| AO Custom Cues
announces the introduction of their new AO ProPlus shaft. The shaft
uses the same taper technology as the AO-E shaft but incorporates
a new layering technology for their shaft wood. The ‘E’ shaft used
35 flat laminated layers of hard maple (Left image below) while the
new ‘ProPlus’ shaft uses 18 flat laminated layers with another 18
layers at right a angle to the first for the top half of the shaft
and the mirror image of that for the bottom half of the shaft (Right
image below). Where each 18 layer segment joins the other there can
be seen a distinct ‘Plus’, hence the name ProPlus Shaft. Radial Consistency of this shaft is equal to Natural Hard Maple or any of the pie laminated shafts presently on the market. |
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The original E-Shaft had less than a two percent difference in deflection
depending on how the shaft was oriented when striking the cue ball. The
ProPlus reduces that deflection difference to practically nothing. The shaft has a specially designed modified pro taper, the second key to this radically new shaft's technology, provides additional consistency and reduced deflection. The end result: The most consistent, hi tech, greatest performing cue shaft in the world today, unequalled by all other products. These new shafts out perform all other competitor's shafts by a minimum of 50% less deflection, with increased power and control as a bonus. A new glue is being used for the lamination process that is water resistant. Using the new glue will reduce absorption of moisture by the shaft and substantially reduce the likelihood of warping. Nothing can compare with what the new consistent AO-ProPlus shaft will do for your game. |
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The grayed out area above shows actual test results performed with my shaft testing machine in my shop. Photos of my shaft testing machine are shown below. What does the test show?It compares the deflection in the Predator 314 shaft, The Annie O NT shaft, The Predaytor Z shaft and the AO-E 35 layer flat laminated shaft. The farther away the 'Dot' is from the Aiming Line, the more deflection the shaft has. |
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How was the test performed?I built the shaft testing machine shown below, in which the cue is placed and then is propelled forward into the cue ball in exactly the same point, 3/16" right center English, at exactly the same speed every time. In this manner any cue shaft can be tested for its deflection. Because the entire process is mechanical it offers an opportunity to compare various shafts with each other because the cue ball hit point and speed are the same for every shaft tested. The test paper is attached to the end rail and is simply impressionable cash register tape. The Annie O NT shaft is not a laminated shaft. It is a regular shaft made of Hard Maple and built with the AO special pro taper, a 1/2" ferrule and a Talisman Pro hard tip. The new AO-E shaft, which I started making in February, 2004, is a 35 layer flat laminated hard maple with the AO-NT technology added. The new shaft, which I call the "E' Shaft, is a blend of the European and American Pro tapers. The E shaft outperforms every shaft tested againt it, even the new Predator "Z" shaft, on my own shaft testing robot (See pictures below). |
How is the laminated shaft made?Thirty-five Hard Maple laminations are layered on top of one another the length of the shaft. These layers are arranged with each layer rotated 180 degrees from the one next to it which allow opposing stresses in the wood to help keep the shaft from warping and creates a substantially stronger shaft. The shaft wood is not purchased from Meucci, but we do purchase our shaft material from the same manufacturer. What does this mean to you?It means less deflection and as a result less squirt. It means you do not have to make big adjustments for squirt when shooting with English. In fact - for almost all your shots, you can shoot with your English and make absolutely no adjustments for squirt. Simply aim at the target point on the object ball as if you were using a center ball hit. It means -- reducing the number of factors which cause you to miss shots. How much do they cost?The AO-NT is 175 and the AO-E shaft is 200 and
the new ProPlus is 250 . If
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