A couple of us were having a discussion over the oiling of lanes.  We were talking about whether or not there has to be actual oil applied to each board to the end of the pattern or can a pattern be put down and buffed in some areas to the end of the pattern thus creating the "oil."  The reason I ask is that the pattern for ABCs, as well as some sport patterns, and PBA patterns talk about the buff area.  When reading the chart that shows what oil is being put down, there are places where no oil is put down, but is buffed.  Any help with this would be beneficial.  Please.    Maybe explaining what the buffed area constitutes would help as well.  Thanks again.


Edited on 2/23/2005 2:04 PM

As English is not my first language, I'll try to explain the best I can.

Basically as the machine going down the lane, it could be doing one of the following:

1. Stripping the lane using lane cleaner (usually the whole 60ft)
2. Oil the lane using oil aka lane conditioner (forward and/or reserve, distance depending on pattern setting)
3. Stripping and oiling at the same time, very common, cos it saves time.

I have only worked with AMF machine (AMF Magnum Century), but I assume Kegal works the same way.

If you get a chance, have a look at the back (underneath) of the Magnum, you should see the parts responsible for cleaning/stripping the lanes.  Imagine you have the Magnum laying on the lane just in front of the foul line, the components for stripping is nearer the pin-deck.

The components for oiling, obviously, is nearer the foul line.

Now to answer your question, forward application means lane condictioner is being transferred from the oil tank to the buffer as the Magnum is travelling down towards the pin-deck.  It is the buffer that makes contact with the actual lane surface.

Reverse application means the opposite, i.e. lane conditioner is being transfer from tank to buffer as the Magnum is coming back towards the foul line.

Buffing means that the 'buffer' is rotating and in contact with the lane surface, but no lane condictioner is being transferred from the oil tank to the buffer.


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