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Author Topic: Pinsetter Issue  (Read 1260 times)

Overhand

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Pinsetter Issue
« on: January 21, 2005, 02:34:17 AM »
OK, need a read from the experts here on how to handle this.  I hate to just roll over on the situation, so maybe someone can help.

I'm on a league in a new (less than a year) house.  The last four weeks and sporadically before that, the pinsetters are giving me (lefty) and my wife (lefty - idiots attract don't you know) a misspotted four pin set to the left.

It's consistent every rack, but changes every week whether it's left lane, right lane or both.  Occasional reracks don't matter to me, but I'm talking 1 in 10 racks the pin is close enough to not affect the shot.

Previously, before I complained to the desk, I've point it out to the other team captain and they agree that it's off-spot.  I then complain to the front desk and they come look and then have us hold up the bowling so the mech can fix it.

This is happening too frequently and of course, since the particular problem affects only lefties, I appear to be the only one complaining (seems to be few lefties in this league - maybe they know something?)

Haven't talked to the manager yet...don't want to come off as a whiney bowler who won't own up to his own scores, but I paid for ABC quality lines...tired of the flopping seven pin leaves.

While lefty bashing is welcome and encouraged on this post, constructive, non-retarded opinions are also welcome.  

1. Should I bring a digital camera and supply proof to the manager or ABC?  Who would I contact?
2. What are the requirements for pinsetters...how far off can they be?
3. Can I quit a league under those circumstances? (Certainly won't be back next year.)
4. No, I won't go righty...



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mumzie

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Re: Pinsetter Issue
« Reply #1 on: January 21, 2005, 10:41:06 AM »
quote:
1. Should I bring a digital camera and supply proof to the manager or ABC? Who would I contact?

Contact your local assn. executive director or whoever's in charge of lane certification.
quote:
2. What are the requirements for pinsetters...how far off can they be?

See #1 above
quote:
3. Can I quit a league under those circumstances? (Certainly won't be back next year.)

Why not - people have quit for less...
quote:
4. No, I won't go righty...

Don't blame you. When you've got an advantage, hang on to it.

However - I have a question - how does an off spot 4 pin affect only lefties? We had this issue a couple of years ago - big time - and pocket 4-10 splits were commonplace.
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DanH78

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Re: Pinsetter Issue
« Reply #2 on: January 21, 2005, 10:57:05 AM »
Have you tried talking to the manager in a non whiney way?  if I ran a center I would want to know that my machines aren't working the way they should be.  I wouldn't quit midseason over something like this.  I probably wouldn't go back if they didn't fix the machines, but you should really give them a chance.  If no one tells them it's broken, how can they know to fix it?
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Overhand

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Re: Pinsetter Issue
« Reply #3 on: January 21, 2005, 11:48:10 AM »
quote:
However - I have a question - how does an off spot 4 pin affect only lefties? We had this issue a couple of years ago - big time - and pocket 4-10 splits were commonplace.


ow, hadn't thought of that...

 
quote:
Have you tried talking to the manager in a non whiney way?


Hadn't talked to him at all...guess I will and see how he responds.  Supposedly why a particular trouble call is repeated, the mechanic should investigate, but apparantly that hasn't happened.  

Is there a website that lists ABC POCs?

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Pinbuster

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Re: Pinsetter Issue
« Reply #4 on: January 21, 2005, 12:26:50 PM »
Looking at the ABC specifications for pins (from the bowl.com website), pin spots on the pin deck, and accuracy of the pinsetter I have accumulated this information.

The spots on the pin deck are to be 2 ¼ inch in diameter (+/- 1//16 inch).

The base of the pin is to be 2 inches in diameter.

The ABC inspection manual states that pins should be set on the spots in such a manner that the complete edge of the spot on the pindeck can be seen.

Given those tolerances pins could be considered on spot but if two pins were at the maximum allowed difference apart they could be an extra ½ inch separated. I believe this amount of difference would be observable.

The machinery should be set to place the pins on the center of each spot. However tolerances of the machinery and pins would keep this from happening every time.

If I was a mechanic in a house I would each week take each lane and set a first ball set of pins and check to see if they were on spot. I would then cycle it to the second ball and check to see if those pins were put on spot.

I’ve known houses that the fingers used to pick up spares were out of alignment and that, in this case a 2 pin, was placed off spot on every spare it was included in. It was that way for 15 years and never fixed. It was different pins but there were at least 6 lanes in the house that had this quirk.  

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pin-chaser

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Re: Pinsetter Issue
« Reply #5 on: January 21, 2005, 01:42:01 PM »
Being a past ABC rep and bowling center head mechanic, it is allowable to have the pin off spot upto 1/2" in any direction. Which means, you could have as much as a 1" additional gap or 1" closer between any two pins. This only applies when an inspection is done (once per year). Your best efforts should be directed at the proprietor to reslove this issue. The local association will do little other than state some complaints have been lodged and has no real way of enforcing once the yearly sanction has been approved. No bowling center has ever lost its sanction becuase of faulty equipement or pin spotting during an approved season.

goog luck.


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