First of all, I need to say something about the Chainsaw. This was a  ball I was just not loving, at all -- to the point that I twice tried to  include it in trades. To keep this story short, the problem was (a) I  wanted it for dry lanes, yet (b) couldn't get it to read the lanes. Any  oil created a problem.
 
 Finally, about two months ago I changed the surface (again) and started  paying more attention to my ball speed when using it. Turns out the  problem this whole time was probably operator error.
 
 I'm getting ready now to purchase a Chainsaw Massacre, because I really  need something to fit between my BuzzBomb/R and/or Supernova XP and the  Chainsaw.
 
 The BuzzBomb/R is drilled a bit too strong and I'd rather leave the  drilling alone, as it has a place. My XP is usable on a wider range of  shots, but its snappiness in the backend is too much when things really  break down.
 
 I have a G-Force Supernova, but it apparently needs a rejuvenation of  some sort. The cover has really died on it recently, and besides, I just  want something a little newer.
 
 Here's the important question: How will the following drill pattern fare  on the Massacre? This is the same pattern as is currently on the  Chainsaw:
 
 * Pin about 1.5 inches above bridge and slightly shifted toward the ring finger,
 * CG is under the middle finger on the grip midline,
 * There is a weight hole on the NEGATIVE side of the ball, around where Mo Pinel would call P2 or P3.
 
 My PAP is 4 over 3/8 up.
 
 If I stuck this same basic pattern on the Massacre -- pin high above  bridge, CG to the negative side of the ball, and then a weight hole to  the negative side, would it do what I'm wanting? I am particularly  concerned about the cover strength on the Massacre. If I need to weaken  the drill pattern to get what I want, I'll do that, but I don't want to  go too weak. I want to be able to transition BB/R - Massacre - Chainsaw  as the lanes break down.
 
 Jess

John,

 

Thanks for the advice. I'm going with the Massacre because I can get one at a good price, and fortunately I don't need a lot of help from a ball to hook, so I can drill it pretty weak if need be.

 

My current Evolution would probably do OK after a good resurface/dishwasher treatment, but my Evo is drilled a little stronger than I would like and sometimes tends to go over/under because of it. 

 

I've heard a wide range of opinions as to the cover strength of the Massacre. I'm hoping I can drill it so that it will go very long before facing up. The biggest problem I'm running into these days with house shots is the length. I guess everyone around here is in love with 37-foot shots.

 

Jess

My XP is drilled label -- pin just above and right of the ring, CG basically grip center, MB in the track left of the thumbhole. The pin is roughly 3.5 away from my PAP on that ball.

 

I'm hoping the extra inch or so in pin-to-PAP distance with this ball will help.

 

Ordinarily, I don't like the term "skid/flip." I know a lot of people love watching balls peel off the spot, but I'd rather have a more controllable breakpoint. What I mostly need this ball to do is skid a couple of extra feet and then still recover ably enough.

 

I drilled a 900Global Link last year and drilled the pin very weak (about 5.25-5.5 inches from the PAP, over the middle finger). I got the length I was looking for, but there wasn't a lot of recovery. And then, for whatever reason, I started getting an over/under problem with the ball on drier lanes. That's the ball I took out of my bag when I put the Chainsaw back in. The Chainsaw does better on dry, but I need something in that medium-dry spot. I'm essentially trying to force the Massacre to be that piece.

 

Jess