Review MAC CUE Laminated Shaft ( maple )...

[Rebellion]

I'm wondering why these cues are more expensive than hand selected ash or maple?
Someone told me that a custom can cost more than a Parris Ultimate.
Are cue makes creaming new technology of first adopters?

I'm wondering this too. I can't remember the last time I spoke to a cue maker who wasn't vexed over the availability of quality shaft timber.
At one point MW's site stated that 90% of the A-grade ash he was viewing in lumber yards was disregarded on sight, and a significant percentage of the acceptable ash he took home with him was then discarded later.
That kind of selection process has to be both time consuming and costly.

I can't see the same issues cropping up with what is effectively 'plywood'.
Whilst laminates are expensive in the UK, imported sheets (especially when ready formed/layered) are actually quite reasonable.
I can't see a 60"x2"x21" 'slab' of maple and walnut ply costing over £300 (even with import costs), and that could surely be cut into 10 blanks?

Your conept of the process is somewhat lacking

As is mine, I imagine.
If anyone has detailed information on the process, I would definitely like to hear it.

I have two particular areas of interest.

1) The majority of the examples I have seen from American pool companies are constructed using a radial pattern to fix their laminates (so the cross section appears as if viewed through a kaleidoscope). This apparently allows for a more uniform flex.
The snooker equivalents I have seen have all used basic flat lamination.
Is there a reason behind this, other than the aesthetics of a 'chevron-like' appearance to the shaft?

2) As someone has already mentioned, there are companies producing shafts with as many as 39 laminates.
39 layers of wood means a minimum of 38 layers of glue...
That's a lot of synthetic material in a shaft. What type of adhesive is used, and how does it affect the overall feel?

[golferson123]

lamination of the maple and walnut is nothing like laminate sheeting each side must be spot on smooth, and that's a slab of walnut of those dims you would be looking for.these shafts are only made for their looks and would not alleviate the stresses that radially laminated maple does,also these shafts mean cue makers who do this don't have to trawl for good ash as maple is blander

[Ramon]

lamination of the maple and walnut is nothing like laminate sheeting each side must be spot on smooth, and that's a slab of walnut of those dims you would be looking for.these shafts are only made for their looks and would not alleviate the stresses that radially laminated maple does,also these shafts mean cue makers who do this don't have to trawl for good ash as maple is blander

is true, they are not made in the same way!!
to be honest, I have tried them both, and I did'nt notice much difference in terms of playability!! but that's just me !!!
I think is not all about the shaft but also about what the cue maker does with these shafts and how the cue is be made !! imo !!

[Master Blaster]

I'm wondering this too. I can't remember the last time I spoke to a cue maker who wasn't vexed over the availability of quality shaft timber.
At one point MW's site stated that 90% of the A-grade ash he was viewing in lumber yards was disregarded on sight, and a significant percentage of the acceptable ash he took home with him was then discarded later.
That kind of selection process has to be both time consuming and costly.

I can't see the same issues cropping up with what is effectively 'plywood'.
Whilst laminates are expensive in the UK, imported sheets (especially when ready formed/layered) are actually quite reasonable.
I can't see a 60"x2"x21" 'slab' of maple and walnut ply costing over £300 (even with import costs), and that could surely be cut into 10 blanks?



As is mine, I imagine.
If anyone has detailed information on the process, I would definitely like to hear it.

I have two particular areas of interest.

1) The majority of the examples I have seen from American pool companies are constructed using a radial pattern to fix their laminates (so the cross section appears as if viewed through a kaleidoscope). This apparently allows for a more uniform flex.
The snooker equivalents I have seen have all used basic flat lamination.
Is there a reason behind this, other than the aesthetics of a 'chevron-like' appearance to the shaft?

2) As someone has already mentioned, there are companies producing shafts with as many as 39 laminates.
39 layers of wood means a minimum of 38 layers of glue...
That's a lot of synthetic material in a shaft. What type of adhesive is used, and how does it affect the overall feel?

Great post. I was also wondering if the laminate in snooker cues is inferior to that in US pool cues because of the radial nature and all those 39 layers. Not sure. I guess an expert is needed here. On the question of cost, yeah, being able to glue sheets of maple and walnut and being able to do it with most of the tree must surely make for a material that isn't more expensive than selected billets of maple no? Unless the makers are making very small quantities of the sheet? Because there should be less waste in theory.

[Master Blaster]

*and apart from chevrons, why is walnut in there? It's not in the pool shaft and I can't see it serving any purpose and maybe actually making the shaft worse. Walnut hasn't used in snooker shaft making to my knowledge, only ash, hornbeam, pear, apple and maple. What would be wrong in making the shaft out of maple alone? Could it be better?

[jrc750]

*and apart from chevrons, why is walnut in there? It's not in the pool shaft and I can't see it serving any purpose and maybe actually making the shaft worse. Walnut hasn't used in snooker shaft making to my knowledge, only ash, hornbeam, pear, apple and maple. What would be wrong in making the shaft out of maple alone? Could it be better?

Your first 4 words are the answer, it's for people who want a perfect looking shaft every time, you can even specify how many arrows/chevrons you want