Unilock quick release question

bob_bushka

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I have a friend who has a Universal Smartshaft cue with a Unilock quick release joint. While he is playing the Unilock joint will loosen up on its own. Any suggestions on keeping it screwed together tight. The insert and pin all look fine. By the way it is Lunchmeat's cue of TAR fame. Thanks
 
Hey Bob,

If this is to be his daly player, and if he doen't get a new cue ever 4 months, just put a small drop of Super glue in the insert threads and make it permentent, that is what is suggested by cue and case. if he doesn't want to do this because he wants to sell the cue/shaft someday, well he's pretty much out of luck,

we sell the universal shafts, and every one we've had is very tight, we have to put the shaft in the lathe to get the insert out, he must just be unlucky and got a somewhat loose one.

When the shaft is sold, it is suggested to glue the insert in, the only reason they were made was so the seller/retailer didn't have to invest in 20 or more shafts w/ different inserts/threads, and could buy 5-10 shafts, and have 20-30 inserts and make the shafts fit any cue. Pointing out the obvious, but my point is everyone seems to not want to glue the inserts in, leaving the shafts open to this problem,

Bryan,<-------telling everyone to glue the inserts in, but wouldn't do it himself either.
 
bob_bushka said:
I have a friend who has a Universal Smartshaft cue with a Unilock quick release joint. While he is playing the Unilock joint will loosen up on its own. Any suggestions on keeping it screwed together tight. The insert and pin all look fine. By the way it is Lunchmeat's cue of TAR fame. Thanks

He's certainly not the first to have this happen. With the Uni-Loc, it's the nature of the beast. Given the vibration of a cue, it's a lot to ask of the 1 to 1 1/4 thread contact area. I'm sorry, I don't have a fix but this should be a consideration when he purchases his next cue.
 
this was a custom shaft in the universal cue line. not a universal shaft that was bought as a add-on.
 
bob_bushka said:
this was a custom shaft in the universal cue line. not a universal shaft that was bought as a add-on.


Oh, Well then what KJ said, we use uni-locs on our B/js, but have some 3/8-10 quick release we are going to try out.

We have had problems with this joint from time to time, most like it for obvious reasons of being quick, but there is alot that can go wrong with them , some have even seased (sp?) up completely, we cut apart 7 or 8 predator/lucasi's in the past year, replaced the pin w/ 3/8-10 and had some happy people.

Uni-loc, not my favorite
 
I would check to make sure both surfaces are absolutly flat and square. The pin/thread contact area hold the cue together and the faces friction keep it together. If all of the contact area isn't there it may be what is magnifying the already bad problem with uni-qr.
 
bob_bushka said:
I have a friend who has a Universal Smartshaft cue with a Unilock quick release joint. While he is playing the Unilock joint will loosen up on its own. Any suggestions on keeping it screwed together tight. The insert and pin all look fine. By the way it is Lunchmeat's cue of TAR fame. Thanks
Find a cuemaker with a precision lathe, and have that person check and (likely) reface the joint surfaces.
 
Thread engagement

I think this question came up before.
I believe there's not enough Thread engagement.. When checking out the same problem with another cue (Not to mention the brand)
Some cues have the Uni-Loc* installed with less turns (Quicker disengagement) so there's not enought threads to "Torque" and hold the vibrations of the cue when being played with.. Try counting the # of turns and compare.. that 1/8 or 1/4 turn less might be enough to affect the designed fastening engagement.. Just fot thought..
 
On anything uni loc
one thing to check before anything is done, make sure neither the screw or insert is not coming out.
 
I own several cues with Uni-Loc joints. I have never had this problem. It does sound like a facing problem, though.

I wouldn't venture to guess how many cues that I have sold in the last 5 or 6 years with the same joint. No one has ever complained about the joint not staying screwed together.

I have, however, had several that customers couldn't get un-screwed ! People tend to be dirty beings and get stuff in the joint and it seizes up.

>

d_flash
 
d_flash said:
I have, however, had several that customers couldn't get un-screwed ! People tend to be dirty beings and get stuff in the joint and it seizes up.
d_flash

This is what I tell people who have the uni-loc, once a month use a Q-tip with a little alcohol on it seeing most have it in the medicine cabinet and swirl it on the inside of the shaft insert a couple of times.
 
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