2nd Grade Shafts & Viking Quick Release Joints

[dhammis]

Does Seyberts sell the 2nd Grade Predator Shafts and if so for how much?

Also, has anyone purchased a Predator Shaft for a Viking Quick Release? How was the fit on the joint?

I have a customized VM25 that I would like to get a Predator Shaft for but I'm a little nervous about ordering it online as most of the local dealers that I've been to say that Predator doesn't make a shaft for that joint. I don't care about the ring work with it, I just want the shaft.

All replies are appreciated.

--Damon

[Neil Fujiwara]

We make a shaft that will fit the Viking Quick Release for $10 more than our standard shaft.

Right now, you can only get 2nd grade shafts directly from Predator. At $175 from us versus what Seyberts charges for a first grade, it would make sense to buy a first grade shaft from them rather than a 2nd from us.

I don't know what dealer you talked to in you area, but please have them contact us for product information, thank you.

[dhammis]

We make a shaft that will fit the Viking Quick Release for $10 more than our standard shaft.

Right now, you can only get 2nd grade shafts directly from Predator. At $175 from us versus what Seyberts charges for a first grade, it would make sense to buy a first grade shaft from them rather than a 2nd from us.

I don't know what dealer you talked to in you area, but please have them contact us for product information, thank you.

Thanks for the quick reply Neil. I heard that the way the Viking shafts are made is that a regular 5/16 x 18 shaft is drilled out so that the QR pin will fit into the brass insert. I'm curious as to how it will fit once that is done. (i.e. will it be as snug and solid as the original shaft that came with the cue?)

--Damon

[Neil Fujiwara]

It is tapped out to Viking's specifications, so it should be a nice tight fit, just like your original shaft.

[dhammis]

Ok, I just placed my order so we'll see how it goes.

--Damon

[Neil Fujiwara]

I am sure you will be happy with your purchase and your experience with Seyberts, they really are a great bunch of people to deal with.

They have good taste in food too! :wink:

[Elvis]

I am sure you will be happy with your purchase and your experience with Seyberts, they really are a great bunch of people to deal with

Predator and Seybert's.....two of the finer things in life!!!

:roll:

Elvis:
Rearrange your priorities. You overlooked wine.

My new shaft should be here today with any luck and I have one other question for the experts on here. Last week I cracked the ferulle on my $40 graphite break cue and it has since become completely useless on the break. I hate using house cues for anything, including breaking, because they are too light and too short. Is it safe to break with the 314 or would I be better off finding another cue to break with? I've seen people break with the Predator BK cue and do fabulous things, but I don't have $300 handy to get one with at the moment.

--Damon

[Neil Fujiwara]

Breaking with a Predator shaft is actually recommended. You will have more control, more accuracy and more consistency on your break shot.

The only draw back is if you use a softer tip, it will tend to mushroom or lose it's shape and it will require more maintenance.

Predator ferrules are total junk like Moochi ferrules. My local cuemaker is making a killing replacing Predator ferrules. You should replace the ferrule with Aegis which my cuemaker does and you won't have a problem. Why Predator and Moochi uses Mary Kay lipstick tubes as ferrules is beyond me but at least it keeps my local cuemaker in business.

[Elvis]

Been breaking and shooting with my Predator 2K1 for about 6 months now. Only problem I run into is missing a shot (the table is usually wide open it breaks so well). :lol: :lol: :lol: Truthfully, I have experienced no problems at all, none, zero, zilch. I put a Talisman Pro Medium tip on it after I got it. I would recommend it and I believe they have a lifetime warranty if anything happens during normal play. Maybe Neil, Sid, Rick or Deb could verify for us.

[Sid]

I have been using a Predator cue since 1996. I have only owned two Predator cues in that time and have broke and played with each one and have yet to have a problem with the ferrule.

We have been selling thousands of Predator Cues and Shafts for a number of years. I have seen the actual need for a ferrule replacement maybe 4 times. Pretty good odds I would say.

Most problems come from when the ferrule gets scratched. (Ya gotta be careful when using the tip pic...) :D the scratches tend to look like cracks and then the customer thinks the ferrule is cracked. If you sand it off, you will notice that it is in deed a scratch and not a crack.

If your local cue maker is putting on ferrules, then he is ruining the shaft. Predator ferrules are specially built and designed and only Predator can replace them properly.

Thanks for your comments, but I would have to graciously disagree.

[yoyo]

Sid, you made my heart sing. I too have been breaking with my 2K1 for 6 months now and have so far not had any problems. But Neil's silence on this matter is thundering!!:roll:
I am considering getting another 314 shaft and getting it turned down to 12.35mm. Will it make any difference if I use it to break as well?

[dhammis]

It arrived Friday and I've played with it two days in a row so far. It's amazing how much difference there is between it and the shaft that came with my Viking. I tried breaking with it a couple of times but didn't have much luck with it due to me being to cautious. This Viking/Predator replaces my Cuetec Thunderbolt that wasn't supposed to warp but did because I broke with it.

Anyways, I'm probably going to look into either a) getting another shaft to put on my old Players cue or b) buying the Predator Break Cue so that I have a separate breaking cue. In the meantime I'm going to break with a house cue and continue to adjust to the new hit and feel of this shaft.

With all of this marvelous technology that Predator has come out with that obviously works very well do they have any plans to make a jump cue as well?

--Damon

[Neil Fujiwara]

Sorry, I only post Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm EST.

Not only does your cue not play as well as it should when you replace the ferrule with something other than the original material, it also voids the warranty.

Turning your shaft down to 12.35mm will shorten the lifespan of your warranty, but it will perform better since it will be lighter. Your call on that one.

[dhammis]

One question about the care of my new shaft. What should I clean it with? I've only had it a couple of days and I've already gotten it quite dirty. I wipe my cues down with a towel before and after I'm done playing, but this chalk/glove residue is still there. I have some Cuetec Hi-Tech cleaner, but I'm concerned that it might not be good for the wood of the Predator. I see the Q-clean stuff advertised here, is that what I should be using for a wooden shaft?

Also, Neil mentioned a warranty. What kind of warranty does Predator provide for it's cues and shafts?

Thanks for answering all of my silly questions.

--Damon

[Neil Fujiwara]

Anything non-abrasive will work, they have a good cue care kit for sale, ask Sid about it.

A shaft will naturally get dirty, trying to keep it clean is sort of a pipe dream. I would try and get used to it since you will probably go crazy and be unhappy if you try and keep your shaft white.

[Neil Fujiwara]

Predator Warranty: Any manufacturer defect that does NOT include warpage or abuse.

We also have a 30 day money back guarantee that Seyberts is authorized to offer. See Sid or Rick for details.

[Sid]

30 Day Money Back - http://seyberts.com/predator/30day.htm
Q-Clean Products - http://seyberts.com/schon/qclean.htm

Later,