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Author Topic: Buying Used Balls  (Read 5763 times)

Cobb

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Buying Used Balls
« on: December 09, 2008, 03:15:46 PM »
K well my question is it really worth it to buy a used ball? Does plugging it and resurfacing it make it basically a brand new ball? I currently have a cell and was looking to grab a cell pearl just cause. I'm on a pretty strict budget so that's why i'm wondering would a used ball perform as well as a new ball?

Edited on 12/10/2008 0:17 AM

 

mrbowlingnut

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Re: Buying Used Balls
« Reply #1 on: December 09, 2008, 11:31:46 PM »
Just get one within 1/4 inch of your span and usually just bigger thumb slug or a double slug will get it done.

Fingers can always be quick plugged and redrilled with new pitches easy and cheap.

Cobb

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Re: Buying Used Balls
« Reply #2 on: December 10, 2008, 12:12:36 AM »
What i'm wondering though, does it affect the overall performance of the ball?

KingofKings696

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Re: Buying Used Balls
« Reply #3 on: December 10, 2008, 12:20:45 AM »
This may sound silly but for me my best luck has always been with used balls, You could take a new ball and the same ball used and make them feel exactly the same and I tend to roll the used balls better however I cant look at the balls or it gets to my head.

Lillen

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Re: Buying Used Balls
« Reply #4 on: December 10, 2008, 12:30:08 AM »
I never had any problems with used balls, just got me a Sapphire Zone and took it to the pro shop for some rejuvenation, re-surfacing and plug work..
It now has a 4000 abr surface and rolls great..

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j195/Nellil/14%20Pounders/DSC00781.jpg

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j195/Nellil/14%20Pounders/DSC00783.jpg


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Edited on 12/10/2008 1:31 AM

kingpin268

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Re: Buying Used Balls
« Reply #5 on: December 10, 2008, 08:18:55 AM »
I have not bought a new ball for a rather long time. I've been tight on money and I would rather buy 2-3 used balls instead of one new one anyway. I've had no problems whatsoever buying used for the past few year. A few 300's, high 700's, all with ball with multiple drills. Sure not as pretty, but they knock down pins just as well for a cheaper budget.
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leftyinsnellville

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Re: Buying Used Balls
« Reply #6 on: December 10, 2008, 08:28:37 AM »
Yes, it's worth it.  Sometimes the more beat up the used ball is, the better.  It's cheaper and after I fill it and resurface it, it's pretty much as good as new.  

I just finished up a beat up Visionary Immortal Pearl last night.  I liked the layout so I just had to fill the thumbhole to change the span.  The color was very easy to match (black with a litte silver) and two-thirds of the plug was cut away when I redrilled it anyway.  Resurfaced using abralon pads progressively from 180 up to 1000, then polished it up with Ebonite's Factory Finish.  The final product looks terrific...can barely even see the plug area.
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220...221...whatever it takes.

Edited on 12/10/2008 9:29 AM

Necromancer

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Re: Buying Used Balls
« Reply #7 on: December 10, 2008, 08:36:57 AM »
quote:
K well my question is it really worth it to buy a used ball? Does plugging it and resurfacing it make it basically a brand new ball? I currently have a cell and was looking to grab a cell pearl just cause. I'm on a pretty strict budget so that's why i'm wondering would a used ball perform as well as a new ball?

Edited on 12/10/2008 0:17 AM


IMO, no.  I have bought used several times, but when I look at my arsenal now of what goes out on the lane, none of the balls are used.  Let's look at history:

-The One, awesome ball, probably the best used ball I ever had, split in half after 3 games LOL.  Now in my mom's garden.
-A few others - never got them plugged and redrilled because it cost too much, eventually sold off.
-Another, plug started cracking.


Only get used if the ball can't be bought new is what I say nowadays.  With ebay and blems, you can get new high performance balls for pretty cheap.  Also, plugging isn't a flawless job.  It usually screws up the ball sooner or later.
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Current Arsenal Gallery
H: Brunswick Fury, Columbia 300 EPX T1
M-H: Storm Shift Gravity, Hammer Black Widow
M: Storm X-Factor Vertigo
M-L: Storm Recharge
L: Storm Hit Blue Pearl
S: Brunswick Target Spare Zone, Ebonite 14 Fun Ball

GEMS: Brunswick Quantum Helix, Brunswick Quantum Double Helix

2008-09 Year 215.000 2008 Tourney 178.750
2006-07 Year 213.067 2007 Tourney 178.029
2006-07 League Champions
2007-08 League Champions
2008-09 Three-Peat???

Hall of Fame BR Member Since: April 3, 2001
Current Arsenal Gallery
H: Brunswick Fury, Columbia 300 EPX T1
M-H: Storm Shift Gravity, Hammer Black Widow
M: Storm X-Factor Vertigo, Ebonite Predator
M-L: Storm Recharge
S: Viz-A-Ball White
Bench: Brunswick Target Spare Zone, Ebonite 14 Fun Ball
GEMS: Brunswick Quantum Helix, Brunswick Quantum Double Helix

2008-09 Year 215.000 2008-09 Tourney 177.360 Last Tourney 182.667

Hall of Fame BR Member Since: April 3, 2001


Currently Retired from Bowling

Dan Belcher

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Re: Buying Used Balls
« Reply #8 on: December 10, 2008, 08:52:06 AM »
It all depends on the price really in my opinion.  Normally I'd rather go with the new ball, but sometimes you get a deal you can't pass up.  I bought a used Gravity Shift off a buddy of mine several months ago for $30.  It was already plugged once and I didn't want the layout he had on it, so it's now been plugged twice, there's even plug in the track area.  The ball probably already had 50-100 games on it when I bought it.  It's my go-to ball on wood lanes and the second-most used piece of my arsenal.  A hot water bath and a nice surface refreshing with Resurrection and some fresh polish, and it rolled just fine for me.

toomanytenpins

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Re: Buying Used Balls
« Reply #9 on: December 10, 2008, 11:51:37 AM »
i  have purchased quite a few used balls over the years and never had a problem. just dont pay more than its going to cost you to be able to use the ball. quite a few good deals on ebay.
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my style, the art of bowling without bowling

no300tj

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Re: Buying Used Balls
« Reply #10 on: December 10, 2008, 12:05:50 PM »
There is a junk yard in my area that has a slogan. "All cars run on used parts". I would believe bowling balls are somewhat the same. A ball that has been resurfaced and had the oil removed is going to roll consistantly on a given condition. It may not be the same as a new ball on the same lane, but could still fit in an arsenal. If it has a reaction that is different than what you already have, isn't that the desired goal?
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whoever said size doesn't matter never had trouble with a thumbhole

dougb

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Re: Buying Used Balls
« Reply #11 on: December 10, 2008, 03:04:14 PM »
My friend and I have bought several used balls during the last year. Some experiences good, some bad.

The only problems we had were with sellers who either misrepresented the condition of the ball they were selling, or in one case ruined a ball by drilling into the core.

On the other hand, we bought a few used balls from our pro shop.  These were balls they had tested and used for only a few games.  They have all been great!


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Complete ball arsenal:
Storm Gravity Shift
Storm T-Road Pearl
900 Global Break Pearl
Lane #1 Bullet
Hammer Cherry Vibe
Brunswick BVP Wizard
Columbia 300 White Dot - Blue Pearl

JessN16

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Re: Buying Used Balls
« Reply #12 on: December 10, 2008, 03:21:57 PM »
I've only had one truly bad experience buying used. Overall it's a good way to save money provided you can trust the seller.

If you have your own ball spinner, Abralon pad and polish collection, it's absolutely a great way to save money. That way, you need only pay, at most, for a plug-and-redrill of the thumbhole (provided you like the layout already on the ball) and two new finger inserts. You can handle the resurfacing yourself at home. If you can do your own plugging, it gets even better.

I've got a full backyard shop with drill press, so it makes a lot of sense for me.

If your pro shop charges very high a la carte prices for plugging, redrilling and surface prep, though, I'd advise you to stick with new balls unless you find someone who has an equal span and/or only sells low-game-traffic balls.

Jess

tenpin477

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Re: Buying Used Balls
« Reply #13 on: December 10, 2008, 03:35:13 PM »
Considering for 40 bucks I can get all 3 holes plugged and redrilled with inserts and thumb slug, I find it helpful to get used equipment occasionally.

My arsenal now is actually 5 balls, 3 that were new and 2 used. TBH the used ball I have is my favorite ball, and the first ball out of my bag most of the time.

Personally it depends on the situation, but if your on a tight budget then there is absolutely nothing wrong with Used equipment at all.

ccrider

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Re: Buying Used Balls
« Reply #14 on: December 10, 2008, 03:59:36 PM »
I did not think that you could "ruin a ball by drilling into the core." How is that possible???
(I know, semi hi jack)

quote:
My friend and I have bought several used balls during the last year. Some experiences good, some bad.

The only problems we had were with sellers who either misrepresented the condition of the ball they were selling, or in one case ruined a ball by drilling into the core.

On the other hand, we bought a few used balls from our pro shop.  These were balls they had tested and used for only a few games.  They have all been great!


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Complete ball arsenal:
Storm Gravity Shift
Storm T-Road Pearl
900 Global Break Pearl
Lane #1 Bullet
Hammer Cherry Vibe
Brunswick BVP Wizard
Columbia 300 White Dot - Blue Pearl

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Most things we like, we don't need. Most things we need, we don't like. Don't confuse your likes with your needs.