Author Topic: So how DO you determine thumb or finger pitch? (Read 6315 times)

splendorlex · « **on:** April 17, 2006, 07:32:04 AM »

Is it kind of trial and error, or is there a simple way to figure it out? I think maybe my thumb pitch is wrong, but how do I know? My span is 4 3/16 x 4 5/16, and my thumb is at zero pitch now, while my fingers are at 1/2 reverse. I have a very inflexible, straight thumb. Help?

JohnP · « **Reply #1 on:** April 17, 2006, 03:54:40 PM »

A little science (charts, "Coke bottle test", etc.), a little voodoo (experience), and an adjustable fitting ball. -- JohnP

Ragnar · « **Reply #2 on:** April 17, 2006, 04:17:34 PM »

I'm not sure that there is anything such as "correct" pitch. If it
1) doesn't bleed
2) doesn't hurt
3) allows you a clean release

it's probably ok --- for now. In my case i've been changing pitches and spans for over 3 years now, trying to find the best fit and I'm still not at what I want. 1 and 2 are OK, but I'm not sure about 3 (of the above). Eventually I'll stop somewhere and stay with that a while, but I think that time, weight (body), and a lot of factors come into play, all affecting what feels right and allows me to throw it the way i want to.
--------------------
"I do desire that we may be better strangers." Willie the Shake, As You Like it(III,ii)
"aroyskrikn zoln dir di oygn fun kop"

Pinbuster · « **Reply #3 on:** April 17, 2006, 04:17:38 PM »

JohnP - I'm a firm believer in the adjustable ball.

Having the bowler throw the fitting ball with the span and pitches is the only way to see how they react to fit, how it comes off their hand and for them to feel the fit.

splendorlex · « **Reply #4 on:** April 17, 2006, 05:36:33 PM »

Well Rags, I have 1 and 2 down as well, since there is no longer any bleeding or pain. However, I do feel like I can't get a clean release no matter what I use in the thumb hole, be it magic carpet, tape of the back of the thumb, or anything else I've tried. My thumb hole is actually a bit larger than it has to be as well, and I still can't get my thumb out cleanly, and the back of my thumb at the base of the nail takes a beating, turning a purplish red color and swelling a little.

chitown · « **Reply #5 on:** April 17, 2006, 10:46:32 PM »

quote:
Well Rags, I have 1 and 2 down as well, since there is no longer any bleeding or pain. However, I do feel like I can't get a clean release no matter what I use in the thumb hole, be it magic carpet, tape of the back of the thumb, or anything else I've tried. My thumb hole is actually a bit larger than it has to be as well, and I still can't get my thumb out cleanly, and the back of my thumb at the base of the nail takes a beating, turning a purplish red color and swelling a little.

You need more reverse in your thumb. If the back of the nail is hurting then it's obvious your thumb pitch is off or your span is too long.

splendorlex · « **Reply #6 on:** April 18, 2006, 07:51:32 AM »

Thanks Guys. Chi, I will be trying reverse pitch on the Doom. I'm at zero pitch in the thumb now, any ideas on how far I should go to start? Someone told me that I should be at 5/16 reverse based off my span according to Bill Taylor's book.

LuckyLefty · « **Reply #7 on:** April 18, 2006, 10:15:49 AM »

That was your old span figures.

Based on your new stats you gave us....3/16 is plenty and maybe even a move to 1/16 or 1/8 with proper front bevel methods could get you what you want.

REgards,

Luckylefty
PS to find the normal fitting techniques and tests used by many fitters to get spans...pitches etc...see this....
reference section

Also see this...a great reference

Bill Taylor's drilling and fitting
All the tests to do a good fit. Plus I've written on the bernier method in drilling and fitting about 60 to 90 days ago.
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Open the door...see what's possible...and just walk right on through...that's how easy success feels..

Edited on 4/18/2006 10:35 AM

splendorlex · « **Reply #8 on:** April 18, 2006, 10:28:08 AM »

Thanks, Lucky, I will take your advice. I'm calling my driller now to see if he got my Doom in yet, and we'll try a new pitch on that.

802dave · « **Reply #9 on:** April 18, 2006, 11:51:35 AM »

I have 1/4" reverse in my thumbhole.

You may need to pay close attention to the shape of the thumbhole. If mine is not shaped just like I like it, I stick in the hole - I think it's due to too much vacuum. I have my own bowler's rasp and bevel knife.

I have my driller get the thumbhole pretty close - correct oval shape and angle of the oval. I like the hole slightly "cone" shaped in that the further you insert your thumb, the tighter the hole gets.

I then fine-tune the fit to my preference with my rasp, scotchbrite and bevel knife. I open the oval slightly on the sides until the vacuum is minimal - while keeping the "cone" shape (top to bottom) in mind.

I then tape front to back till I get a snug fit.

The hole is snug, comfortable, and without a lot of vacuum as the thumb exits. If I don't do this, my thumb can feel good just sliding in and out of the hole, but will hang when I try to release the ball due to excessive vacuum.

Dave

JohnP · « **Reply #10 on:** April 18, 2006, 03:40:24 PM »

splendorlex -- I'll repeat my advice from a different thread on this same subject. Try 1/4 reverse and use a large (1 3/8") slug so if you don't like the 1/4 you can try 1/8 or 3/8. My spans are 4 11/16 and I use 1/2 reverse, 1/4 left. My thumb is fairly inflexible, and I don't hang or drop the ball. Finger pitches are MF - 3/8 reverse and RF - 5/8 reverse. Works for me, so don't be afraid to experiment. -- JohnP

chitown · « **Reply #11 on:** April 19, 2006, 12:05:58 AM »

quote:
splendorlex -- I'll repeat my advice from a different thread on this same subject. Try 1/4 reverse and use a large (1 3/8") slug so if you don't like the 1/4 you can try 1/8 or 3/8. My spans are 4 11/16 and I use 1/2 reverse, 1/4 left. My thumb is fairly inflexible, and I don't hang or drop the ball. Finger pitches are MF - 3/8 reverse and RF - 5/8 reverse. Works for me, so don't be afraid to experiment. -- JohnP

John is right. Don't be afraid to experiment. When it comes to bowling a good fit is a must. I thought I had my grip figured out at the start of this season. Now i'm in the process of getting somethings changed. It took almost a whole season to find out that my grip is wrong.

Just try a couple of things until your problem is gone. That's what i'm doing.

curtcrank · « **Reply #12 on:** April 22, 2006, 10:02:34 PM »

quote:
I have 1/4" reverse in my thumbhole. You may need to pay close attention to the shape of the thumbhole. If mine is not shaped just like I like it, I stick in the hole - I think it's due to too much vacuum. I have my own bowler's rasp and bevel knife. I have my driller get the thumbhole pretty close - correct oval shape and angle of the oval. I like the hole slightly "cone" shaped in that the further you insert your thumb, the tighter the hole gets. I then fine-tune the fit to my preference with my rasp, scotchbrite and bevel knife. I open the oval slightly on the sides until the vacuum is minimal - while keeping the "cone" shape (top to bottom) in mind. I then tape front to back till I get a snug fit. The hole is snug, comfortable, and without a lot of vacuum as the thumb exits. If I don't do this, my thumb can feel good just sliding in and out of the hole, but will hang when I try to release the ball due to excessive vacuum. Dave

Interesting, I've been trying to figure out how to do a cone. I'm at 5/16 rev. in my thumb - should be at 1/16, but 5/16 is the minimum that I can get out of clean. I also can't get enough tape in at that pitch either. I've found recently that if I put the tape in the bottom of the front of the hole I get a good fit that way also. Anyone know if its possible to drill a cone with an oval-matic? Curt

ebwkidvicious · « **Reply #13 on:** May 07, 2006, 10:45:39 PM »

Getting a grip is way too hard, always changing stuff. Bowling has become a technical nightmare lol
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F-M-3

splendorlex · « **Reply #14 on:** May 08, 2006, 07:43:36 AM »

Just an update to this thread:

I went to 1/4 reverse in my Doom, and I'm certainly coming out of the ball MUCH better than before, and not dropping it at all like I was worried. I may actually try to go a little further, to 5/16 or so. So far so good!

Author Topic: So how DO you determine thumb or finger pitch? (Read 6315 times)

splendorlex

So how DO you determine thumb or finger pitch?

JohnP

Re: So how DO you determine thumb or finger pitch?

Ragnar

Re: So how DO you determine thumb or finger pitch?

Pinbuster

Re: So how DO you determine thumb or finger pitch?

splendorlex

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chitown

Re: So how DO you determine thumb or finger pitch?

splendorlex

Re: So how DO you determine thumb or finger pitch?

LuckyLefty

Re: So how DO you determine thumb or finger pitch?

splendorlex

Re: So how DO you determine thumb or finger pitch?

802dave

Re: So how DO you determine thumb or finger pitch?

JohnP

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chitown

Re: So how DO you determine thumb or finger pitch?

curtcrank

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ebwkidvicious

Re: So how DO you determine thumb or finger pitch?

splendorlex

Re: So how DO you determine thumb or finger pitch?