A pool cue parts?!! If you are a beginner pool player or might have been playing for a while now, and you are wondering what pool stick parts names are, you have come to the right place.
Here you are going to learn about the basic parts of a pool cue. What are they? And what purpose each billiard cue component fulfills to the overall cue performance?
To begin with, let’s highlight the two main types of pool cues which are: one-piece pool cues and two-piece pool cues. One-piece pool cues are typically have fewer parts on them than the two-piece pool sticks. You can dis-assemble a 2-piece billiard cue and put it in a cue case for example, but you cannot dis-assemble a house cue that is one piece.
Basically, one-piece pool cues are mostly produced in bulk and are preferred by Pool Halls and Bar businesses due to their less expensive price point and the general public use. On the other hand, two-piece pool cues are for by professional pool players and by amateurs who like to take their game up to the next level and care about precision.
One-Piece Pool Cue
Viper Commercial/House 57" 1-Piece Canadian Maple Billiard/Pool Cue, 21 Ounce
Two-Piece Pool Cue
Viper Junior 48" 2-Piece Billiard/Pool Cue, Spider, 16 Ounce
PARTS OF A POOL CUE
Each pool cue consists of two main parts which are the cue shaft and the cue butt; Or as other pool players may call them the top part and the bottom part.
POOL CUE SHAFT
Most cue shafts typically are high-quality Hard Rock Maple wood. Hard Maple comes with straight grain and even texture. Also, it is easy to work with compared to other types of wood. Billiard cue shafts can also be graphite or fiberglass. A professionally tapered pool cue shaft is very significant to provide you with the best balance and smooth stroke feeling.
POOL CUE TIP
Billiards Cue tips vary based on their composition from hard to soft, which affects how long they last and how often you need to maintain them. They usually range in size from 11.75 mm to 14 mm. Typical, 13 mm tip size is the most used tip size among pool players. Most billiard cue tips come with medium to hard strength. Medium strength is most preferred by most pool players worldwide due to its desired medium hardness. Softer cue tips tend to stay in contact with the cue ball longer and leave it slower, which causes the cue ball to spin. Harder cue tips are fore breaking with since they cause less spinning and are more solid and durable than softer tips.
POOL CUE FERRULE
The ferrule is the second part that the tip attaches or glues to. Pool Cue ferrules can be from different strong materials. Each ferrule connects to a cue shaft by either glue, threads, or just slipping it inside. The function of a billiards cue ferrule is to strengthen the cue tip, absorb energy, and reduce vibrations.
POOL CUE RINGS
The Rings reinforce the two-piece pool stick joint design and give a better and stylish appearance than traditional non-ring pool cues.
POOL CUE COLLAR
Pool cue collars are high quality and strong materials such as stainless steel and other hardwood types or even Ivory. Billiards cue collars connect to the cue shaft end and forearm by glue and threads to provide more reinforcement. There are two billiards cue collars in each two-piece cue type; one connects to the shaft end and the second connects to the forearm. Both link together by a pin-joint system and very well balanced to provide a secure lock and energy transfer between the cue shaft and the butt.
POOL CUE JOINT
A billiard cue joint is a small part that connects the cue shaft to the butt. It is usually a very hard and durable material such as metal. The function of the joint is to connect the two parts together and provide a sustainable and smooth energy transfer between the two.
POOL CUE BUTT
A billiard cue butt is the second main component of a cue stick which has some common parts as the cue shaft and also has new and customizable parts that pool players are looking for in terms of design, color selection, style, weight or other features the butt side of the cue may include.
POOL CUE PIN
The pin is the metal threaded part that sticks out of the upper side of the cue butt and connects the forearm to the shaft. The threaded pin goes inside the joint and should be tight and secured before playing. Use a protective pin cap after you are done playing, if you have one, to protect the pin against cracking or chipping. A hard billiard cue case is good to use as well.
POOL CUE WRAP
It is very important to have a solid grip on your cue that feels comfortable in your hand to make your best shot. This is what cue wraps are all about. Most wraps are leather material or Irish linen. If your hands tend to sweat more frequently while playing, it is better to use the Irish linen wrapped cue types instead of leather. Irish linen wrap type is best for sweat absorption. However, if you prefer a luxury and smooth feel, leather is a good option to consider. Many billiard cues come without wraps if you prefer not to have one.
POOL CUE FOREARM
The forearm is the part between the wrap and the collar of a pool cue. It is usually the same material as the shaft which is Hard Rock Maple. Most billiards cues come with regular non-stylish forearms. Forearms that have inlays and other different special patterns on them tend to be more expensive in price for their luxurious designs and how cool they look. Some designs help with aiming like diamonds inlays and other designs. However, it is not a must-have type of thing.
POOL CUE BUTT SLEEVE
The cue butt sleeve comes just under the billiard cue wrap. It is usually the same material as the forearm or it could even be a more expensive and exotic material as well. Made with a cored-out design and its function is to balance the overall weight of the cue. It usually follows the forearm stylish design and inlays which gives the pool stick a nicer overall looking design.
POOL CUE BUMPER
The bumper is the last piece of a pool stick located at the bottom end. It is usually a rubber material or any other hard material that is flexible and absorbs impact and protect the cue from any possible damage when the rubber hits the ground.
CONCLUSION
To sum-up our thoughts about this topic, whether you are a professional pool player, or you are just starting, knowing and selecting the right components or parts for your billiards cue shaft and billiards cue butt could be very significant when assembling a high-performance billiard cue. It is about fitting all these parts together to give you the best pool cue that fits your desires and needs. A very well-built billiards cue would definitely make a difference.
FAQ
What is a cue Ferrule?
The ferrule is the second part that the tip is attached or glued to. Pool Cue ferrules can be made from different strong materials. Each ferrule is attached to a cue shaft by either glue, threads, or just slipping it inside. The function of a billiards cue ferrule is to strengthen the cue tip, absorb energy, and reduce vibrations.
What is a pool cue collar?
Billiards cue collars are made from high quality and strong materials such as stainless steel and other hardwood types or even Ivory. Pool cue collars are attached to the cue shaft end and forearm by glue and threads to provide more reinforcement. There are two pool cue collars in each two-piece cue type; one is attached to the shaft end and the second is attached to the forearm. Both are linked together by a pin-joint system and very well balanced to provide a secure lock and energy transfer between the cue shaft and the butt.
One-piece pool cue Vs. Tow-piece pool cue
One-piece pool cues are typically designed with fewer parts on them than the two-piece pool sticks. You can dis-assemble a 2-piece billiards cue and put it in a cue case for example, but you cannot dis-assemble a house cue that is one piece.