Pat, I appreciate that, and I realize it wasn't stated in this topic, but I had already tried to adjust the surface of this ball - 1000, 800, and down to 400 grit wet sand. I still couldn't get this ball to move for me.
I posted here (not sure when, I couldn't find the thread) and on the AMF forums(dec 04), and that is what was originally suggested - play with the cover and see if you can get any movement. Well, at 400 grit I was able to get a few boards. If I really cranked it (by "no-thumbing" it) I could see it turn the corner, but that isn't my style and thats how I believe I originally injured my arm and the reason I moved down to 14lb - Velocity was my first ball at 14lb (after throwing a 14.5lb for a while).
I didn't put it in this post because I had given up and was going to bite the bullet and pay to plug and re-drill. I figured that it was drilled far too aggressively for my style and lack of "hand." My pro shop offered me $20 for the ball, and I was able to get an offer for $40 shipped from a few users here. This is a ball I paid $190 + tax + inserts for (early X-mas present to myself) and I just couldn't bear to eat that much of a loss - I would've rather let my 2 year old push it around the driveway, at least I would see him getting some enjoyment out of it! I was more willing to throw another $40-50 into it than just give it away.
Having done all that, when I threw the ball yesterday, the guy could see it trying to turn. On bone dry lanes I was getting maybe 3 boards. He wouldn't come out and say that I didn't have enough hand for that drilling, but taking out 1/2 ounce of side weight made a considerable difference.
He did say that that since it is a particle ball that the reaction would be more arcy than flippy - I still find it humorous that people say its a particle ball but it only has .25% particle.
Anyways, I never really thought it was the ball, and I guess that is what I get for using a driller that has never seen me bowl and is not located on the lanes. He never offered to do anything for me other than buy it back (for $20) and sell me something different (he is big on Ebonite). I told him I wanted something aggressive, and he drilled it according to the layout sheet. Think I'll be going back to him to drill my Changeling?
My only issue was that it was advertised as a particle ball and I needed something for oil (max velocity wasn't out yet, and my red hammer wasn't cutting it on my fresh league shots) and I wanted a "pretty" ball (so TNT wasn't an option). Since the website describes the ball as
quote:
Velocity
This combination of all new cover and core is our best to date. The new Velocity core gives you symmetrical predictability with enhanced mass bias performance. Surround it with our new Mach-1 Particle coverstock for a reaction that's super clean in the front and truly sideways on the back for incredible entry angle.
I thought it would be good for oil (and hook rating of 55 compared to 57 for TNT) - that was my only issue with the ball and lack of reaction. I thought I was buying a hook monster and got a really good spare ball!
I agree that coverstock is the most important factor, but I think I could've taken it down to 80 grit and still not gotten a decent reaction with that layout and my low rpms.
