Snooker Cue Shaft Materials

[Ninja.cues]

I will be staying another thread of my cues, when I get round to unloading my pics again...

[paul_b]

Hi Ninja, I look forward to seeing your thread. Please let me know when you have uploaded some images to it. Thanks Paul

[Ninja.cues]

Hi Paul, I will try to remember but have the memory of a pissed goldfish on a good day and don't have many of them lol.
It's Colin

[vmax]

Beech shaft with zebrano butt and ekki splice

https://www.flickr.com/photos/vmax4steve/shares/mE0YAw

[paul_b]

Hi Paul, I will try to remember but have the memory of a pissed goldfish on a good day and don't have many of them lol.
It's Colin

No worries Colin, I'll keep a look out for it. Thanks Paul

[paul_b]

Beech shaft with zebrano butt and ekki splice

https://www.flickr.com/photos/vmax4steve/shares/mE0YAw

vmax, that cue is pretty fricking awesome. In terms of playability, how does a beech shaft compare to ash and maple?

[vmax]

vmax, that cue is pretty fricking awesome. In terms of playability, how does a beech shaft compare to ash and maple?

Beech is as good as both. I had a knock with this cue after I made it and made a 72 despite it being too short for me, my own cue is 61 & 1/2 inches long compared to this 57 incher so my action felt quite cramped, but the cues response was as good as anything I've tried.
I'd recomend a beech shaft to anyone

[Ninja.cues]

Beech is as good as both. I had a knock with this cue after I made it and made a 72 despite it being too short for me, my own cue is 61 & 1/2 inches long compared to this 57 incher so my action felt quite cramped, but the cues response was as good as anything I've tried.
I'd recomend a beech shaft to anyone

I agree with how a beech shaft plays and hope to be pricing one up for someone.

[paul_b]

Beech is as good as both. I had a knock with this cue after I made it and made a 72 despite it being too short for me, my own cue is 61 & 1/2 inches long compared to this 57 incher so my action felt quite cramped, but the cues response was as good as anything I've tried.
I'd recomend a beech shaft to anyone

That is really interesting (to me anyway). Did you choose beech or was the cue made to a customers specification? Also, why do you think that woods other than ash and maple are not used more? Is it down to cost? Or, is it down to the fact that ash and maple are easier to work with? Or, is it down to sustainability? Or, is it a combination of these factors? You can call me weird if you like, but I find this whole subject absolutely fascinating.

[itx]

Colin, did you get the pm that I sent you?

Thanks.

[Ninja.cues]

Colin, did you get the pm that I sent you?

Thanks.

Yes I did and answered it.

[itx]

Snooker Cue Shaft Materials

I've just seen it, thanks.

[vmax]

That is really interesting (to me anyway). Did you choose beech or was the cue made to a customers specification? Also, why do you think that woods other than ash and maple are not used more? Is it down to cost? Or, is it down to the fact that ash and maple are easier to work with? Or, is it down to sustainability? Or, is it a combination of these factors? You can call me weird if you like, but I find this whole subject absolutely fascinating.

I chose beech as an experiment because a member on the forum (pottr) mentioned that his grandad has a beech cue which intrigued me and it turned out great. I don't make cues to order as the customer is always wrong or picky or a poor player blaming his cue and subsequently me if his game doesn't improve.

Beech is the easiest timber I've worked with, it planes really well without tearing, is really smooth when finished and has a stiffer feel for the same taper than ash or maple so you can taper a tad thinner which suits some players. It's as readily available as ash or maple and cheaper.
I've made three beech cues so far and haven't shifted any of them, why ? well all three are out of the norm with beech shafts, none are the usual ebony/rosewood butts and none are badged, yet.

[paul_b]

I chose beech as an experiment because a member on the forum (pottr) mentioned that his grandad has a beech cue which intrigued me and it turned out great. I don't make cues to order as the customer is always wrong or picky or a poor player blaming his cue and subsequently me if his game doesn't improve.

Beech is the easiest timber I've worked with, it planes really well without tearing, is really smooth when finished and has a stiffer feel for the same taper than ash or maple so you can taper a tad thinner which suits some players. It's as readily available as ash or maple and cheaper.
I've made three beech cues so far and haven't shifted any of them, why ? well all three are out of the norm with beech shafts, none are the usual ebony/rosewood butts and none are badged, yet.

Thank you for your answer. Would it be possible for me to see some pictures of your beech cues?

[vmax]

Thank you for your answer. Would it be possible for me to see some pictures of your beech cues?

one at 57 1/4 inches long-- 17.3 oz's--30mm diameter butt-- 17 inch balance point--9mm ferrule

one at 58 1/2 inches long-- 18 oz's -- 30mm diameter butt -- 18 inch balance point --9.4mm ferrule

both have the same butt design of two long iroko splices, two regular wenge splices and two short amargo amargo splices, both have 6 inch ipe tabaca mini butts.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/vmax4steve/shares/rXw7Q0