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Author Topic: Thumb Slugs  (Read 2631 times)

thedjs

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Thumb Slugs
« on: February 20, 2010, 02:34:32 AM »
In another post I asked about using interchangeable thumb inserts and received some very good replies.  I am wondering, however, if it would be cheaper and maybe just as good to go with thumb slugs.  In theory, it would seem that if a slug is put in and each ball was then drilled with the same size drill bit, all of the thumbs would be the same.  For example, it you need a 1" hole for your thumb, then a 1" drill bit should make each thumb hole identical (except for possible bevel).  At least it would get away from the tapered thumb inserts, which seem to give me the most problems.

Any comments would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.
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themagician

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Re: Thumb Slugs
« Reply #1 on: February 20, 2010, 11:00:52 AM »
For most bowlers there is a heck of a lot more that goes into drilling a correct thumb hole than just using a bit and drilling a round hole, and repeating this especially when dealing with ovals is difficult.
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jodyk24

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Re: Thumb Slugs
« Reply #2 on: February 20, 2010, 04:52:05 PM »



Most bowlers that use the new thumb inserts say that they love them. I have never tried them so I can't tell you how great they are. I understand what you are saying about the tapered sleeve, I don't think I would like them either. The price difference will depend on how many balls you need to change and how much your driller charges for the interchangeable system vs thumb slugs. The cost for me would be about double. I do like your thinking about the cost.(LOL) If you take your time you can make your thumb hole custom fit with a three edge bowling knife and a sheet of 180 grit wet/dry sandpaper, on a small round stick. Bevel is your choice light or heavy bevel with the sandpaper. I do all the thumb hole work on my equipment, the driller just hands the ball to me off of the drill press and I do the rest. Until I find a better way to do it I am going to work out the thumbhole myself.

jodyk24


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qstick777

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Re: Thumb Slugs
« Reply #3 on: February 20, 2010, 08:53:57 PM »
Another option is using a thumb mold.  Basically you take the ball with your best fitting thumb and a mold is created of that thumb hole.  Then custom slugs are created using the mold.

With most bowlers, a crucial part of the thumb is the beveling.  The molding process is able to duplicate that without any additional work needing to be done.

Brunsnick has a nice writeup about the process on his website - http://brunsnick.com/exactacated_thumb_mold.html

Buddies offers this service for $20 for creating the mold, and $12 for the slugs.

http://www.buddiesproshop.com/53/Ultimate_Thumb_Info.html

You may want to check around and see if any of your local shops offer this service as well.
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JohnP

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Re: Thumb Slugs
« Reply #4 on: February 20, 2010, 08:56:59 PM »
You can also get thumb sleeves that aren't tapered.  --  JohnP
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notsohotshot

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Re: Thumb Slugs
« Reply #5 on: February 20, 2010, 10:18:48 PM »
The molded thumb is the easiest and cheapest way to get the same feel from ball to ball. I have been using it for many years now. I even did the last couple with tape in them where I like it so that the new ones have a tape texture without using any tape and if I do need to add more tape I know exactly where it goes.
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themagician

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Re: Thumb Slugs
« Reply #6 on: February 20, 2010, 10:22:46 PM »
quote:
The molded thumb is the easiest and cheapest way to get the same feel from ball to ball. I have been using it for many years now. I even did the last couple with tape in them where I like it so that the new ones have a tape texture without using any tape and if I do need to add more tape I know exactly where it goes.


I've been doing it that way for a while now, it makes it really convenient. Molds work great but at times will cure differently and feel a bit different but its never been enough to have to redo it for me.
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Bluff

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Re: Thumb Slugs
« Reply #7 on: February 20, 2010, 11:10:20 PM »
Just drill a 1 1/2 hole and use tape
lmaof
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thedjs

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Re: Thumb Slugs
« Reply #8 on: February 24, 2010, 03:26:54 PM »
I'd like to thank everyone who replied to my posts about using thumb slugs and interchangeable thumbs.  After a lot of consideration, and talking to my local pro shop operator, I decided to try the molded thumb.  My pro shop made the mold, using one of my balls that I felt fit the best.  Then he made and installed four of these new thumbs.  Went down today and tried them out.  For the first time in a lot of years, each ball had the same feel.  I was able to change from ball to ball and never had a hang-up or drop.  Each ball felt identical to the others.  If not for the information I got from some of the people who replied to my posts, I would not have even known about this process.  As a result I think my problems (at least with the thumb holes) are solved.  Now if I have to make a ball change in the middle of a game, I won't have to worry about the ball hanging on my thumb and having a couple of bad frames.

Again thanks for all the help.

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