Finally bought a Pro-Sect a couple of days ago, and checked the layouts on a couple of symmetrical core balls I've had drilled at different times in the last year.  Both of them had the pin postion shorter than what was agreed upon.  Both were supposed to be at 3 3/8" from my PAP.  As it turns out, one was 1/2" shorter and the other is 5/8" shorter.  In both cases, it seems that the two drillers either didn't pay attention to what they were doing, or they just did what they thought was best, including one of them putting a weight hole on the PAP when it was supposed to go 2 1/2" down the VAL.  At the time, I just went with it because I didn't want to have it plugged and re-done.  If a newbie like me can lay the base pattern out, how tough is it?  Am I missing something here, or is it expecting too much to get the layout right?  Maybe they think most average league bowlers won't notice or even check, unless it's something really glaring.

 

Oh, and what finally pushed me to buy the Pro-Sect was that I just had a new Gamebreaker drilled by the new pro shop guy at our lanes, and got a layout that was not quite what was agreed upon either.  The pin length and position was right, but the CG was in the palm when it was supposed to be kicked out to the right to have the option of likely using a weight hole.  I don't know if a weight hole can be added now or not, but I have to find out.  I guess I shouldn't have been too surprised in this case, since the driller was vocal about weight holes not really being necessary except for meeting statics, and how he didn't use them in his equipment.  I don't buy that many balls, but when I do, I'd sure like to get the layout that I request and is agreed upon.

 

Edited by duvallite on 9/23/2011 at 5:38 PM

Just because a bowler may "not be good enough to notice the difference" is no excuse for not giving him what he asked for. Sounds like laziness. You are right, its not rocket science. When drilling a ball, generally the acceptable margin of error is about 1/16". If the driller can't get the spans and pin distance consistently within that distance, you need another driller.

Not sure if this is directed towards my post or not, but you're missing the point I was trying to get across.  That point being, not getting what was requested and agreed upon.  Also, you are absolutely right when you mention being off by 1/16" would be way too picky, but to me, being off by 1/2" or 5/8" on a simple measurement is just not acceptable.  If that's okay for you, then that's fine.  I just expect to get what I pay for.  Also, I understand about surface being so important to reaction, and I adjust surfaces whenever I need to, as it's easily done with my spinner.  Finally, fwiw, I totally don't agree with the Ebonite statement, "I remember one of Ebonite's main folks saying the average bowler couldn't see the difference in 3" moves with the pin".

 

Edited by duvallite on 9/24/2011 at 4:24 PM