What would be the difference?

[abaddonis]

I'm looking into either buying a break cue, or converting my old Lucasi into one by getting a Phenolic tip and ferrule (do they even make those?) What would be the difference between a $300+ cue specifically for breaking, and a cue that only has a phenolic tip/ferrule? Is it possible to get the same tip/phenolic unit they use on the sledgehammer? Cost is a factor here, so if it truly is a world of difference, what would be the best bang for my buck in purchasing a break cue? Keep in mind I want a cue just for breaking, not a jump/break. I already have a jump cue and I'm very happy with it.

[mechmat]

Pretty much every single part on the high end break cues like the BK2, Sledgehammer, Mezz PB2, etc, is built for power. They all have a different gimmicks to add power, but in general most are pretty light with strong tapers and very hard tips.

If you don't play with your Lucasi anymore I'd say to go ahead and try putting the phenolic tip or tip/ferrule combo on it and see how you like it. If you can get a hard break with a good spread and still control the cue ball then there's no reason to spend $300 on a break cue. I don't know if you can get the specific one Sledgehammer uses, but phenolic tip/ferrule combos are available if you look hard enough (I don't know if seyberts sells them or not, but it doesn't hurt to ask!).

If you decide to go for a new one the Fury J/B is a pretty good deal at $143 and it tested 3rd behind the BK2 and Mezz PB2 on the Platinum Billiards break speed test. Skor also mentioned a J/B made by someone called Kaizer (I think) in a previous post that he really likes and was cheap if you can find one.

[skor]

Try to use the Lucasi as a break cue as it is, with it's stock tip, see how you like it as a break cue, I think it should work great as long as it not so heavy. You might want to cosider a hard tip for it.
Replacing the ferrule with a phenolic tip-ferrule is possible, Seyberts can do it for you.
I don't see any reason why not using the lucasi as a break cue

[abaddonis]

"Try to use the Lucasi as a break cue as it is, with it's stock tip, see how you like it as a break cue, I think it should work great as long as it not so heavy. You might want to cosider a hard tip for it.
Replacing the ferrule with a phenolic tip-ferrule is possible, Seyberts can do it for you.
I don't see any reason why not using the lucasi as a break cue"

I have been using it as a break cue for quite some time. Aside from the warping, it isn't too bad as a break cue. The weight is 19oz but it could be lighter (isn't there a weight bolt for Lucasis?) How much does seyberts charge for a replacement of the tip/ferrule and how long does it take?

[skor]

if the shaft is warped then you should consider replacing the shaft, I would suggest a 314 shaft with a very hard tip or try to get a bk shaft, the uni-loc joint will fit your lucasi

[audiopro]

Putting a phenolic tip on a cue, is an easy win to a decent break cue. The difference is night and day!

That said, if your shaft is warped... it is time for a new one...

[abaddonis]

Unfortunately cost is a big issue here. Is there any way that I could have the shaft reconditioned to where it isn't warped or as warped? Buying a new shaft, let alone a 314 shaft is definately out of the question. The last predator I bought broke a good deal of my bank.

[skor]

then you should get a cheap sneakt pete for $20 on e-bay and put a phenoloc tip for now and start saving for a new cue...

[mechmat]

I don't know if you have these, but either Dick's Sporting Goods or Copeland Sports (I can't remember which one) had a few sneaky pete's for $9.95. You might want to check there if they have those in your town.

[abaddonis]

What I did was I went to my local pro-shop Todd's cues and repairs. They didn't have phenolic tips but they did have the sledgehammer system which is what the original sledgehammer uses. I can't put a super amount of force into my break which is fine but I've noticed a difference. Only cost me 30 bucks too.

[FrankFrank]

Alright, really not trying to sound stupid here...

Skor, you being serious about getting a cheap sneaky pete and sticking a phenolic tip/ferrule on it to break with until one could afford a real breaking cue??

F~F

[DEATHTRON]

He is.

Zach

[skor]

Alright, really not trying to sound stupid here...

Skor, you being serious about getting a cheap sneaky pete and sticking a phenolic tip/ferrule on it to break with until one could afford a real breaking cue??

F~F

why not??
It has the chance of warping just like any other $100 cue but it only cost $20... so if it does then it's not a big deal to replace.
I can get a good break with any cue and I'm sure that so could anyone else with a bit of practice.
I've used a $20 Excalibur Sneaky Pete that a friend of mine had with a regular hard leather tip and it worked great.

[audiopro]

For the longest time I broke with whatever light weight house cue I could find. It worked decent enough. Then I pulled my retired Viking from my closet, put a phenolic tip on it, and started using it for breaking. It totally blew me away... I actually have to take a little swing off my break to compensate.

I have never broken with a BK, Sledge, Mezz, etc.. I really wonder what it would be like. With the combo I have now, I had to take off some because too often balls would bounce back out of the pockets on the break. So with a mild stroke, combined with a phenolic tip, I get right in that zone of the perfect medium between hard enough, but not so hard things bounce back.