warped shaft(s)?

[erbilliards]

I have what are probably very ignorant questions for someone who plays as long as I have, but I still don't know the answers:

1) Is the 'roll test' actually a reliable way to tell if a shaft/butt is straight? I've heard both sides of this.

2) If a shaft is slightly warped, is there anything that can be done other than use it for kindling?

thanx for any knowledgeable answers

 

[manwon]

I have what are probably very ignorant questions for someone who plays as long as I have, but I still don't know the answers:

1) Is the 'roll test' actually a reliable way to tell if a shaft/butt is straight? I've heard both sides of this.

2) If a shaft is slightly warped, is there anything that can be done other than use it for kindling?

thanx for any knowledgeable answers

If you have a lathe there should be no test roll used, shafts and butts should be put between centers, spin it and check it with dial indicator.

If you do not have this equipment you can roll a shaft and look for variance or movement somewhere between the joint collar and the tip. However, this will not work with a butt that is wrapped, because an improperly installed wrap can cause a wobble when the butt is rolled.

Last if both parts seem straight and there is movement when assembled three possible problems could exist. The pin may not be straight, the insert or the bored and threaded hole in the shaft is not straight, or the facing of the joint collars of the butt and the shaft are out of alignment. Any or all of these problems can exist individually or combined together, in fact I have fixed cues that had all three problems at the same time.

Hope this helps.

 

[erbilliards]

thanx for the enlightenment

-dave

 

[Newton]

Craig has summed up most of the problems, but dont forget to check the
tip and ferrule.
I have customers which would like to save some bucks by installing their own tips without having a lathe and good tools.The cut the tip after install with a knife and do not make the tip flusf to ferrule and not perfectly round.
If this happends, many belive the shaft is warped when rolling it on the table, but it's actually the tip causing it.

Kent