Author Topic: Interchangeable Thumbs (Read 4035 times)

Stan · « **on:** May 15, 2007, 12:22:58 AM »

I know of 3 types that are currently on the market. Switch Grip, Grip Loc, and Thoms Thumb.

For those are are using them, which one did you choose and why. I know the pros of having them, have you found any cons ??

I appreciate your feedback.

Stan

Steven · « **Reply #1 on:** May 15, 2007, 09:37:25 AM »

I have the Turbo Switch Grip. That's what my driller carries, so I went with that.

As far as cons, the Switch Grips can break. I've been using the system for 3 months, and I've already had the bottom locking tabs on one of my inner sleeves (the removable thumb) snap off. I bowl with 4 others who use the system, and they've each had to replace at least one thumb.

It's good practice to carry at least one spare thumb (I carry two), so it's not a big deal if one breaks. However, I always have in the back of my mind the possibility that the sleeve is going to break and stick on my thumb as I release the ball. It hasn't happened yet (and probably won't), but the thought is there.

I have issues with thumb swelling and contraction (mostly due to heat and humidity), so the positives far out weight the negatives. Overall, easy to use and a versatile system.
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"Sometimes, the best move is the one we don't make"

Stan · « **Reply #2 on:** May 15, 2007, 10:32:07 AM »

I've heard the same about switch grips. My thumb is constantly changing, plus its very dry. I have tried different (using a mill drill) size ovals with different base thumb sizes. Right now, I am leaning to going back to a round hole and using magic carpet to make the oval. With different base thumb sizes and the carpet, I am hoping to get a betting fitting thumb.

The problem I am seeing, is that unless I use a solid and drill it out, Grip Loc and Thoms Thumb only to to 1 3/64. I would like the option to go to 1 1/16. My thumb will change .050 throughout the year depending on how often I bowl and the weather.

Thanks for the response.

Steven · « **Reply #3 on:** May 15, 2007, 10:41:16 AM »

quote:
Right now, I am leaning to going back to a round hole and using magic carpet to make the oval. With different base thumb sizes and the carpet, I am hoping to get a betting fitting thumb.

That's what I do. I've used the carpets for years, but setting them up in interchangeable thumbs really makes life easier. Especially in tournaments, it's nice not have to fumble with tape in multiple balls.

I don't want to make the breakage problem on the Turbo's a big deal. They've recently made the locking tabs bigger and stronger, so problems should be fewer. Good luck with your decision.
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"Sometimes, the best move is the one we don't make"

Litespeed · « **Reply #4 on:** May 15, 2007, 11:57:33 AM »

I have all three types. I'm not sure that you can say one is better than the other but they are definitely different. I didn't like the Thom's Thumb because it requires tools, but I have somehow gotten the ball off of the ball return and found the insert rotated to the free position on both of the other systems so maybe it's not a bad idea to need the tool. I like that my thumb is the same in every ball when using the inserts. I think my favorite is the Switch grip but the little plastic tabs do look very fragile.

As a side note, I also have a few balls currently with the VISE adjustable thumb. In my opinion they are garbage. I can't get a consistent feel with them and they are a very hard plastic which makes changing the contours and bevels more difficult. They are also slick as snot and need tape to get any kind of grip. Lastly, they require a piece of tape over the 'mechanism' and if you have it adjusted out the tape usually detaches at the top and you get to shove it under your thumbnail every time you pick up the ball. Again, this is my opinion only but I will surely have them removed soon and replaced with one of the other options.
--------------------
High Score: 279 with the Epic Battle
High Series: N/A

alzgarvin · « **Reply #5 on:** May 15, 2007, 07:34:55 PM »

Stan, Been using Griploc for 4 years now with great success. Just this year have wore out the first two mostly used inserts where they lock. (have not broken) But because my thumb continuously changes and up to 5 drill sizes, these things have been in and out of balls hundreds of times. Note, the inner piece in the ball has never worn, just the lock area of the insert on the sides after all these years. I also have used and installed the other two but prefer the feel and design of Griploc.

Also, these are available in a larger size...drill size 1 1/2", solid slug that can then be drilled to 1 5/32" if needed. Same design as smaller only big enough to go larger. Al

BrianCRX90 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 15, 2007, 08:06:22 PM »

Unless you bowl on tour and contently are getting new balls drilled, personally I think all of them are a waste of money. The Switchgrip is a good idea, but a decent driller is better. The cheaper slug drilled out it more preferable to me.
But if you enjoy switching 4-6 balls in league I guess you might be interested, otherwise they are overated.

Steven · « **Reply #7 on:** May 15, 2007, 08:20:46 PM »

Brian: Some comments:

quote:
Unless you bowl on tour and contently are getting new balls drilled, personally I think all of them are a waste of money.

Well, most better bowlers get a few new balls drilled up each year, and do tournaments at some level, so what's the beef?

quote:
The Switchgrip is a good idea, but a decent driller is better.

Switch grips have nothing to do with the quality of your driller. They simply provide versatility in making an easy change where you'd otherwise be fumbling with tape when it's hot, cold or otherwise. And if you want to experiment with different thumb pitches, it's a piece of cake. No plug and redrills -- just pop a new switchgrip slug in.

quote:
The cheaper slug drilled out it more preferable to me.

The cost difference is minimal across several balls.

quote:
But if you enjoy switching 4-6 balls in league I guess you might be interested, otherwise they are overated.

You're off on tangents again. This has nothing to do with league bowling. It has everything to do with more competitive tournament preparation.

Think before you reply.
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"Sometimes, the best move is the one we don't make"

BrianCRX90 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 15, 2007, 08:36:39 PM »

Let me rephrase. A good driller should be able to drill 2 slugs approximately the same. Now if your very picky and constintly want to change tape in multiple balls, then perhaps I can understand.
Cost wise for the set they run 25-30 dollars for the inner and outersleve in most pro shops, but from there you will only need to buy the outer sleave.

The other problem I have with them is practicing. I think it's more of a whip changing balls you do not have the luxery of just "grabbing another ball" for the ball you just threw has your inner sleave in it. Too time consuming. So who's the one thinking now? Next.

Steven · « **Reply #9 on:** May 16, 2007, 10:21:49 AM »

Brian: Better, but still a little off:

quote:
Let me rephrase. A good driller should be able to drill 2 slugs approximately the same.

No matter how good a driller is, if he's customizing your round hole with scrapes and bevels (i.e. to get a semi-oval), final drills will be close but not identical. Even small differences can throw you off if you're sensitive to such things. Many of us are.

quote:
Now if your very picky and constantly want to change tape in multiple balls, then perhaps I can understand.

Good. If you've ever been in a longer format tournament (10 straight games) and you're plowing through 4 different balls for transition in a humid center, the last thing you want to do is constantly be fumbling with tape. The swichgrips can help here.

quote:
Cost wise for the set they run 25-30 dollars for the inner and outersleve in most pro shops, but from there you will only need to buy the outer sleeve.

Good #2. You're getting that additional cost is a nit.

quote:
The other problem I have with them is practicing. I think it's more of a whip changing balls you do not have the luxury of just "grabbing another ball" for the ball you just threw has your inner sleeve in it. Too time consuming.

I though you were on a roll for a minute -- big time regression. It takes all of 5 seconds to twist out the inner of one ball and twist it into the next. It's so simple and fast, a caveman can do it.

quote:
So who's the one thinking now? Next.

Progress Brian, but you still fell short. There is no question that switchgrips aren't for everyone. But if you're a more serious bowler with a lot of equipment, they can be a valuable tool. Think about it more and it might make sense.

WhackBowler: I've experimented with drilling a new inner sleeve with 1/8 more forward pitch. I'm told by others you can go as much as 1/4, but I haven't tried it myself.
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"Sometimes, the best move is the one we don't make"

BrianCRX90 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 16, 2007, 04:51:12 PM »

wtf isn't that what I said in the first place

Stan · « **Reply #11 on:** May 16, 2007, 05:38:22 PM »

The problem is not duplicating the thumb in every ball. I have been drilling for over 27 years and that is not the problem. I have used custom thumb slugs for many years and now have converted to ovals which I can duplicate exactly in every ball. This has worked for many years until the last 1 or 2.

The problem is when your thumb changes, due to weather, lot of bowling etc. Agreed, everyone thumbs does not react the same way to these circumstances, but mine goes up and down like a yo yo. So if you have the exact thumb slug in every ball, then they all do not fit properly. That is the problem I am trying to address with converting to Switch Grip or something like it.

Having the option to insert a slug that is slightly bigger or smaller is the perfect solution. When you go from 1 piece of tape to 6 or more, for me, with 6 pieces or more, the thumb hole feels soft and not very comfortable. Not to mention that the top of the tape has a tendency to lift up. I know, some bowlers love tape and have no or very little problems using a lot but I am not one of them.

So, this really is not a ball drilling problem, just a physical thumb issue. I do live in the Northeast where the weather can be 0 degrees in January and 90 degrees in May. This does not help.

As far as changing your pitches with a solid switch grip insert, yes it is possible, but like already said it can not be too drastic of a change otherwise you will drill though the insert.

I have already ordered Switch Grip and Thoms Thumb. I need to do a little more research on Grip Loc before I order it. Like Steven and others said, I may have to try them all to see which one feels the best. I already have a few customers lining up to try them out with me. Should be a very interesting next few weeks.

shipper50 · « **Reply #12 on:** May 18, 2007, 09:46:56 PM »

quote:
I have all three types. I'm not sure that you can say one is better than the other but they are definitely different. I didn't like the Thom's Thumb because it requires tools, but I have somehow gotten the ball off of the ball return and found the insert rotated to the free position on both of the other systems so maybe it's not a bad idea to need the tool. I like that my thumb is the same in every ball when using the inserts. I think my favorite is the Switch grip but the little plastic tabs do look very fragile.

As a side note, I also have a few balls currently with the VISE adjustable thumb. In my opinion they are garbage. I can't get a consistent feel with them and they are a very hard plastic which makes changing the contours and bevels more difficult. They are also slick as snot and need tape to get any kind of grip. Lastly, they require a piece of tape over the 'mechanism' and if you have it adjusted out the tape usually detaches at the top and you get to shove it under your thumbnail every time you pick up the ball. Again, this is my opinion only but I will surely have them removed soon and replaced with one of the other options.
--------------------
High Score: 279 with the Epic Battle
High Series: N/A

I might be able to help you on your Tom thums. If you have trouble with getting the insert to stay where it should, I have found that you put the insert in and turn it just a hair to seat the insert and you should feel a little slip and then nothing. I put my thumb in the insert with the notch facing towards the back of the ball, pushing down till I feel the it bottom out and then turn it a hair. Also the screw is for tightening the insert into the sleeve. You turn the screw only until you feel it snug up and then stop. This locks the locking lever into place and holds the insert...

I can change out my inserts with a screw driver in my hand in about 5 seconds.

Hope this helps.
Shipper

hammermike2000 · « **Reply #13 on:** May 18, 2007, 10:01:23 PM »

One thing to know - you cant do different pitches in (Turbo's) Switch Grips! You have to plug (top) the outer, redrill another outer, and drill another inner. Drilling a different pitch in the inner slug will not work because it will go through the slug and ruin both that and the outer that it was drilled in; it will not work lol.
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BOWL N.C. TOUGH SHOTS TOUR

Rev_O · « **Reply #14 on:** May 18, 2007, 10:06:35 PM »

I use Grip Loc and I will NOT drill another ball without them!!
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Rev-O

Check out www.JeffCarterBowling.com and BOWL UP A STORM!

WWW.ABSOLUTEBOWLING.COM , GUARANTEED A TROLL FREE ZONE!!!

Author Topic: Interchangeable Thumbs (Read 4035 times)

Stan

Interchangeable Thumbs

Steven

Re: Interchangeable Thumbs

Stan

Re: Interchangeable Thumbs

Steven

Re: Interchangeable Thumbs

Litespeed

Re: Interchangeable Thumbs

alzgarvin

Re: Interchangeable Thumbs

BrianCRX90

Re: Interchangeable Thumbs

Steven

Re: Interchangeable Thumbs

BrianCRX90

Re: Interchangeable Thumbs

Steven

Re: Interchangeable Thumbs

BrianCRX90

Re: Interchangeable Thumbs

Stan

Re: Interchangeable Thumbs

shipper50

Re: Interchangeable Thumbs

hammermike2000

Re: Interchangeable Thumbs

Rev_O

Re: Interchangeable Thumbs