The New AO Technology Shaft

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.

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 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 "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).

The AO-ProPlus shaft, which I started making in June, 2006, is the latest in lamination technology combined with the AO-NT technology added. The ProPlus Shaft, hast the same proprietary taper and outperforms every shaft tested againt it. (Period!)

How is the laminated shaft made?

Eighteen Hard Maple laminations are layered on top of one another the length of the shaft. Three more sections of these 18 layer laminations are arranged with each section rotated 90 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 $175.00 and the AO-E shaft is $200.00 and the new ProPlus is $250.00. If special ring work or Uni-Loc Joint is used, there are additional charges.