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Author Topic: Finding the RIGHT driller.  (Read 2825 times)

buford

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Finding the RIGHT driller.
« on: July 02, 2007, 06:38:30 AM »
I've been using an older ball since I started bowling a year and a half ago. (it ws already drilled and it just felt right)
Just bought a new ball and I am trying to get up to speed on how to have it drilled and whom to have drill it.  Talk about confusing-the more I read, the more I realize I haven't a clue as how I want the ball drilled.  I assume that it would be best to have the shop at the alley where I bowl drill the ball, since they know the oil patterns, etc., but how do I know that they know what they're doing?  I quess since I am relying on them to help me decide how to drill the ball, instead of me telling them how to drill the ball, I'm afraid it will get screwed-up.  How do you pick a driller? How do I know if the house driller knows what he/she is doing?
Sorry for all the questions-just trying to figure it all out.
Thanks for any info.
buford

 

Sawuser

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Re: Finding the RIGHT driller.
« Reply #1 on: July 02, 2007, 05:54:38 PM »
buford, in my opinion you should definitely just trust the pro shop operator in drilling your new ball from start to finish. Just ask around the center & find people that have their equipment drilled there & get their input on his ability.
Since you are a fairly new bowler, just trust them with fitting & layout. If he would watch you throw a few shots, it may help him in deciding what is best for you. Some will do that if they have time, but if not, he can probably learn a lot just checking your track. Unless you are quite knowledgeable about layouts & reactions, just leave it all up to the pro guy! Good luck!
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Mike Austin

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Re: Finding the RIGHT driller.
« Reply #2 on: July 03, 2007, 03:57:17 AM »
Buford,

Ask around, where do the local guys go to get their balls drilled.  Ask a number of people.  Don't assume that the pro shop guy knows what he is doing.  He may, he may not.

If he is good, leave it up to him, he will know what to do.  The key is finding someone that is good.


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dizzyfugu

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Re: Finding the RIGHT driller.
« Reply #3 on: July 03, 2007, 05:27:27 AM »
I chime in: ask around at the loacl alley, and if you can also in other local centers about the driller you want to put your trust into. I have a bad case around here (e. g. having drilled a righty client's complete arsenal with lefty thumb pitches...). The dangerous thing is that this driller's clients consider him to be a knowlegdeable man (he looks trustworthy, and this sells well), since they know nothing different or better options.

You never know unless you give it a try, but I'd stay sceptical and ask many questions whyt and why the driller is doing certain things to the ball. If he can (or wants) to explain this to you, it is a positive sign.
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JohnP

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Re: Finding the RIGHT driller.
« Reply #4 on: July 03, 2007, 10:38:15 AM »
dizzy -- What do you consider to be a "lefty" thumb pitch?  Righties and lefties can require either right or left lateral thumb pitch depending on the way their thumb hinges.  There is no "lefty" thumb pitch.  --  JohnP

Robadat

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Re: Finding the RIGHT driller.
« Reply #5 on: July 03, 2007, 11:11:26 AM »
The best way to learn about a driller is to ask other local bowlers who have used him, both in his home house and other houses around the area.  Most good drillers will know about the conditions in their home house and in the neighboring houses as well.

In addition to talking with other bowlers, check out their bowling hand and look for tell-tale signs of ball fit problems.  Many bowlers will swear their driller is the greatest and then when you look at their hand, you will see thumbs and fingers that are torn up by poorly fitted balls.

Feel free to discuss with a prospective driller any questions you may have, including what type of reaction you hope to get from the ball in a certain house.  If he is truly knowledgable he will take the time and discuus whatever it is you want.  Hopefully, the driller will be able to watch how you throw, so he can ascertain how to drill the ball to fit your game.  Also, check to see if he will make any adjustments to the fit and surface after the purchase to fine-tune the reaction for you. (Since you didn't buy the ball in his shop, he will probably charge you for any surface change work.)
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buford

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Re: Finding the RIGHT driller.
« Reply #6 on: July 03, 2007, 04:58:38 PM »
Thanks for the info., guys.
I'll get to firing off LOTS of questions after the 4th.
buford

dizzyfugu

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Re: Finding the RIGHT driller.
« Reply #7 on: July 06, 2007, 07:46:30 AM »
quote:
dizzy -- What do you consider to be a "lefty" thumb pitch?  Righties and lefties can require either right or left lateral thumb pitch depending on the way their thumb hinges.  There is no "lefty" thumb pitch.  --  JohnP


Well, the holes were drilled in a mirrored fashion, so lateral thumb pitch was negative. The bad thing is that the customer used to play wit this stuff for months (I also wondered about the poor realease and ball reaction on the lane when I watched, but did not ask why). Then, when playing in another center wher a "good" pro shop is located, the local ball driller approached the poor guy and asked about the balls, offered a free measurement, and to his and many others surprise the riddle was solved - mirrored thumb layouts, as if for a lefty. Totally screwed, all the equipment (and no compensation after this sh!t came out). By the way, the balls are "repaired" now in the new pro shop, and it is a difference like day and night.

End of the story: trust noone, stay alert, and if thing sdo not appear kosher, consult a second opinion. A good pro shop that really cares for customers is hard to find.
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JohnP

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Re: Finding the RIGHT driller.
« Reply #8 on: July 06, 2007, 07:06:17 PM »

Do you mean the driller intended to drill the hole with right (for example) pitch and actually drilled it with left?  If so, I understand, but we've got to realize that some customer's thumb hinge angle may require left pitch.  So just because the hole has left pitch it doesn't necessarily mean the driller made a mistake.  --  JohnP