What are causes of Buzz?

Bob Farr

Bob Farr

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I have two nice hitting/playing cues. Both are 5/16x14 piloted SS Jointed cues with silver rings in the collars. When hit balls with them everything is sound and solid, no noise. When I hold the cue at the handle and bump the forearm with the palm of my hand to make the shaft vibrate. I can hear a distinct buzz at the joint? I'm pretty sure it's an issue with the original shafts because I can put other shafts on and no buzz. Can you guys tell me what causes this and does it need to be fixed? Thanks for your help.
 
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Something is loose or there is a hollow area. Maybe the piloted joint is not tight fitting.

Kim
 
Back in my younger days a tightly rolled joint would give me a buzz.

Today if it didn't buzz when playing. I wouldn't worry about it.

Larry
 
DoubleD said:
I'm guessing that hitting on the forearm is causing it to buzz.
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Thanks but, the reason I do that is to see the bounce in the shaft like stiff - whippy etc. Just noticed the buzz when I did this and was just wondering if it's something that needs to be fixed? One cue is a Paul Mottey and the other is a Richard Black so I don't want to ignore the problem if it is a problem.
Like I said I'm pretty sure it's an issue with the shafts because other shafts screwed on are quiet.
Do the brass inserts get loose? Rings in the collar?
Thanks for the input so far.
 
Bob Farr said:
I have two nice hitting/playing cues. Both are 5/16x14 piloted SS Jointed cues with silver rings in the collars. When hit balls with them everything is sound and solid, no noise. When I hold the cue at the handle and bump the forearm with the palm of my hand to make the shaft vibrate. I can hear a distinct buzz at the joint? I'm pretty sure it's an issue with the original shafts because I can put other shafts on and no buzz. Can you guys tell me what causes this and does it need to be fixed? Thanks for your help.
Click to expand...
There is a few things I can think of. 1st. The pilots on the shafts could be not fit into the steel joint which would cause a noise when doing this. 2nd. Which I have seen a lot in cues. In the A-joint the glue has broke down and is rattling. This is usually the case. If the cue isnt making any noise when your playing I wouldnt worry.
 
Have also seen where the weight bolt is alittle loose and you hear it in the joint as the wood used for cues is usually tone wood. Check to make sure the bumper and weight bolt are tight. If they are then it is probably the steel joint, if it does not make the noise when playing with it then don't worry about it. Oh yes, quit hitting the cue on the side to watch the shaft wiggle. If you do not have a problem you can cause glue joints to break loose or worse yet I have seen cues break right below the joint with a solit hit on the side.
 
Brickcues said:
Have also seen where the weight bolt is alittle loose and you hear it in the joint as the wood used for cues is usually tone wood. Check to make sure the bumper and weight bolt are tight. If they are then it is probably the steel joint, if it does not make the noise when playing with it then don't worry about it. Oh yes, quit hitting the cue on the side to watch the shaft wiggle. If you do not have a problem you can cause glue joints to break loose or worse yet I have seen cues break right below the joint with a solit hit on the side.
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Thanks, that's good info. I'll stop smacking the forearm.
Thanks everyone for your help.
 
I've got a mottey sneaky pete...

and it's got a buzz when you cue a ball...

so, there is no "A" joint...

So, I'm thinking my buzz is in the tip/ferrule, or in the joint/insert...and maybe even in the pin or joint collars...

So, now It's an experimental cue...for me and my lathe to try to find where the problem is...

Where would any of you cue builders start...
I've gotta get it out of the safe...and see if I can distinguish if the buzz is near the ferrule, or at the joint...

anyhow, Thanks,
jwe
 
If it is in the "A" joint and it is a problem with the glue breaking down,

is there a tried and true process to repair this without completely breaking the cue down or drilling into an area?

Please advice,

thanks

Mike
 
I'm not a cue maker, but the custom titlist I bought (confirmed it is a titlist) started a faint buzz after removing the bolt to lose weight. Turns out the glue was old and dried in the butt cap. A modest application of 3M 847 solved the problem.
 
Update:
Sent the shafts to Ryan "ratcues". Had him refinish the bottom six inches of the shaft and re-tip. Buzz is gone. Thanks Ryan and everyone else for your help.
 
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