Pros and Cons of Screw On Pool Cue Tips
If you have ever tried changing a glue-on tip, you know how complicated the process can be. But, with screw-on pool cue tips, the replacement process is much simpler. Unscrew the tip, grab a new one and just screw it back on.
But before committing to these simpler cue tips, you need to ask yourself – Are screw-on pool cue tips worth it?
Most pool players, especially pros who need high-quality, reliable equipment, agree that screw-on tips are not as good as glue-on tips. They can easily come loose at some point, affecting the way they interact with the cue ball. This negatively affects your ball speed and accuracy while playing pool.
Nevertheless, people still buy screw-on tips, usually for house cues. Cheaper house cues are often used in bars and pool halls.
So, for those considering easier screw-on tips, give this piece a read as we discuss the pros and cons of using screw-on pool cue tips.
Advantages of Screw-On Pool Cue Tips
If you’re unsure of what type of tip to buy, here are some benefits of using screw-on pool cue tips:
- Easy to change
- Very affordable
- Suitable option for higher trafficked establishments (bars and pool halls)
Easy to change
The main reason to get a screw-on pool cue tip is the fact that it is much easier to replace it than a glue-on one. The only thing you need to do is unscrew the tip, and grab a new one and screw it on. This is a much better choice for those who don’t want to spend 20-30 minutes or more replacing a glue-on cue tip.
Very affordable
An average pack of screw-on tips usually costs between 5 and 10 dollars. Screw-on pool cue tips usually have a leather-like substance instead of actual leather, like on higher quality glue-on tips. This means that screw-on tips cost much less to manufacture.
Suitable for pool hall/bar usage
Due to the factors mentioned above, screw-on tips are sometimes best for those who have a pool hall or a bar. Most pool halls and bars don’t invest that much money in their cues, or their pool tables in general.
This is why you’ll find cheaper, one-piece house cues in most establishments. Plus, if the tip gets damaged, it can easily be replaced within a few seconds.
Disadvantages of Screw-On Pool Cue Tips
Even though screw-on tips are more practical for some situations, there are definitely some disadvantages you need to consider before buying:
- Not very durable
- Control issues
- Less Consistency
Not very durable
When the cue tips become flat (less than 1mm thick), they are considered to be worn out and need to be replaced. If they are being used regularly, you will most likely have to replace them once or twice a year in order to maintain accuracy and control.
Since glue-on pool cue tips allow you to remove them cleanly, the ferrule won’t be damaged and thus, will last much longer. On the other hand, the friction between the ferrule and screw-on tips weakens the pool cue and its quality over time. Since the screw will weaken the thread, you will have to replace the ferrule faster.
Control issues
Glue-on pool cue tips are more stable and solid, so they provide more accuracy. In other words, when the connection between the ferrule and the tip is secure, you will have to use less energy to hit the ball. With screw-on pool cue tips, you will get a less accurate shot, and power that isn’t consistent.
Less consistency
If you want to take pool seriously, consistently accurate shots may be the most essential part of playing. For a well-controlled shot, the quality of the tip and the cue itself are crucial.
Glue-on tips are known for providing long-lasting, seamless energy transfer. However, the precision of screw-on tips may be good in the beginning, but over time gets significantly worse.
Wrap Up
All in all, if you are looking for pool cue tips for your pool hall or bar, screw-on tips might be the best choice. They are much cheaper and can be replaced in a matter of seconds.
But, if you are a professional player and want consistent and well-controlled shots, glue-on tips make much more sense.