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Author Topic: Broke a drill bit off in an irreplaceable ball...  (Read 2614 times)

JessN16

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Broke a drill bit off in an irreplaceable ball...
« on: April 14, 2009, 04:38:29 PM »
A Visionary Slate Blue Gargoyle, NIB 16-pounder, which I just got. Yeah, I can get another one from the same eBay seller, I guess, but that's money I don't have to spend right now.

I was drilling a vent hole for my thumb, using a 7/64 bit and all of a sudden I hear a muffled "ping" and the drill started spinning just a little faster. I backed out and half the bit was still in the ball.

I could have plugged it, I suppose, but metal in a bowling ball is illegal and I would have always felt bad using it. So an hour later, using a hand drill and the press, I managed to dig out the scraps. I now have a Slate Blue Gargoyle drilled with Mo Pinel's "Double Thumb" method. (g) There's a 5/8 "weight hole" right next to my thumb.

The thumb hole still isn't vented. I guess I can just drill through the new "weight hole" until I hit the thumb hole. What a freaking crappy night this turned out to be.

Jess
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MI 2 AZ

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Re: Broke a drill bit off in an irreplaceable ball...
« Reply #1 on: April 15, 2009, 12:48:51 AM »
That's a bit of a bad break.

Can't you just plug that 'weight hole' and then drill your vent hole in that?
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JessN16

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Re: Broke a drill bit off in an irreplaceable ball...
« Reply #2 on: April 15, 2009, 12:51:43 AM »
quote:
That's a bit of a bad break.

Can't you just plug that 'weight hole' and then drill your vent hole in that?
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I am the Sgt Schultz of bowling.
"I know nothing! I see nothing! NOTHING!"
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I could. I just hate plugging balls if I can avoid doing it. I just have a backyard shop and my plugging material all dries bright white (it's from a company called Dascar and was not meant really as bowling ball plug, but it works and it falls within legal durometer parameters).

Jess
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MI 2 AZ

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Re: Broke a drill bit off in an irreplaceable ball...
« Reply #3 on: April 15, 2009, 01:00:25 AM »
This might be worth a visit to your local proshop and have them plug it for you.  If they get a decent color match for you it would be worth it.
--------------------

I am the Sgt Schultz of bowling.
"I know nothing! I see nothing! NOTHING!"
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New to BR? - Please check this:  BR FAQ
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JohnP

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Re: Broke a drill bit off in an irreplaceable ball...
« Reply #4 on: April 15, 2009, 09:37:38 AM »
For the future - Vise makes a vented slug, see link below.  --  JohnP

http://www.buddiesproshop.com/product/2324/Vise_Inserts_UrethaneEasy_1_14_Vented_Thumb_Slug.htm
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pin-chaser

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Re: Broke a drill bit off in an irreplaceable ball...
« Reply #5 on: April 15, 2009, 01:08:50 PM »
Now... that vented slug is COOL. I will order them... can you tell me where I might find them in larger quantities at a cheaper price?
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Dan Belcher

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Re: Broke a drill bit off in an irreplaceable ball...
« Reply #6 on: April 15, 2009, 01:12:59 PM »
Just remember to not put glue over the venthole on those Vise slugs!
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blacknois

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Re: Broke a drill bit off in an irreplaceable ball...
« Reply #7 on: April 15, 2009, 01:15:27 PM »
i second the vise slugs, we use them where i get my stuff drilled and they're amazing.  not too soft of material so if you get sweaty thumbs it doesnt stick too much
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blacknois

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Re: Broke a drill bit off in an irreplaceable ball...
« Reply #8 on: April 15, 2009, 01:16:58 PM »
quote:
Now... that vented slug is COOL. I will order them... can you tell me where I might find them in larger quantities at a cheaper price?


you can get them from any major distributor that sells vise equipment, Ace Mitchell, Bob's Business, etc.  Talk to your pro shop and see where they order from, or contact buddies directly and see if you can get a discounted bulk price
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