NEILS : Predator ferrule ...

How come with the 314 shaft you suggest not turning down the ferrule under 12.25mm (otherwise it may break apart & no more warranty if smaller than 12.25mm ) yet the new Z shaft, whose ferrule is made of the same material used in the 314 shaft ( as you mentioned some time back ) comes at 11.75mm ? It makes me wonder now how durable the new Z shaft ferrule will be considering its 11.75mm diameter when you preveioulsly wont guarantee the 314 shaft ferrule (made of same material ) if turned below 12.25mm ?

[Neil Fujiwara]

The Z-shaft has a different internal bore, therefore we can make a smaller tip diameter.

It has already been tested for durability, and passed with no problems.

[StB]

To Neil:

I have a 314 already at 12.25mm, and my dumb ass scored the ferrule just under the tip. It still plays fine, but when I have a new tip put on the ferrule will be well under the 12.25mm limit. Could I have a new ferrule put on the shaft with the tip....or should I just buy a Z replacement?

Thanks.

[Neil Fujiwara]

You can put a new ferrule on, but there is a possibility of the shaft cracking in this process.

If you like the smaller diameter, I would switch to the Z-shaft.

Even though the 314 shaft is okay at 12.25mm, the shape and thinness of the shaft will cause it to be a little whippy and seem really flexible. The Z-shaft's shape will make it stiffer and hit stronger, and also perform better.

[conehead66]

Neil don't the Z-Shafts have more of a Euro taper that the 314's pro taper . I've been wanting to take my 314 down to 12mm , I'm not worried about losing warranty but I don't really want to break the shaft if it's that likely to happen , if not I'm thinking I might try a Sharpshooter which I can have down to about 11 or 11.5mm reasonably comfortably and keep the pro taper . I like em thin because I grew up playing eightball in Australia where most pool tables use 2" object balls and 1-7/8" cue ball like English pool . It's only the last couple of years the 9' USA style tables have appeared in any numbers here and I'm still finding it hard coming to grips with the thicker tipped cues .
ps: I know what you mean about the 314 possibly becoming too whippy , it's already very flexible compared to my 9.5mm snooker cue which is made of that cheap darkish colored ultra hard rock maple .

[Neil Fujiwara]

The Z-shafts do have more of a Euro taper, that is why it hits so stiffly.

And I don't think anything will compare to the stiffness of your snooker cue, those things are like rocks!!

If you have a pro tapered 12mm shaft, it will be very whippy, so I guess you have to make the decision: getting a shaft with a small tip diameter and stronger taper or a bigger tip and pro taper.

[conehead66]

thanks Neil , yeh it's a hard decision , I suppose I've had the 314 about 3years so if I had to replace it I will have already got my moneys worth of use , I know it will be whippier at 12mm but I would only have the last few inches taper quickly from 12.75 down to twelve , it's all food for thought anyway .

[Neil Fujiwara]

That is one of the reasons why we don't offer to turn down shafts and re-taper them, people have very specific tastes.