Pro Shop
Topic: Your questions answered!

YOUR COMMON QUESTIONS - ANSWERED!

The Pro Shop receives a number of common product related questions, here we attempt to answer some of the most frequently asked queries.


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Authorised Pro9 forum advertiser/sponsor

QUESTION:
I got a new predator 314 and compared to the one I have many years (bought it second hand my old one), it's really dry wood! Doesn't feel the smoothest! Is this standard and what do players use in the cue care range to get the polished feel (not varnished of course as it would be bad sticking to your hand) but more slick then current! Just doesn't feel right really dry and a bit coarse not smooth. Is this common?

Anon.

AN ANSWER:
New Predator shafts DO feel like coarse dry wood when they are brand new. They acquire a smoother glassy like feel as the pores of the wood fill with small particles of dust and other dirt, and the roughness of the surface becomes smoothed (or burnished) with regular use. Some people are passionate about maintaining this dry wood feel, whereas other treat new shafts by rubbing it with leather strips to shine the shaft as fast as possible. If you want to "burnish" the shaft regularly you can buy a leather burnisher from The Pro Shop... If you just want to shine your shaft once, then you can do a reasonable job with a piece of cardboard.

I hope this helps.

All the best,
Big Dave.


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Authorised Pro9 forum advertiser/sponsor

QUESTION:
Hi

I visited your site to order Moori Tips and became interested in the tip maintenance products you have. I have just taken up playing again after many years and I would like to buy products that will help me renew/change (how do I put a new tip on my cue?), shape and look after my cue tip.

Kind Regards
Xxx Xxxxxxxxxx

AN ANSWER:
Hi Xxx,

Thanks for you question. Here's a YouTube video of how the professionals will replace a tip.

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rj3ldQvWgmM
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYY1kqeyqF8

Obviously, you'll want to replicate this operation as closely as possible. If you haven't got a cue lathe, then you will need some tools. There's a good choice of Tip Tools in The Pro Shop, and you may like one type more than another, and that's fine, but here's what I would recommend as a bare minimum...

Joe Porper Mushroom Grazer:
http://www.pro9.co.uk/html/theproshop/main.php?P=product&pid=TOOL0004
The Sandman:
http://www.pro9.co.uk/html/theproshop/main.php?P=product&pid=TOOL0005

Plus... Super Glue Gel, small piece of high quality sandpaper. (The Sandman comes complete with a small piece of leather which you can use to shine and deal the sides of the tip, instead of the chemical sealant that is used in the video).

I hope this helps.

All the best,
Big Dave.


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Authorised Pro9 forum advertiser/sponsor

QUESTION:
Hi

(Can you recommend) a good product to keep the cue clean and prevent it becoming "sticky". Can you help by recommending the products I need.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Kind Regards
Xxx Xxxxxxxxxx

AN ANSWER:
Hi Xxx,

Thanks for you question. To be honest, ALL the products in The Pro Shop are tried and tested and once again, personal preference will play a big part in your decision.

Being brutally honest, some people just chose to get a bar towel, soak and wring one end, and press hard as you wipe the shaft from tip to collar with the wet end of the towel, and then buff it dry with the dry end. This works really well, and along with keeping your hands very clean, and making sure you are playing on a well maintained (and that includes well brushed) pool table will be totally adequate for many players, and doesn't cost a bean.

If you want to "break-in" a new shaft, so it feel glassy smooth like an well used cue, you may like to "burnish" or shine the surface of the wood, gentle polishing with nothing more than a piece of burnishing leather (you can use a piece of cardboard for the same effect, but it's nice to have a long-lasting peice of leather available at all time in your cue case). Like all quality wooden products, you need to avoid exposing the cue to extremes of temperature, and care should be taken not too generate too much heat when you are burnishing. The Joe Porper Shaft Polisher is obviously ideal for this job, and the Cue Cube Shaft Slicker comes complete with a gentle abrasive on the reverse.
http://www.pro9.co.uk/html/theproshop/main.php?P=cat&C=67

However, the above mode doesn't suit everyone, and some people prefer the wood on the shaft to be like the new, open pored, natural grainy feel to the wood on the shaft, as if the shaft were brand new. For this I recommend any of the abrasive scourer type products you will find in The Pro Shop, and The Original Q-Wiz is particularly good for this. I used one myself for a good while... Just be careful not to use it too aggressively, the grit should be filled with black or brown powdery dirt after use, if it's white, you're removing good clean wood, and used too often like this will ultimately thin the shaft.

There are a whole variety of products for shaft cleaning, the "Q" range of product are well regarded and the Q PROGRAMME - Multi-Save! is very good value for a complete regime - I like the plastic abrasive papers which can be washed and reused again and again.

For a deep clean before selling a cue, to get rid of the blue chalk stain on the shaft, you can't beat the Longoni No Blue - although be warned, the sponge certainly doesn't last forever, it does do a great job.

As I said, all these products and more can be found here...
http://www.pro9.co.uk/html/theproshop/main.php?P=cat&C=67

I hope this helps!

All the best,
Big Dave.


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Authorised Pro9 forum advertiser/sponsor

QUESTION:
Alright Dave,

don't suppose you have any info on how I can get a team of oldies into the Vegas VNEA team event in May? Entered it in the early nineties and thinking if poss having a little reminisce with a few of the Blindies lol.

AN ANSWER:
Hi Xxx,

Here's the official website...

http://www.vnea.com/2012-vegas-details.aspx

And you can click on below to see the full details .pdf file here....

http://www.vnea.com/Data/Sites/12/pdf/vegasdetails_2012.pdf

They have some strict rules about who is eligible to play, for instance...

"Classics & Seniors
Entrants in the 8-Ball Classics or Seniors Singles cannot play in any other 8-Ball singles and entrants in the 9-Ball Classics or Seniors Singles cannot play in any other 9-Ball Singles.
Seniors can play in either Classics or Seniors - not both.
Listed Master & Intermediate Classic or Senior players are ineligible for Regular, Classic or Senior events. However, a Classic Division is available for them in addition to their Singles events.
Classics: (age as of event day)
Age: Men - 50 yrs. old minimum
Women - 45 yrs. old minimum
Seniors: (age as of event day)
Age: Men & Women - 60 yrs. old minimum"

...So you'd be best to check with them before you set off with an all-star cast of seniors, just in case.

Here's their email address...

info@vnea.com

I hope this helps!

All the best,
Big Dave.


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Authorised Pro9 forum advertiser/sponsor

QUESTION:
Hi there.

I'm currently looking everywhere for some kind of sponsorship help to help me play on the GB 9 pool touring team, Ive been in the sport since i was 7 , im now 22. If it works out how i could possibly get some help, I would offer to wear your company logo on my touring shirt if that's how it works out? Thanks for your time.

AN ANSWER:
Hi Xxx,

We're not in a position to sponsor individual players, although we have sponsored events and tours previously.

Normally, without any proven record, it's tough getting sponsorship when you need it, it's even tough when you're an established and successful player, but there are some proven ways to get sponsorship with a little luck.

Without a string of titles to your name, you're not going to convince many potential sponsors that they will be receiving a huge return on their investment, so don't even suggest it, even if you think you're dealing with someone who likes a bit of a punt. You're more likely to be successful by directly asking for a philanthropic gesture - rather than promising media exposure that may not happen.

Most players seeking sponsorship for the first time have most success with businesses or contacts that are already close to them... If you work for a big company they may already have an employee sponsorship programme in place - make sure you ask about this but not at the initial interview!!!

Even if you work for a smaller company, they may be willing to throw something into the kitty - especially if you show them you need equipment which will last a long time... Asking them to pay for a break cue will be seen as a one-off payment, and will certainly be more palatable than a request for what may seem like a never ending stipend to cover tour fees and expenses, so always have an equipment list available for potential sponsors.

If you're very young or don't work, try your school or local businesses for sponsorship... Or be even more pro-active and organise a local pool league and put the profit towards your expenses - and even offering to clean tables at your local club in exchange for free practice time helps.

Finally, remember, sponsorship doesn't need to be cash... The loan of a company vehicle to travel to tournaments can be a very helpful deal, and non-cash deals like this can be much more appealing to small companies - and this is where you need to get quite creative... Of course, at first you should ask for a lot of cash, then if they say no, have some non-cash back up requests at the ready.

...And don't forget to ask for a set of company T-Shirts to wear at tournaments so everyone knows you've got a sponsor!

This is by no means an exhaustive answer, but I hope this helps, or inspires some creative ideas of your own.

All the best,
Big Dave.


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Authorised Pro9 forum advertiser/sponsor