Alternative cue tip materials

[hildegard]

Hi, I am a new player looking to buy my first cue an I'm looking for alternatives to standard leather tips. I havn't found anything and I really don't want to use leather if I can avoid it. Is there anything available? (Doesn't really matter if it's considered worse than leather, just looking for options.)

[HIPPY147]

Ask adr147

Hi i reckon the best person to help you is ADR147
he would be able to help you

[matt926_uk]

why don't u want to use leather?

[justf]

http://www.thesnookerforum.co.uk/boa...kless-cue-tips!!!

[SouthPaw]

Alternative cue tip materials

Are you allergic to leather?

[itsnoteasy]

Could be a lifestyle choice, extreme veggie or vegan or such like .?

[hildegard]

http://www.thesnookerforum.co.uk/boa...kless-cue-tips!!!

Thank you! Do you have an opinion about these?

Could be a lifestyle choice, extreme veggie or vegan or such like .?

That is correct, I'm vegan.

[jb134]

Are you going with the traditional wooden cue?

[grey]

Thank you! Do you have an opinion about these?


That is correct, I'm vegan.

I suggest MDF or HDF. You may have to do a little experimenting with different board manufacturers as they vary in quality and consistency, but carefully selected examples could provide a surface and density very similar to that of pressed (or laminated) leather.

I think rubber or plastic may lack the necessary 'life' to be used as a cue tip. (no pun intended)

Good luck!

[vmax4steve]

I suggest MDF or HDF. You may have to do a little experimenting with different board manufacturers as they vary in quality and consistency, but carefully selected examples could provide a surface and density very similar to that of pressed (or laminated) leather.

I think rubber or plastic may lack the necessary 'life' to be used as a cue tip. (no pun intended)

Good luck!

MDF or HDF would disintegrate after one shot, silly suggestion from someone with no idea of those materials. They're ok in board form but a little piece only 10mm around has no strength at all.
Those silicon ones are crap as well, tried them so I know.

I have seen some tips on ebay described as 'phenolic' that are used in US pool for break and jump cues, but if they're any good for general play I don't know.

[grey]

MDF or HDF would disintegrate after one shot, silly suggestion from someone with no idea of those materials. They're ok in board form but a little piece only 10mm around has no strength at all.
Those silicon ones are crap as well, tried them so I know.

I have seen some tips on ebay described as 'phenolic' that are used in US pool for break and jump cues, but if they're any good for general play I don't know.

Whoa! Barely 9 posts and already a victim!

MDF/HDF are created in layers. As long as the layers run flat against the hit of the ball, there's a chance it will hold together. Vmax may be right and the tip might need some help to hold it together. Maybe soaking in a water based glue solution(?)

I know it was only a suggestion, but I'll give it a go for - I don't want to be accused of offering duff advice.

[vmax4steve]

Whoa! Barely 9 posts and already a victim!

Hold on to your petticoat there, you're a victim of nothing except ignorance. I happen to be a qualified wood machinist and cut these materials up quite often and a little piece has no strength whatsoever despite being layered. They are made from what is practically dust held together by formaldehyde and you won't be able to make anything as small as a cue tip out of either substance.

If you try you have a very good chance of damaging your cue.

[grey]

Hold on to your petticoat there, you're a victim of nothing except ignorance. I happen to be a qualified wood machinist and cut these materials up quite often and a little piece has no strength whatsoever despite being layered. They are made from what is practically dust held together by formaldehyde and you won't be able to make anything as small as a cue tip out of either substance.

If you try you have a very good chance of damaging your cue.

Well, well, well; you seem to care more for my cue than for me mr wood machinist!?

Naa - I'll give it a go anyway, I'm sure we'll have a laugh about it whatever effect it has on the cue. (But just in case, I'll use my spare cue - thanks for the warning!)

[itsnoteasy]

Could I ask what effect any new tip materials would have on the balls, could they scratch them etc?

[infairness]

MDF or HDF would disintegrate after one shot, silly suggestion from someone with no idea of those materials. They're ok in board form but a little piece only 10mm around has no strength at all.
Those silicon ones are crap as well, tried them so I know.

I have seen some tips on ebay described as 'phenolic' that are used in US pool for break and jump cues, but if they're any good for general play I don't know.

Sadly for me,snooker tables are few and far between where I live now so I play "American" pool mostly. I have a break cue with a phenolic tip,it's made for one thing only - transferring maximum force to the cueball for an explosive break. Phenolic tips are rock-hard. They don't hold chalk well at all and striking the ball off-center will invariably lead to a miscue,I couldn't even imagine using one to try and play snooker.