One of the best ways to overcome the stress of a hectic modern lifestyle is to play sports and play billiards, which is a popular choice after a hard day’s work. However, like any other sport, a game of billiards can be truly enjoyed only when the playing equipment, that is, the table, the balls, and most importantly the cues, is of top quality. Suppose you want to set up your own personal pool billiards facility, a fact you will soon have to face is that out of all the equipment, buying cues is definitely the trickiest part.
Tacos are available in a wide range of prices and while some may be under $10, others could be expensive enough to burn a big hole in your wallet. That being said, a higher price need not translate to a good sign and this is why you as a buyer should be educated to the point that you can distinguish between the different grades. In general, the result depends on the manufacturing process as well as the craftsmanship of the manufacturer and therefore varies from brand to brand.
Since tacos are made of wood, just like wine, they go through several stages before the final product is ready for sale, and the time to complete it is often long. Each type of wood is characterized by its own unique traits and reacts differently when exposed to atmospheric conditions by expanding or contracting along its concentric circles.
For their part, sign makers should respect this behavior and schedule their manufacturing process accordingly. Attempts to speed up the process by adding chemicals to stop the natural action or by shaving too much can result in poor quality products and should therefore be avoided.
The chemicals stabilize the process, but they also disrupt the inherent cycle, causing the wood to lose its natural feel. The trick is balancing the action of the additives with the natural aging process of the wood, and cue makers who have perfected this art are the ones who get the best results. To you, the buyer, this manifests itself in the form of a smooth surface that is completely free of blemishes and appears immaculate along its entire length.
Regardless of your familiarity with billiards, it’s important to look closely at certain parts when shopping for cues. Particularly important is the ferrule, which occupies the space between the shaft and the tip, and this must be well positioned to the point of seating well between the two components. In general, the transition from the shaft to the ferrule and from the ferrule to the tip should be smooth and without excess glue marking the sides.
When you pick up a cue in a store, the first thing you should do is feel the toe. Ideally, it should be rounded like a dome, and secure enough that it won’t come off if it’s tapped with a finger. Similarly, the position of the pin is a good indication of how the wood might have been handled: a centered pin reflects proper handling and a relaxed state and anything else implies that it might have been forced into its current state.
Some of the other things to consider when buying cleats are the wrapper, which can be rope, leather, or rubber, and the butt cover and bumper, both of which should be chip-free. Finally, signs must be straight to the point of rolling without wobbling and must show no warping or bending when held in the hand like a rifle and examined along its full length.
