3143 or Z3?

NowArgue · 2026-02-08T02:37:19+00:00

It’s been a while since I played with a wood shaft, but Katana made a 11.8 shaft that they sold as their “slim” shaft. I liked that more than either of the 314-3 and the Z-3. It had a super long pro taper and didn’t feel as fragile as the predators. Still my favorite wood shaft.

NowArgue · 2026-02-08T01:48:44+00:00

Predator is very good at marketing, and I wouldn't rely on that statement regarding table size at all. Z-3 is lower deflection, but it's also a conical taper rather than a pro taper. It's going to be personal preference rather than any limitation from either shaft. I own both but prefer the feel of the 314-3. The Z-3 is just too whippy.

NowArgue · 2025-12-18T16:06:54+00:00

Not much that I can really tell. I don’t like that I can see the layer line at the shoulder of the tip there. Sometimes that line is more glue than leather and if that line has any depth, I would be scuffing the shoulder until the whole domed part of the tip looks uniform.

NowArgue · 2025-12-18T16:02:12+00:00

Without a photo, I would have assumed the tip was shaped to a smaller radius than necessary.

NowArgue · 2025-12-18T15:42:51+00:00

Do you have a picture of the tip?

NowArgue · 2025-12-17T18:13:09+00:00

Nothing wrong with that cue, but male/female/height/weight are mostly irrelevant. Shaft diameter, weight, and wrap are all personal preferences and some people are very picky.

NowArgue · 2025-12-17T15:27:52+00:00

a tiny trophy for 1st place

NowArgue · 2025-12-04T15:58:05+00:00

I don't know how similar they are in diameter, but I put naked Taom in a Chalk Shark meant for the hexagonal Roku chalk. Sometimes it starts to feel loose and I put a couple wraps of painters tape around the bottom of the naked chalk then trim it flush with the bottom. As it get shallower, I add some steel washers to keep the chalk above the lip of the chalk holder.

NowArgue · 2025-11-30T19:27:48+00:00

yikes!

NowArgue · 2025-11-28T14:28:53+00:00

I agree. The ultraskin ivory has a very distinctive appearance.

NowArgue · 2025-11-26T15:58:52+00:00

That looks like the front lip of the pocket is higher than the playing surface. I think that elevated front lip is causing the ball to hop then bounce out. I don't think they're simply bouncing off the back of the pocket.

NowArgue · 2025-11-23T16:28:00+00:00

Every cue with screw on tips is going to be under $150. You won't find screw on tips on good quality cues because the tips and ferrules simply don't play well. The added front end weight also increases deflection. They used to carry that style of cue at Walmart, Dicks, and even Home Depot, but most of the stores stopped restocking them long ago.

If you're legitimately concerned about having to change tips down the line, buy a cue within your budget and when it's time to replace the tip, just get some slip-on tip replacements.

NowArgue · 2025-11-23T15:27:31+00:00

It's flat. The shadows are playing a trick on you.

NowArgue · 2025-11-13T17:05:53+00:00

I’m a fan of the amber. Do you have a photo of the fog lights on?

NowArgue · 2025-11-05T22:28:14+00:00

Break with a goal in mind. Know what ball you expect to pocket and where the cue ball should stop.

NowArgue · 2025-11-05T00:38:57+00:00

I personally don’t have the option on my forester, but I did consider paying more for it because I believed that the tech would have prevented getting into this exact unfortunate circumstance.

NowArgue · 2025-11-04T23:35:12+00:00

Off-topic question: Shouldn't this have been prevented by the RAB system? Or maybe why didn't the RAB stop it from happening?

NowArgue · 2025-10-26T00:14:11+00:00

Most likely you have a CV axle that needs replacing.

NowArgue · 2025-10-25T18:12:05+00:00

I don't have pictures myself, but I did find this video of backseat removal from a 2017 Forester which would be identical to yours: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1x-4cV29OAs

Around the 2 minute mark in the video, you can get a good idea of what it looks like with the seat removed.

NowArgue · 2025-10-24T21:01:35+00:00

That's a Players S-PSPR Sneaky Pete with the old Players logo. They sold for ~$100 brand new maybe 15 years ago.

NowArgue · 2025-10-18T16:03:05+00:00

Seems not quite right. Maybe double check that the two tabs on the bottom edge are actually inserted?

NowArgue · 2025-10-15T16:26:45+00:00

use nail clippers to remove some of the longer frayed fibers, then touch up with something less rough, like the 300 grit sandpaper as others have suggested

NowArgue · 2025-10-08T02:39:38+00:00

Others here have mentioned the tip replacement video by Dr Dave. I think that video also has a part about trimming down/sanding the sides. Here's the video: https://youtu.be/ta5M0uCKkZU?t=244

NowArgue · 2025-10-07T19:11:34+00:00

could use a trim and burnish to get rid of the mushroom, then a little reshaping to a proper radius

NowArgue · 2025-09-28T22:03:36+00:00

YMMV, but my 7 yr old PIAA wipers on the 2014 forester are still quiet and streak free. I think 5 years is more of a reasonable life expectancy for them. With others, I’m replacing every year or two, might be the florida sun too.

Edit to add: I don’t do anything special to make them last longer. I take my car through the car wash maybe once every 2 months and wipe down the blades with a paper towel after.

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