Why The Joint Type Makes A Difference
If you are looking to buy a cue or want to have your current cue repaired, it is important to know each part and it's importance to help you decide the cue or cue part that is best for you. In this section, you will find extensive information about each part of a cue.
This section features:
Tips | Ferrules | Shafts | Joints
Inlays | Wraps | Weight
Typically located in the middle of a two-piece cue, a joint is the place where the butt and the shaft screw together. Spend some time choosing a joint because it can affect the feel of how the cue plays which is a matter of personal preference.
Joint Material
Joints are made with an array of materials, including stainless steel, brass, G-10 or wood. Some experts argue heavier materials such as steel or brass promote better weight distribution throughout the cue than their lighter counterparts. The material of rings, collars and joints on one cue do not have to be the same. For example, you can mix phenolic rings with steel joints.
Types of Joints
- Flat-faced: When you screw the butt into the shaft, they come together flush, with no gap.
- Piloted: This type of joint generally has a little nub on the shaft that fits into a corresponding cavity in the butt end. Some players argue this type of joint makes for a harder hit.
Joint Pins
- Quick Release: This is the screw for assembling and disassembling your cue quickly. Just a few twists unscrew this pin. A few threads wrap around the head of a smooth metal rod.
- 5/16-18: This size pin is somewhat popular. It’s often paired with a flat-faced joint.
- 5/16-14: Another common pin size, these screws are usually used for a piloted joint.
- 3/8-10 and 3/8-11: A fatter joint pin, this screw usually screws directly into threads cut into the shaft. Threads wrap around the entire pin.
- Radial: Typically screws into wooden threads. A smooth area in the middle of the pin separates the threads wrapped around both ends.
Another area to examine is the joint’s threads. The more durable joints feature screws with thick threads spaced far apart for more contact area along the joint pin.
Joint Collars
Along with the type of joint and pin size, consider whether or not to choose a cue with a joint collar. Most joint collars are made with phenolic or metal. They encircle the mating ends of the shaft and butt. Always test the joint by screwing the two ends of the cue together to make sure the closure is tight (avoid gaps)
The type of joint that is best largely depends on a players preference. The joint effects the way a cue plays and feels to an individual and should be considered when purchasing a cue. Most players try different pin sizes until they determine which joint pin and materials feel best for them.
Learn how to maintain your cue in our Cue Maintenance & Repair article or find a professional to repair your cue in our Pool & Billiard Directory.