I often wonder if the occasional loosening of my uni-loc joint is worth the hassle. I'm always having to make sure it's secure during a match or practice session. I never had a problem with a threaded joint. If a uni-loc joint somehow is supposed to perform better, then the hassle would be worth it to me. Any thoughts on the subject?
Uni-loc vs. threaded joint: Is performance of cue affected?
- Thread starter Rachel T
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MurrayNevada
Well-known member
No, not worth the hassle. I'll PM my address. Please ship via UPS, I have the best luck with them.
Keep the pin clean and give it a good twist to tighten.
I have a Lucasi that's about 13 years old and it never gets loose.
About once a year I clean the pin and shaft insert with a Q Tip dipped in alcohol.
About once a year I clean the pin and shaft insert with a Q Tip dipped in alcohol.
My unilocks never loosen by themselves.
On the other hand: an experiment, done a decade ago at a pro tournament, showed that even pros can't tell the performance difference between any of the 6-8 kinds of joints in use.
On the other hand: an experiment, done a decade ago at a pro tournament, showed that even pros can't tell the performance difference between any of the 6-8 kinds of joints in use.
"Performance" , no, the deflection and how the cue pockets a ball is just the shaft. However every cue that had a version of the quick release joint and a large pin I always preferred the large pin hit feel. For example Lucasi and Predator offer cues with both joint types, my son and I have tried several cues with the same shaft, just different pins, every time we liked the radial or 3/8x10 versions better.
If you have a cue or a shaft already with the pin you have vs looking for a new one, it won't matter much. I have not seen the quick release cues come undone personally, but I have seen several people complain about a loose shaft, which I looked at and found that they did not actually screw it in tight enough. Once I "fixed" it for them LOL, they used it the rest of the night without issues.
It has nothing to do with the joint!
It’s the face of the butt or shaft
How else can you explain all the cues with Uni-Loc joints that work flawlessly for 25+ years?
Take your cue to a reputable repair man and have them re-face the butt and shaft and guaranteed your cue will no longer come loose!
It was either here on this forum or on youtube in which a few uni-loc users were talking about the joint occasionally loosening. One mentioned that he checks for the joint being tight as a part of his pre-shot routine due to it loosening so often. Someone else mentioned that getting it too tight can eventually cause problems. I'll take the advice given here which will be to simply twist it tighter and not be concerned about potential issues down the road.
Any thoughts on why? Piloted steel joint vs flat face perhaps?
I'm sure there are several reasons but since I am neither a cuemaker or a material scientist I don't want to guess LOL
I just know it is when we played with them, 4-5 cues, every case we liked the hit of the large pin vs the quick release one.
DeeDeeCues
Well-known member
A screw that doesn't hold things together. Should tell you all you need to know right there.
If not, I'll put it another way: It has ONE job.
If not, I'll put it another way: It has ONE job.
Zero problems with my P3 & Roadline Uni-loc's. Its shafts are Revo, Cynergy, OB1. I always keep the threads super clean. I have to use less pressure to tighten it than my other joints, otherwise its hard to get off.
My large pin Mezz Wavy feels more like a one-piece cue than the Uni-loc. On the other hand, I think my Uni-loc feels more solid than my 5/16 x 14's. So no it doesn't affect the performance, just a different feel.
My large pin Mezz Wavy feels more like a one-piece cue than the Uni-loc. On the other hand, I think my Uni-loc feels more solid than my 5/16 x 14's. So no it doesn't affect the performance, just a different feel.
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