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Author Topic: Summer oil?  (Read 4260 times)

charlest

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Summer oil?
« on: July 12, 2010, 07:29:03 AM »
Non-existent!

This is like the 3rd or 4th time I've tried to practice at this AMF house, to which I am considering returning this Fall. I wanted this summer to see if they are actually taking care for the lanes this time around. I joined a "fun" mixed handicap league. (I quit this house 2 years ago when I had my lowest average in 20 years anywhere, just because they weren't taking care of the lanes. Now with new synthetics, new oil machine, new LED 40" displays, even though some pairs do not have lane reset buttons ((YES!!))

So this is the the 3rd or 4th time that have not oiled the lanes during the day filled with kiddees and just following the weekends.

I threw one resin ball and it rolled out completely just past the arrows. Hmmmm?
I throw a weaker resin. Same result. I throw my plastic spare ball. same result.
Hmmmm???
I try to line up with the plastic ball. Standing 25, I hit about 12 at the arrows. It rolls out about 8-10 feet past that point, to sit in the pocket. Sometimes I strike, Sometimes, 10 pin, sometimes 8-10. Can't get it past 30 feet, ball speed is low because it's grabbing the lane. I give up and go home after 2 games, even though I paid for 3.

Only time there seems to be oil is after a league of any sort. Very frustrating.
The first time I practiced, beginning of June, after I joined May 27th, there was oil. After that, none, no matter what time of day I went.

Surprises me that the manager, a non-bowler, was not made to attend some kind of AMF bowling maintenance class, telling him that even with new synthetics, there should be some amount oil on the lanes at all times, otherwise, they will wear out just like a wood surface. Maybe he was taught (IF he was taught) that the new synthetics are made of hardened steel or titanium and they don't need oil????

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

 

charlest

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Re: Summer oil?
« Reply #16 on: July 12, 2010, 08:52:25 PM »
quote:

Outside temperatures are a MAJOR factor in how the lanes play.

Inside your bowling center it feels nice and cool due to the air conditioning, but what about UNDERNEATH THE LANES? If it's warmer outside it will be warmer under the lane surface.

Heat means friction. So even if the lane machine is using the same program all year round, during the warmer months the lanes will play like they are drier. The lanes will transition faster and dry out faster.

I also believe that most, if not all, of today's lane conditioners (oil) are now a water-based product instead of a petroleum base, which could theorectically lead to some evaporation over time.
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Lane Carter, Strike Zone Pro Shops - Salt Lake City, Utah
Brunswick Pro Shop Staff

www.brunswickbowling.com

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer and not of Brunswick Corporation.


Good points, Lane, but here in NJ, land of the cheap and uninformed center manager, it doesn't matter much what the inside or outside temp or humidity is.

Last week, the A/C wasn't working over about a range of 12 lanes, yet the oil was sufficient for plenty of skid, over the 3 league games. This manager is getting to be notorious for not oiling. Not sure if you read this or not, but during the past winter season, he had 2 short leagues with a pair of lanes between them. He actually had the lane man skip that pair because no league was bowling on them. My friend was allowed to open bowl on them and boy! did he regret it. They were also fried.
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"None are so blind as those who will not see."
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Re: Summer oil?
« Reply #17 on: July 12, 2010, 09:05:09 PM »

Sounds like fun... Good luck with that.


--------------------
Lane Carter, Strike Zone Pro Shops - Salt Lake City, Utah
Brunswick Pro Shop Staff

www.brunswickbowling.com

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer and not of Brunswick Corporation.
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Brickguy221

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Re: Summer oil?
« Reply #18 on: July 12, 2010, 09:06:59 PM »
This no oil in the summer that some of you have to bowl on makes me feel really blessed. I bowl in a house that used to be a Brunswick house but is now owed by a private party that owns other houses not all in Oklahoma and the lanes for our Senior League in the summer have been every bit as good as they are in the winter.

I used to bowl on the bad conditions that some of you are having to bowl on in the summer as well as the winter, but haven't since I changed to this house a few years ago.
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Brick
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storm making it rain

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Re: Summer oil?
« Reply #19 on: July 12, 2010, 09:19:49 PM »
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Tex

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Re: Summer oil?
« Reply #20 on: July 12, 2010, 09:56:16 PM »
Around our area the only time lanes are oiled is for leagues. All open play is on left overs and by Sunday they are toast. Best night in my home house to practice is Thursday, which is also the discounted open play night. The heavier house pattern is used on Wednesday for my Men's Classic League. The left overs are not too bad and catch the pair with the ghost or spare pair and good to go.
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Sir Bowl-A-Lot

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Re: Summer oil?
« Reply #21 on: July 12, 2010, 10:16:55 PM »
Try lofting the ball 30 ft down the lane next time.  That might help prove your point to the hard-headed manager.  Haha!
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qstick777

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Re: Summer oil?
« Reply #22 on: July 12, 2010, 11:37:07 PM »
quote:
quote:
It's an AMF house that is problem. My exp. I have never been to a good AMF house.


I have had my concerns, but during league, so far, the lanes have bee adequately oiled, more so than most of my other houses for the past 4 years or so.
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"None are so blind as those who will not see."



Must be a corporate thing.  Outside of the league I bowled, I've never been to an AMF house that had anything close to oil on the lanes.  They must only oil before leagues.

I even attended a charity event at the AMF headquarters (Hanover).  They had 5-10 people per lane and I never found any oil.
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