What's The Real Problem?

[POCKETWOLF]

I see a lot of cues for sale with a "slight taper roll". I find it hard to believe that every one of these cues has a taper issue. What is the best way to tell between a taper roll, warped shaft, ferrule issue, or facing problem? Impossible to determine without a cue in hand- but how do you tell if examining the cue in hand? And people, please stop blaming the taper, it really can't defend itself and it's not fair! SAVE THE TAPER

 

[ShootingArts]

generally the cue is straight

I see a lot of cues for sale with a "slight taper roll". I find it hard to believe that every one of these cues has a taper issue. What is the best way to tell between a taper roll, warped shaft, ferrule issue, or facing problem? Impossible to determine without a cue in hand- but how do you tell if examining the cue in hand? And people, please stop blaming the taper, it really can't defend itself and it's not fair! SAVE THE TAPER

"Slight taper roll" usually means the cue is straight but the wrap or the joint being a few seconds off of square might give it a microscopic wobble rolling it on the table and the seller doesn't want to listen to any whines about largely imaginary imperfections.


Of course occasionally you get the seller that has a cue that closely resembles a boomerang and describes that as a slight taper roll too!

Hu

 

[pooltableproCP]

I see a lot of cues for sale with a "slight taper roll". I find it hard to believe that every one of these cues has a taper issue. What is the best way to tell between a taper roll, warped shaft, ferrule issue, or facing problem? Impossible to determine without a cue in hand- but how do you tell if examining the cue in hand? And people, please stop blaming the taper, it really can't defend itself and it's not fair! SAVE THE TAPER

Send me all the cues in you sig. line and I will determine what's warped or straight.

 

[POCKETWOLF]

Send me all the cues in you sig. line and I will determine what's warped or straight.

You send me yours first, including the latest FOUR, and it's a deal:}

 

[pdcue]

I see a lot of cues for sale with a "slight taper roll". I find it hard to believe that every one of these cues has a taper issue. What is the best way to tell between a taper roll, warped shaft, ferrule issue, or facing problem? Impossible to determine without a cue in hand- but how do you tell if examining the cue in hand? And people, please stop blaming the taper, it really can't defend itself and it's not fair! SAVE THE TAPER

Please stop rolling cues.

All the above can be determined by sighting
down the cue as you would with a rifle.

Dale

 

[ABall]

People are way to picky about the cue rolling perfectly staight on a pool table. If I can't tell when I'm shooting, then it doesn't matter how the cue rolls. I guess it's different for cue collectors as opposed to players.

 

[Fast Lenny]

People are way to picky about the cue rolling perfectly staight on a pool table. If I can't tell when I'm shooting, then it doesn't matter how the cue rolls. I guess it's different for cue collectors as opposed to players.

I agree,as long as the tip doesnt lift from the table it is straight enough for me and i have seen players play with cues that did lift and they still ran out.

 

[McChen]

i agree with dale, sighting down the cue is the best way to determine straightness, that's how i've always done it.

 

[Johnnyt]

I get a kick out of the guys that roll the cue on the table with the bumper on and sticking over the edge of the butt. Johnnyt

 

[Bigjohn]

I agree,as long as the tip doesnt lift from the table it is straight enough for me and i have seen players play with cues that did lift and they still ran out.

I agree!... I have, for more years than I care to mention, always rolled it on the pool table, if the tip does not lift. It's straight enough for me. Trying to sight down the cue does nothing for me. In fact, I recently sent a shaft back to one of our top cue makers that I had just received with my new cue and questioned him about "taper roll". Only because all I hear today is taper roll this and taper roll that. His response was, Quote; "(I think taper roll is a term that was invented on AZ billiards. I wish I had 5000 just like this one)"

 

[Johnnyt]

I agree!... I have, for more years than I care to mention, always rolled it on the pool table, if the tip does not lift. It's straight enough for me. Trying to sight down the cue does nothing for me. In fact, I recently sent a shaft back to one of our top cue makers that I had just received with my new cue and questioned him about "taper roll". Only because all I hear today is taper roll this and taper roll that. His response was, Quote; "(I think taper roll is a term that was invented on AZ billiards. I wish I had 5000 just like this one)"

LMAO...invented on AZBILLIARDS. Johnnyt

 

[POCKETWOLF]

Are You Serious

Please stop rolling cues.

All the above can be determined by sighting
down the cue as you would with a rifle.

Dale

Please stop rolling cues? Why? Am i doing the pool world an injustice by rolling a shaft to determine if there is a problem? As a collecter in the infant stages, AND a player, I was looking for an answer- not an opinion. You continue "sighting down the shaft like a rifle", but i do know if you can see the bend by this method, the problem may be worse than you think. Sorry if i offended anyone, guess i need more coffee. Please remember, and this applies to pretty much everything in life, just because you see everyone else doing it one way, it doesn't mean it's the right way.

 

[ShootingArts]

rolling cues

Please stop rolling cues? Why? Am i doing the pool world an injustice by rolling a shaft to determine if there is a problem? As a collecter in the infant stages, AND a player, I was looking for an answer- not an opinion. You continue "sighting down the shaft like a rifle", but i do know if you can see the bend by this method, the problem may be worse than you think. Sorry if i offended anyone, guess i need more coffee. Please remember, and this applies to pretty much everything in life, just because you see everyone else doing it one way, it doesn't mean it's the right way.

If you see motion rolling a cue, you know that the two surfaces in contact are not perfectly straight or convex. You don't know that a cue is warped unless it is warped to a ridiculous level that can be seen looking down it. Sight down the cue, roll it together and separately. If it seems called for roll it with the butt on the table and a point near the joint on the rail. By the simple method of leverage you are magnifying any imperfections and a tiny speck of chalk on the table in the wrong place or a tiny ball in a linen wrap can make a major wobble when rolling a stick flat on a table. Neither pool table tops or most other surfaces are completely level, so that is another issue.

Examine sticks closely and don't be quick to jump to conclusions. Determining what is causing a wobble, if any, is the key to knowing if you want to buy the stick and how much to pay.

Hu

 

[RRfireblade]

Please stop rolling cues.

All the above can be determined by sighting
down the cue as you would with a rifle.

Dale

No you can't. As a competive Archer I can tell you that sighting down a cylinder is probably the worst possible way to determine true straightness.

 

[Bigjohn]

No you can't. As a competive Archer I can tell you that sighting down a cylinder is probably the worst possible way to determine true straightness.

Exactly!... I laugh when I see people doing this to check straightness.

 

[manwon]

I see a lot of cues for sale with a "slight taper roll". I find it hard to believe that every one of these cues has a taper issue. What is the best way to tell between a taper roll, warped shaft, ferrule issue, or facing problem? Impossible to determine without a cue in hand- but how do you tell if examining the cue in hand? And people, please stop blaming the taper, it really can't defend itself and it's not fair! SAVE THE TAPER

Like other posters have said many things can cause this problem, IE, the wrap, the Bumper, the facing at the joint, the pin being off center more than two thousands, or the insert or threads not being true or even improper finish.

If you are going to roll the cue, first roll it apart roll it toward a light source. Now due to the butt and shaft taper you may of may not see any light under the butt or shaft. If you see light it is OK, as far roll, look from front to back for any uneven movement. Now if you see none assemble the cue and repeat the procedure. If there is movement forward or backward of the cues joint the facing, pin, or insert is most likely the problem. However, it still could be the wrap or finish but to determine this you would need to place the shaft and butt between centers and spin it.
While spinning you would need to check it with a Dial Indicator to find the exact location of the problem.

I agree that a cue should not roll off, and I also understand that the only way most people can check the roll is by rolling it on a table. I personally insure that my cues will roll straight on a table before they leave my shop because I know this is how the average person checks them. I have found that many times all I need to do is repress the wrap or other minor things to correct a roll. For me this is to easy, and if it makes people happy and comfortable with my cues it is a small price to pay, because satisfaction and giving your customers what they want is what it is all about.

Just my thoughts!!!

 

[POCKETWOLF]

Like other posters have said many things can cause this problem, IE, the wrap, the Bumper, the facing at the joint, the pin being off center more than two thousands, or the insert or threads not being true or even improper finish.

If you are going to roll the cue, first roll it apart roll it toward a light source. Now due to the butt and shaft taper you may of may not see any light under the butt or shaft. If you see light it is OK, as far roll, look from front to back for any uneven movement. Now if you see none assemble the cue and repeat the procedure. If there is movement forward or backward of the cues joint the facing, pin, or insert is most likely the problem. However, it still could be the wrap or finish but to determine this you would need to place the shaft and butt between centers and spin it.
While spinning you would need to check it with a Dial Indicator to find the exact location of the problem.

I agree that a cue should not roll off, and I also understand that the only way most people can check the roll is by rolling it on a table. I personally insure that my cues will roll straight on a table before they leave my shop because I know this is how the average person checks them. I have found that many times all I need to do is repress the wrap or other minor things to correct a roll. For me this is to easy, and if it makes people happy and comfortable with my cues it is a small price to pay, because satisfaction and giving your customers what they want is what it is all about.

Just my thoughts!!!

Thanks MANWON, I apreciate the knowledge. The thought that people still determine straightness by looking down the cue is like kicking the tires on a vette to see if it's a good car. My main focus is shaft wobble, but your answers were helpful.