I found a video that shows some good general information about cue tip selection, maintenance and replacement. I attached the video at the bottom.
If you own a cue or plan to buy one, you should consider the type of tip to use. You should also know how to maintain it.
Like pool cues, there are many different types of tips to choose. Most cues have a tip that is glued onto the end of the ferrule (this is the white part at the end of the cue). These glue-on tips vary greatly from brand to brand. You will want to do some trial and error to see what type of tip fits your game. If you don't have knowledge of different tips, ask the cue maker or retailer to give you some options. Make sure you know the brand and hardness of the tip that you are using. That way you start to develop a feel for your preference as you try different tips.
As I said, tips vary in hardness (e.g. soft, medium, hard). These hardness scales vary with different manufacturers, so be sure to ask someone that is knowledgeable to help you compare. Also, some tips are layered. These tips tend to be more durable and keep their shape better. They have become very popular. They can be expensive, though. They do tend to last longer, giving you better value.
CAUTION: Some cheaper cues have screw-on tips or slide-on tips. Those two types of tips are terrible. Do not waste your money on a cue that has a screw-on tip. You would be better off playing with a house cue. Also, don't be lazy and buy one of the tips that has the plastic slide-on sleeve. That is a poor way of replacing a tip. Some bars or poolhalls will use these types of tips, but you shouldn't.
Remember, the playability of your cue is greatly impacted by the quality and type of tip that you use. Just as importantly, make sure it is installed properly. A tip that is not glued solidly, can make a cue play poorly, not to mention, you wouldn't want it to fall off during an important match.
The video below goes over some basics about tip selection, shaping and installation. I have installed some tips in the manner showed below. It is a little tricky. I would much rather have an experienced cue mechanic install the tip for me. I would recommend the same to you.
I found some good deals on tips and cue repair supplies. They are listed on the right side of the page. This will give you some some idea of the variety of materials available. If you want to buy high-quality tips like Water Buffalo, Tiger or Moori, you'll want to check out these listings first to get the best deal possible.
Here is the video...
I want to thank ForceFollow for making this information available. I highly recommend you check out his site. He has a lot of great billiard instructional videos. Thanks ForceFollow. His site is www.ForceFollow.com.
I hope you found this information and video helpfull. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. If you have any tips, advice or tip recommendations, please, comment below and help your fellow pool players.
Cheers,
Skippy
