I know that installing a uni lock is somewhat harder than most others so i can partially understand why some cuemakers don't like the uni,
but what I don't get is some players saying they can't stand the hit it produces. Its not that big of a difference between the various pins
themselves. What do you cuemakers think? You can't beat the precision the uni produces.
Whatever your perceived degree of difficulty regarding the install of a Uni-Loc pin set, it's not the reason that more CMs don't use them.
The install is actually quite easy. I've done a few hundred of them.
Ironically, one of the reasons lies in your unintentional misspelling of the company's name; Uni-Loc, not unilock.
The irony is that the Uni QR pin-set has a tendency to '
lock-up', particularly when routine maintenance isn't adhered to. They need to be kept meticulously clean though I don't believe that in itself is the only reason that more CMs don't use them.
They tend to be a bit 'pricey'. The pin-set is over $20 retail + s/h.
I do a 3/8x10 pin for under $3. I buy 10ft at a time and get free s/h.
Though not necessary, I couple my pin with a phenolic insert which I feel greatly enhances the 'hit'. True, there is additional cost to me for the phenolic insert but given it's enhanced hit, it's a cost that I'm very willing to bare. I've never had one lock-up.
The Uni-Loc Radial is rapidly becoming a CMs favorite.
It too is a bit pricey but requires no insert and is very easy to install.
They are available in G-10 or stainless steel to allow for better weight distribution when building the cue.
For the sake of clarification I should state that 'Uni-Loc' is the name of the corporation. They make several different styles of pins(& inserts).
The Uni-QR is but one of them. The Uni-Radial is another. There is also the 'Ghost' and the 'Bullet' though these may be considered a variation of the 'QR'.
There is one other consideration for you to ponder. The Uni-QR has but one thread, as do the Ghost and Bullet. It's very convenient to be able to connect your shaft & handle with just one turn but that convenience comes with a cost. The cost is that it's just one thread holding your shaft to the handle. I've heard many complaints of the shaft coming loose during play.
I don't know, maybe the player should have his girl-friend put his cue together for him and he wouldn't have this problem, who knows?
Seriously, some women have very strong hands. Hopefully she'll stick around and take the cue apart for him after he's done playing.
The one thread thing has other implications. I like the secure feeling that my cue isn't going to loosen during play. I don't need or want that concern.
The abstract visual that comes to mind for me is to have the lug-nuts on your car securing the wheels with just one thread. It might work for a while.
