Figured an update would be nice...

Plugged the whole thing and started over. This time, pin ended up over the middle, which is about 5 inches from my PAP, maybe 5.25. MB is almost exactly 3 inches away and in a strong position close to the thumb. No weight hole yet but I was thinking of drilling out the MB marker (separate thread on this is on this same board). There were so many things that needed to be plugged (thumb, three finger holes since I use a pinky hole, weight hole) that I did a resurface while I was at it and took it to 2000 plus Storm Reacta Shine.

Took it to league tonight just to test. Too much oil in the first couple of games and on top of that, the entire team we were bowling against with the exception of one guy used plastic all night, straight up the lane, and the fourth guy alternated. The right lane held together but the left lane was junk. Felt like a combination of bad carrydown and a sloppy blend line as you got closer to the gutter.

I went 177 (four splits) and 204 to start with a Lane #1 Tsunami H20. In the 10th frame of the second game, I could tell my breakpoint was moving too far up the lane at me, and since the inside of the lane was spotty, I decided to toss the Saga for game three.

First seven frames: 9/, X, X, X, X, X, X.

While this is going on, I'm in the middle of changing the way I drill my thumb hole. I've been drilling a 57/64 pilot and then ovaling the blue heck out of it. Jeff Carter used to do the same thing. But I noticed on his site that he has stopped that, and now just drills a round 63/64 hole.

I didn't go that far I just went to 15/16. I drilled two balls with this setup last week -- the Saga, and a Lane #1 XXXL Starburst, which is a polyester ball.

On the Starburst, there were no problems. Ball came off my hand fine. But on the Saga, the part just at the top of the hole -- i.e., that which is reactive resin -- started sticking.

Last three frames: split 7-0 (6-7-10, guttered on the second shot) split 7-2 (a light 2-7-8, got the 2-8 and wiggled the 7) and split 8-1 (high pocket 4-9, got the 4 and wiggled the 9). Final score: 207.

So now it's back to the shop to open the thumbhole a little more and maybe play with the bevel. I think I'll hold off on the weight hole for now.

This is the only 5-by drilling I have on any of my equipment with the pin in this position, and I think I'm going to like it. Characteristics tonight were that the ball loped through the chewed-up fronts, completely ignoring most of the trouble there, and then took off in the backends.

One of the best parts of this is that the former weight hole is now within an inch of my PAP. I use Dascar Inc.'s plugging material, which cures white, so I now have a built-in PAP tracker on the ball that I can watch as it goes down the lane. You can really see the transitions this way.

The other lessoned learned is that 15/16 isn't big enough on resin balls, apparently. I'll use a 61/64 pilot hole the next time and see what I get.

Thanks for the help folks -- it's looking good so far. This ball just went from being one of my most unpredictable balls to being one of my most predictable overnight.

Jess

Edited on 12/30/2008 10:29 PM

Glad it seems to have worked out for you, Jess.

Just be careful how many different factors you're changing in one ball. They can interfere with one another and make it difficult to tell which one is making the difference.

Another guy just told me he drilled another strong mass bias ball like you did, with the MB on the track side of the thumb. He was shocked at how small the backend was on what should have been a large hooking ball, BUT he was very happy with how much control it gave him. He also did not realize what the MB placement means, how much effect it has on such a ball.
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"None are so blind as those who will not see."

I had an X- Factor drilled real similar to your Epic and I had about the same reaction as you are getting. The ball went real straight and people could not believe it was an X- Factor till I showed them. Remember the X is a pearl reactive and if I am not mistaken the Epic is a solid? I would plug and redrill. 5 x 3 maybe. Will clear the front, but wont get stupid on the back. Used this layout at Fireside Lanes in Citrus Heights CA on a short heavy pattern and absolutely mashed the condition for the last 6 wks of league.