Ferrule Sizes

[MattB]

I'm thinking about getting my first 'proper' cue that'll hopefully suit me forever and have been considering various things that comprise the make up of a cue but there is one that confuses me a little:

Why do manufacturers make cues with a 9.5mm ferrule when the tips you buy are only available in either 9mm or 10mm sizes?

Is it to give you the option of sanding down the sides of a tip to make it this size or possibly to let people have a mushroom effect to their tip?

Personally I like a tip to be 10mm and flush and so was considering getting a cue with a 10mm ferrule - are there any disadvantges to this compared with a 9.5mm one?

Cheers, Matt

[cueman]

Hi MattB, its a good question you have asked and to be honest there isn't any real reason why manufacturers make cues with 9.5mm tips other than the fact its the most commonly requested size. I use a 9.5mm ferrule and its easier to stick a 10mm tip on and trim the sides so its flush with the ferrule.

Its quite tricky fixing a 10mm tip to a 10mm ferrule as you have to be really accurate when sticking it and if using supergule as most of us do its sticks instantly. So if its not bang on the tip will be off centre and thats why its easier to use a larger tip and trim the edges. It just gives you a little room for error.

So where or what cue do you have in mind?

[MattB]

Haven't actually got any specific cue manufacturers in mind yet, just trying to assemble all the specifics, like ferrule size etc. Ideally I'd go to a few stores and find a cue I really liked, which I'll still try, but was thinking I want a cue of length 55" and so wouldn't find that in a store and so was contemplating having a custom cue made. The only problem with that is that you can't try before you buy. But I'm gonna take my time over this one as I don't really mind the cue I'm using although it's not a great cue by any means.

Any suggestions or criticisms of my plans are welcome.

As goes companies for the custom idea was thinking any of mastercue, mastercraft, craftsman or mike wooldridge would do they job, don't know what you think of them?

[MattB]

Just as an after thought would a tip clamp help you put the tip on dead straight. I've never used one so I don't know how they work.

[cueman]

If you can go to a store or a snooker cue manufacturer that has a table to try out the cues then that would be the best idea. Can I ask you why you want a cue at 55"? You would probably need a cue specially made at that size or maybe just have it shortened if you find one you like.

Buying custom from Mastercue will probably take a 6-8 week wait as they are based in Thailand and I would say Wooldridge are over priced but Craftsman are very good and Mastercraft are good value for money.

Tip clamps are a waste of time unless you use a tip cement, in which case you probably need something to hold the tip in place until its stuck. The clamp doesn't actually help to stick the tip on straight though, you just have to be careful when placing it on the ferrule.

[MattB]

The reason why I wanted a shorter cue was because I always have at least four inches sticking out at the end of my present cue that's 57" long except when I'm stretching, but I figure that's what mini butt extensions are for. Suppose this really isn't a major problem but I once used another cue around the 55" length when my tip came off when at the snooker club and I really liked the feel of it. It was nice to have the feeling of all the weight in the cue 'infront' of my hand instead of a lump of weight sticking out the back.

I maybe have overlooking something, but it seems to make sense to me. I don't know what you think?

[superdude84]

i have never been a fan of those tip clamps, especially the metal ones, i always think they will dent my cue so I am not going to try it! If you just use superglue it sticks down straight away anyways.

I personally use a 9mm ferrule with a 10mm mushroom..you can always put a 10 mm tip onto a 9mm ferrule but never put a 9mm tip onto a 10mm ferrule.

When you say you want a 55" cue i am guessing your quite short. But whether or not you should get a 55" cue depends on if you are still young and growing? I don't know myself but i have read that young players should buy a full size cue so that they don't have to change the cue when they grow too big for it.

superdude

[MattB]

No I'm fully grown and 5ft 9 tall, so about average height I guess. Maybe I've shorter arms or I hold my elbow quite high when cueing, I don't know. I just find that size feels comfortable: I'm gripping the cue at the end instead of having a few inches sticking out at the butt.

[cueman]

I'm 5ft 11 approx and I had my cue made at 55" as like you I felt I only needed to grip right at the end of the butt when stretching. However I quickly realised after having the cue that you do need to grip nearer the end or at least close to it as so many shots require a long follow through, mainly long pots and shots with power. I sent the cue back and had an extra 2 inches put back on.

I wouldn't advise having a cue made that short, most players don't grip the cue at the end but at least you can when you need to. If you haven't got enough length you will find you will struggle with certain shots. I learned the hard way so I always try and advise people when they consider having a shorter cue.

[MattB]

I'll bear that in mind, thanks for your advice. As I say I'm gonna spend a while on this one so I'll see if I can try a cue around the 55" length to play around with - could even cut down one of my old cues I don't care about just to try it out. We'll see if I still like that idea after that.