Turning down a Predator Z2 Shaft

B

Burn8ball

New member
Hi all

First post, came here specifically to find expert feedback.

Is it possible to turn a Predator Z2 shaft down on a lathe to a narrower taper/tip size?

I understand the first 5 inches of the Z2 are hollow, how thick are the walls, and what is the realistic minimum taper/tip size before the end of the cue collapses into a pile of splinters and sawdust?

I was hoping to achieve a 10.5mm tip size so the shaft is then more suitable for playing snooker. Is this an impossible dream?
 
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Just give predator a call. They will be able to answer your question better than anyone. There very friendly people.
Predator 1-888-314-4111

10.5mm sounds too small for there shafts though
 
Thx

Not phoning them, I'm in the UK, it will cost me $79,000 a minute. Or something.

Have sent them an email earlier today, was just concerned they might not be prepared to offer advice on making such a significant alteration to their shaft.

Besides, I have it on good authority that everyone that knows anything about cues posts in this forum :)
 
You are correct about how this fourm has so really great cuemakers that post. KJcues is certified by predator so you could send him a PM and he will be able to answer your question as well.
 
Burn8ball said:
Hi all

First post, came here specifically to find expert feedback.

Is it possible to turn a Predator Z2 shaft down on a lathe to a narrower taper/tip size?

I understand the first 5 inches of the Z2 are hollow, how thick are the walls, and what is the realistic minimum taper/tip size before the end of the cue collapses into a pile of splinters and sawdust?

I was hoping to achieve a 10.5mm tip size so the shaft is then more suitable for playing snooker. Is this an impossible dream?
Click to expand...

Predator says that the Z shaft can be turned down from 11.7 to 11.4.
 
The Z shaft has a tip diameter of 11.75mm. Predator will allow a shaft reduction and maintain warranty as long as the reduction doesn't go below 11.25mm. I've been advised to stop at 11.3mm so that even with minimum wear, it still doesn't go below 11.25mm.

The 314 has similar restrictions. 12.25mm is their lower limit.
 
KJ Cues said:
The Z shaft has a tip diameter of 11.75mm. Predator will allow a shaft reduction and maintain warranty as long as the reduction doesn't go below 11.25mm. I've been advised to stop at 11.3mm so that even with minimum wear, it still doesn't go below 11.25mm.

The 314 has similar restrictions. 12.25mm is their lower limit.
Click to expand...

KJ I assume that you are right because of your affiliation with Predator. In their new dealer agreement, that was issued a week ago, they indicate that anything less than 11.4 will void the warantee.
 
Actually, I'm just going on information that was given to me about 3-4 yrs. ago. FWIW, the diff btwn. 11.3mm & 11.4mm is .004". No biggie. A good heavy coat of sealer will make that up.

I'm still hashing over in my mind the ramifications of said agreement. It's going to hurt a lot of state-side dealers, it'll hurt me to smaller degree because I('ve) built/build a lot of shafts for overseas sales but the ones who will take the biggest hit are the customers. No more shopping for the best deal unless it happens to be the dealer in their own country. Well, good luck with that.
 
Thx for responses.

If I am prepared to take the risk and not worry about ever making a warranty claim, and bearing in mind that snooker balls (2 1/16") and UK bar pool balls (1 7/8") are significantly lighter in weight than standard American balls, can I assume I could go down to maybe 11mm without too much risk??

Basically, ignoring warranty, any guesses as to what are the practical lower limits?
 
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The lower limits are those that are proposed by Predator. Those are not arbitrarily chosen by me. The Predator is a highly engineered shaft and those engineers have placed those limits on a shaft reduction based on their knowledge of the shaft because they've designed it. Those specific lower limit numbers were determined for a reason. I believe those limits were chosen to protect the structural integrity of the shaft and it's 'play' characteristics.

So now having said all that and given that you are aware of the 5" hollow and the warranty disclaimer, the bottom line is that it's your shaft and you can do anything you want to with it. It's also your money.
 
Wonder if

Wonder what their factor of safety is???? You start getting smaller How big is the hole in the middle?? is it centered? How far off center is it?? Good luck.. Just thoughts by a crazy... :eek:
 
come on guys i"m sure many of you have disected this shaft, what is the dia of the bore ?
 
Well I called Predator and asked. Those who stated anything below 12.25mm were correct that it will be out of warranty. When I told the guy that I traded for a cue that is 11.9mm he was in shock to hear someone would turn it down that much. His words exactly "be careful"!


:EDIT: Allow me to introduce myself. I am "the idiot" I realized I posted in the wrong thread. Sorry I though I was replying to my post in this same section about a 314-2 shaft.........DOH!:rolleyes:
 
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Just to be clear, what you learned from Predator applies to the 314-2.
It may sound confusing because the original question of the thread was regarding the Z-2 shaft.
 
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