Snooker cue tip shape (flatter vs domed)...

[SouthPaw]

I've been researching the ideal tip shape for snooker with mixed opinions after reading some threads of late... I came across this diagram on another website http://www.snookergames.co.uk/tuition4.html... It got me thinking maybe i shape my tips too flat(pictured below) and if tip hardness dictates the ideal convex you should have on your snooker cue tip... For example an elkmaster in theory will compress more that a phoenix hard, so does that mean you could get away with a reasonable flat elkmaster tip but the phoenix wouldn't be so forgiving using spin etc..?

If you don't mind I'd like to know your thoughts on this matter, also regarding what tip you use for snooker and how you shape it etc? Thanks in advance...


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[sberry]

you should use the same tip for all games and while compression does happen it won't be that massive unless you have a sponge on the end of your cue

a well rounded 10mm elk is all you need but it is said that you should use what you are happy with, if you don't hit the white off-centre much then flat is fine

if you want to test what works best for you put the blue on it's spot and the white a foot away and aim to put the blue in top right and screw white back into bottom left, once you can repeat that move the white to two feet away and eventually have the white on the baulk line and pot the blue in top right and screw back into bottom left - miscues will tell you what suits, if your cue action isn't up to it then it don't matter anyway

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[SouthPaw]

if you want to test what works best for you put the blue on it's spot and the white a foot away and aim to put the blue in top right and screw white back into bottom left, once you can repeat that move the white to two feet away and eventually have the white on the baulk line and pot the blue in top right and screw back into bottom left - miscues will tell you what suits, if your cue action isn't up to it then it don't matter anyway

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Cheers for that, I'll give that a try out of curiosity! Another reason i thought about this topic... was watching the uk and noticing the majority of players have very rounded tips, i know you can't really compare yourself against their game but still it made me think...

[rightoncue89]

Snooker cue tip shape (flatter vs domed)...

i posted a something in a similar thread recently about my experience.

when i do my tips (elks) i compress them first in a vice, i find this helps the tip bed in quicker and is slightly firmer than normal, without being too hard.

i did always used to have my tip fairly flat though,
after it was completely bedded in i would only trim the edges and burnish them, i wouldnt really bother shaping the top.

but i also have my tip quite shallow and i was going through way too many tips, so i decided id leave it abit higher than usual and more rounded, and it was the best thing i have done.

the action i can get on the cue ball is much better and feels effortless.

i still compress my elks to get a firmer feel even when the tip is more rounded, i am however going to give adrs tips a try and see how i get on with them but i know now that i will never go back to a flatter tip shape

[rightoncue89]

Snooker cue tip shape (flatter vs domed)...

iv actually got a friends cue here ready to re-tip for him so i will put up a pic when iv done it to share how i have found works best for me

[SouthPaw]

iv actually got a friends cue here ready to re-tip for him so i will put up a pic when iv done it to share how i have found works best for me

That would be great mate... I've also noticed some players soak their pressed leather tips in milk which is meant to harden them as well...

[rightoncue89]

Yeah ive heard about that, 'milk duds' i beoieve they are called, i have heard it makes them significantly harder though so iv never tried it, i just compress them to get a slightly firmer feel, it seems to help with the inconsistency of elks.

Heres the tip iv just done, i forgot to mention i also tap the tip with a mallet for around 15 minutes after initial shaping, then reshape it and do it again before final shaping, along with compressing it before hand this tip shouldnt change shape too much, it will end up a little shallower after a few hours of playing and the last reshaping but it wont change as much as it usually would.

[RogiBear]

That would be great mate... I've also noticed some players soak their pressed leather tips in milk which is meant to harden them as well...

I had a go at the milk duds a couple of months ago with some elks, i much preferred them to normal as I find pressed tips too soft, although i still use laminated

[coomsey76]

Yeah ive heard about that, 'milk duds' i beoieve they are called, i have heard it makes them significantly harder though so iv never tried it, i just compress them to get a slightly firmer feel, it seems to help with the inconsistency of elks.

I had a go at the milk duds a couple of months ago with some elks, i much preferred them to normal as I find pressed tips too soft, although i still use laminated

I'm curious, does doing that to the tip make it that much better.....??

Surely rather than going through the effort of soaking them in milk it'd be easier to buy a harder tip from the start.....

[SouthPaw]

I'm curious, does doing that to the tip make it that much better.....??

Surely rather than going through the effort of soaking them in milk it'd be easier to buy a harder tip from the start.....

I think the general consensuses seems to be since pressed tips are made with blue or green chalk during the manufacturing process they hold chalk better with this milk malarkey than hard laminates, i found this earlier which explains someones reasoning on the matter... http://www.gladiators-usa.com/MILK%2...CUE%20TIPS.htm

Rogibear: I was thinking of trying this milk dud procedure on an elk i have over christmas, exactly how long did you soak the tip and how did it turn out for you? Cheers

[RogiBear]

I'm curious, does doing that to the tip make it that much better.....??

Surely rather than going through the effort of soaking them in milk it'd be easier to buy a harder tip from the start.....

Not enough for me to do it more than the once lol

I think the general consensuses seems to be since pressed tips are made with blue or green chalk during the manufacturing process they hold chalk better with this milk malarkey than hard laminates, i found this earlier which explains someones reasoning on the matter... http://www.gladiators-usa.com/MILK%2...CUE%20TIPS.htm

Rogibear: I was thinking of trying this milk dud procedure on an elk i have over christmas, exactly how long did you soak the tip and how did it turn out for you? Cheers

I soaked for 30mins and dried in a coolish oven for 10mins the rest was natural drying time. Started with 5 tips 2 were useable afterwards

[coomsey76]

I think the general consensuses seems to be since pressed tips are made with blue or green chalk during the manufacturing process they hold chalk better with this milk malarkey than hard laminates, i found this earlier which explains someones reasoning on the matter... http://www.gladiators-usa.com/MILK%2...CUE%20TIPS.htm

Right I'm with you now bud...... Thanks for the link.

I can see what the appeal could be if makes the tip harder but holds chalk like a pressed tip.....

I'm glad I prefer a softer tip so I wouldn't have much interest in trying it out, which good cause it sounds like a whole lot of hassle!!