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Author Topic: Method for Using Abralon Pads  (Read 19460 times)

earlyrolling

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Method for Using Abralon Pads
« on: February 27, 2014, 12:36:58 AM »
I bought some Abralon pads in case I need to alter the surface of a ball while down on the lanes.  Questions:

1. I know you are supposed to use the pad on all 4 sides of the ball but how much pressure should be applied and is just going once around the entire ball the typical way to do it?

2. Is there any danger of inhaling resin when using Abralon pads (by hand) in this fashion?

Thanks.

 

kidlost2000

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Re: Method for Using Abralon Pads
« Reply #1 on: February 27, 2014, 07:25:35 AM »
What grit pads are you using?

I wouldn't recommend doing this by hand. Your results will be very uneven. When using a ball spinner for sanding you want to hit all 6 sides. Typically if applying polish you can do 4 sides.

http://wiki.bowlingchat.net/wiki/index.php?title=Surface_Modification

Scroll down the link a ways for the 6 and 4 sided method.
…… you can't  add a physics term to a bowling term and expect it to mean something.

charlest

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Re: Method for Using Abralon Pads
« Reply #2 on: February 27, 2014, 07:26:39 AM »
According to the USBC, any changes have to be even all around the ball, and they have to be done before bowling for score begins.

As for how much pressure, while at the lanes, it depends on how much you need/want to change the surface of that particular ball.

Yes, inhaling powdered resin can make you sick, but you're not going to create much by hand because the changes won't be that radical. If you really think you're going to make changes that night, I'd dampened the pad and put it in a ziploc type of plastic bag. But, you can't keep wet pads inyour bag all the time. Many people carry some Abralon or Scotch Brite pads in their bag on a regular basis. I carry SB pads.
« Last Edit: February 27, 2014, 09:34:08 AM by charlest »
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soonerdallas

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Re: Method for Using Abralon Pads
« Reply #3 on: February 27, 2014, 09:12:43 AM »
Your going to get a very wide range of answers to this question. And there is really no wrong answer just personal preference. If your just bowling league then yes a spinner will be great. If you Bowl alot of tournaments then you will need to be doing them by hand on the fly if you know what your wanting your ball to do, I asked Jeff Carter this question  once on Facebook and his answer was to do them by hand with a dry pad.  Like I said though, not really a wrong way just depends what your looking for. Also for me personally I got a better reaction doing it by hand, but never would go below 1000 grit by hand.
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ImBackInTheGame

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Re: Method for Using Abralon Pads
« Reply #4 on: February 27, 2014, 09:28:31 AM »
There are surface "changes" and surface "adjustments".  Then there is resurfacing but I don't think that's what we are talking about here.

Surface changes/refresh surface:
Use of a spinner and wet sanding are strongly recommended to get even results sanding on 4 or 6 sides (whichever you prefer).  I would not dry sand with a spinner unless you are wearing some sort of mask with air filters, plus the mess would be annoying.  With this method you take it down a couple of steps and then up to your final grit, like 1000/2000 or 2000/4000.  By hand would be time consuming and difficult to be consistent across the entire surface of the ball.

Minor Surface adjustments:
Can be done either by hand at the lanes prior to the beginning of competition or on a spinner.  Usually very minor change with light pressure over the entire surface of the ball with either a higher or lower grit pad to get the desired reaction.

tc300

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Re: Method for Using Abralon Pads
« Reply #5 on: April 07, 2014, 07:54:00 AM »
These things wear out way too quick to be used on a spinner....  I ONLY use them by hand....  Counter clockwise!!  Lol. J/k. Either direction is fine.

900DJ

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Re: Method for Using Abralon Pads
« Reply #6 on: April 07, 2014, 07:47:20 PM »
I recently bowled in a tournament with a flooded flat shot and had zero help from any ball that I brought, so I took a 500 grit and soaked a ball with ball cleaner and sanded by hand keeping the area wet with ball cleaner and wow a much better look. This was after doubles and before the single event started.

JohnP

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Re: Method for Using Abralon Pads
« Reply #7 on: April 08, 2014, 03:23:06 PM »
The following is a quote for informational purposes from the USBC rules book.  You weren't called on what you did, so don't worry about it.  --  JohnP

Quote
18/3 A tournament consists of doubles and singles events. The singles event is bowled first immediately followed by the doubles. Can I sand my bowling ball between events?
No. Rule 18 does not allow the outer surface of any bowling ball to be altered with an abrasive after the start of competition. This includes balls that have not yet been introduced into play.  The start of competition is defined as the point the first ball is thrown by any participant for score. Since the tournament is conducting singles and doubles concurrently, you cannot alter the surface of the bowling ball (including sanding) between events.

JOE FALCO

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Re: Method for Using Abralon Pads
« Reply #8 on: April 08, 2014, 05:43:36 PM »
Thanks JohnP .. I can honestly say I didn't know that .. the rule is very clear!
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earlyrolling

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Re: Method for Using Abralon Pads
« Reply #9 on: October 01, 2014, 12:10:53 AM »
Wow. Good info to consider. Thank you all who posted.  I have been using the pro shop to have adjustment done since I am a league bowler mostly.  As I get more into tournaments I will make sure to perhaps slightly moisten the coarser pads and not be hesitant to use the finer grain pads dry.

charlest

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Re: Method for Using Abralon Pads
« Reply #10 on: October 01, 2014, 08:59:37 AM »
The following is a quote for informational purposes from the USBC rules book.  You weren't called on what you did, so don't worry about it.  --  JohnP

Quote
18/3 A tournament consists of doubles and singles events. The singles event is bowled first immediately followed by the doubles. Can I sand my bowling ball between events?
No. Rule 18 does not allow the outer surface of any bowling ball to be altered with an abrasive after the start of competition. This includes balls that have not yet been introduced into play.  The start of competition is defined as the point the first ball is thrown by any participant for score. Since the tournament is conducting singles and doubles concurrently, you cannot alter the surface of the bowling ball (including sanding) between events.
While the above is true for USBC Nationals, it is NOT ALWAYS true for all other tournaments. We have a small local seniors tournament of just singles and doubles. In its by-laws it specifically states that Singles is A tournament and Doubles is A tournament. So in our case, I would say you would be allowed to sand or polish balls between these "events". I cannot speak for any other tournament.
(Most bowlers bring plenty of balls {2-8}  because we never know what pattern they're going to put down nor how each house's lane surface will affect the oil pattern. So most bowlers don't sand or polish between the tournaments.)
"None are so blind as those who will not see."

charlest

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Re: Method for Using Abralon Pads
« Reply #11 on: October 01, 2014, 09:03:34 AM »
Wow. Good info to consider. Thank you all who posted.  I have been using the pro shop to have adjustment done since I am a league bowler mostly.  As I get more into tournaments I will make sure to perhaps slightly moisten the coarser pads and not be hesitant to use the finer grain pads dry.

If you truly feel the need to prepare for this eventuality, I'd suggest doing what I used to do. Dampen the 2 or 3 pads you intend to bring, put each into a Ziploc bag, and bring 1 or 2 good sized towels just for wiping the sanded resin off these balls.) I'd put the whole shebang in a small sealable (maybe zippered) bag, in case you do need them. They'll be easier to handle and carry around, in case you don't need them.
"None are so blind as those who will not see."