Ball- 15lb 3" pin and 2.6 Top
Drill pattern- 4.25X 4.75/ pin on top left edge of ring finger.

Tester: See profile
Conditions: 1)39 ft  oiled 6-6 Wall heavy in the middle, medium/heavy on the edges.  2) 40 ft medium pattern, burnt heads  **Both use Prodigy oil***

Expectations: After talking with Mike Machuga at the Latham tour stop and watching him and a few others throw this ball I was quite interested in its capabilities. This ball has a very strong mid-lane and controlled backend. I was looking for a ball to fit in between my Vortex II and my sanded Chaos.

Reality
Threw this ball on condition #1 with little tilt and it went straight as an arrow. This very much perplexed me. Made some adjustment to a deeper line with more axis rotation and tilt and it came to life. This ball revs so much early, if you don't adjust to it, this ball is real weak. After practicing with it and putting a couple of coats of Black Magic on, it performs nicely. I have thrown about 30 games with it with no major complaints. It is very archy with continuation throughout the lane. I can see this ball making the trip to Reno for the Sport challenge if they use the long pattern. On condition #2 I have only thrown 6 games and it is ok. I have to spin the ball to get good enough length but when I do that correct this ball carries a ton. I will not probably use it here much but will carry it just in case of oil spills.

Overall: This ball is smooth throughout the lane. It revs very easy and early so drillers be careful of early roll drills unless your person is a high speeder or spinner. Control is a strong point of this ball it just gives a nice ball motion with good carry. It is a real good ball for longer sport patterns and med/heavy patterns. It compares well to an X-factor Deuce maybe being slightly earlier and slightly less angular. Rating 8 out of 10.  LHT

Likes: Great Roll, Nice Read of the midlane, Explosive Pin Action
Dislikes: None really...even when I had polished was able to get away with playing in the dry.

Ball Specs:
15 pounds
Top Weight: 3.25oz
Pin out: 2-3 inches
Factory Surface

I got first look at the new Hammer Line when I went to one of their Demo Days about three months ago. I really wanted to try out the Diesel series since everyone was telling me that those balls would fit my game like a glove...and they were so right. I drilled up my Power Diesel 5" 90 degree this put the pin right underneath my ring finger with the cg stacked underneath and below my grip line. I didn't need an extra hole. Before I took it out on the lanes I put a light coat of Black Magic on it, just to give it the same look as it was in the Demo Day. This ball is amazing on mediums. I was able to stand in my comfort area which is standing 20 and throwing it out to 8 at the arrows and working it out to 5 at the breakpoint. This was the exact reaction I have been looking for in my bag. Easy to get though the heads without too much effort. When it read the midlane, it didn't read it too soon or too much. Just checked up its roll and started its heavy hard acr towards the 1-3 pocket. The Power Diesel allowed me to have miss room which always gives me much more confidence.

About a few weeks ago I put the coverstock back to factory with 1000 grit Abralon pads. I was running into soup where I bowl leagues. The Power Diesel allowed to me make my own little track in the lane and actually let me play alittle of the out of bounds which normally is unheard of where I bowl. This is a keeper in anyones bag. The tournament players or just the occational league bowler. It gives you so many different looks with coverstock changes or different drillings. Arguably, one of the best balls out on the market today.

As always if you need any help or have any questions feel free to email me at jwillie@paonline.com

Good Luck and Good Bowling,
Joshua W. Smith

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Tell them I'm trough, 'for the love of the game', Billy Chapel

Haven't done a review in a little while, and that was one of the selling points of this web site.  So, time to get some done.

It's funny.  I have had 4 or so Power Diesels in my possession and not one of them got drilled up.  Couple of new...couple of old....and then finally one for myself.  All I do is give praise to the ball.  This ball really is a power house in my opinion.

First off....house.  League usually gets a fresh coating of oil before play.  What they do...who knows.  Sometimes you get the typical house shot...then again, I have taken a shot and watched it roll right into the gutter....so you never know what you have and where your out of bounds is.

Ball is drilled with pin about an inch away from ring at about 4:30 to ring.  CG is kicked ever so slightly to the left with a small weight hole.  My want was a ball that will give me an earlier roll.

With oil, the ball more than is adept at handling the oil.  With medium conditions, the ball is more than able to drive through the pins.  The only time I have any problems with the ball is when there is no oil or if it's scarce.  I have not seen the ball roll out to be honest.  When drier, I may leave a few more 10s, but a little more speed usually remedies that problem.

Overall, the ball has been a welcomed addition.  Depending on the speed I throw, I get 2 different reactions.  If I keep the speed slower, perhaps around 15 or so, the ball will get rolling earlier, with a real nice drive through the pins.  As the lanes change, I am more than able to add speed to almost give the ball a more skip flip approach.  And the ball is more than able to take care of anything straight up 5, assuming you take most of the hand out.

Overall, a real good addition.

Finally picked this one up to complement my Diesel Particle and Big Block. Ball
has pushed them aside and has earned first out of bag status. 15lb drilled pin above ring, cg below middle finger, (4 X 5), kept in box finish.

Likes- Smoothest rolling of all my current arsenal. Ball clears the head with ease and makes a predictable, even arc to the hole. Backend on this ball is
unbelievable! What you would expect from a particle pearl. Great length in oil.
Carry is not a factor if you get it to the pocket. Light hits seem to make the most pin action and rarely leave anything in it's wake. Ball excels in the soup. I've found the more oil, the better. Once the lanes start to dry out, you better be adjusting accordingly.

Dislikes- None. Once the lanes start to dry out, better to go with something better suited for less oil. Not a knock on the ball, just not made for light oil.

Surprised this one was added to Hammer's ever-growing discontinued list. Too bad as this ball is definitely a keeper! All Hammerheads deserve to give this one a try. You will NOT be disappointed.

Spike

In the start of this years bowling I went into my pro shop and spoke to the owner who has helped me out many times.I told him I want this to be may last ball because I know a small part of my bad bowling is the ball and most of it is just me.I was working with a 155 average,I want to walk into the house feeling like a pro and feeling no fear to anyone myself or my team will be bowling.He sold me the Diesel an after a few weeks of have long talks with my ball so we can become friends I was bowling 600 series and more 200 games than ever.I shot up to a 180 after my 3 weeks even though it hurt the team handicap wise.Its bben the best thing I have bought in the 10 years I have been bowling.Try it as your first ball for heavy oil lanes