Author Topic: How to keep insert slick? (Read 4126 times)

spatten · « **on:** September 10, 2003, 07:28:28 PM »

Guys,

Looking for a suggestion to help get my thumb out. I tend to have
moist hands that stick in the insert.

We recently switched my inserts to urethane, and this did provide a nice slick
surface. However after about several games on each ball the tackiness is back and I cannot get out clean. Any suggestions on how to get it slick again?

Last night I tried sprinkling soapstone on my thumb, but this only marginally helped for each shot and then had to be reapplied.

Thanks,
Scott

Rev_O · « **Reply #31 on:** September 20, 2003, 10:54:00 PM »

maybe your pitches are wrong?

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Rev-O

spatten · « **Reply #32 on:** September 22, 2003, 12:34:41 PM »

Guys,

Did a little bit more work this weekend on the problem. Talked to my driller about pitches. I have 9/16 rev in the thumb (4 7/8 span) and he was pretty set against going any further.

I went back to using some hypafix, and I found if I coated both sides(not top and bottom) of the thumb with the tape I could get out smoothly. Unfortunately, applying in this fashion did not allow the tape to stay on for more than a few throws. But it did get me thinking.

What we ended up doing was really widening the side to side of the holes. We kept the front to back as close to the same as we could. This seemed to really help. I don't know if this is the best solution - but it will probably work. Thanks for all your help. I applied the acetone to the inserts also and really liked how well it cleaned the insert. I am also using some powder to keep the thumb dry.

Scott

charlest · « **Reply #33 on:** September 22, 2003, 02:55:00 PM »

Scott,

1. 9/16" is a LOT of reverse pitch. I hope that's what you REALLY need. WHen I went to 3/8" reverse, I found I had to keep the thumb hole perfectly sized to match my thumb's shrinking and swelling during sets. If I did not constantly add and remove tape, I would drop or knuckle the ball (to prevent dropping). When I went down to 1/8" reverse, I add and remove tape much less often.

2. In about 2 of your replies above, you stated you were good for a long while then it stuck again. If that's true, then maybe you just need some strong alcohol to clean your thumb and the hole in the latter stages of your bowling, be it 3 games or 5 games. Our strongest drug-store or supermarket alcohol is 91%. That's fairly strong and will clean oils and sweat off your tthumb and most dirt from your thumb hole.

Carrying a 4 oz (125-150 ml) plastic bottle in your bowling bag is easy; I carry one. carry thin cotton towel to clean thumb hole and thumb.

Last question: are you sure your thumb hole fits properly? so you can't knuckle (bend) your thumb at all?

If your thumb shrinks as you bowl, adjust the thumb hole at the start of bowling with white (sticky, rough surface) tape or the black kind (very smooth). Then add tape as your thumb shrinks during bowling. YOu have to be VERY aware of how your thumb fits when you start: it should be ALMOST snug. WHen it gets too easy to put your thumb in, it's probably shrunken and you need to add more tape to the hole.
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"Those who do not remember history are doomed to repeat it."

charlest · « **Reply #34 on:** September 22, 2003, 03:06:56 PM »

quote:
star wrote:
Charlest I use acetone when I want to take a tiny bit out of the thumb hole in a simillar fashion to what I said I do to clean it.
I totally agree with you as I do find that it is fantastically smooth after. But it does seem to make the thumb hole a little bigger which can be a bad thing if done regularly over a long length of time.

Yes, I agree, but you've got to use a lot less than what's needed to remove plastic. I just lightly dampen an old cotton undershirt and just wipe the rough edge of the thumb insert. This smoothes the sanded surface. I also use it to clean the tape residue and dirt stuck to the inside. I can't say I've noticed that I've ever removed enough to make the hole smaller. I think you'd see white plastic on the cloth with which you applied the acetone. maybe, maybe not; not sure. When I dampen a cloth, it often evaporates before I can use it all.

quote:

The alcohol that I use is surgical spirit so there may be some denatured alcohol in there. Im no chemist but you may be able to help me there.

Not sure what "surgical spirits" might be in simple layman's terms.
Denatured ethyl alcohol has the water removed. The strongest topical alcohol civilians can get is 91% isopropyl alcohol or rubbign alcohol (the rest is water, AFAIK). Denatured Alcohol can be bought, here in US, in hardware stores for cleaning purposes, like "mineral spirits", Methyl Ethyl ketone, turpentine, Lacquer thinner, etc., some of which can be very dangerous - fire, explosive, toxic.

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"Those who do not remember history are doomed to repeat it."

spatten · « **Reply #35 on:** September 22, 2003, 05:06:34 PM »

Charlest,

I know the trend is to move more towards a neutral pitch in the thumb. However,
I have a long thumb (3"), and it is very flexible (160 degree hinge) - both which add to the needed reverse (I think). Eventually, I may buy a cheap plastic ball and see if I could get away with less. But now I am so nervous about hanging up, it scares me.

For years I bowled with a bent thumb, and I have been working very hard to get out of it. As long as I concentrate for a few throws, I seem to be able to keep my thumb relaxed with slight pressure near the inside base. I believe I can maintain this even with the larger thumb hole. So far it seems to work.

I think the "almost snug" thumbhole is a dead end for me. As much as I like it - it is always a battle. I can get out a few times, but then I end up throwing the ball of my hand just to make sure it comes off. Even going to drastic measures (applying hypafix every other frame) doesn't seem to keep my consistent. I may try snugging up the back a bit, but making sure the sides are wide open.

Thanks for the warning,
Scott

Author Topic: How to keep insert slick? (Read 4126 times)

spatten

How to keep insert slick?

Rev_O

Re: How to keep insert slick?

spatten

Re: How to keep insert slick?

charlest

Re: How to keep insert slick?

charlest

Re: How to keep insert slick?

spatten

Re: How to keep insert slick?