In the past…
SnookerZone has talked about the burnishing of a snooker cue tip which prolongs the life, but in this post, we’re going to briefly mention how you can get a nice shaped cue tip that’s rounded like a dome.
It’s one of the ESSENTIAL parts of any snooker maintenance, as you will be able to play better spin shots with a better reaction on the cue ball if your tip is shaped like a dome, and not too FLAT.
Some tips, despite their labels of soft, medium, or hard, can actually be quite “hard” (the edges) so you will need to soften them anyway before shaping.
Also, softening the edges means you are opening up the pores, so that chalk can penetrate better into the tip and stay on longer.
So, how do you get it?
Simple, really…
When you stick a tip on and have trimmed it, you will then need to soften the edges of the tip before burnishing, as burnishing will harden the edges.
You do this by using a TIP PICK (see image above). You can get this using the BOWTIE TIP TOOL, which is a 3-in-1 tool, which has a PICK for softening the edges and also a shaper that you can then shape the tip with.
You can either use the shaper on the BOWTIE TOOL or use a medium grade of sandpaper and shape the tip by shaping downward and twisting cue while doing so.
It’s personal preference how domed you like your tip, but with a nice rounded dome shape, you will indeed get more reaction from the tip than one that isn’t as shaped well.
Once the tip is shaped and domed how you like it, it’s time to burnish. This will prevent the edges from expanding and the tip losing its shape and prolong the life of your tip.
See the video on the tip pick below…
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FAQs
You can get this using the BOWTIE TIP TOOL, which is a 3-in-1 tool, which has a PICK for softening the edges and also a shaper that you can then shape the tip with. You can either use the shaper on the BOWTIE TOOL or use a medium grade of sandpaper and shape the tip by shaping downward and twisting cue while doing so.
How to dome a snooker tip? ›
You can get this using the BOWTIE TIP TOOL, which is a 3-in-1 tool, which has a PICK for softening the edges and also a shaper that you can then shape the tip with. You can either use the shaper on the BOWTIE TOOL or use a medium grade of sandpaper and shape the tip by shaping downward and twisting cue while doing so.
How to look after snooker cue tip? ›
Make sure top of the cue and ferrule are perfectly flat and level. Using a tip size slightly larger than ferrule, flatten the back of the tip by holding the it between thumb and forefinger and rubbing on 240 grit abrasive paper placed on a flat surface, wipe dust from back of tip.
Should you sand a snooker cue tip? ›
#2 Get Sanding
Next, you need to ensure the end is smooth and clean by giving it a sand, 60 to 80 grit sandpaper is ideal here. Aim to get the surface as level as possible. It's prudent to ensure the tip is clean and free of any remaining glue by wiping the end with a cloth dipped in nail varnish remover.
How long does a snooker cue tip last? ›
As for the tip, well it really depends on how much you are playing. If you are playing every day you might change the tip every three or four weeks but if there is a gap it could last longer.
Should you oil a snooker cue? ›
Occasionally, (3-6 months depending on the amount you play) treat the cue with raw linseed oil.
How do you file down a snooker cue tip? ›
Shaping Your Tip:
Turn your cue upside down to do this process, tip pressing against a perfectly flat surface. Once finished you will have the tip sitting flush to the ferrule. We recommend a 1-inch wide, flat, fine file to shape the tip and make sure that you only ever shape in a downward motion.
What snooker cue tip does Ronnie O Sullivan use? ›
PREFERRED BY RONNIE O'SULLIVAN these ROS Elk Master tips are the type preferred by Ronnie O'Suilivan, believed by many to be the greatest snooker player of all time.
What tip do most snooker players use? ›
Medium-hard tips
This is the most common cue tip, and it gives players a good balance of cue ball control and consistency. Medium-hard tips also require less maintenance.
Is a soft or hard snooker cue tip better? ›
A harder tip has a slightly better hit efficiency (energy transfer) than a softer tip. This will result in slightly more CB speed for a given stroke speed. This can provide a slight advantage for draw shots, where, where slightly more CB speed will retain slightly more backspin on the way to the OB.
Every new cue obviously has a new tip and it is important to bed it in as you would if you had replaced the tip. This involves playing only gentle shots with your cue when first used, ideally as many gentle shots as possible.
How to look after cue tip? ›
TIP burnish the side of your tip and keep it in good order and check a few weeks before an event that its going to be in good order before it and you have got used to it. Use a non Porous glue on your tip as standard super glue will both rot the wood in your shaft and affect the leather in the cue tip.
What does a perfect cue tip look like? ›
Therefore, a rounded tip is better than a flat tip. You shape the tip with a tip scuffer, a file, a piece of sandpaper, and other similar abrasive tools. Most players like their tips rounded with the radius of either a nickel or a dime; a coin can be held next to the tip for reference.
How to file a snooker cue tip? ›
Shaping Your Tip:
Turn your cue upside down to do this process, tip pressing against a perfectly flat surface. Once finished you will have the tip sitting flush to the ferrule. We recommend a 1-inch wide, flat, fine file to shape the tip and make sure that you only ever shape in a downward motion.
