Sport Today

I wanted to relate a little problem I had with my cue tip.

I had been using Le Pros, and liked them.  At leaast the first two I
went through.  About 5 months ago I had my tip replaced, again with a
Le Pro, and again at my usual, reputable shop.  The tip shaped up the
same, felt the same, and looked the same.  However I was having a lot
of problems with miscues (yes, I still chalk before each shot).  For
months I htought it was me.  I don't usually blame my equipment for my
failures.  Other than the miscues though, my game was still improving.
I figured I was just going too far out on the cue ball - you know,
testing my increasing skill.

About two weeks ago, I made a good frim shot with english, and my tip
"caved in" on me.  One side of the tip just fell apart - looked like
spalling drywall or plaster.  Anyhow - I remembered someone here at
rsb saying that Le Pros were not consistent quality.  I agree now.
I'm now outfitted with a Water Buffalo tip, which I think I like even
more than my first two Le Pros.  No miscues yet either!
************************
Doug Kraft
San Diego
"I can beat that guy -
he had all easy shots!"
************************

It may not be the tip, but the way the tip was installed.  A lot of cue
repair people know that burnishing a new tip can really make it look
nice.  They take it too far and build up so much heat on the tip that
it hardens and will crumble when hit to hard.  
Jim W.
P.S.:  I didn't think I would like them, but, the WB tips are not bad
at all.  Have had some good comments about them.  I still prefer
Chandivert Champions though.

+---------------------------+
| Jim Waugh AKA CueMaster   |

| http://www.cuemaster.com/ |
+---------------------------+

(SNIP)

 I didn't think I would like them, but, the WB tips are not bad

Medium hard hit, seems to be getting a little harder with use.  
I break with it, and so far no mushrooming at all.  Seems to have
a little more "traction" than Le Pro, but maybe it just holds chalk
better.  A great buy at $20, installation included.  The "Pro" says
supply of these tips is spotty, so prices vary with availability and
number purchased.

Now my question:  How did the old-timers prepare tips before installation?  
I had heard that some carried them in their mouths for a day,
but I couldn't figure out why.  Then recently I read mention
(somewhere) of antique tips, prepared for former greats, that
were presoaked (in some unknown liquid -- maybe spit?) and then
compressed in a vise or clamp -- the marks of the tool were visible.  
Anybody know more about this?  Was the desired effect an increase
in hardness, durability, performance, or what?

Best regards,

Tom

I gave Kenny a Moori hard tip to try.  This is now his tip of choice.  I
have been using Moori tips for about 2 years now and am very satisfied.  
Very little mushrooming on one tip only and not to even try to burnish.  
I have a Water Buffalo tip on my wifes cue and its not bad...very hard,
but that's what like.  But I do prefer the Moori tips hands down.  Right
now the Moori tips seem, the hard and medium hard, to be in short supply.

Try a Moori on one of your shafts and see if you like it.  BTW if prefer
the hard tip.  I've got them on both my shafts on my TAD.  I did try a
medium *** my Schon and don't care for it nearly as much.  Ditto for
Kenny( as far as hard vs. medium hard).

-
  GERRY SPIRO  
  Bakersfield/Long Beach, CA