That "Typical Southwest Taper Roll"

Kickin' Chicken

Kickin' Chicken

Kick Shot Aficionado
Silver Member
I've had a number of SW cues (still have a few) and all were very straight together and apart.

Were my sw cues atypical? Should I feel cheated? :grin-square:

When I see sw cues for sale with this in the description it's as if potential customers should be cool with it, like it's something purposely done at sw.

let's discuss.

best,
brian kc
 
If you ask 100 people about cue straightness you'll get 100 answers. I have never measured out a SW to plot its taper. They say its "parabolic", or cut on a big curve. If you have a true large radius for a cue taper, it would be true that neither end would technically touch the table. It would balance on the center of this arc. So if that was the case, then if rolled, any slight variation would be exacerbated at the ends. Whether it be due to the cue, or a piece of chalk, or a table seam.

There are so many variations to the story of the SW taper, I can't tell you for certain what they do, and if it is only one part of the cue, like the forearm only. I have heard it, read it, explained multiple ways.

I do believe whatever they are doing, does amplify any small variation which then shows at the joint, and is called the "SW Roll".

JV

Kickin' Chicken said:
I've had a number of SW cues (still have a few) and all were very straight together and apart.

Were my sw cues atypical? Should I feel cheated? :grin-square:

When I see sw cues for sale with this in the description it's as if potential customers should be cool with it, like it's something purposely done at sw.

let's discuss.

best,
brian kc
Click to expand...
 
Gina cues always rolled a bit,but ernie explained it had to do with
his taper too

at any rate i have never seen anything on the 100s of SW cues I have had
 
I think it's an A joint construction issue that occurs on some but not all of the South West cues.
I have and have had South West cues both straight and with the small lift/A joint issue.
The double parabolic or compund taper couldn't be the problem or they would all roll funny.
 
I'd almost be willing to bet any southwest cue coming straight from their shop will not have a "taper roll". It will spin true between centers regardless of what taper it has because the butt is turned round. A true "taper roll" would be due to constructing the butt out of round. Typically, if the cuemaker is competent, the butt should be round. Therefore, what people are calling a "taper roll" has nothing to do with taper but actually with the butt being warped due to improperly seasoned wood and/or poor construction techniques or abuse or improper storage by someone else. Sellers are calling is a taper roll because it doesn't sound as bad as calling it warped.
 
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Sw

My grandfather has had a 87 sw since 94 he gave to my uncle few years ago and I seen it about 7 months ago and it's straight as and arrow after all these years.

I not think there's anything as a SW role it's just warp bottom line seller just sugar coating it.
 
Last three I had were straight, one from 94 was laser straight....the "TSR" was not an upgrade in mine I guess :confused:
 
I have owned several Southwest's in the past. I think all of them had a slight roll. Two of them had a lot more than a slight roll. Heck, I was beginning to think they all rolled off. It's nice to hear there are straight ones out there. Obviously it doesn't hurt their resale value regardless.
 
South West has 3 shaft tapers: Standard, Standard-Pro (I like this one the best) and Pro. No doubt they work in one of the most challenging climates for anything made of wood because it is so hot and dry a good deal of the time. I have immense respect for Laurie and the shop crew for maintaining high quality standards and staying true to the construction methods established by Jerry Franklin. In a few months I'm going to be "up" for 2 cues ordered in early 2005 or 2004. :grin-square: I can kick myself squarely in the arse for not ordering 2 cues each and every year since.
 
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jazznpool said:
South West has 3 shaft tapers: Standard, Standard-Pro (I like this one the best) and Pro. No doubt they work in one of the most challenging climates for anything made of wood because it is so hot and dry a good deal of the time. I have immense respect for Laurie and the shop crew for maintaining high quality standards and staying true to the construction methods established by Jerry Franklin. In a few months I'm going to be "up" for 2 cues ordered in early 1985 or 1984. :grin-square: I can kick myself squarely in the arse for not ordering 2 cues each and every year since.
Click to expand...

32 years? :)
 
Moet.1977 said:
My grandfather has had a 87 sw since 94 he gave to my uncle few years ago and I seen it about 7 months ago and it's straight as and arrow after all these years.

I not think there's anything as a SW role it's just warp bottom line seller just sugar coating it.
Click to expand...

Very thin joint size.
Curved taper.
Fat bottom of the forearm diameter.
Most have linen wrap.
They don't roll on the table like the usual straight line angled cues.
 
gutshot said:
I'd almost be willing to bet any southwest cue coming straight from their shop will not have a "taper roll". It will spin true between centers regardless of what taper it has because the butt is turned round. A true "taper roll" would be due to constructing the butt out of round. Typically, if the cuemaker is competent, the butt should be round. Therefore, what people are calling a "taper roll" has nothing to do with taper but actually with the butt being warped due to improperly seasoned wood and/or poor construction techniques or abuse or improper storage by someone else. Sellers are calling is a taper roll because it doesn't sound as bad as calling it warped.
Click to expand...

Though I agree completely, I'm really surprised this line of thinking hasn't started a war regarding warped cues.
 
gutshot said:
I'd almost be willing to bet any southwest cue coming straight from their shop will not have a "taper roll". It will spin true between centers regardless of what taper it has because the butt is turned round. A true "taper roll" would be due to constructing the butt out of round. Typically, if the cuemaker is competent, the butt should be round. Therefore, what people are calling a "taper roll" has nothing to do with taper but actually with the butt being warped due to improperly seasoned wood and/or poor construction techniques or abuse or improper storage by someone else. Sellers are calling is a taper roll because it doesn't sound as bad as calling it warped.
Click to expand...

Agreed
A cuemaker I know has replaced a couple dozen handles in South West cues and he swears it's their methods for the A Joint construction.
Wish I could remember what he told me but a handle replacement fixes the South West lift everytime.
Not the taper or the wood.
Its obvious, what else could it be, I can only think of one other cuemaker whos cues always seem to warp, and I would bet his A Joint construction methods are similar.
 
cuesblues said:
Agreed
A cuemaker I know has replaced a couple dozen handles in South West cues and he swears it's their methods for the A Joint construction.
Wish I could remember what he told me but a handle replacement fixes the South West lift everytime.
Not the taper or the wood.
Its obvious, what else could it be, I can only think of one other cuemaker whos cues always seem to warp, and I would bet his A Joint construction methods are similar.
Click to expand...

If SW had the regular run of the mill .840 to 1.250 straight taper, they would have a lot less "rollers" . The SW's movement is exaggerated by that thin joint collar and curved taper . You see daylight between the joint collar and felt.
How many who roll the cue on the table also put them between centers on a lathe ?

On the other side, straight taper butts that roll on the table ok can be crooked between centers .

The A-joint of SW is a simple SW screw and tenon going from handle to the forearm. If there was something wrong with that , their rings would look funny when the cue is rolled. SW does not core their forearm and handles. They don't use a "buzz" ring or phenolic sleeve for the A-joint screw . I don't know if that's what he is referring to.
 
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