How To Straighten A Pool Cue? 5 Ways to Fix A Warped Pool Cue

The pool cue is a crucial piece of equipment in the game of pool. Nowadays, most professional pool players are willing to spend a significant amount of money on not just one but many specially-made cue sticks, adding even more strength to the shot. However, the material used to make pool cues can easily get deformed after a long time using which will affect the game result. Finding ways to solve this issue is always a headache for many pool players. If you are having the same problems with your cues, you’ve come to the right place. This article will show you the importance of a straight pool cue and how to straighten a pool cue in 5 simple ways.

The functions of pool cues

Besides pool balls and pool tables, the pool cue is one of the essential tools in the pool game. It is the tool that players use to strike the pool balls into the pocket. In addition, your ability to play pool with a higher degree of expertise may be significantly impacted by the cue.

A typical private or custom cue will have two components that are joined together and can be simply screwed together and disconnected again. The top part is frequently referred to as the shaft, and the bottom part is sometimes referred to as the base. Quality pool cues are typically fashioned from ashwood. The ferrule, which is a metal (the best option) or plastic piece that retains the tip, is located at the end of the shaft. Usually, the tip is constructed of rough leather, which holds the chalk in place.

Generally speaking, appropriate ways to hold pool sticks are important in the shot, but a powerful and robust cue can produce a better stroke and enable more control of the cue ball. Due to their propensity for concentrating just on making one ball at a time, “bangers” are bad pool and snooker players. Real pool/snooker players will consider how they can maneuver around the table to position all of the balls in their designated spots when they see a broken rack.

The ideal pool/snooker cue has a low deflection rating, is straight and sturdy, and has a high-quality leather tip. To meet a player’s unique requirements, the base and shaft shapes can always be changed. The best pool cue for the game and the player will help them become as skilled as possible.

Why is a straight pool cue important?

As earlier mentioned, the pool cue plays an important function in the pool game. Therefore, it is necessary to have a good pool cue to achieve the best result. And the first thing to decide whether it is good or not is whether it is straight or not.

You can employ a wide range of diverse skill techniques when utilizing a straight pool cue. You’ll be able to strike pool balls with the appropriate force. The ability to have excellent aim onto the tip is another benefit of a straight pool cue.

5 ways to straighten a warped pool cue

A pool cue can be warped or bent over time due to some external reasons such as storage conditions, etc. In this case, you have to find ways to straighten it to ensure your game results. If you are still wondering how to straighten a pool cue with the warped issue, we can recommend some popular ways as follows:

1. Using a shaft straightening tool

This tool can help you use force on the cue effectively without damaging it. Firstly, you have to determine the warped location by rolling the stick on a surface and determining the point with the maximum height from the surface.  Place the shaft’s tip end on a table and hold the other end in your palm. The area where you observed the greatest separation between the table and the cue should be where you gently slide the straightening tool.

Continue until you see the smallest possible gap between the cue and the surface it is rolling on. When using the straightening tool, you must be incredibly gentle and cautious. More force may cause the veneer to come off or the wood to crack. The cue could be rendered worthless by careless use. In this case, the pool cue shaft replacement may be needed.

2. Apply force yourself

If you don’t have a straightening tool, you can try exerting pressure with your hands on the bent section. This technique should only be used under extreme caution because it has the potential to split the shaft in half. Place the flat of one hand, palm down, directly on the bend, with the cue at a 60-degree angle to the floor. While maintaining stability with your hand, apply pressure to the cue. It is simple to shape-bend the cue. Checking and making adjustments until the cue is straight, rotate the cue once more, and repeat.

The benefit of this approach is that the cue’s top protective covering won’t be harmed. However, compared to the other methods given in this essay on how to cure a warped cue, the success rate of this method is relatively low.

3. Increase the bent area temperature

If the bent section is too thick to straighten with your hands or the Jacoby tool, you will need to increase the temperature of that component. To use force to straighten the bent cue, heating the area would cause it to swell and become softer. The safest way to swell the cue is with a warm, damp towel. Make sure the cue is fully dry once you’ve finished repairing it. The stick can warp faster during this time if you can’t dry it off right away.

4. Tie the cue with something straight

You can use string to tie the cue with an old pipe or other objects like a door frame or closet if you have one at home and are confident in its straightness. The cue will quickly straighten depending on how tightly you connected it to the object. The string should be tied in the correct direction. However, if used wrong, this technique can bend the cue rather than straighten it.

5. Suspend the cue

Hanging your cue in the air with its head up and tying it to a cord that hangs from the ceiling is one of the most peculiar ways to fix a shaft (that actually works). Let gravity mold the cue into shape by leaving it there immobile for a week or more. In most cases, the weight of the cue is sufficient to straighten minor bends in a few weeks, and when it is hanging in your living room, it makes for a great discussion piece.

How to store your pool stick?

The pool stick needs to be stored in the right conditions to avoid warping issues. Here are some popular tips that many people use:

• Noticing the surface: Avoid resting your cue against any surface, including the pool table or a wall. The cue’s tip may flex as a result of this.
• High-temperature avoidance: Keep your cue away from radiators, fireplaces, and other heat sources.
• Maintenance condition: Avoid storing it in places with high heat or cold, like a hot car, attic, or basement. Make sure not to leave your cue in direct sunlight because it doesn’t take much to warp a shaft.
• Storing carefully in case: Keep your cue flat and preferably in a sturdy cue case when storing it. Because they offer superior protection for your stick from high temperatures and dampness, hard cue cases are always preferable to soft cue cases.
• Be gentle: Make sure not to apply any pressure to your cue when storing it. Warping can also result from applying pressure to the cue repeatedly.

Top-rated pool cues that never crooks

There are many good pool cues available in the market with different price ranges. You will have to consider many factors when choosing a pool cue such as your budget, using purpose, suitable sizes, etc. However, finding the pool cue that never crooks is not that easy. Here we can list the top 3 pool cues that can last a lifetime for your reference:

Pearson World Record Limited Edition Pool Cue

This pool cue is designed by Dave Pearson- a famous pool player that has broken multiple world records. By creating the Pearson pool cues brand, he is now using his expertise and knowledge to help you advance your game. The two different variants of the Pearson World Record pool cues are composed of the best materials. They are made to provide the player with the greatest opportunity of succeeding in their game.

The Guinness World Record logo and Dave’s autograph can be seen on the cue itself. These cues have a stainless steel collar, a unilock joint, and a sturdy, heavy design that will make them last a lifetime.

Mizerak 2-piece Warp-Resistance Maple Cue

The Mizerak 58″ 2-piece Maple Cue is made of sturdy hardwood for a traditional appearance and cozy feel with all the warp resistance of the composite. It has a wrapless grip design, a rubber bumper, and a 20mm stainless steel joint and tip.

Predator Black P3 Pool Cue

The P3 bravely does away with conventional wooden components such as the joint face, bumper, and weight bolt threads in favor of phenolic, which is more durable and serves as a sealer to shield the cue from moisture. The P3’s 30-piece core has three different, alternate hard Maple and dense Ash splices, which enhances stiffness.

FAQs

In conclusion, any pool player has to learn how to straighten a pool cue. A pool cue can become deformed over time for a variety of causes, just like other equipment. You can lessen the likelihood of developing a damaged cue by storing and keeping it in the proper manner. If the pool cue is still warped, we hope that the five methods indicated above can assist you in making it straight on your own if necessary.