Switching from Standard to LD shaft

chin0

chin0

"Chino Miss-A-Lot"
Silver Member
Hi all, how is everyone doing? Hope all is going well and business is going good. I have recently switched over from a regular schmelke shaft, 29 inch, 12mm with an elkmaster tip to a 30 inch OB-2 shaft with the standard everest tip.

I am having a little difficulty adjusting to it. I like it a lot, but it seems like whenever I hit a ball like I hit with my standard shaft, it hits the CB a lot different and a lot more power (the standard shaft goes only one maybe two cushion, but now it goes about 3 cushion or more). Is this normal? Whenever I make a regular shaft shot with the OB-2 shaft, the ball would rattle and hang at the pocket. I cannot draw the CB at all, and just overall very different. I lost maybe 1-2 balls per turn and cannot position worth a damn because of the different power transfer.

Anyone have any tips, advice or what I should do to to adjust to the new LD shaft easier? I was thinking of maybe putting on a milk dud (just ordered some dudleys from poolndarts.) on the OB-2, but don't know if that would change anything. I like the everest tip so far. Is it the tip that makes it hit the ball so hard, the shaft? I have no idea. I would really appreciate the help. Thanks in advance everyone.

Happy shooting! :)

Chino
 
it'll be a good month or two before you are back where you were... keep your money in your pocket for a while:thumbup:

and practice with it everyday..

good luck
 
I just read the entire thread, and all I get out of it is, if you play with a standard maple, stick with it and don't switch over to LD and if you shoot with an LD and you want to switch over to maple, than good luck. It doesn't really state much on switching over from a standard to a LD shaft. I just traded a case and $100 for this shaft, barely has 6hrs play on it. I don't think I am going to sell it and stick to my maple shaft. I like the stiff hit and response it gives me, but it is just very different, and the threaddoesn't really state much specific differences other than people saying I like it or it doesn't work for me and I will stick to my standard shaft. Maybe I am missing the point. Thanks anyway for the help, and thanks softshot.
 
chin0 said:
Hi all, how is everyone doing? Hope all is going well and business is going good. I have recently switched over from a regular schmelke shaft, 29 inch, 12mm with an elkmaster tip to a 30 inch OB-2 shaft with the standard everest tip.

I am having a little difficulty adjusting to it. I like it a lot, but it seems like whenever I hit a ball like I hit with my standard shaft, it hits the CB a lot different and a lot more power (the standard shaft goes only one maybe two cushion, but now it goes about 3 cushion or more). Is this normal? Whenever I make a regular shaft shot with the OB-2 shaft, the ball would rattle and hang at the pocket. I cannot draw the CB at all, and just overall very different. I lost maybe 1-2 balls per turn and cannot position worth a damn because of the different power transfer.

Anyone have any tips, advice or what I should do to to adjust to the new LD shaft easier? I was thinking of maybe putting on a milk dud (just ordered some dudleys from poolndarts.) on the OB-2, but don't know if that would change anything. I like the everest tip so far. Is it the tip that makes it hit the ball so hard, the shaft? I have no idea. I would really appreciate the help. Thanks in advance everyone.

Happy shooting! :)

Chino
Click to expand...

Don't do it man. i've been reading most of our posts and from what i can tell it's too early for you to be making a switch to a LD shaft. you should save your cash for table time or maybe lessons with Scott Lee when he's out your way.

if you can't draw the ball with the ob shaft it could be a tip problem but more than likely it's a flaw in your fundamentals. it's a bit early in your progress to start switching equipment to get the results you want. you should definitely work on building a solid foundation before you start making changes. it's really boring but you have to start making sure you can do all the little things right 1 foot of follow 1 foot of draw 6 inches of follow 6 inches of draw etc.... the decisions you make now could really effect how fast you progress.

hit up scott lee
 
chin0 said:
I just read the entire thread, and all I get out of it is, if you play with a standard maple, stick with it and don't switch over to LD and if you shoot with an LD and you want to switch over to maple, than good luck. It doesn't really state much on switching over from a standard to a LD shaft. I just traded a case and $100 for this shaft, barely has 6hrs play on it. I don't think I am going to sell it and stick to my maple shaft. I like the stiff hit and response it gives me, but it is just very different, and the threaddoesn't really state much specific differences other than people saying I like it or it doesn't work for me and I will stick to my standard shaft. Maybe I am missing the point. Thanks anyway for the help, and thanks softshot.
Click to expand...


you think the ob shaft hits stiffer than the maple shaft you'd been using?

that seems hard to believe because the ob shaft is not only built different but it's an extra inch longer. usually longer shafts are more whippy
 
ob

I've been playing with OB shafts for quite awhile and they do take a little bit of time to get used to it. I would definitely suggest staying close to center cue ball. Not only is it just fundamentally a good idea, but it will lessen the spin/throw/deflection that you get from an LD shaft. I know it's 'LD' but you still get some.. and because the shaft is stiffer you get a lot more throw and spin. Try cutting a ball up the rail with outside english and you will see what I mean. With very little effort it will 'cut' quite a bit.

I wouldn't worry about changing tips right now unless it's completely bugging you. But I wouldn't recommend constantly changing variables with your equipment... you're brain is still trying to memorize the shots and if you keep changing stuff.. more you have to memorize.
 
So would it be a good idea to keep playing with my standard shaft for now and just safe the OB2 in the case? Maybe you are right that it is too early to start switching equipments. I can't even run a full rack of 8-ball or anything else, so I should probably get good at what I have now and just keep the OB-2 in the case?
 
Imo, if you like playing with 12 MM tip, there is not much need for a LD shaft with 12.75 tip.
A non-hollowed out shaft will give much more feedback to the hands.
Hollowed shafts give much less feedback/reasonance.
That's why you are overshooting the shots imo b/c you are overspinning and overhitting the cueball.
Now, you'll have to get used to playing more visually than by feel as far as stroking the ball IMHO.
 
chin0 said:
I just read the entire thread, and all I get out of it is, if you play with a standard maple, stick with it and don't switch over to LD and if you shoot with an LD and you want to switch over to maple, than good luck. It doesn't really state much on switching over from a standard to a LD shaft. I just traded a case and $100 for this shaft, barely has 6hrs play on it. I don't think I am going to sell it and stick to my maple shaft. I like the stiff hit and response it gives me, but it is just very different, and the threaddoesn't really state much specific differences other than people saying I like it or it doesn't work for me and I will stick to my standard shaft. Maybe I am missing the point. Thanks anyway for the help, and thanks softshot.
Click to expand...

DECIDE......

that is what you need to do my man...

you gotta choose.... and more importantly..... you have to stick with your choice.....

you want to play OB... dig in... you can play very well with one....

you want to play maple.... that's fine too

but DECIDE and commit to that choice..

swapping back and forth will only make things worse....

if you really want to give LD a go... fine...

do this

give up playing opponents for a month...

during that month .. try to OWN the new shaft using center ball only

easier than it sounds because the benefits of LD are never seen on center ball hits...


and after you own centerball... you then start reaching out on the CB.. in smaller increments than you are used to..


reteach yourself to spin the ball

if you don't own centerball... you don't own spin....with ANY shaft...

regroup... rededicate... and regain your lost money


:thumbup:
 
chin0 said:
So would it be a good idea to keep playing with my standard shaft for now and just safe the OB2 in the case? Maybe you are right that it is too early to start switching equipments. I can't even run a full rack of 8-ball or anything else, so I should probably get good at what I have now and just keep the OB-2 in the case?
Click to expand...

i'd say give it about a year of playing with a maple shaft before you switch anything major. when you get to the point where it's not a shock if you run a rack of 8 ball it's probably ok to switch some of your equipment. but even then just 1 piece at a time so you can keep track of how it effects your game.

i'd think you should hammer down the basic shots. nothing wrong with test hitting someone else's cue but be remember you're just test hitting it. stick to your cue. you keep the variables to a minimum to and it'll take time off your learning.

(a buddy of mine's laughing at me for saying this because i switch cues like i switch pants. about once a month)
 
chin0 said:
I just read the entire thread, and all I get out of it is, if you play with a standard maple, stick with it and don't switch over to LD and if you shoot with an LD and you want to switch over to maple, than good luck. It doesn't really state much on switching over from a standard to a LD shaft. I just traded a case and $100 for this shaft, barely has 6hrs play on it. I don't think I am going to sell it and stick to my maple shaft. I like the stiff hit and response it gives me, but it is just very different, and the threaddoesn't really state much specific differences other than people saying I like it or it doesn't work for me and I will stick to my standard shaft. Maybe I am missing the point. Thanks anyway for the help, and thanks softshot.
Click to expand...

I switched to Predator shafts and I worked and practiced with it until I was comfortable playing with it and I really like it. I bought an OB-1 and tried it and I liked the shaft, but since I was already used to my Predator I didn't see any advantage to switching from Preator to OB-1.

It takes time to get used to LD shafts and each person is different on whether the LD shafts are right for them. They are right for me and i'll probably use them until I quit playing pool.

James
 
I'll echo what a previous poster said, you must stay closer to center on the cueball with the OB-2...at least until you get used to it. Try this, for side english, only use 1/2 as much as you were using with your old shaft. And you have already noticed the power difference, so make a concerted effort to hit each shot softer than you are accustomed to and your position play will come around. I have gone back and forth between standard and LD so I understand your issues. The OB2 is the best LD shaft I've used, so I think you'll like it if you be patient, and basically back your stoke down and let the shaft do the work.
 
HONESTLY Chino, I wish I would have started playing with my Predator shaft from the begining! BUT, they didn't have em back then.

If you want to switch over I'll tell you how I did it.

Aim every shot with center ball, and when you hit the shot you use any spin you want. That's how I do it. Aim center ball, and stroke the spin on the actual shot.

Once I started this process the change over went fairly fast. The best thing for me is I don't have to compensate for spin....inside or outside. With my standard shafts I have to make BIG adjustments....especially using inside spin.

have fun with it.

G.
 
OB shafts

Just a couple of notes, Chino.

The Everest tip is softer than a LePro tip so your problem is not that the tip is too hard. Everest is used by a couple of very nice companies on their LD shafts.

The OB-2 shaft has a cone shaped taper and it is far more stiffer hitting than a pro taper which is straight for at least 12-14".

I know you may not want to hear this but an OB-1 may be better for you. If I were you I would consider trying out an OB-1 and I wouldn't change the tip on the OB 2.

Best,
JoeyA


chin0 said:
Hi all, how is everyone doing? Hope all is going well and business is going good. I have recently switched over from a regular schmelke shaft, 29 inch, 12mm with an elkmaster tip to a 30 inch OB-2 shaft with the standard everest tip.

I am having a little difficulty adjusting to it. I like it a lot, but it seems like whenever I hit a ball like I hit with my standard shaft, it hits the CB a lot different and a lot more power (the standard shaft goes only one maybe two cushion, but now it goes about 3 cushion or more). Is this normal? Whenever I make a regular shaft shot with the OB-2 shaft, the ball would rattle and hang at the pocket. I cannot draw the CB at all, and just overall very different. I lost maybe 1-2 balls per turn and cannot position worth a damn because of the different power transfer.

Anyone have any tips, advice or what I should do to to adjust to the new LD shaft easier? I was thinking of maybe putting on a milk dud (just ordered some dudleys from poolndarts.) on the OB-2, but don't know if that would change anything. I like the everest tip so far. Is it the tip that makes it hit the ball so hard, the shaft? I have no idea. I would really appreciate the help. Thanks in advance everyone.

Happy shooting! :)

Chino
Click to expand...
 
its going to take some getting used to first off only go about a half tip out for english until you become very confident with that then go a whole tip.

the good thing about a LD shaft is that there more forgiving on where you hit the ball so on your draw shot aim at the very bottom of the cueball with out jumping it and it will draw if your stroking the ball. test you stroke (follow through) put the cue ball on the spot and stroke the ball but instead of pulling your stroke back rest your tip on the felt and see how far your follow through is going? it should be about 6 inches past the spot for a normal shot practice that and youll see alot of improvement.

dont switch tips either unless you absolutly have to.

Be patient and you will see large difrences in your game id say give it a solid 2 months:thumbup:
 
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