Cue thread: Discovered while playing billiards

We are always looking for threads in new, unexpected places. This time, we found them with cue threads in the game of billiards. With the increasing popularity of snooker as a professional sport and the widespread presence of billiard tables in pubs and sports bars, there's a good chance you've tried your hand at this sport as well. But do you have any idea where the thread comes into play in billiards?

The billiard thread is well hidden. While enthusiastic players probably already know what we're getting at, for beginners, the billiard thread is not immediately apparent. Here's a little hint: it's actually in the cue.

The cue is not just a long wooden stick; it consists of multiple parts that need to be held together. Which parts these are and what the functions of the cue threads are, we at BAER, your screw tap manufacturer, have taken a closer look for you.

Billiard Cue Threads: How a Cue is Constructed

If you refer to a cue as a simple wooden rod, you're likely to upset fans of billiards. In fact, it's a complex sports device whose characteristics can be tailored to the player's preferences. While there are cues that consist of a single rod, they are rarely used in serious billiards.

Most cues can be roughly divided into the upper part and the lower part. The upper part is responsible for precision work. The tip of the cue is called the pomeranze. It is usually made of leather and is the part of the sports device that actually touches the ball. The pomeranze is seated on the ferrule, which acts as a shock absorber. The rest of the upper part consists of the shaft, which rests between the player's fingers during the game.

The lower part of the cue is designed to provide the player with a firm grip. It may be wrapped with a grip band. The lower part is finished with a butt cap.

And what's between the upper and lower parts? That's where the joint is, where the upper and lower parts are connected. Can you guess what's there? That's right, that's where you find the cue threads.

The Applications of Cue Threads

The main task of cue threads is to connect the upper and lower parts. But threads are also used in other places on the cue. Let's take a look at where cue threads come into play.

Cue Threads for Length Adjustment

So, cue threads allow billiards players to dismantle their sports equipment. This has several advantages. A cue is quite long and cumbersome to transport. Thanks to cue threads, it can be easily disassembled into multiple parts. Moreover, cue threads make it possible to exchange parts.

Cue threads serve more purposes. They are mainly related to the specific requirements of different billiard variants. For example, in snooker, the table used for playing is significantly larger than in classic pool billiards. This can result in players not having good access to the cue ball. To help with this, players can use so-called bridge cues, which can be used as supports. Or you can extend your cue - thanks to cue threads! Different extensions can also be screwed onto the cue using cue threads. This is especially useful if you're not a professional with a whole arsenal of cues of different lengths and designs. With cue threads, you can still adjust the cue to the required dimensions.

The same principle works in the other direction. For some special shots, you need a shorter sports device. For this purpose, special cues exist, where the rear part can be unscrewed using cue threads. And you're ready for a skillful jump shot!

Cue Threads at the Tip

The pomeranze is heavily used in billiards. After all, it is the part with direct ball contact. Therefore, it's no surprise that a lot of wear occurs here, and the pomeranze needs to be replaced from time to time. Many manufacturers use adhesive connections for this, while others use screw connections. Depending on the design, you may also find cue threads at the tip of your sports device.

Cue Threads at the Butt Cap

The butt cap on the cue plays a significant role in weight distribution, which in turn affects the feel of the game. Weight can be adjusted using weight screws, which are hidden behind the butt cap. With cue threads, they can be removed or replaced to customize the weight according to individual preferences. The butt cap itself is attached to the cue using threads at many manufacturers.

What Types of Cue Threads are Used in Billiards?

At this point, the topic of cue threads becomes a bit complicated. There is not just one type of cue thread, but a wild collection of thread types and thread standards that are used quite differently by manufacturers. Most of the time, they involve inch-based threads. At least for the cue threads at the joint, you can usually find information about the thread types in the manufacturer's specifications. However, your selection of individual parts is naturally limited, and you can't freely combine them.

When it comes to materials, cue threads don't follow a clear pattern either. They can be made of plastic, wood, metal, or any other conceivable material that can be used to build cues. The bolt with the external thread is sometimes located on the upper part and sometimes on the lower part.

In addition to traditional screw threads, there are also cue threads that are implemented as quick-release connections. In these cue threads, only a few threads are cut, allowing for faster replacement.

So, we can't give you a universally applicable piece of advice on cue threads. However, we have answers to just about all other questions regarding thread taps. Try it out for yourself and contact our customer service! In our BAER online shop, you can find thread tools for all common thread types.