Author Topic: Redrilling used ball... (Read 3333 times)

bfreshour · « **on:** March 02, 2010, 06:52:56 AM »

I'm a complete bowling newbie, especially drilling. I got a X-OUT mission given to me that's a little wonky, the pro explained to me what it was when she drilled it but I didn't understand it. I like the ball okay, but was looking to get something else to compliment it.

I have no idea what to get and but wouldn't mind getting a used ball... so my questions:

How important is it that the span of that ball be close to mine? Or is it important at all?

Is there some 'default' drill method that's used when someone is first getting into bowling? I'm guessing that's what the Pro used for me as she has never seen me bowl at all...

I'm probably a tweener (I think, I don't have a lot of revs, but have quite a bit of ball speed). I can't throw inside out (or from the far left across the lane and back in), I've tried a million times and I can't get enough revs on the ball, it rolls out and ends up hitting the 6 pin nearly head on... Is this more of a ball thing or just my throw style... I normally thrown down and in (which I can do with the mission probably because of my ball speed).

What is meant when someone says a bowling ball is clean through the heads? What are the heads?

What should I look for in a used ball other than how many times it's been drilled and how many games it has on it? Does plugging and re-drilling cause any performance issues?

Graaille · « **Reply #1 on:** March 02, 2010, 03:31:16 PM »

I'll start off by saying 90-95% of the balls I've gotten have been first drills/2nd drills, and I can't find a thing wrong with 'em. Some people shy away from buying a ball used unless the layout is basically what they want - and they only have to plug/redrill the thumb. Others say that rolling over plug material changes the way the ball reacts. To each their own.

One thing you can do is - if you're a right handed player - only consider balls that have close to your span and intended layout already on the ball. Alternately, if you're not finding any of those, you can see if there's a lefty out there selling the ball - full plug/redrill wouldn't be so bad because the track area would be untouched.

A default drill method would be at the whim of the ball driller. I've heard some say that they would base a drill on a PAP of 5 over by 1 up for a new bowler, and the ball would be drilled label or stacked. (feel free to ask about or search out anything you don't quite grasp about these terms) Alternately, the driller may just put the pin above the ring finger and put the cg just below and the PAP isn't even considered.

Playing across the lane requires a decent amount of revs, so if that's what you want to do, search for topics that involve adding revs to your release.

Clean thru the heads means that the cover works with the oil in the initial 15-20 feet of the lane so that the ball doesn't encounter any friction to start moving from a skid phase to the hook phase.

I think I addressed most of the questions. Someone else may go into more detail.

Juggernaut · « **Reply #2 on:** March 02, 2010, 03:52:58 PM »

quote:
I'm a complete bowling newbie, especially drilling. I got a X-OUT mission given to me that's a little wonky, the pro explained to me what it was when she drilled it but I didn't understand it. I like the ball okay, but was looking to get something else to compliment it.

Got an x-out that's drilled a little "wonky"? That's understandable, but doesn't give us much to work with. What makes it "wonky"?

quote:
I have no idea what to get and but wouldn't mind getting a used ball... so my questions:

How important is it that the span of that ball be close to mine? Or is it important at all?

If it is only been drilled once before you, it really doesn't matter all that much. It's nice if it is though, because you MIGHT not have to plug the entire ball, just the thumb for readjustments. Saves a few bucks that way too.

quote:
Is there some 'default' drill method that's used when someone is first getting into bowling? I'm guessing that's what the Pro used for me as she has never seen me bowl at all...

Sort of. Usually ends up with the pinclose to your ring finger and the CG/label under the palm of your hand. Called label leverage, it is considered a "safe" drilling.

quote:
I'm probably a tweener (I think, I don't have a lot of revs, but have quite a bit of ball speed). I can't throw inside out (or from the far left across the lane and back in), I've tried a million times and I can't get enough revs on the ball, it rolls out and ends up hitting the 6 pin nearly head on... Is this more of a ball thing or just my throw style... I normally thrown down and in (which I can do with the mission probably because of my ball speed).

Sounds more like a high speed stroker. It is far more likely to be a style thing rather than a ball thing, but certain balls with certain drillings might make a slight difference.

quote:
What is meant when someone says a bowling ball is clean through the heads? What are the heads?

The HEADS are the first few feet of the bowling lane, 15 to 20ft I believe, where much of the oil is applied. Being "clean" through the heads means the ball glides through that area without trying to start hooking too early.

quote:
What should I look for in a used ball other than how many times it's been drilled and how many games it has on it? Does plugging and re-drilling cause any performance issues?

1. How many games does it have on it?
2. Has it been plugged? If so, how many times?
3. How is it currently drilled?
4. Has it been cleaned/resurfaced? If so, how many times?
5. Has it ever had the oil removed from it by rejuvenation (or some other technique)? If so, how many games since then?
6. Is it the right weight?

There are quite a few guys on here who are reputable sellers and have goos prices, merchandise, and service. Just ask around about things before you buy. It might not prevent a bad deal, but it most likely will help.
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bfreshour · « **Reply #3 on:** March 03, 2010, 09:42:58 AM »

quote:
Got an x-out that's drilled a little "wonky"? That's understandable, but doesn't give us much to work with. What makes it "wonky"?

I don't know, the Pro explained it to me... maybe the Pin is out of align or something like that. It isn't the drill that's wonky on it, it's the ball itself (the reason it's an X-OUT). I have no problem throwing the ball standing around center dot and sending it out to 8 or so or even playing the twig with it. The ball produces the craziest pin action ever which I love.

quote:
If it is only been drilled once before you, it really doesn't matter all that much. It's nice if it is though, because you MIGHT not have to plug the entire ball, just the thumb for readjustments. Saves a few bucks that way too.

Can you have a ball plugged and re-drilled the same day, or does the plug material have to sit for a while before it can be drilled out (if it's a small adjustment)?

quote:

Sort of. Usually ends up with the pinclose to your ring finger and the CG/label under the palm of your hand. Called label leverage, it is considered a "safe" drilling.

Can I post a picture of my ball with the pin and my hand grips to show you how my ball is drilled? Maybe you can see why it's an X-OUT as well and explain to me...

bfreshour · « **Reply #4 on:** March 03, 2010, 09:50:18 AM »

Also, could you recommend another ball to compliment my Mission once the lanes get too dry and I'm hitting Brooklyn constantly?

Juggernaut · « **Reply #5 on:** March 03, 2010, 03:49:09 PM »

quote:
I don't know, the Pro explained it to me... maybe the Pin is out of align or something like that. It isn't the drill that's wonky on it, it's the ball itself (the reason it's an X-OUT). I have no problem throwing the ball standing around center dot and sending it out to 8 or so or even playing the twig with it. The ball produces the craziest pin action ever which I love.

Sounds like the pro did a good job allowing for the "wonkiness" of the ball with the drilling. If you have that much room with it, sounds like a good match for you.

quote:
Can you have a ball plugged and re-drilled the same day, or does the plug material have to sit for a while before it can be drilled out (if it's a small adjustment)?

Well, it depends. They do make a plug that cures rather quickly, but all of them I've seen didn't really allow for good color matching, leaving big spots of plug that didn't match the balls color. Some don't mind that, but I hate it myself. To me, its best to use the slower stuff and let it sit for 24 hours before re-drilling.

quote:
Can I post a picture of my ball with the pin and my hand grips to show you how my ball is drilled? Maybe you can see why it's an X-OUT as well and explain to me...

Sure, if you have a photobucket account, or some other picture hosting site. Just post it, then put the link address here so I can check it out. Don't know if I can tell you what makes it an x-out, but I can try.

quote:
Also, could you recommend another ball to compliment my Mission once the lanes get too dry and I'm hitting Brooklyn constantly?

As much as I'd like to help, I really can't. I haven't seen the Mission in action, so I really have nothing to gauge it by.
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Author Topic: Redrilling used ball... (Read 3333 times)

bfreshour

Redrilling used ball...

Graaille

Re: Redrilling used ball...

Juggernaut

Re: Redrilling used ball...

bfreshour

Re: Redrilling used ball...

bfreshour

Re: Redrilling used ball...

Juggernaut

Re: Redrilling used ball...