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Author Topic: Honesty Opinions wanted  (Read 1967 times)

THIRTYSIXRED

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Honesty Opinions wanted
« on: October 04, 2009, 05:33:00 AM »
Now remember a couple days ago when there was a thread about the difference between Golf and Bowling, and why bowling was better because it does not rain inside.

I came back and honestly told that person I do bowl in a center where when it rains, you can get wet.

Today I was bowling on a set of lanes that could not return the ball (in practice).  As President, and not wanting to wait for the issue to be resolved of chewed up equipment...I asked everyone if it was O.K. to move to one of the many open sets (as we now only have 10 teams).  All agreed they did not want their high end stuff ruined, so we moved.

Take a look at the (sorry they are blurry, best I could do with an IPhone and the limited light in the place) approaches that I have to deal with week in and week out.  Not sure what causes the Heavy black scuff marks, but the fact that a plug that covers the nail hole was completely missing is disturbing.  The depression is a good 1/4" deep and effects your slide when shooting a 6-10 or 10 pin spare.

I tried meeting this guy 1/2 way as it was I who complained about the water based lacquer that was placed on the approaches before league started this season (he claims he was "saving the approaches" by sealing them).  

He tried to tell me it was my 23 year old shoes to blame for falling flat on my face (since then a couple others have gone down, just not a severe as I did).  I replaced the shoes with a nice new pair of Linds Classics (they do help my situation).

Problem is a divot like that out of an approach could easily chew on the bottom of your slide sole.

Isn't there some sort of standard that the center has to meet on approaches as well as lanes.  Is there not a tolerance that is allowable (and outside that, you do not get certified).  Can't find it in the rule book...but I would love to see what some you you guys have to put up with on a weekly basis.

http://s135.photobucket.com/albums/q135/THIRTYSIXRED/?action=view¤t=IMG_0016.jpg

http://s135.photobucket.com/albums/q135/THIRTYSIXRED/?action=view¤t=IMG_0015.jpg

http://s135.photobucket.com/albums/q135/THIRTYSIXRED/?action=view¤t=IMG_0014.jpg

Keep in mind the black scuff marks are all across the surface of the 8 feet closest to the foul line and seem to be concentrated on the left hand portion of each approach.

Is there not a way to properly remove these marks and not get them to recur ??

I realize you guys said easy slide on the shoes is a no-no...how do you guys feel about me bringing my own wood filler to take care of 1/4" divots ??
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six pack

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Re: Honesty Opinions wanted
« Reply #1 on: October 04, 2009, 02:08:31 PM »
is this the only house in your area? if not I would look for a new house.
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The harder I try the harder they fall

rackattack

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Re: Honesty Opinions wanted
« Reply #2 on: October 04, 2009, 05:33:36 PM »
quote:
I realize you guys said easy slide on the shoes is a no-no...how do you guys feel about me bringing my own wood filler to take care of 1/4" divots ??  


I think a book of matches is more appropriate.
Is this house USBC certified?
If so,give them a call and tell them it's time to earn that $19 they charge you for membership.
A lane certification check is in order.
You cannot do anything to alter the surface of lanes or approaches per their rules.
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JohnP

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Re: Honesty Opinions wanted
« Reply #3 on: October 04, 2009, 08:20:30 PM »
The pattern of the black marks makes me think they might be caused by the extension cord used to power the lane conditioning machine.  Do they actually cause a problem with sticking?  The open nail head does need to be repaired.  --  JohnP
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Atochabsh

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Re: Honesty Opinions wanted
« Reply #4 on: October 04, 2009, 09:09:25 PM »
There are specifications for achieve yearly certification.  It has little to nothing to do with approaches.  Certification crew should check the approaches for obvious problems.  The missing nail cap would be one.  But the black marks could just be oil stain in the wood.  And sometimes not even a total approach refinish will remove it.  

The black marks, I don't know if they are from a power cord like was mentioned or a floor sander.  But it is extremely expensive to totally refinish the approaches properly.  If they are just unsightly then there's not much to be done.  I have not yet known a center that had the personal knowledge and ability to refinish approaches and lanes themselves.  Touch ups, patchingp yes, but total refinish....no.  

Unfortunately local certification crews are not always thorough or even recheck problems they have notified to the bowl.  But the conditions should be reported to the local association.  It is possible that the nail cover problem happened after certification.  The center should have a certificate/sticker saying they are USBC certified.  Since it early in the year and most certification happens during the summer months, the sticker might be still in process.  

Erin
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No Revs00300

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Re: Honesty Opinions wanted
« Reply #5 on: October 05, 2009, 12:06:18 AM »
Makes me feel lucky, we have some really nice centers where I live. that sucks THIRTYSIXRED I hope your problem gets fixed. Good luck.
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THIRTYSIXRED

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Re: Honesty Opinions wanted
« Reply #6 on: October 05, 2009, 04:55:34 PM »
The black cord theory could be part of it.  However many years ago as a teenager I did dust and oil lanes.  Both machines used a black power cord, yet I never remember any marks left on the approach.

The only thing we were careful with was moving the oiling machine to make sure we did not get any oil on the approach (and clean any off immediately if we did).

This house has always been subpar, but has fallen right off the cliff last year or so.  

Personally I think he should invest in synthetic approaches and be done with it.
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lsf_21

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Re: Honesty Opinions wanted
« Reply #7 on: October 05, 2009, 05:14:06 PM »
black marks are also possible from open bowlers wearing shoes that have marking soles on them.
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lsf_21

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Re: Honesty Opinions wanted
« Reply #8 on: October 05, 2009, 05:14:10 PM »
black marks are also possible from open bowlers wearing shoes that have marking soles on them.
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GO CUBS!!!!
GO CELTICS!!!!
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justdale

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Re: Honesty Opinions wanted
« Reply #9 on: October 05, 2009, 05:30:08 PM »
Not sure where you live, but there is a guy out here in Salt Lake City that goes around and does refinishing lanes and approaches, I don't know what he charges but he is pretty good at what he does.

As far as the black marks, there could be a number of reasons why there are there.

For the missing nail cover, it should be covered and as one of the other peolple said, call your local association and inform them of the problem, they might be unaware. For the most part when associations go in and certify a center, it's really the lanes and pin decks that they are more concerned with, they mostly check to see if the foul lights are operational
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JohnP

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Re: Honesty Opinions wanted
« Reply #10 on: October 05, 2009, 09:36:15 PM »
justdale -- Did you grow up in Beaumont, TX?  --  JohnP
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