Author Topic: Interchangeable (Read 4189 times)

STBCrushEm · « **on:** January 28, 2010, 10:29:25 AM »

Has anyone had any luck with the VISE IT = Interchangeable or any other brand? Thanks

Dewey24 · « **Reply #16 on:** January 31, 2010, 10:09:46 AM »

I started using the IT about a month ago and love it. The thing I really like about the changeable thumb is the ability to change pitches without plugging. I have have two slugs now, one with forward pitch and one with reverse depending on what I'm looking for I use that slug. I would deffinatly recommend having two slugs made I haven't had any problems but you can never be too careful.

Cobalt Bomb · « **Reply #17 on:** January 31, 2010, 10:14:09 AM »

quote:
quote:
So there you go. Fans for all the main systems.
Best bet is to ask your driller which one (s)he is most comfortable installing.

I personally use the Turbo system. I do have a little play on my older first gens, but my second and third generations seat snug with no play at all.
Never needed a 'click' to tell it was in properly. I've used them so much I would feel it if it was wrong as soon as I set my thumb in the ball.
--------------------

It's all about the X

+1 the newer generation turbos are good.

we do both systems in our shop. the vise take longer to install. We also had a customer that had a long thumb and was unable to use the vise.

for those with problems with the turbos being loose...put a single piece of BLACK tape inside the outer sleeve (the big hole) and put your inner in. This snugs the fit just a tad.

I use the turbos because that was the system our shop used first. ow, just don't want to plug all my equipment to start over with the ITs.

However, selling a ball with the vise its seems easier...just slug the hole...EASY.

1 3/8 slug fits nicely in the Turbo outer sleeve as well, if you are concerned about reselling/resizing the equipment.

Stan · « **Reply #18 on:** January 31, 2010, 10:22:31 AM »

Do a search. This topic as been dicussed many times.

pocketsmasher51582 · « **Reply #19 on:** January 31, 2010, 06:11:49 PM »

Ive had about 8 or so of my balls changed to the Vise IT system and havent had any regrets yet. Its a very good system from experience with it.

I used switch grip sleeves when i went to several demo days and twice has the slug break off/pop out.

The IT slug seems very secure in all of my balls that have it. I would recommend the Vise IT system to any one who was looking at installing an interchangable thumb system in their equipment.
--------------------
- Joe
http://BeansProShop.com

Brian362 · « **Reply #20 on:** January 31, 2010, 06:29:11 PM »

quote:

1 3/8 slug fits nicely in the Turbo outer sleeve as well, if you are concerned about reselling/resizing the equipment.

No, you are partially correct. It's not a 1 3/8 slug. The drill bit for th eswitch grip outer sleeve is 1 1/2". Turbo RECENTLY developed a 1 1/2" urethane slug. I'm trying to convince the proshop owner in the shop I work to get some to try..... I do like the 1 3/8 turbo slug/inner combos....really nice for those customers with LARGE thumbs....

Crankenstein300 · « **Reply #21 on:** January 31, 2010, 09:14:53 PM »

If you leave the Turbo outer sleeve in the ball, then you can glue in a 1 3/8 slug inside the sleeve and then drill the thumb into the slug. I have done this before because I didn't want to plug the 1 1/2 inch crater of a hole if I broke out the outer sleeve.

quote:
quote:

1 3/8 slug fits nicely in the Turbo outer sleeve as well, if you are concerned about reselling/resizing the equipment.

No, you are partially correct. It's not a 1 3/8 slug. The drill bit for th eswitch grip outer sleeve is 1 1/2". Turbo RECENTLY developed a 1 1/2" urethane slug. I'm trying to convince the proshop owner in the shop I work to get some to try..... I do like the 1 3/8 turbo slug/inner combos....really nice for those customers with LARGE thumbs....

Coolerman · « **Reply #22 on:** February 01, 2010, 12:32:53 PM »

Unless you are on staff of Turbo or Vise,work own or work at a pro shop,the cost just
does not make sense to the casual,two leagues per week bowler.Adding around $40.00 +
per ball doesn't make sense.You are dealing with a device that has to be fitted almost
perfect.With drilling and fitting a new hole each time to use for the individual sleeve,you
will never get it perfect. I have talked to Chris Schlemmer a few times about this topic,he is
not a big fan of the interchangeable thumb slugs.He said it is never going to be a precise
science,and to many variables are involved, for each grip to fit in the sleeve perfcet in each ball.
He has seen too many come out in the bowlers release,no matter how good the driller.

Did anyone watch the 2008 USBC Queens,Liz Johnson lost to Amy Stolz because the Vise It dropped
down in the ball during the telecast and had to switch balls,by the time she found the right ball,
it was to late.And how about the 2009 Weber Cup,Chris Barnes v Dominic Barrett .The grip came
out of Chris' ball during release.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sEJqOon6jY
Also talking to Chris Schlemmer on this subject during a tournament,a bowler right in
front of us had the Vise It come out as she released the ball, how ironic.
So I'm not a big fan of the interchangeable thumb,but that's just my opinion.

the pooh · « **Reply #23 on:** February 01, 2010, 02:15:19 PM »

It is a shame they could not afford the PBA expense of being registered, but the Thom's Thumb system was the best and easiest to install. I have been using them for about five years with NO problems. They came with ovals or rounds, and every ball feels exactly the same.
I will say, that after using an interchangeable thumb, I will NEVER go back to a fixed thumb again! The advantages far outweigh the costs. With variations in climate and elevation and temperature, I used to have to use as many as 12 pieces of white tape in my thumb, and then have to take every one out! Now, I have 7 different sizes of thumbs that I can use instantly whenever I need them. I wish Thom's Thumb could solve their financial problems and come back on the market. When I run out of my personal supply, I will probably switch to Turbo's Switchgrip or Griploc, because they install easily and in a similar manner to the Thom's Thumb system. No special equipment or expensive tools to buy.

--------------------
the pooh

Bluff · « **Reply #24 on:** February 01, 2010, 03:00:57 PM »

I have iT on all my balls NP only problem is some redrill it a bit hard to turn but np at all.
Switch Grip has got alot better now But I would go with iT
--------------------
"A man with no skills can be taught. A man with no honor, has nothing."

bowler001 · « **Reply #25 on:** February 01, 2010, 03:30:14 PM »

quote:
Unless you are on staff of Turbo or Vise,work own or work at a pro shop,the cost just
does not make sense to the casual,two leagues per week bowler.Adding around $40.00 +
per ball doesn't make sense.You are dealing with a device that has to be fitted almost
perfect.With drilling and fitting a new hole each time to use for the individual sleeve,you
will never get it perfect. I have talked to Chris Schlemmer a few times about this topic,he is
not a big fan of the interchangeable thumb slugs.He said it is never going to be a precise
science,and to many variables are involved, for each grip to fit in the sleeve perfcet in each ball.
He has seen too many come out in the bowlers release,no matter how good the driller.

Did anyone watch the 2008 USBC Queens,Liz Johnson lost to Amy Stolz because the Vise It dropped
down in the ball during the telecast and had to switch balls,by the time she found the right ball,
it was to late.And how about the 2009 Weber Cup,Chris Barnes v Dominic Barrett .The grip came
out of Chris' ball during release.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sEJqOon6jY
Also talking to Chris Schlemmer on this subject during a tournament,a bowler right in
front of us had the Vise It come out as she released the ball, how ironic.
So I'm not a big fan of the interchangeable thumb,but that's just my opinion.

I would agree that it is not geared towards the casual bowler, but your prices also don't seem on par with what some shops charge. I charge $20 per ball to install the IT. The first, as well as additional slugs are $20. On new equipment/blank drills, it's $10 to install the IT. I give decent discounts when bringing in 4 or more balls also. For 4-5 balls and 2 slugs, you're looking at around $100 total. Not bad really. And for people who drill new equipment fairly regular, the grin on their face when when they just pop in their existing slug that has their tape installed how they like it, and the bevel is perfect, it is worth a "little" extra money. Also, I know LOTS of "two leagues a week" bowlers that own 8-10 bowling balls and utilize this system. Shoot, I know "once a week" league bowlers that use it.

As for breakage, I have installed well over 300 ITs and had ZERO break. ZERO brought back. (knock on wood, lol)

milorafferty · « **Reply #26 on:** February 01, 2010, 03:58:07 PM »

quote:
Unless you are on staff of Turbo or Vise,work own or work at a pro shop,the cost just
does not make sense to the casual,two leagues per week bowler.Adding around $40.00 +
per ball doesn't make sense.You are dealing with a device that has to be fitted almost
perfect.With drilling and fitting a new hole each time to use for the individual sleeve,you
will never get it perfect. I have talked to Chris Schlemmer a few times about this topic,he is
not a big fan of the interchangeable thumb slugs.He said it is never going to be a precise
science,and to many variables are involved, for each grip to fit in the sleeve perfcet in each ball.
He has seen too many come out in the bowlers release,no matter how good the driller.

Did anyone watch the 2008 USBC Queens,Liz Johnson lost to Amy Stolz because the Vise It dropped
down in the ball during the telecast and had to switch balls,by the time she found the right ball,
it was to late.And how about the 2009 Weber Cup,Chris Barnes v Dominic Barrett .The grip came
out of Chris' ball during release.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sEJqOon6jY
Also talking to Chris Schlemmer on this subject during a tournament,a bowler right in
front of us had the Vise It come out as she released the ball, how ironic.
So I'm not a big fan of the interchangeable thumb,but that's just my opinion.

I have no knowledge of the other products, but the Vise-IT system has worked flawless for me. I bowl 4 leagues a week, a travel league on weekends, various tournaments (2 to 3 each months) and 15 to 20 "games" of practice each week. I figure I bowl 100 games a week +/- a few. (Yea, it's a bit of an obsession, but it cost less than golf)

The only problem I have had was more of a ball issue. The hole below the sleeve will skrink somehow and make the slug hard to get out. Not sure why this happens, but I've only seen it with Storm/Roto balls.

As for the slug, "dropping down" or coming out, that hasn't happened to me a single time.

I've been using the system since Aug 08 so that would be around 1700 games. I have to say I think it works just fine and is quite durable. Not to mention, I have had it installed by two different pro-shops.
--------------------
Nine in the pit with the Tenpin left standing. dooooh!!

Bluff · « **Reply #27 on:** February 01, 2010, 11:55:37 PM »

quote:
quote:
Unless you are on staff of Turbo or Vise,work own or work at a pro shop,the cost just
does not make sense to the casual,two leagues per week bowler.Adding around $40.00 +
per ball doesn't make sense.You are dealing with a device that has to be fitted almost
perfect.With drilling and fitting a new hole each time to use for the individual sleeve,you
will never get it perfect. I have talked to Chris Schlemmer a few times about this topic,he is
not a big fan of the interchangeable thumb slugs.He said it is never going to be a precise
science,and to many variables are involved, for each grip to fit in the sleeve perfcet in each ball.
He has seen too many come out in the bowlers release,no matter how good the driller.

Did anyone watch the 2008 USBC Queens,Liz Johnson lost to Amy Stolz because the Vise It dropped
down in the ball during the telecast and had to switch balls,by the time she found the right ball,
it was to late.And how about the 2009 Weber Cup,Chris Barnes v Dominic Barrett .The grip came
out of Chris' ball during release.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sEJqOon6jY
Also talking to Chris Schlemmer on this subject during a tournament,a bowler right in
front of us had the Vise It come out as she released the ball, how ironic.
So I'm not a big fan of the interchangeable thumb,but that's just my opinion.

I would agree that it is not geared towards the casual bowler, but your prices also don't seem on par with what some shops charge. I charge $20 per ball to install the IT. The first, as well as additional slugs are $20. On new equipment/blank drills, it's $10 to install the IT. I give decent discounts when bringing in 4 or more balls also. For 4-5 balls and 2 slugs, you're looking at around $100 total. Not bad really. And for people who drill new equipment fairly regular, the grin on their face when when they just pop in their existing slug that has their tape installed how they like it, and the bevel is perfect, it is worth a "little" extra money. Also, I know LOTS of "two leagues a week" bowlers that own 8-10 bowling balls and utilize this system. Shoot, I know "once a week" league bowlers that use it.

As for breakage, I have installed well over 300 ITs and had ZERO break. ZERO brought back. (knock on wood, lol)

$10 per iT

? How much that don't even cover the cost of the iT?

you charge $10 on top of drilling?
--------------------
"A man with no skills can be taught. A man with no honor, has nothing."

r534me · « **Reply #28 on:** February 02, 2010, 08:53:01 AM »

quote:
Unless you are on staff of Turbo or Vise,work own or work at a pro shop,the cost just
does not make sense to the casual,two leagues per week bowler.Adding around $40.00 +
per ball doesn't make sense.You are dealing with a device that has to be fitted almost
perfect.With drilling and fitting a new hole each time to use for the individual sleeve,you
will never get it perfect. I have talked to Chris Schlemmer a few times about this topic,he is
not a big fan of the interchangeable thumb slugs.He said it is never going to be a precise
science,and to many variables are involved, for each grip to fit in the sleeve perfcet in each ball.
He has seen too many come out in the bowlers release,no matter how good the driller.

Did anyone watch the 2008 USBC Queens,Liz Johnson lost to Amy Stolz because the Vise It dropped
down in the ball during the telecast and had to switch balls,by the time she found the right ball,
it was to late.And how about the 2009 Weber Cup,Chris Barnes v Dominic Barrett .The grip came
out of Chris' ball during release.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sEJqOon6jY
Also talking to Chris Schlemmer on this subject during a tournament,a bowler right in
front of us had the Vise It come out as she released the ball, how ironic.
So I'm not a big fan of the interchangeable thumb,but that's just my opinion.

Sounds like a poor installation to me. I would think a two night league would likely bring several balls for league and having an interchangeable thumb would save time adjusting tape ball changes are done.

Personally, my thumb changes from the time I start until the time I am warmed up. I scale up or down with my insert and it's a lot easier than pulling or putting tape in the ball. That time can be used to think about the next shot or taking a bite of a meal, etc.

$40 a ball is a bit high because once you have your inserts you just need need the sleeve and the collar insert in the blank and the difference in price between that and a slug is between 5 and 10 dollars.

resbuzz · « **Reply #29 on:** February 04, 2010, 08:28:11 AM »

How much is the IT or the others to get installed

Crankenstein300 · « **Reply #30 on:** February 04, 2010, 09:00:15 PM »

I am not aware of the incident so I may be wrong here, but how does an IT setup "drop down"? With the design I can see no way for the slug to slip downward since the locking mechanism in the ball itself sits right in the bottom of the thumbhole and the threads on the slug don't allow the slug to fall down any farther.

Author Topic: Interchangeable (Read 4189 times)

STBCrushEm

Interchangeable

Dewey24

Re: Interchangeable

Cobalt Bomb

Re: Interchangeable

Stan

Re: Interchangeable

pocketsmasher51582

Re: Interchangeable

Brian362

Re: Interchangeable

Crankenstein300

Re: Interchangeable

Coolerman

Re: Interchangeable

the pooh

Re: Interchangeable

Bluff

Re: Interchangeable

bowler001

Re: Interchangeable

milorafferty

Re: Interchangeable

Bluff

Re: Interchangeable

r534me

Re: Interchangeable

resbuzz

Re: Interchangeable

Crankenstein300

Re: Interchangeable