Author Topic: thumb hole sizing plus an IT question (Read 9867 times)

xrayjay · « **on:** April 07, 2012, 10:55:31 PM »

My thumb hole size is currently at 61/64 and with carpet tape in the back and one or two white tapes in the front - I have a good snug fit. But with summer coming up, and trips to Reno and Vegas this year - my thumb swells up really good. (thumb doesn't fit with carpet tape at all) I was thinking of going to a bigger size hole. Would 31/32 be suffice? or go even bigger to 63/64?

I should of gone with the IT system, but never really gave it much thought. I used a mold for several years, but converted back to Vise urethane slugs.

IT question: Would a "ball IT" be secure at the base if a ball was plugged and redrilled to fit an IT?

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glssmn2001 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 07, 2012, 11:19:57 PM »

I have never had to plug a ball to put in an IT in. You can measure it out and just drill the IT hole in the proper location where the existing thumb is. I do have to admit it can turn into a big PIA sometimes and putting an IT in a blank is much easier.

strykalot · « **Reply #2 on:** April 08, 2012, 10:23:09 PM »

I agree putting the IT in a blank ball is best. I have put the IT in a ball where the thumb has been plugged and have had no issues at all.

EboHammer4ever · « **Reply #3 on:** April 09, 2012, 03:49:41 PM »

I have drilled out Turbo Switch grips which are 1 1/2" in diameter, plugged the hole all the way and installed a 1 1/4" Vise IT in the same place on well over a dozen balls for a friend and have never had any problems. I would think you are going to drill out the entire old slug if you convert to the IT. The ITs go down to about 3 inches in depth when you add the Ball IT on the bottom of the slug so you shouldn't have any problem with switching over. You won't regret it.

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Dave-bestbowlingproshops · « **Reply #4 on:** April 09, 2012, 06:16:36 PM »

As long as the ball was plugged properly and professionally then you should have no problems. If you use one or even several pilot holes when drilling with the larger bits the holes will cut fine and you won't have any problems. Won't matter if it's "IT" or switch grip. Also go to 31/32...you can always redrill it bigger if it isn't enough cause once you go to 63/64 and it's too big...then that's a lot more work. Is it not possible for you to get an oval drilled without a mold?

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calired67 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 09, 2012, 06:37:57 PM »

I use the IT system in all my stuff. I had one break in the ball so they drill it out and plugged it. Then redrilled and replaced it. I havent had any problems with it. The breakage was not a defect it happen when the ball got stuck in the back. Looked like the belt caught the IT ans twisted it overtightening it.

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xrayjay · « **Reply #6 on:** April 10, 2012, 01:42:57 PM »

couple of months ago I asked this same question to the proshop guy, about plugging and redrilling to fit the IT on my current equipment. The price was good....$50 for first ball and $15 for the rest of my stuff. Well, I returned a couple of weeks later and he told me it's not a good idea to plug and redrill for an IT because the "ball IT" may not secure properly if the there's air pockets in plug....I wish I read all your comments before hand

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Edited by xrayjay on 4/10/2012 at 11:48 AM

EboHammer4ever · « **Reply #7 on:** April 10, 2012, 01:52:49 PM »

I've plugged both with Wizard Plug and Tech Line Plug and installed Ball ITs into both and have not had any failures to date. Sounds like he's trying to talk you into buying a new ball...I would have him try it first and see what happens...I doubt you will have any problem if he takes his time and plugs the existing hole right the first time and let it harden for a day or two.

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raiderh20boy · « **Reply #8 on:** April 10, 2012, 02:28:25 PM »

msg sent to xray! Might not need to plug!

Use "IT" and BOWL UP A STORM!!

Edited by raiderh20boy on 4/10/2012 at 1:10 PM

dmonroe814 · « **Reply #9 on:** April 10, 2012, 02:53:13 PM »

Love my interchangeable thumb. If you have a lot of swelling/shrinking, then you can have two or more inserts drilled up. Be aware, that all of the pitches must be the same on all of the balls. I can go from ball to ball and they all feel the same. Makes a big difference.

ddarkone7 · « **Reply #10 on:** April 10, 2012, 03:46:43 PM »

xray, check your pm, thanks

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Geetaan · « **Reply #11 on:** April 11, 2012, 12:41:34 AM »

Go with the IT you wont regret it!

captzap · « **Reply #12 on:** April 30, 2012, 02:51:23 PM »

Just had two new balls drilled with the IT system and I love it. i am now having two other balls thumbs plugged and the IT installed. I shortened my span with the new balls and my old balls could not be retrofitted with without plugging.

I had two different IT slugs made. A larger oval in one and a normal oval in the other. I start out in practice with the bigger one and switch after my thumb shrinks. If my thumb swells as it did in game 3 the other night I simply switch back to the larger ovaled IT.

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FranVarin · « **Reply #13 on:** May 20, 2012, 09:19:30 AM »

just a couple of thoughts on this. First, We do both IT and Switch Grips at Strike F/X. We've not hand any issues with failure per se. One thing to look out for is the plug material and that of inside the ball are different density. So, you may get some bit chatter when drilling the thumb. As noted above, several pilot holes should be enough to handle it. You may need to spend some extra time working out the thumb hole prior to installation to be sure you have a good fit for the slug.

Second random thought... Since you are installing an IT it seems that you may want to check to see if the thumb needs to be plugged in the first place. The IT bit is larger than the thumb slug. You may get away with just drilling the thumb out without plugging.

One final thought... given your problem of a swilling thumb. A removable thumb is a good idea. Thumb molds are awesome for feel between balls only if you do not have a thumb that swells. In my case I use a Switch Grip and have a couple of thumbs which are different sizes to account for the size of my thumb on a given day. It works really well for me.

Author Topic: thumb hole sizing plus an IT question (Read 9867 times)

xrayjay

thumb hole sizing plus an IT question

glssmn2001

Re: thumb hole sizing plus an IT question

strykalot

Re: thumb hole sizing plus an IT question

EboHammer4ever

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Dave-bestbowlingproshops

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calired67

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xrayjay

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EboHammer4ever

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raiderh20boy

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dmonroe814

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ddarkone7

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Geetaan

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captzap

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FranVarin

Re: thumb hole sizing plus an IT question