Author Topic: Small Balls !!! (Read 6353 times)

Keith Frye · « **on:** April 16, 2011, 06:59:36 AM »

I apologize if this subject has already been discussed. I do not recall seeing it here previously.

Has anyone noticed that LaneMaster bowling balls are slightly smaller than those of other companies? My friend, who is a ball driller, called me last night and asked me that question. He happened to be weighing one of his older balls that he planned on using again. When he put the Pro Sect on it, he noticed space between the ball and the Pro Sect. He decided to check other LaneMaster balls that he has and it was the same for each of them.

I too am a part-time ball driller and have my own Pro Sect at home. While we were talking, I checked four or five of my LaneMaster balls. It was loose on each of them. I compared it too a few balls from other manufacturers and the Pro Sect fit snugly for each of them (even my daughter's old six pound ball).

This is not meant to be a bash at all. I have always liked LaneMaster equipment and still use them. We are just curious if this intentional. In the past, I have heard or read about studies or tests done comparing reaction or scorability of balls of varying diameter/circumference. I don't remember the details. I don't doubt that they are still within USBC specs.

Hopefully, someone from LaneMaster will comment.

bullred · « **Reply #1 on:** April 16, 2011, 05:26:27 PM »

When the original Black Hammer came out there was a fairy tale circulating about it being smaller, reved more and carried better. I have had on old Brunswick-Callender measuring ring for years. There has been balls smaller through the years. I ran into a lot of the old Brunswick Crown Jewels that wouldn't pass through the ring. Some of the old Crown Jewels wouldn't come back through the ball returns either.

That ball was a killer with a little Methl Eythel Ketone soak

kidlost2000 · « **Reply #2 on:** April 16, 2011, 07:54:46 PM »

USBC has tolerances for minimum and maximum sizes. So as long as it falls in between I don't think I'd pay that much attention. I do remember reading somewhere in reference to this a few years ago that a smaller bowling ball would rev more. Not sure if it would be enough to notice.

Be good, or be good at it.

Keith Frye · « **Reply #3 on:** April 16, 2011, 08:41:31 PM »

In my case and my friend's case, the LaneMaster balls were each at least two or more years old and drilled. Maybe the LaneMaster materials do tend to contract more over time. If I pick up a new LM ball, I'll have to check it out to see what I find. As for differences in ProSects, it shouldn't matter if the test is conducted with the same one on all balls (which I did). Any way, I just thought it was interesting.

Lillen · « **Reply #4 on:** April 16, 2011, 11:11:49 PM »

I have an Absolute Power 2 laying around that is smaller, the Pro Sect used when doing the layout fit other balls perfectly but was a bit loose on the AP2...

Skip H · « **Reply #5 on:** April 17, 2011, 12:20:05 PM »

Keith,

I just checked four LM balls and compared it to some others that I have laying around. Some of the other were a bit old (black and burgandy Hammers and a Nitro). The LM balls did have a bit more play and didn't fit my Pro-Sect quite as tightly. Not a whole lot but enough to be noticed.

How is that Monday night league doing? I wanted to get in it this year but couldn't make it work. Maybe this coming fall.

Skip

Keith Frye · « **Reply #6 on:** April 17, 2011, 10:04:12 PM »

Hey Skip!

The Monday Trios Challenge League is going well. Tonight (since it as after midnight on the east coast) is our last night. Next Monday will be the roll-off between the first and second half champs. Hopefully you'll be able to join us next season.

Interesting to see that others are finding that LM balls are slightly smaller. Hopefully someone from the company will comment in this thread.

charlest · « **Reply #7 on:** April 30, 2011, 03:05:05 PM »

Oddly, a new Visionary BG Centaur I just drilled fit thru the test ring with just over 1/8" of space between its edge and the ring. WOnder if that's within USBC limits.

"None are so blind as those who will not see."

BowlingChat.net

"Some bowlers are crazy as pickled cats."

Nicanor · « **Reply #8 on:** May 01, 2011, 08:25:34 AM »

Doesn't Lanemasters use a solid core around the weightblock and no filler? Meaning the same material as the shell is throughout the ball except the weightblock. I say this because maybe they make the ball a little smaller to help with the weight of the core since the core material is heavier then the filler used in most other companies.

.

Nicanor (Ten On The Deck)

j1kjvan · « **Reply #9 on:** May 07, 2011, 04:37:45 PM »

One other thing you might take into consideration is the physics of the game. If you will compare balls from different companies with the Lane Masters balls you will probably find the EQUATOR of the LM balls to be lower. This will make the LM balls contact the pins a little lower than other balls which equates to pins flying in a more horizontal position. I certainly would rather have pins going horizontal instead of straight back (more messengers or in my case scavengers). If you haven't noticed the way pins fly or carry, watch the bowlers who use other manufacturers equipment. There is a difference. Visionary is a company that has horizontal pin carry also.

Edited by j1kjvan on 5/7/2011 at 4:39 PM

Dave_in_Rio_Rancho · « **Reply #10 on:** May 10, 2011, 12:39:44 PM »

There used to be a link on the Ebonite site regarding their tests on ball size. They were, if I recall correctly looking to see if resurfacing changed a ball's striking power. They reduced the sizes of the balls by machine during the course of the test, then factory resurfaced them.

"Does Ball Size Matter?
Research from the Ebonite R & D team explored the impact of ball size, from the maximum USBC Diameter of 8.595" to the minimum diameter of 8.510". The results might surprise you."

The results as I recall them were that the smaller the ball's diameter got, the better the testers liked the results when throwing it. Ebonite was quick to point out that the weights of the balls continued to drop as the ball's diameters were reduced and their were some minor decreases in spans as the balls were modified during the course of the tests.

Edited by Dave_in_Rio_Rancho on 5/10/2011 at 12:41 PM

batbowler · « **Reply #11 on:** May 12, 2011, 09:04:39 AM »

If I remember correctly, in the Ebonite test the smaller diameter balls had a higher strike percentage.

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Author Topic: Small Balls !!! (Read 6353 times)

Keith Frye

Small Balls !!!

bullred

Re: Small Balls !!!

kidlost2000

Re: Small Balls !!!

Keith Frye

Re: Small Balls !!!

Lillen

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Skip H

Re: Small Balls !!!

Keith Frye

Re: Small Balls !!!

charlest

Re: Small Balls !!!

Nicanor

Re: Small Balls !!!

j1kjvan

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Dave_in_Rio_Rancho

Re: Small Balls !!!

batbowler

Re: Small Balls !!!