Next week Im going in to get 2 new balls and have all my balls switched to accept an IT.
I plan to get 3 of the inserts
2 I will have drilled now and save the other to see how effective the other two options are.
I want to get away from changing out tape to match the seasons and what ever my thumb is up to.

so my question for you expert drillers:
how many drill bit size difference would you put between the 2, or would it be better to do all 3 now with a set size difference?

I'm no drilling expert, but I recently converted to ITs as my thumb decided to have a mind of its own and started changing sizes a LOT.  I had been using oval slugs and just finished putting them in 7 balls....then within 2 weeks my thumb shrunk 2 sizes, so my pro shop guy suggested it was time to make the move.  Made sense at that point.   What we did was drill 1 ball and make 1 thumb, to make sure I was going to like it.  Once we did that, I had him actually make me a 2nd one the same size so I could be lazy and NOT swap out my spare ball every time....plus I would also have a built in backup.  Well I ended up having him make me another one 1 size up (with a matching 2nd for the spare ball).  Those kept me going for a while, while he put the anchors in all my balls.  So I had those for a little while, and noticed my smallest one was getting loose, so had him make me 1, one size down.  No 2nd on that one yet, but now I have 3 different sizes.  It is so nice when you feel your thumb swell (or shrink) and you can just swap thumbs and get the same feel each time!!  Good luck

I still use tape with ITs.  If you can say your thumb will always fit perfectly without fine tuning with tape, you're ahead of the game.

I'm no drilling expert, but I recently converted to ITs as my thumb decided to have a mind of its own and started changing sizes a LOT.  I had been using oval slugs and just finished putting them in 7 balls....then within 2 weeks my thumb shrunk 2 sizes, so my pro shop guy suggested it was time to make the move.  Made sense at that point.   What we did was drill 1 ball and make 1 thumb, to make sure I was going to like it.  Once we did that, I had him actually make me a 2nd one the same size so I could be lazy and NOT swap out my spare ball every time....plus I would also have a built in backup.  Well I ended up having him make me another one 1 size up (with a matching 2nd for the spare ball).  Those kept me going for a while, while he put the anchors in all my balls.  So I had those for a little while, and noticed my smallest one was getting loose, so had him make me 1, one size down.  No 2nd on that one yet, but now I have 3 different sizes.  It is so nice when you feel your thumb swell (or shrink) and you can just swap thumbs and get the same feel each time!!  Good luck

+1. personally I have three. Two of my size I normally use and one a bit bigger. the reason is, if there is a fail I have a back up. You can still use tape as well, but that is what you are trying to get away from.

sorry if im hi-jack'n this thread.... but since you guys are using SG's and IT's....

For those of you who are using SG's or IT's, any of you track high or flare over the thumb?

I flare over the thumb on occasions, and every time I roll my spare ball - thump thump and thump....I go through thumb hole repairs and spare balls more than the average bowler.

I've been wanting give the IT's a try, but I've seen guys who had issues with their SG and IT's during leagues and tourney's. one person had his slug stuck and in the wrong position. Another couldn't get his slug placed into his ball. And most recently, my friends thumb it broke at the base......

I think It's risky for guys who flare over their thumb hole, yet having the same feel for every ball is really good. I used to use mold thumb, but that can be changed by amount of bevel.

Quote from: xrayjay on December 02, 2015, 01:06:04 PM

sorry if im hi-jack'n this thread.... but since you guys are using SG's and IT's....

For those of you who are using SG's or IT's, any of you track high or flare over the thumb?

I flare over the thumb on occasions, and every time I roll my spare ball - thump thump and thump....I go through thumb hole repairs and spare balls more than the average bowler.

I've been wanting give the IT's a try, but I've seen guys who had issues with their SG and IT's during leagues and tourney's. one person had his slug stuck and in the wrong position. Another couldn't get his slug placed into his ball. And most recently, my friends thumb it broke at the base......

I think It's risky for guys who flare over their thumb hole, yet having the same feel for every ball is really good. I used to use mold thumb, but that can be changed by amount of bevel.

If you are consistently flaring over your thumb you may want to have a PSO look at your thumb pitches (more specifically your side pitch).  If this pitch is opposite what it should be for you then that could cause you to flare over the thumb.  Now to your question, I would not be concerned with either as long as all sit flush with the ball.  If you have one that sticks up above the surface a little then I would be concerned.

Good luck.

great thanks.. maybe ill use one of the older balls to try out...

I don't flare over the thumb often, only on occasions with certain ball/layouts/release. I roll end over end on the spare balls which I'm more concerned of when using those SG/IT's. Never really had issues with thumb holes on my strike balls.

As far as my span/grip, I have it checked every other season from someone who used to work in one of those company trucks at tour events. or by a PSO whose out of town who is well known with plenty of experience. In fact, I think I'm do lol