Uni-Loc® Joint Guide: Quick-Release, Radial, and Steel-Lite

Uni-Loc is a trademarked brand of Predator Group. Uni-Loc brand joints include the Original Quick-Release Joint, Radial Joint, and Bullet Joint. Here is a link to our Uni-Loc Joints: https://uni-loc.com/. Our joints offer the highest level of interchangeability, which means it is easy to fit a new shaft to a cue butt.

The Uni-Loc Quick-Release Joint is by far the most popular joint that Predator offers and is featured in most of our recurring cue lines. This joint type allows the cue to be jointed and unjointed very quickly, in just one and a half turns. That's why it is referred to as quick-release. The pin is smooth, and the brass shaft insert interlocks with the steel channel, surrounding the pin. This fast and convenient joint features a tight, unwavering fit and the characteristic stiff feel of a steel-jointed cue. We recommend cleaning the Uni-Loc Quick-Release joint and facing every six months to maintain proper function, a tight fit, and cue alignment.

In contrast, the Uni-Loc Radial Pin is a good choice for those who prefer a larger, threaded pin, which is featured in a number of Special Edition Cues, including cue maker collaborations. It features 7  threads and requires more time to join and unjoin. The Radial pin is nestled directly into the cue butt, which threads directly into the matching threads inside the wood or carbon fiber shaft. This wood-to-wood or wood-to-carbon fit creates a tighter, desirable feel for some players, but it also increases friction when jointing and unjointing the cue. The Uni-Loc Radial Joint requires less maintenance than the Uni-Loc Quick-Release Joint, and when paired with a Predator Radial shaft, provides flawless compatibility.

Predator utility cues such as the BK Rush and Air Rush, feature the Uni-loc Steel-Lite Quick Release pin. 

The Preditor Uni-loc Steel-Lite Quick Release pin is a unique joint with a shorter pin than the standard Uni-Loc Quick-Release pin featured on our playing cues. The shaft must be joined with the cue butt with care to align them together correctly, or misthreading may occur. This also applies to break/jump and jump cue handles and forearms. You will need to line the shaft up with the cue butt, insert the pilot end of the shaft into the channel of the pin, and slowly turn clockwise until the thread catches. This shorter pin does not join up as quickly and easily as its counterpart, the longer, Uni-loc Quick Release pin. This is why more care must be taken when joining a shaft to a cue butt, that features the Uni-loc Steel-Lite Quick Release pin.

You may be wondering why Predator chose this pin for their utility cues. This pin was created shorter, to provide a “break balance” feature, which allows weight to be more evenly distributed across the cue. This is one reason why the BK Rush Break Cue offers an optimum break weight of 18.5 ounces, to perform its best when a break is executed at medium speed. This is part of the technology, built into the product.

Please click here to read about recommended joint and insert maintenance. Along with following the care instructions for joining your shaft to your cue butt, regular maintenance will prevent mis-threading, joint lock-up, and ultimately, damage to the insert of the shaft. 

For more information on our patented, Uni-loc Joints, please visit www.uni-loc.com.