Why do I need joint protectors?

NaturalEnglish

NaturalEnglish

Banned
If I always store and carry my cues in a cue case...why do I need joint protectors? My case even has spring loaded bottoms for the butts.

Only reason I can think of is to keep the joints clean of fuzz etc. The uniloc joints are pretty tight tolerance fits.

TIA
 
To protect your joint... Even though they are in your case, tension can be placed on your joint pin alone, which over time may cause damage...
 
They have their uses....

NaturalEnglish said:
If I always store and carry my cues in a cue case...why do I need joint protectors? My case even has spring loaded bottoms for the butts.

Only reason I can think of is to keep the joints clean of fuzz etc. The uniloc joints are pretty tight tolerance fits.

TIA
Click to expand...
When I first started playing pool, about 45 years ago, no one I knew had joint protectors. Maybe they hadn't been invented yet? Anyway, I don't recall anyone having any problems with their cues as a result of NOT having joint protectors. That being said, there are a couple of reasons for using them. One, as you said, is to keep the joint areas clean. Uni-loc joints have been known to get stuck together with only a little help from foreign substances. Also, if you were to drop the butt of the cue and it hit a hard floor pin or screw first, the pin or screen would likely get bent and would need repair. Also, if your cue has exposed wood at the joint, the joint protectors help prevent moisture or other substances from being absorbed by the wood. Finally, joint protectors can add a decorative touch to your cue if they are attractively made. And then, it just looks kind of cool to unscrew your joint protectors and stash them in your case as you get ready to play.
 
The shaft side of the joint is brass and the butt side is SS. I think this is pretty common. Brass and SS tend to gawl easliy. I put some silicon grease in the threads to keep from gawling....but that also tends to pickup dust and lint. So the protectors will help keep them clean. Answering my own question....haha
 
When I had the uni-locks i had to use them as they would freeze up if some dust or chalk particle would get in the joints.

I think the may reason alot of people dont use them is becaue they are too lazy to take the on and off all the time, at least thats my excuse now.:D
 
I use them on my uni-loc joint cues, just to keep the dust and dirt out. Before using them I would have to spend an hour every month or so cleaning the joint out to keep it from getting jammed up. I don't currently use any jp's on my other cues, but I probably will if I ever get around to making them.
 
JP's

I have played 45 years, and never have had one problem by not having joint protectors. I think some of them look very nice, but if your cue is well made to begin with, I really don't think they are necessary. A little dust, if it happens to get in there, can usually be easily blowed out without much trouble.

I, personally, think it is a pain to have to take them off and put them back on each time you play. (I have had some for short periods of time).
Especially in a big tournament where you are putting your stick together and breaking it down several times inbetween matches.

They kind of fall into the same category as a 'bra' on my car, or jewelry on me .... lol
 
Snapshot9 said:
I have played 45 years, and never have had one problem by not having joint protectors. I think some of them look very nice, but if your cue is well made to begin with, I really don't think they are necessary. A little dust, if it happens to get in there, can usually be easily blowed out without much trouble.

I, personally, think it is a pain to have to take them off and put them back on each time you play. (I have had some for short periods of time).
Especially in a big tournament where you are putting your stick together and breaking it down several times inbetween matches.

They kind of fall into the same category as a 'bra' on my car, or jewelry on me .... lol
Click to expand...

I agree....if you have a good case and you clean your cue they are not necessary. I've never heard of someone messing up their cue by not using them. With that said, I use the butt JPs so I can go joint first into the case and not worry about bending the pin. But JPs are mostly "accessories" to me.
 
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About two weeks after I bought my new McDermott, I took the shaft out of the case to shape the tip. Somehow I wound up scaping the ring at the joint against the block wall of my basement workbench. Very small chip, only I know it's there, but that was enough warning. Now, unless I'm at the table, the j/p's are on.
 
I always thought they were for protecting the joints. ;)

Actually I have seen a few old cues with tiny little chips missing at the joints edge. It makes me feel sad for the cues. So, I am a fan of joint protectors.
 
billyjack said:
About two weeks after I bought my new McDermott, I took the shaft out of the case to shape the tip. Somehow I wound up scaping the ring at the joint against the block wall of my basement workbench. Very small chip, only I know it's there, but that was enough warning. Now, unless I'm at the table, the j/p's are on.
Click to expand...

Exactly the same thing happened to me... I was replacing the tip - gutted! :(
 
Joint protectors are one of those things..... you dont need them until you need them. There are people that go a lifetime and never have a use for them, other than increasing the time it takes getting their cue out of their case and putting it together. But if you ever drop the butt of your cue and it lands pin first, you will kick yourself in the rear for not spending the 15 bucks on a set. Ive been there, and it was around 50-60 to replace the pin if memory serves me correct. Its cheap insurance for your cue from bent pins, the possibility of moisture getting into the joint, and chipping the finish on the joint collars. Hey....... everybody got a gris gris. :D
Chuck
 
I always thought joint protectors were just another gadget for some one to make a $$. No problem with that everyone needs to make a living.
Next it will be protectors to protect the protectors. jmo

Steve
 
I accidentally dropped my case a couple a weeks ago, i thought i went Ok until a came inside an took the cues out. One of the cues had cracked at the joint pin. The cue that broke did not have joint protectors on it, the other one had. And my case is not a cheap one, but i guess the two foot drop was enough to do the damage. Lucky for me it was a Meucci :-)
 
they make it so you can put your cue in the case pin first without poking a hole in the bottom of it.
 
Donovan said:
I always thought they were for protecting the joints. ;)

Actually I have seen a few old cues with tiny little chips missing at the joints edge. It makes me feel sad for the cues. So, I am a fan of joint protectors.
Click to expand...

That is the biggest reason for them. My personal cue has a few ticks on the edge of the joint at least partly because I did not always use jp's with it. I don't remember dropping it or a specific event causing them, but they are in the place that jp's would protect.

If you want to take the best care of your personal playing cue, buy and use joint protectors. If you don't want to take the best care of your personal playing cue, be cheap, save yourself the few bucks, and don't buy them knowing you will take a chance in damage that COULD POSSIBLY have been prevented with them. It is as simple as that.

Kelly
 
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