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Snooker Cue Guide
Hand Spliced or Machine Spliced Cues...
Cues shafts are made from either Ash or Maple. Having been cut to an oversize square the shaft timbers are left to settle before the craftsmen shapes this into an accurately dimensioned cue blank. Further selection processes then grade the cues for machine or handspliced cues and ensure that only the finest timbers with the correct strength and straightness are used. The butt timber is then spliced onto the shaft. There are two methods of splicing - either by machine or by hand. The two methods being very different and producing cues of different appearances.
Machine splicing is less expensive than hand splicing but is a very effective way of adding the hardwood butt timber to the shaft. The butt timber is cut to provide four points, which are glued into four slots machined into the shaft timber. The finished cue has a distinctive four point pattern where the butt meets the shaft.
Handsplicing is the traditional method for splicing the butt timber to the shaft. The shaft, which at this stage is an oversize cylindrical taper, has two flats planed on opposite sides of the butt end. The hardwood butt timber, usually Ebony, is glued to these flats. The cue is then rotated through 90 degrees and two further flats are planed and two more pieces of butt timber glued in place. The cue is then shaped to produce the distinctive four rounded point pattern where the butt meets the shaft.
The appearance of the cues can be further enhanced with the additional splices of exotic timbers and colourful veneers. Jointed cues are then cut at the appropriate position and a brass joint is carefully fitted taking care that the grain of the shaft timber lines up either side of the joint. This shows that the cue is made from one piece of shaft timber, which is imperative to the performance of the cue, because it ensures that the timber is consistent in strength throughout the length of the cue.
2 Piece or 3/4 Split cues...
The joint positions provide different styles of cue. Two piece cues have the joint fitted in the centre whilst 3/4 jointed cues are available with the joint located 12" or 16" from the butt and will accept an optional extension. Some cues now also feature butt end joints where an extension may be screwed directly into the end of the butt. All jointed Peradon cues feature solid brass 'Quick Lock Joints' which release within a maximum of 1 1/2 turns. Numerous sanding and finishing processes are then undertaken to achieve a unique 'silk smooth' finish prior to the fitting of the brass ferrule, tip and traditional leather butt pad.
Cues shafts are made from either Ash or Maple. Having been cut to an oversize square the shaft timbers are left to settle before the craftsmen shapes this into an accurately dimensioned cue blank. Further selection processes then grade the cues for machine or handspliced cues and ensure that only the finest timbers with the correct strength and straightness are used. The butt timber is then spliced onto the shaft. There are two methods of splicing - either by machine or by hand. The two methods being very different and producing cues of different appearances.
Machine splicing is less expensive than hand splicing but is a very effective way of adding the hardwood butt timber to the shaft. The butt timber is cut to provide four points, which are glued into four slots machined into the shaft timber. The finished cue has a distinctive four point pattern where the butt meets the shaft.
Handsplicing is the traditional method for splicing the butt timber to the shaft. The shaft, which at this stage is an oversize cylindrical taper, has two flats planed on opposite sides of the butt end. The hardwood butt timber, usually Ebony, is glued to these flats. The cue is then rotated through 90 degrees and two further flats are planed and two more pieces of butt timber glued in place. The cue is then shaped to produce the distinctive four rounded point pattern where the butt meets the shaft.
The appearance of the cues can be further enhanced with the additional splices of exotic timbers and colourful veneers. Jointed cues are then cut at the appropriate position and a brass joint is carefully fitted taking care that the grain of the shaft timber lines up either side of the joint. This shows that the cue is made from one piece of shaft timber, which is imperative to the performance of the cue, because it ensures that the timber is consistent in strength throughout the length of the cue.
2 Piece or 3/4 Split cues...
The joint positions provide different styles of cue. Two piece cues have the joint fitted in the centre whilst 3/4 jointed cues are available with the joint located 12" or 16" from the butt and will accept an optional extension. Some cues now also feature butt end joints where an extension may be screwed directly into the end of the butt. All jointed Peradon cues feature solid brass 'Quick Lock Joints' which release within a maximum of 1 1/2 turns. Numerous sanding and finishing processes are then undertaken to achieve a unique 'silk smooth' finish prior to the fitting of the brass ferrule, tip and traditional leather butt pad.
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