer up my shaft or pay a minimal fee to see if the tool is as good as advertised and be the jury for the forum, thoughts?
I've been working with one for a few weeks now and I am beside myself. I cannot believe how well it works. Yes, it flattens the wood grain but it can be removed. I am testing it on every warped POS I can find and it works. As I stated in one of the other threads, time will tell but for now, I'm a believer.