Has anyone ever used this stuff before?  Our shop just switched to it from DBA and we have been having some problems.  The major problem seems to be a large amount of plug cracking/separation from the edge of the hole being plugged.  It looks as if the material almost pulls away from the edge of the hole... not all the way around, but maybe 25% to 50%.  I don't think its the preping of the holes prior to plugging as we never had this problem before with the DBA.  It almost seems as if the plug material is possibly curing too fast and getting hot??  Although I haven't actually measured out the volume of each, the pumps are supposedly metered to supply a 3 to 1 ratio of material to hardener.  The size of the holes does seem to matter either... thumbs, weight holes, about an equal amount of success.  

The other problem I have noticed is that this stuff doesn't set clear.  It lookes clear when mixed, but upon hardening it takes on a yellowish tint.  

I think that I am going to swing by the dollar store and pick up a couple measuring cups to verify that I'm actually getting a 3 to 1 ratio of material...  Otherwise, I have no idea... anyone ever run into this problem before or have any suggestions?  Its starting to be a P.I.T.A (pain in the A@@) having to drill out cracked material and replug almost every ball...

Edit:
Room temperature has been fairly constant as well... nothing too hot or too cold (which I found has an effect on the plug material as well).

Thanks,
S^2
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I'm a great quitter. It's one of the few things I do well. I come from a long line of quitters. My father was a quitter, my grandfather was a quitter... I was raised to give up.
- George, in "The Old Man"

Edited on 9/29/2006 11:19 AM

I will second that the Techline is the best plugging material we have used.  Like ppbc, we switched to Ebonite for little while (we had some sitting around and ran out of Techline) and I noticed the same thing, some cracking and it always dried more yellow than clear.  We stopped using it and went back to Techline and have not had any problems since.  Hope this helps.

-Tyler
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*F.O.S. is growing
"Life is short...and so is Gary Coleman"
"It ain't over til the Fat Lady takes a shower"
Stuff For Sale : http://www.ballreviews.com/Forum/Replies.asp?TopicID=132932&ForumID=26&CategoryID=5

We use Ebonite Power House Everclear Plug.  Is this the same as what you guys are referring to?  Ebonite does have some other plug too.  I haven't had any problems with the Everclear plug, pretty much the exact opposite of you.  No cracking, dries clear when no color added.  Hmmm....

We do take preventative measures too.  Make sure the edge of the hole is sharp, no bevel.  We use little ice cube trays to make plug nuggets to put in thumb holes and extra holes, so that the plug won't create too much heat and cure too fast.

I would be interested in trying the Techline stuff if I can get it easily and if it is not too much more expensive.

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Mike Austin's Precision Pro Shop
Houston, TX

Driller to many "Stars" and Tony Melendez too!

"So Many Balls, only ONE drill press!!"

Chuck Norris is the only person to ever count to infinity..........twice!

hey stapper, i have used the ebonite stuff before its ok. have used tech-line also once again it does the job. for the last 5 years now been using plug from Lane Concepts. its called One Step Clear. let me tell best stuff i have ever used. the cost is on par with everyone else but the quality i feel is better. check them out online www.laneconcepts.com. hope this helps.
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Paul Colombani
Owner/Operator Competitive Edge Pro Shop Woodridge, IL
competitiveedgeproshop@yahoo.com
www.competitiveedgeps.com
AMF300 Pro Shop Staff