I have both. Both are very helpful when it comes to taking care of your cue tip. Just don't over use them so you don't shorten your tip life. I believe any pool player should have both. Excellent tools.
Hey hey, I bought the Last4Ever tip tool on your recommendation :) Just used it for the first time and got a nice dime shape tip now Thanks man! Gave it a thumbs up PS I have learned a lot from your various videos!
I bought this a few months ago based on your recommendation and I couldn’t be happier. I will never buy another tip tool again since this one does it all!
Thanks, I purchased one Thursday and used it Friday. I love it. Thanks for sharing. I think it works better than all the other tools I’ve tried. Perfect shape.
Another good video. I’ve used the Willard’s Tip Tool for 25 years with great results. They’re small enough to keep in your bag (they’re the size of a silver dollar), has a cut out that verifies tip radius (dime or nickel), braised carbide grit and they last forever. Another good option for tip maintenance. Thanks again for all the great advice and instruction.
Just bought the last forever tip tool . I haven’t used it yet but this video definitely helped me to not buy anything else and narrowed down the choice for a tip tool. The recommendation along with the video is going to help me on how to use it and when to use it. Thank you I will pass it along to my pool buddies!
You can also put the last4ever on the table and use both hands to push and spin the shaft from a level angle and get the job done very quickly...great tip tool
Hey there, thanks for sharing and demonstrating the cue tip shapers. Seeing how the tools are to be properly used along with your verbal instruction will truly help. Thanks again for spending your time to make these instructional video!!
….used to mess with my tips too much. Now I just install, shape, burnish sides and touch up, scuff as needed. Use similar tools and techniques as shown. I find, Tips will find their ‘natural’ shape and firm up as you play 🙌🏼
Thanks for another helpful video. Last4ever also make a combo tool with both nickel and dime shaper which is what I have. It's great and I use it to shape and maintain new tips. Once the tip settles down I use an Ultimate Tip Tool for touch up and burnishing and scuffing.
Got both. Last Forever a much better shaper as Brian says. There is another one for which you add and replace sandpaper. Works pretty well, but the sandpaper can slip. I also have the Williard Pro shaper. Works pretty well and is less aggressive. I prefer to keep in my bag and use if needed at a hall since it is so light. My Last Forever stays home and does most of the work. Curious to know, Brian, if you replace your own tips. I do, because oddly, there is nobody in Washington DC proper who does! I have to drive 30 minutes to the nearest guy who does them.
I’ve got everything needed to replace my own tips but it’s something that I never do. My cue guy is an hour away but because I have so many shafts I play with, my tips last a while.
Hello Bryan, First, I would like to say thank you for your time and for sharing some of your knowledge. Your feedback and techniques are slowly improving my game. Since this episode is about tip maintenance, which I very much appreciate it, I would also like to ask you if, by chance, you have had any experience with the cue tips coming off. I bought a new predetor cue with a Revo composite 12.4 shaft, and on the first hit, the tip came right off. I would like to know if this is a common problem? Can the tip be glued back on? and if so, what type of glue would you use. Once again, thank you for your guidance. Respect
Sorry it took me so long to answer you. That is a very rare occurrence. The tip can be glued back on, but you should not do it yourself - either send it back to predator or have a professional do.
Thanks a lot for the tips, really helpful! because in my town its so hard to find a repairman or lathe, and btw do u change the sandpaper on the last4forever tool and what grit of paper do u use if u change it?
FYI - If this is the same brand as mine the dime radius is set at a dime in the milled portion of the tool, once the sandpaper is added the actual shape is smaller than a dime. Probably doesn't make much difference and may be a good thing.
Bryan thanks for this info!! I may have to try the Last4Ever tool, but I'd sure like your opinion on the Willard's tip shapers, the little round silver dollars. I use it, both dime and nickel, seems to do good, but yeah what are your thoughts? Been watching tons of your videos!! My draw and force-follow shots are gettin better because of what you've taught me!!
All I can tell you is I have probably 2 or 3 of them floating around my house and I can’t remember using them even once in the last 10 years. it’s a classic tool, but probably not the best tool.
Are you soft on all my cues. I don’t mind medium and they tend to last longer but I prefer soft. I own about 15 shafts and all of them are between 12.4 mm and 13.1 mm and I think they all have soft tips right now. Except my break cues which have hard hybrid tips.
Great video and purchased from your link (The Dime Curve version). A possibly dumb question Brian but how do you know if/when to apply the tool to your cue's tip? I bought a JFlowers carbon fiber cue about a year ago and have never done anything with the tip so assumed I need to shape the tip but no sure if and when or how often you need to do this or what do you look for to work the tip? Thank you so much for your instruction!
When your tip no longer has that dime curve, which you can literally tell by putting a dime next to your tip that’s when you need to shape it - same applies for the nickel of course.
Great vid, thanks for the tips! Btw your swords are backward (assuming your camera isn't mirrored). They're commonly displayed from left to right out of respect. To each their own it doesn't actually matter.
The swords were taken down about a year ago, but we were in the middle of conflict when they were mounted so they were facing the right way - thank you very much for watching. I hope you’re subscribing.
I'm going to ask a possibly stupid question -- for the bowtie shaper tool, since the tool is a circular radius, does the angle of the tool to the stick have to be that perfect? In other words, if the tool is a circular radius, rotating the tool slightly off of vertical shouldn't shape the tip differently -- it's still a circle. But I might be missing something.
It’s not a stupid question when you see the way it’s shaped you’ll recognize what I’m saying. If it’s not straight up and down, you could put a bad angle on the tip I know players who have.
The curve of the tip will start to break down -when it no longer has a decent curve it’s time to shape it - just look at it from the side and you can tell. sometimes it’s more art than science, but you’ll get a feel for it. Thanks for watching. I hope I answered your question.
So, i have an off topic question. I was shooting with a buddy yesterday and he made the 8 ball on break without scratching the cue ball. By BCA rule, was that a win for him? I was under the impression that you can neither win or lose on breaks. I’d appreciate your input.
Rules change from place to place league to league. The large majority of leagues play ( eight on the break ) is a win unless you scratch- I believe BCA plays the same way. if you’re just playing casually or in SOME bar, you need to set the rule before hand because a bar on fifth Street can be playing by totally different rules than a bar on sixth street. That’s one of maybe five rules you have to get an understanding about before the very first game.
Can you use a dime shaping tool on a 12.5 shaft/tip ? I heard one of the pool cue supposedly expert say that some shafts are better with a nickel radius tip and others with a dime radius depending on the size shaft. I would love to hear your comments on this subject. I know you always shoot with a dime shaped tip. Thank You totally confused.
Over the last 20 years I used everything from 12.4 to 13.2 each one has had a dime radius - that’s the best I can help you. I would imagine anything above 13.2 could possibly be different but I’ve never heard that before.
Most professionals are using a 19 ounce cue which is on the lighter side. A smaller tip tends to put more spin on the ball as opposed to a heavier or lighter cue. Some “wannabe” mad scientist will tell you it’s not true, but every cue manufacturer in the world will tell you, it is true, that a smaller tip puts more spin on the ball. Weight is a factor, but not to a great extent.
@@FXBilliards I'm about to resin impregnate an old maple cue with everdure from international boat products to attempt removing the bow it's around 15 mm out at the tip , (straight up to the middle ) would you like some feedback on the results?
The very best tips should not cost more than about 40 bucks installed. And will probably last you more than six months. I like Kamui soft, victory soft and I think Moori might be less expensive, but I haven’t used them in years.
@@FXBilliards thanks for the reply. The problem is I have 6 sticks to replace tips on. That’s why I’m not looking for high end like Kamui but I’ll look into the others. Thanks again. Keep up with the great lessons.
nost my tips are Le Pro or Ki Tech M , but one of my cue Players seem to be hard and it purpose to be Le Pro but look like a Ki Tech Hard tip actually , but was wondering if i can reshape it get the glaze out
It’s a good chance. Your tips are dried out - I would replace those tips with a quality multi layered tip. Even good tips should be replaced every six months and those sound like that are a little older and Lepro doesn’t make the best quality tips. A quality tip may cost about $25 but when you think about it over the course of six months we’re talking about pennies a day.
LINKS TO THE TOOLS IN THIS VIDEO
The Last4Ever Tip Tool: amzn.to/3rQSbDz
Bow Tie Tip Tool: amzn.to/3Qf6I5V
I have both. Both are very helpful when it comes to taking care of your cue tip. Just don't over use them so you don't shorten your tip life. I believe any pool player should have both. Excellent tools.
I love that this channel offers more than just on-table practices. 🤟
Glad you enjoy it!
Hey hey, I bought the Last4Ever tip tool on your recommendation :)
Just used it for the first time and got a nice dime shape tip now
Thanks man! Gave it a thumbs up
PS I have learned a lot from your various videos!
Great to hear!
I bought this a few months ago based on your recommendation and I couldn’t be happier. I will never buy another tip tool again since this one does it all!
Good choice!
I have this tool and I love it! Bought it a few weeks ago. Best tool ever!
Glad to help. Thanks for watching.
Last forever tip tool is the best tip tool I've EVER used........Thank you for sharing.....
You bet!
Bought it few days ago. Will use it in 2-3 days and see how well this shapes my new tip! Thanks for the demo! :)
You are welcome - thank you for your feedback
Best tool I've ever used.
Thanks, I purchased one Thursday and used it Friday. I love it. Thanks for sharing. I think it works better than all the other tools I’ve tried. Perfect shape.
Great to hear!
Thanks Bryan! A miracle that comments are not blocked at work today! It is good to see how you do these maintenance tasks.
You bet
Another good video. I’ve used the Willard’s Tip Tool for 25 years with great results. They’re small enough to keep in your bag (they’re the size of a silver dollar), has a cut out that verifies tip radius (dime or nickel), braised carbide grit and they last forever. Another good option for tip maintenance. Thanks again for all the great advice and instruction.
Thanks for watching
Just bought the last forever tip tool . I haven’t used it yet but this video definitely helped me to not buy anything else and narrowed down the choice for a tip tool.
The recommendation along with the video is going to help me on how to use it and when to use it. Thank you I will pass it along to my pool buddies!
Glad it was helpful! It’s an outstanding product
You can also put the last4ever on the table and use both hands to push and spin the shaft from a level angle and get the job done very quickly...great tip tool
Hey there, thanks for sharing and demonstrating the cue tip shapers. Seeing how the tools are to be properly used along with your verbal instruction will truly help. Thanks again for spending your time to make these instructional video!!
Glad it was helpful!
Excellent video B. Very! Useful information thanks alot
Glad it was helpful!
I have both in my bag and they work great! Thanks for the video!!!
Great to hear!
Looking sharp in that predator!
Thank you
Good info! I bought a lastforever tip tool a few months ago and love it!
Great to hear!
Thank you so much Brian.
My pleasure!
bought the shaper from your link. thank you.
Cool. Thanks
Really dig your videos Brian!
Glad you like them! Enjoy the holidays. Thank you very much for watching.
….used to mess with my tips too much. Now I just install, shape, burnish sides and touch up, scuff as needed. Use similar tools and techniques as shown. I find, Tips will find their ‘natural’ shape and firm up as you play 🙌🏼
Thanks for sharing
Hi! I am excited to be a new subscriber.
Thanks for subbing!
Thanks for another helpful video. Last4ever also make a combo tool with both nickel and dime shaper which is what I have. It's great and I use it to shape and maintain new tips. Once the tip settles down I use an Ultimate Tip Tool for touch up and burnishing and scuffing.
Cool, thanks
Got both. Last Forever a much better shaper as Brian says. There is another one for which you add and replace sandpaper. Works pretty well, but the sandpaper can slip.
I also have the Williard Pro shaper. Works pretty well and is less aggressive. I prefer to keep in my bag and use if needed at a hall since it is so light. My Last Forever stays home and does most of the work.
Curious to know, Brian, if you replace your own tips. I do, because oddly, there is nobody in Washington DC proper who does! I have to drive 30 minutes to the nearest guy who does them.
I’ve got everything needed to replace my own tips but it’s something that I never do. My cue guy is an hour away but because I have so many shafts I play with, my tips last a while.
Hello Bryan, First, I would like to say thank you for your time and for sharing some of your knowledge. Your feedback and techniques are slowly improving my game. Since this episode is about tip maintenance, which I very much appreciate it, I would also like to ask you if, by chance, you have had any experience with the cue tips coming off. I bought a new predetor cue with a Revo composite 12.4 shaft, and on the first hit, the tip came right off. I would like to know if this is a common problem? Can the tip be glued back on? and if so, what type of glue would you use. Once again, thank you for your guidance. Respect
Sorry it took me so long to answer you. That is a very rare occurrence. The tip can be glued back on, but you should not do it yourself - either send it back to predator or have a professional do.
You recently get sponsored by predator? Love your videos and big fan of predator. Hope to get sponsored by them 1 day.
I’ve been sponsored by Predator since Feb 2001. They treat me very well, and they have amazing products.
Thanks a lot for the tips, really helpful! because in my town its so hard to find a repairman or lathe, and btw do u change the sandpaper on the last4forever tool and what grit of paper do u use if u change it?
You don’t change it. Thanks for watching.
Gotta keep 'em in shape (to maintain control)!!! Be Safe
Have & use both.. last forever is the berries 😁
FYI - If this is the same brand as mine the dime radius is set at a dime in the milled portion of the tool, once the sandpaper is added the actual shape is smaller than a dime. Probably doesn't make much difference and may be a good thing.
Bryan thanks for this info!! I may have to try the Last4Ever tool, but I'd sure like your opinion on the Willard's tip shapers, the little round silver dollars. I use it, both dime and nickel, seems to do good, but yeah what are your thoughts? Been watching tons of your videos!! My draw and force-follow shots are gettin better because of what you've taught me!!
All I can tell you is I have probably 2 or 3 of them floating around my house and I can’t remember using them even once in the last 10 years. it’s a classic tool, but probably not the best tool.
What brand / type of tips do you use? And could you provide a link for those as well? Thanks ❤
I don’t have a link. - I use Kamui soft and everyone that works on tips will have them.
Thank you again Brian for another video. For playing eight ball what type of tip do you like and the hardness please?
Are you soft on all my cues. I don’t mind medium and they tend to last longer but I prefer soft. I own about 15 shafts and all of them are between 12.4 mm and 13.1 mm and I think they all have soft tips right now. Except my break cues which have hard hybrid tips.
Thanks
Welcome
Ordered
Great tip (pun intended)
put the scuff/shape on the floor upright between your feet, put the cue tip down into the shaper and spin the cue with you palms
Are used to do that. Thanks for watching.
Great video and purchased from your link (The Dime Curve version). A possibly dumb question Brian but how do you know if/when to apply the tool to your cue's tip? I bought a JFlowers carbon fiber cue about a year ago and have never done anything with the tip so assumed I need to shape the tip but no sure if and when or how often you need to do this or what do you look for to work the tip? Thank you so much for your instruction!
When your tip no longer has that dime curve, which you can literally tell by putting a dime next to your tip that’s when you need to shape it - same applies for the nickel of course.
Great vid, thanks for the tips! Btw your swords are backward (assuming your camera isn't mirrored). They're commonly displayed from left to right out of respect. To each their own it doesn't actually matter.
The swords were taken down about a year ago, but we were in the middle of conflict when they were mounted so they were facing the right way - thank you very much for watching. I hope you’re subscribing.
I'm going to ask a possibly stupid question -- for the bowtie shaper tool, since the tool is a circular radius, does the angle of the tool to the stick have to be that perfect? In other words, if the tool is a circular radius, rotating the tool slightly off of vertical shouldn't shape the tip differently -- it's still a circle. But I might be missing something.
It’s not a stupid question when you see the way it’s shaped you’ll recognize what I’m saying. If it’s not straight up and down, you could put a bad angle on the tip I know players who have.
How often do you shape/scuff the tips? How do I know when the tip needs to be done?
The curve of the tip will start to break down -when it no longer has a decent curve it’s time to shape it - just look at it from the side and you can tell. sometimes it’s more art than science, but you’ll get a feel for it. Thanks for watching. I hope I answered your question.
Hey Brian, do you think the white vault plate is really any better than the black vault plate, on the revo shafts?
I have both and I hardly noticed any difference.
So, i have an off topic question.
I was shooting with a buddy yesterday and he made the 8 ball on break without scratching the cue ball.
By BCA rule, was that a win for him?
I was under the impression that you can neither win or lose on breaks.
I’d appreciate your input.
Rules change from place to place league to league. The large majority of leagues play ( eight on the break ) is a win unless you scratch- I believe BCA plays the same way. if you’re just playing casually or in SOME bar, you need to set the rule before hand because a bar on fifth Street can be playing by totally different rules than a bar on sixth street. That’s one of maybe five rules you have to get an understanding about before the very first game.
8 ball on the break in BCA with no scratch. means breaker has the choice of breaking again or spotting the 8. then choose stripes or solids
first time Ive been here in a while...have you started running? you seem leaner...
ua-cam.com/video/veGss7BQ4TY/v-deo.htmlsi=AxIyji_H5o86miUN
Can you comment on Taom chalk and whether you would use it. Certainly cleaner and long lasting!
I use it every day
I be getting those tools. Please send me link where you describe that black cue, I’m going guess is a predator.
It’s a Predator p3 with a Revo 13.9mm shaft.
Can you use a dime shaping tool on a 12.5 shaft/tip ? I heard one of the pool cue supposedly expert say that some shafts are better with a nickel radius tip and others with a dime radius depending on the size shaft. I would love to hear your comments on this subject. I know you always shoot with a dime shaped tip. Thank You totally confused.
Over the last 20 years I used everything from 12.4 to 13.2 each one has had a dime radius - that’s the best I can help you. I would imagine anything above 13.2 could possibly be different but I’ve never heard that before.
Nice. Cool channel. Lots of respect for answering the question!
Brian, what do you think about the silver bowtie scuffer and shaper that seems to do it all?
Much like any multi tool- I rather have the last4ever in my bag. The bow tie is good but not the best. In my opinion.
Hi any thoughts on resin impregnation on maple shafts ? Would it decrease flex and be more resistant to warp ?
I wish I could help you, but I don’t have any expertise that would give you an accurate answer.
when I use soft tips they glaze over really bad. is that just par for the course or am I doing it wrong
Are you using multi layered tips or one layer tip? And are you using a scuff or on them because you shouldn’t have that problem
How often do you shape the tip?
It’s pretty much as needed. Depends on how soft the tip is but generally about once every 2 to 4 weeks.
Your videos are amazing. I really like it. I am a new subscriber to your channel. Can I talk with you?
Yes. Email me at fxbilliards@gmail.Com with your contact information.
Hi Brian baz NZ here could I ask your opinion on cue weight vrs spin ? Lighter or heavy to generate max spin
Most professionals are using a 19 ounce cue which is on the lighter side. A smaller tip tends to put more spin on the ball as opposed to a heavier or lighter cue. Some “wannabe” mad scientist will tell you it’s not true, but every cue manufacturer in the world will tell you, it is true, that a smaller tip puts more spin on the ball. Weight is a factor, but not to a great extent.
@@FXBilliards I'm about to resin impregnate an old maple cue with everdure from international boat products to attempt removing the bow it's around 15 mm out at the tip , (straight up to the middle ) would you like some feedback on the results?
I dont think I can give you the best advice on this project but maybe someone else in the comments area might be more helpful.
How often do you shape your tip?
I shape them as needed. Usually about once a month or two. Because I have so many of them they don’t wear as quickly.
What tip do you use on your cur
Kamui soft
So all you need is the last forever tool?
It is currently the only thing I use. I love that thing.
Any suggestions for replacement tips? I’m just a garage player looking to upgrade my sticks without spending a couple hundred bucks on tips.
The very best tips should not cost more than about 40 bucks installed. And will probably last you more than six months. I like Kamui soft, victory soft and I think Moori might be less expensive, but I haven’t used them in years.
@@FXBilliards thanks for the reply. The problem is I have 6 sticks to replace tips on. That’s why I’m not looking for high end like Kamui but I’ll look into the others. Thanks again. Keep up with the great lessons.
Lastforever. Last word in tip tools.
nost my tips are Le Pro or Ki Tech M , but one of my cue Players seem to be hard and it purpose to be Le Pro but look like a Ki Tech Hard tip actually , but was wondering if i can reshape it get the glaze out
It’s a good chance. Your tips are dried out - I would replace those tips with a quality multi layered tip. Even good tips should be replaced every six months and those sound like that are a little older and Lepro doesn’t make the best quality tips. A quality tip may cost about $25 but when you think about it over the course of six months we’re talking about pennies a day.
Why do you use dime vs nickel? I play APA… skill level 4
I’ve used a dime since I was a kid- most top players use a dime curve. It does put more spin on the ball, but also requires more accuracy.
What tips do you use?
12.9 soft Victory
Brian whats the name of your tips you use
Victory Soft on most of my shafts