BallReviews

General Category => Drilling & Layouts => Topic started by: mab on November 23, 2010, 08:20:37 AM

Title: thumb molds ???
Post by: mab on November 23, 2010, 08:20:37 AM
Anybody doing this or have experience with this.

I've thought about this for quite some time to get the same feel/release. I'm tired of every thumb being different although my driller is very good every ball is somewhat incosistant in this area. i do not want a large crater in the ball from the insert type of changeable thumb slugs.
Title: Re: thumb molds ???
Post by: duvallite on November 23, 2010, 04:40:17 PM
Check out Buddies Pro Shop.  They do their Ultimate Thumb Mold that they make from your best fitting thumb hole, for an exact copy.  http://www.buddiesproshop.com/53/Ultimate_Thumb_Info.html

I had a local driller make a thumb mold for me (about $35), which he kept at his shop along with other molds he had made for other people.  It turned out very well and was used to make the thumb hole in 3 different balls, and they all felt the same, so it was great.  What wasn''t so great is when I went to his shop recently to see about possibly buying another ball, I found out he had moved his shop to another bowling alley in another city that is quite a bit further away, and he had taken all of the molds with him.  My advice to you is that if you have one made locally, keep it yourself instead of letting the shop hang onto it.

Edited on 11/23/2010 5:41 PM
Title: Re: thumb molds ???
Post by: ramimac on November 23, 2010, 04:47:20 PM
This is all I use. My suggestion is take the ball that feels the best an mold that one.  Just remember when they mold your thumb it will end up a tad looser.
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In the Bag
Jigsaw 14lb
Full Swing 14lb
Cherry Vibe 14lb
Backlash  14lb
Bam Blue/Black  14lb
Title: Re: thumb molds ???
Post by: Bluff on November 30, 2010, 11:19:26 AM
go with thumb mold
iT if you drill 3 ball or more a week if not DON'T Bother
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"A man with no skills can be taught. A man with no honor, has nothing."
Title: Re: thumb molds ???
Post by: FranVarin on November 30, 2010, 03:03:22 PM
We do them frequently for those bowlers who have difficult fit thumbs. We use a system that produces a really smooth slug. In most cases we do not have to fit a removable thumb system (i.e. switch grip or IT).

bottom line if you have a difficult drilling (one that is hard to duplicate), a thumb mold is certainly an option. The best thing to do is find a ball with a thumb that you really like and use that to make the mold from.

The only drawback is changes in pitch...you end up having to make a new mold. Same issue with removable systems. But, in the later case, you could end up plugging and reinstalling the system to account for the pitch changes. That depends on the amount of the change...slight changes you can typically get away with.

Title: Re: thumb molds ???
Post by: Lane1Redneck on November 30, 2010, 03:46:08 PM
I had just got a thumb mold made for me last week.. I was using the Vise ProVII oval thumb sleeves for 2 years, but even with them all 4 balls I use felt inconsistent to me.. [i.e. some needed more tape then others]
So far I like the feel of the mold,the ball I used I had 2 pieces of white tape in, he took one out and made the mold with the other piece still in, which I thought was cool.. So far so good, I like the fit,and feel of it.. And now maybe I can get the same feel in all my equipment..
 

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Jeff



Title: Re: thumb molds ???
Post by: mab on November 30, 2010, 06:03:49 PM
Sounds like I'll be doing the Thumb Mold I have one ball I really like and all the rest are different in some way or another. I feel that it is leading to much of my inconsistancy. Also I do not like the idea of the large crater or possible breakage of the insert types.

Thanks All,
Mike
Title: Re: thumb molds ???
Post by: notsohotshot on November 30, 2010, 07:49:11 PM
In reference to one of the above posters. To change pitches all you do is plug the hole in the ball and redrill with proper pitches. I have used this system for about 6-7 yrs now and have made probably 200 thumbs for myself.
Title: Re: thumb molds ???
Post by: FranVarin on November 30, 2010, 08:44:54 PM
That works as long as the pitch changes are slight. Significant pitch changes can require the top of the mold to be worked out thus changing the feel. Most of the time it does work but, should be taken into consideration.
Title: Re: thumb molds ???
Post by: bluerrpilot on December 01, 2010, 12:27:04 AM
Do a thumb mold then put it in an IT thumb...perfect combo
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"USBC is concerned that technology has overtaken player skill in determining success in the sport of bowling"

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Title: Re: thumb molds ???
Post by: EboHammer4ever on December 01, 2010, 08:15:04 AM
bluerrpilot.  I am going to try this.  I currently have a thumb mold in a Turbo Switch grip and we are going to get the IT soon.  I saw the youtube video on how to do this so I might try it.
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Jarrett Roseboom
Ebonite fan
pics of my equipment
http://s638.photobucket.com/albums/uu109/jarrettcr/My%20Bowling%20Equipment/
Title: Re: thumb molds ???
Post by: Bluff on December 01, 2010, 06:43:18 PM
stick with the Mold it unless your thumb grow a lot.
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"A man with no skills can be taught. A man with no honor, has nothing."