Author Topic: Durable Spare Ball (Read 8612 times)

bannachb · « **on:** November 16, 2011, 12:07:49 AM »

I am looking for a durable spare ball. I go through on average 2 spare balls a year due to cracking around the thumb. I throw my spare ball hard and straight at all spares that do not involve a sleeper. When I throw it, even though I am throwing plastic, I come completely up the back to take away any possible hook. This causes the ball to roll over the left side of the thumb hole, thus causing cracking over time.

What plastic ball would tend to hold up the longest to this issue? I have tried TZone from Brunswick, 2 different clear balls (thinking the thicker cover would help), and Multiple White Dots. I have been sticking with White Dots because they tend to hold up longer than the others. But I am willing to try something new if there is a more durable option. Color matters none.

Edited by bannachb on 11/16/2011 at 9:08 AM

Sunshine n Lollipops · « **Reply #1 on:** November 16, 2011, 08:28:02 AM »

Suitcase grip with hand on top of ball. No turn on release will result in straight ball not rolling over thumb hole. Try it.

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bannachb · « **Reply #2 on:** November 16, 2011, 08:36:14 AM »

Thanks for the reply, but I pride myself in my spare shooting and would rather not change what works. If it means spending $80 on spare balls through the year so be it. But if there is equipment that will allow me to save that cash then great.

charlest · « **Reply #3 on:** November 16, 2011, 08:52:11 AM »

I have also noticed a general sensitivity of polyester balls towards cracking in recent years.

As an alternative to plastic, if you do throw your spare ball hard and straight, is urethane. One of them that might suit your purpose is the Visionary Ogre Urethane. Visionary balls are noted for their longevity and this is a very hard solid urethane. Unlike resin, the more you polish urethane, the straighter they go with respect to length and backend. A used one, especially one with a pancake core, may also be a good alternative. I would suspect that such a ball will last you years, not 6 months

Storm will soon be issuing a pancake cored urethane called the Polar Ice in both pearl and solid versions. See Storm Polar Ice

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Good Times Good Times · « **Reply #4 on:** November 16, 2011, 09:01:36 AM »

Add some surface to your plastic and have your driller add a weight hole to try and bring that track up. Worked for me on my plastic. (I'm a low tilt bowler)

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bannachb · « **Reply #5 on:** November 16, 2011, 09:16:28 AM »

I was thinking Urethane as well. It is good to know that polish will kill the reaction on a urethane. I had a dull Natural a year or so ago and it hooked quite a bit. So the thought of using urethane kind of left my mind, but now that more companies are coming out with harder weaker urethanes I will have to look into them again. Thanks for the info!

dizzyfugu · « **Reply #6 on:** November 16, 2011, 09:25:31 AM »

charlest wrote on 16.11.2011 9:52 AM:
I have also noticed a general sensitivity of polyester balls towards cracking in recent years.

As an alternative to plastic, if you do throw your spare ball hard and straight, is urethane.

Storm will soon be issuing a pancake cored urethane called the Polar Ice in both pearl and solid versions. See Storm Polar Ice

Had the same idea. When you go for a really straight polyester ball, it will be hard (like the Ice Storm), but that makes it brittle and prone to cracks. Bevel on the holes certainly plays a role, too. But for something REALLY durable, urethane with a pancake might be the choice (like the new Storm balls, or the Faball Red Pearl Urethane Hammer and its remake, or the old Urethane Groove from Brunswick). With some polish, maybe even car wax, this should go pretty straight AND hold up for some time - I found urethanes to be the most resilient coverstock.

Another option might be an old rubber ball - you sometimes find them NIB for small money. These will survive an atom bomb, but I fear that you will have a hard time finding a pro shop to punch it up, because it is so hard and stinks awfully under the drill press...

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milorafferty · « **Reply #7 on:** November 16, 2011, 09:27:26 AM »

I've had a couple of White Dots crack around the finger holes the same way. I have used a Linds spare ball for almost two years without any cracks. Seems to be more durable than the White Dot at least.

Jorge300 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 16, 2011, 09:41:08 AM »

I have had the same plastic spare ball since 1996. Yes, it has cracked or chipped a little around the thumb, but I just had my pro shop plug it and redrill the thumb hole and it lasts for usually 2-3 seasons before it has to be done again. Problem is I don't think you can find any of them anymore. I am using the old Clear Wolf. Ebonite doesn't make them anymore so only place would be online (ebay most likely) or find someone who has one stuck in the back of a warehouse somewhere. I found one on ebay about 5 years ago, and I bought it and have it my closet at home, for when my current one finally decides to crack in half, lol.

Jorge300

xrayjay · « **Reply #9 on:** November 16, 2011, 09:51:37 AM »

I've had this issue for years. The only spare ball that lasted the longest for me, was the clear Roto Grip Tire spare ball. But, that last only 4 yrs. only. Then I got the Ice Storm because of the advertised "hardness" of the ball. This ball only lasted a little over two years. Well, I am still using it and the thumb hole is about to go pretty soon.

My next choice for my spare ball is my Natural Urethane, which I have two of the them. One of them all ready has UFO over it and it will be seeing some play time once the ICE STORM gives up. Likewise, go with urethane like some here have mentioned. good luck and good bowling

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charlest · « **Reply #10 on:** November 16, 2011, 11:35:40 AM »

This could be the Polyester ball solution. I used an Ice Storm to replace my Blue Dot after about 6 years of service. It cracked around the fingers but it was after throwing it and I'm pretty sure it happened when it hit something in the back of the machine. Storm refused to honor the warranty so my driller plugged the finger area and redrilled it for $15. Now, here's the solution, as such. Plug material is urethane. He did a good job with the colore matching and it even looks like pearl urethane although the cover is polyester.

I if it will crack again because the finger area is not made of urethane not polyester. The thumb shows no indication, so far, in cracking. Had it a little over a year since that happened.

So if it cracks have your driller plug and redrill the thumb or the fingers which is the usual location of any crack, as that is the susceptible area.

Just a thought ....

xrayjay wrote on 11/16/2011 10:51 AM:I've had this issue for years. The only spare ball that lasted the longest for me, was the clear Roto Grip Tire spare ball. But, that last only 4 yrs. only. Then I got the Ice Storm because of the advertised "hardness" of the ball. This ball only lasted a little over two years. Well, I am still using it and the thumb hole is about to go pretty soon.

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lifted rillo · « **Reply #11 on:** November 16, 2011, 11:39:18 AM »

I second the beveling of the thumb-hole.

bannachb · « **Reply #12 on:** November 16, 2011, 12:12:11 PM »

I never realized the plug was urethane (I should have). At my local shop it almost costs as much to have them plug the spare ball as buy a new one so I always opted for the new one. But you are right, putting a stronger material around the thumb should make it stronger.

We have tried beveling the thumb hole quite a bit, to no avail.

Edited by bannachb on 11/16/2011 at 1:23 PM

johns811 · « **Reply #13 on:** November 16, 2011, 12:37:25 PM »

Did you try a 1 3/8" or 1 1/2" thumb slug. Maybe that would help.

dizzyfugu · « **Reply #14 on:** November 17, 2011, 03:52:24 AM »

charlest wrote on 16.11.2011 12:35 PM:
I used an Ice Storm to replace my Blue Dot after about 6 years of service. It cracked around the fingers but it was after throwing it and I'm pretty sure it happened when it hit something in the back of the machine.

Have an Ice Storm, too (the blue one), and it has lots of spider web cracks around both thumb and finger - and I agree that these must come from machine contacts on/around the holes. Around the finger inserts, material even came loose. I love the ball, because it is hard and dead straight, but did not want to invest in a plug job. So I pried out the loose stuff, used a Dremel tool to drill out the cracked areas (esp. in the deeper parts next to the grip inserts), placed some teflon-coated paper around the inserts and filled up the spare room with 2C putty (which becomes hard but still has some flexibility in itself), pushing it with force into the seams and cracks. Strangely, this has worked well for months now - no more breaking pieces, nothing came loose. Looks a bit dented and shaggy, but better than a damaged ball... Probably similar to a professional urethane plug.

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2010/11 Benrather BC Club Champion
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Author Topic: Durable Spare Ball (Read 8612 times)

bannachb

Durable Spare Ball

Sunshine n Lollipops

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bannachb

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charlest

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Good Times Good Times

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bannachb

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dizzyfugu

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milorafferty

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Jorge300

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xrayjay

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charlest

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lifted rillo

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bannachb

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johns811

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dizzyfugu

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