Want a better break/jump tip? Try this.

Shawn Armstrong

Shawn Armstrong

AZB deceased - stopped posting 5/13/2022
Silver Member
I always like sharing ideas with the masses. I have been installing a home made jump/break tip for years that rivals phenolic in performance, and will not damage the cueball or felt at all.

Buy some fibre pads, the same that is used as a base on tips on ivory ferrules. Use about 7 or 8, depending on the thickness. Get some thin epoxy, and coat the fibre pads. Press the pads together, but not too tightly (but tight enought to press the "tip" flat) as to starve the layers of the glue. Let the tip dry the recommended time per the epoxy. Install and play.

They hold chalk, jump incredibly well, and fibre is definitely softer than phenolic.

Try it out. Enjoy!
 
very interesting... I'm guessing there is no issue with BCA rules on tips is there... I can't think of how its worded exactly but I don't think these would be illegal (who cares anyway) i think I may have to try it... where are you getting the pads that you are using? any particular type/kind of epoxy?
 
ugotactionTX said:
very interesting... I'm guessing there is no issue with BCA rules on tips is there... I can't think of how its worded exactly but I don't think these would be illegal (who cares anyway) i think I may have to try it... where are you getting the pads that you are using? any particular type/kind of epoxy?
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I use SB-112, by System Three. As long as it's thin, that's what matters. You would like some form of laminating epoxy - thin soaks into the pads a little better than the thicker epoxies.

You can get the pads from Atlas Billiards or Prather. I've used both. It depends on what color you want your tips to be. You can get really cool red pads from Atlas. Prather, on the other hand, sells the thicker pads, so you use less when you're making the tips. Prather has white or black. Atlas has red or black.
 
How Do You Press These While Drying Without The Epoxy Also Sticking To The Clamping Device?

Or Do You Not Clamp Them?

It Soulds Like A Cool Idea, I'm Just Confused (which Happens Alot)
 
Break tip

Shawn,

Thanks for the interesting tip (no pun intended). I'm going to give this a try along with my home made ball polisher from another AZ thread.

James
 
Shawn Armstrong said:
I always like sharing ideas with the masses. I have been installing a home made jump/break tip for years that rivals phenolic in performance,
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This begs the question.... what are the fiber pads made from?

Fred
 
Cornerman said:
This begs the question.... what are the fiber pads made from?

Fred
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DUH....THE ANSWER IS IN YOUR QUESTION....FIBER PADS ARE MADE OF FIBER.....LOL
 
as far as i can tell, it's some kind of paper. so i guess this would essentially be a wooden tip? :)

i've had great results with leather for break/jump tips. if you soak and press water buffalo tips, you can get them nearly as hard as phenolic. holds chalk a lot better and grips the cueball a lot better though.
 
FAST_N_LOOSE said:
How Do You Press These While Drying Without The Epoxy Also Sticking To The Clamping Device?

Or Do You Not Clamp Them?

It Soulds Like A Cool Idea, I'm Just Confused (which Happens Alot)
Click to expand...
Wax paper between the jaws of the vise. I use a wood vise with pine flats and wax paper.
 
Shawn Armstrong said:
Technically, paper or cotton.
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Any idea if they make it in thicker sheet stock and is commonly available (like through McMaster Carr)? Maybe it would be less work, or do you think the epoxying the pads together adds something to the equation?

Fred
 
Cornerman said:
Any idea if they make it in thicker sheet stock and is commonly available (like through McMaster Carr)? Maybe it would be less work, or do you think the epoxying the pads together adds something to the equation?

Fred
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I think the epoxy firms up the pads a little bit. I was going for a flat laminated tip that was hard, yet a little maliable. The phenolic and G10 materials are rolled, which means you're hitting against the grain when they are used as tip material. The fibre pads are flat laminated, so you're hitting with the grain. That was my thinking
 
FAST_N_LOOSE said:
How Do You Press These While Drying Without The Epoxy Also Sticking To The Clamping Device?

Or Do You Not Clamp Them?

It Soulds Like A Cool Idea, I'm Just Confused (which Happens Alot)
Click to expand...
If you're thinking of making these tips in a greater quantity, PM me and I'll tell you how to make a good jig for making these in bulk.
 
Shawn Armstrong said:
If you're thinking of making these tips in a greater quantity, PM me and I'll tell you how to make a good jig for making these in bulk.
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Are you the same one that wants anything but leather banned?

BVal
 
Shawn Armstrong said:
If you're thinking of making these tips in a greater quantity, PM me and I'll tell you how to make a good jig for making these in bulk.
Click to expand...

LET ME TRY A SMALL BATCH FIRST, AND IF I AND MY GUYS LIKE THEM, I'LL DROP YOU A PM

THANKS
 
BVal said:
Are you the same one that wants anything but leather banned?

BVal
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If I was financially motivated, do you think I'd give away my secret recipe for free? I have no stock in this. Just less damage to the cueball, and it makes a jumper work well. If, in the event, phenolics are banned, this will be a nice alternative tip for people to use. Just because I don't use one doesn't mean anyone else can't.
 
Shawn Armstrong said:
If I was financially motivated, do you think I'd give away my secret recipe for free? I have no stock in this. Just less damage to the cueball, and it makes a jumper work well. If, in the event, phenolics are banned, this will be a nice alternative tip for people to use. Just because I don't use one doesn't mean anyone else can't.
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I was just curious. I don't care what your motives are or aren't. Just seems kind of weird to me that you want ANYTHING but leather banned yet you are promting the use of something other than leather.

BVal
 
BVal said:
I was just curious. I don't care what your motives are or aren't. Just seems kind of weird to me that you want ANYTHING but leather banned yet you are promting the use of something other than leather.

BVal
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If you paid me $10 to install a piece of cardboard on the end of your cue to break with, who am I to tell you it's a bad idea?

I like the layered fibre tips more than the phenolics. I play the 2nd ball in the rack, when breaking 8-ball. This tip allows me the necessary draw to avoid the scratch, while still breaking hard. Also, the phenolic tips leave white spots on the table when you jump. These tips don't. I'm all about saving tables and cloth.
 
BVal said:
I was just curious. I don't care what your motives are or aren't. Just seems kind of weird to me that you want ANYTHING but leather banned yet you are promting the use of something other than leather.

BVal
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I'm actually trying to prompt anything but the use of phenolics. Tips come in two varieties - leather or phenolic. I would like to see one banned. If someone comes out with a material like the Future Tip, go ahead and use it. I just don't like phenolic tipped break cues or jump cues. I particularly hate G10 tips - the white lines left on the table are hideous.
 
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