Why 3/8-10?

[Cornerman]

Anyone know why 3/8-10 is the normal size for the big pin into wood? It's such an oddball size. Was that a carryover from billiards using a threaded wooden pin, which probably couldn't take a finer thread pitch?

And who came up with that pin size? For some reason, I'm thinking McDermott.

Fred

 

[macguy]

Anyone know why 3/8-10 is the normal size for the big pin into wood? It's such an oddball size. Was that a carryover from billiards using a threaded wooden pin, which probably couldn't take a finer thread pitch?

And who came up with that pin size? For some reason, I'm thinking McDermott.

Fred

I think Martin was the first I know of and there is some story of Billy Stroud copying it and getting the thread wrong. That being the current 3/8 x 10. Martin was something different. My guess as to it's actual origin would be from something like the furniture industry where it may have been an off the shelf item for attaching legs or something, (they screw direct into wood) and Martin adapted it. I hope Billy will chime in and tell his portion of the story.

 

[bstroud]

3/8-10

True story.

In 1967 I was just starting to make cues and didn't know much.
I had a flat-faced Gina in the shop and took a ruler and measured the threads on the pin. Best I could figure out was it was 10 threads/in (it really was 12t/in, a standard wood thread). I couldn't find any so I had some made.

All the players liked the way they hit so all the other cuemakers copyied my mistake.

Bill Stroud

 

[Cornerman]

True story.

In 1967 I was just starting to make cues and didn't know much.
I had a flat-faced Gina in the shop and took a ruler and measured the threads on the pin. Best I could figure out was it was 10 threads/in (it really was 12t/in, a standard wood thread). I couldn't find any so I had some made.

All the players liked the way they hit so all the other cuemakers copyied my mistake.

Bill Stroud

Awesome story, Bill. I was thinking something like this must have been what happened. Same probably with the 3/8th-11 thread. I remember Laurie Franklin saying that she thought it might come from the furniture industry. But the furniture industry to my knowledge doesn't have a 3/8ths-10 or 3/ths-11. They have 3/8ths-12, among others.

Fred <~~~ can die a happy man

 

[ABall]

How come it's not that common to see a big pin such as the 3/8-10 with a wood pilot? Wouldn't that make a really solid and snug fitting joint? I think the only cue maker I see doing something like this now is Lambros. I'd like to have a cue with a joint like this; all i shoot with now are 3/8-10.

 

[Hidy Ho]

I have a Foster cue (cuemaker from Canada) with 3/8x10 piloted joint. I also have a Murray Tucker's cue with 3/8x10 piloted joint.

A local cuemaker and I were talking about threads .. he doesn't like 3/8x11 thread used on SW because from "engineering" perspective, he doesn't believe it's strong thread (unlike 5/16x14 ACME which he said can be used in a tank). However, for holding shaft to a cue, it's good enough to do the job.

 

[manwon]

Anyone know why 3/8-10 is the normal size for the big pin into wood? It's such an oddball size. Was that a carryover from billiards using a threaded wooden pin, which probably couldn't take a finer thread pitch?

And who came up with that pin size? For some reason, I'm thinking McDermott.

Fred

Fred, I think that Harvey Martin was using this pin size, however, I do not know when he started using it.

Manwon

 

[Michael Webb]

Fred, I think that Harvey Martin was using this pin size, however, I do not know when he started using it.

Manwon

The older Martins that are worth even more money are the ones with a 3/8X8. I let the cat out of the bag, (sorry)

 

[manwon]

The older Martins that are worth even more money are the ones with a 3/8X8. I let the cat out of the bag, (sorry)

Thanks Michael, I was certain the pin size was 3/8's, but I was uncertain about the thread count, thanks for the information.

By the way, Harvey did make these pins himself on his lathe, he was certainly an innovator, I do not think most people realize how much he contributed to cue making.

Manwon

 

[Michael Webb]

Thanks Michael, I was uncertain the pin size was 3/8's, but I was uncertain about the thread count, thanks for the information.

By the way, Harvey did make these pins himself on his lathe, he was certainly an innovator, I do not think most people realize how much he contributed to cue making.

Manwon

Great contribution and he passed his knowledge on to. Bert Schrager was one example.