What does the term flat faced pin mean?

dcb1

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I've heard the term many times but don't know what it means. I think I've heard someone say a 3/8 x 10 flat faced pin. Can someone explain it to me.

Thanks.
 
I've heard the term many times but don't know what it means. I think I've heard someone say a 3/8 x 10 flat faced pin. Can someone explain it to me.

Thanks.

its very easy
a flat faced joint regardless of pin means the surface of the joint is flat and so is the surface of the shaft
a piloted jointed ( most commonly a 5/16-14 or 5/16-18) cue means there is a depression the the joint surface and part that "sticks out" in the shaft
this link see how the surface of the joint is flat
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=278728
thats a flat faced joint
usually the pins are radial or 3/8x10 or 11
not sure about unilock
 
Flat faced 3/8x10 pin. Bottom cue.Top cue is a uni loc
 

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Just for clarification: A flat faced shaft can be used on a piloted butt, but a piloted shaft cannot be used on on a flat faced butt (without modification).
 
Just for clarification: A flat faced shaft can be used on a piloted butt, but a piloted shaft cannot be used on on a flat faced butt (without modification).


You just confused the OP.:rolleyes:

Or if he got it, I don't know how he did. bbb described a flat-faced JOINT. In fact all you guys are describing JOINTS. :) The OP asked about flat-faced PINS. Either there is not such thing as a flat-faced PIN, or if there is it's probably something like a SW pin, wherein it's tip is flat. A flat-faced PIN is not a flat-faced JOINT.

And a piloted butt and flat-faced shaft don't fit unless the pin and thread match. And the pin of a piloted sometimes barely breaks the surface, so it would be chancy to even try such a thing if you could. Piloted pins screw into a brass casing in the shaft, while a flat-faced shaft's core is threaded and is bare wood. But as you say, modifications would have to be made, so really your point is MOOT.

I think I just confused the OP even more but it's not my fault. :) :) :)
If the OP is mistaken in his terminology, then the question to the OP is, "are you talking about the metal pin itself, or are you talking about the construction of the joint and their connecting surfaces?"
 
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You just confused the OP.:rolleyes:

Or if he got it, I don't know how he did. bbb described a flat-faced JOINT. In fact all you guys are describing JOINTS. :) The OP asked about flat-faced PINS. Either there is not such thing as a flat-faced PIN, or if there is it's probably something like a SW pin, wherein it's tip is flat. A flat-faced PIN is not a flat-faced JOINT.

And a piloted butt and flat-faced shaft don't fit unless the pin and thread match. And the pin of a piloted barely breaks the surface, so it would be chancy to even try such a thing if you could. Piloted pins screw into a brass casing in the shaft, while a flat-faced shaft's core is threaded and is bare wood. But as you say, modifications would have to be made, so really your point is MOOT.

I think I just confused the OP even more but it's not my fault. :) :) :)
If the OP is mistaken in his terminology, then the question to the OP is, "are you talking about the metal pin itself, or are you talking about the construction of the joint and their connecting surfaces?"

Great post kept me from doing so..
Rep heading your way
 
its very easy
a flat faced joint regardless of pin means the surface of the joint is flat and so is the surface of the shaft
a piloted jointed ( most commonly a 5/16-14 or 5/16-18) cue means there is a depression the the joint surface and part that "sticks out" in the shaft
this link see how the surface of the joint is flat
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=278728
thats a flat faced joint
usually the pins are radial or 3/8x10 or 11
not sure about unilock

lalouie and tattoo
what did you say about not talking about pins???

:confused:
 
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I tought some the tops of the pin was flat 3/8=10's ?
and some are round like the 3/8-10 Mc D' pins.

One is round and the other is flat ...
 

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The poster my have picked up the incorrect term in stating pin, I would imagine in someone was talking about flat faced, they were referring the joint. IMO of course.
 
The poster my have picked up the incorrect term in stating pin, I would imagine in someone was talking about flat faced, they were referring the joint. IMO of course.

i agree with you here sir...but figured he might of been talking about the pin itself....:grin:
 
My interpretation was that he read "flat faced big pin" and somehow it got shorted to "flat faced pin", or someone posted just has he said by mistake. I think either way it's been answered.

Dave
 
I'm the OP and I think I got it now. So a flat-faced joint is one that the joint around the pin is flush with no place for the piece on the shaft to fit into. I believe if the shaft has a metal insert in the threads, it is referred to as piloted.

My Players cue has a 5/16 x 18 flat faced joint but it is piloted. I think there are metal threads in the shaft.

I think Schons are 5/16 x 14 and also piloted and not flat faced because the metal piece on the shaft fits into the opening on the joint around the pin.

It also sounds like flat-faced pin means the tip of the pin is flat vs. rounded. That was a new one to me, but it makes sense.

Thanks for the education.
 
I'm the OP and I think I got it now. So a flat-faced joint is one that the joint around the pin is flush with no place for the piece on the shaft to fit into. I believe if the shaft has a metal insert in the threads, it is referred to as piloted.

My Players cue has a 5/16 x 18 flat faced joint but it is piloted. I think there are metal threads in the shaft.

I think Schons are 5/16 x 14 and also piloted and not flat faced because the metal piece on the shaft fits into the opening on the joint around the pin.

It also sounds like flat-faced pin means the tip of the pin is flat vs. rounded. That was a new one to me, but it makes sense.

Thanks for the education.

A cuebuilder can concoct all sorts of joint and pin combos, but a piloted and flat-faced are two different things entirely. I cannot envision
"My Players cue has a 5/16 x 18 flat faced joint but it is piloted." You have a 5/16 18 PIN. You might have a flat-faced joint with a traditional screw/brass insert pin, but FF is FF and piloted is piloted. When you talk "joint" you're talking about how the shaft and butt interface, the pin describes how they screw together. Things like ivory, SS, or phenolic describe the material. ie, piloted ivory joint or ivory FF. A "phenolic" collar has been the traditional material used in an FF, so usually when a person just says FF they also mean the phenolic material.

Realizm's photo of his two cues....the one on the right is a piloted ivory joint. The one on the left I was going to say FF joint with an ivory collar(ie it's not a full ivory FF), however it's not fully FF since it looks like there might be room for the shaft to have a nipple that slots into that area around the pin, but I would have to see the shaft to say for sure.
 
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