Any preferences between buying a new ball designed for dry lanes, versus using older equipment that isn't as strong compared to today's balls?

I've generally found better success with old equipment versus some of the new balls being advertised as being "weak" or for dry lanes.


Scott

Just make sure you are not trying to drill weak balls stronger, so you can use them in league.  Drill them weaker to allow them to do the job they were designed for.

couldnt have said it better

I have a 900G boost purple/cream pearl drilled 1 1/2" from pap,finished with 5000 trizact and polished with lane 1 sauce. ball is awesome in the dirt with no snap and hits hard. I can also use it for my ten pins.

But, is there any reason to buy a new "weak" ball when the old dead 10 year old reactive is plenty weak... Only thing I can think of - Is the newer core going to hit better?

But, is there any reason to buy a new "weak" ball when the old dead 10 year old reactive is plenty weak... Only thing I can think of - Is the newer core going to hit better?

I think one major difference that helps older weak balls act better than today's weak ball is that the cores have a larger differential with weaker coverstocks.

In general, today's weak balls have stronger coverstocks that require very weak cores to make them usable on dry/light oil lanes. The higher flare (as a result of larger differentials) help the older balls be consistent, while the newer balls are more problematic on carrydown or irregular light oil conditions due to their lack of flare.

Concur with the others...if what is in use now is getting the job done, why buy something else just for the sake of buying? 

Let's face reality...if I ever returned to the sport, I would have precisely zero compunction about using the old blue Faball Nail or my Roto Gold Grenade.  There are other older pieces that would fill the bill as well...even a Columbia Vector II will work from the dirt and weeds

And yes, for the kids amongst the board...those ARE older than you LOL!

I use a stronger ball laid out weakly. Adjust the surface to what works for you. Usually a 90*1 3/8*60 or 35*5*35

I have a old Fab Red Pearl Hammer drilled label and a polished Fab Burgundy Hammer drilled Axis, that I use after the shorter patterns break down on me. But I normally start off with a Scream (1.5k polished, 90x6x50) or a Pitch Black (3k sanded, 50x4x50) I could live without the Burgundy Hammer, but the Red Pearl Hammer is a must have for me. Its kinda like my "break glass in case of emergency ball" lol, I can stand right and beam it at the head pin, it still hits like a truck on dry lanes...