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Author Topic: interchangeable thumb systems?  (Read 2739 times)

chitown

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interchangeable thumb systems?
« on: December 04, 2005, 11:59:32 PM »
Has anyone ever tried any of the Interchangeable thumb systems?  If so, how did you like them and did you have any problems with them at all?

 

chitown

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Re: interchangeable thumb systems?
« Reply #1 on: December 05, 2005, 08:32:44 AM »
Nobody has tried these?  I wonder how secure these things are in the ball.

chitown

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Re: interchangeable thumb systems?
« Reply #2 on: December 05, 2005, 08:44:45 AM »
quote:
chi town. I have not tried them but i have seen them and I know of 2 guys who use them and really like them as they can try each others equipment because their spans are close and their fingers are the same. They look to be really secure in the thumb as they lock in but they look to be really a hard plastic and maybe hard on the thumb.
I hope this helps a little.
chad


Thanks bud.  I know the picture in BTM looks like a hard plastic.

Rick Wunder

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Re: interchangeable thumb systems?
« Reply #3 on: December 05, 2005, 08:45:29 AM »
We carry Turbo Switch Grips in the shop.  I use them, along with several of our customers.  I have had no problems with them.  I really like being able to change balls on a moment's notice and have exactly the same feel.

One of our bowlers who uses these is a major strapper, and he has broken two of them, due to the torque he applies to the ball.  For most bowlers, this is not a problem.
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RW (THB)
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Smash49

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Re: interchangeable thumb systems?
« Reply #4 on: December 05, 2005, 09:38:14 AM »
We tested a couple last year and one of the brands used a hex wrench to secure the insert in the thumb hole.  After about 2 weeks the inside snapped and the insert was on the thumb and the ball was going down the lane.  You could not stick the insert back in and work.  Another one had tools needed and was fairly decent.  The  insert wiggled a little.  We carried them for about 6 months or so with very little call for them.  

Smash49
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DukeHarding

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Re: interchangeable thumb systems?
« Reply #5 on: December 05, 2005, 10:23:03 AM »
quote:
Has anyone ever tried any of the Interchangeable thumb systems?  If so, how did you like them and did you have any problems with them at all?


Chi,

I bowl with a guy that uses the interchangeable thumb. He has snapped the pin on 2 of them, because he knuckled the ball. One ball hit him in the jaw.
He still uses them. He quit knuckling the ball.

An old friend of mine, Arnie Goldman, was the original inventor of the interchangeable thumb.
Here's a link to his website:  http://proshop.perfectagrip.com/

Later,

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alzgarvin

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Re: interchangeable thumb systems?
« Reply #6 on: December 05, 2005, 10:37:57 AM »
I have been using griploc for two years with great results and no breakage....Only caution is to keep the spare thumb sizes where they will not get squished and made out of round.  The outer piece is easier to install and the inner piece is a very soft workable urethane if you wish to customize and oval or bevel.    www.griplocproducts.com    Hope this helps, Al

chitown

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Re: interchangeable thumb systems?
« Reply #7 on: December 05, 2005, 10:42:44 AM »
Thanks guys.  I may give it a try on one ball to see how I like it.  I have learned when I try something new to only use it on one ball for a long while until I know for a fact it's something that I like.

Splitz

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Re: interchangeable thumb systems?
« Reply #8 on: December 05, 2005, 10:48:25 AM »
I've used the Switch Grip for two years now.  Only problem is when the glue breaks between the sleeve and the ball.  You need to roughen the ball and slug then glue with a glue that is water proof(if you give the ball a bath to get rid of oil).  The ocassional loose sleeves are a small annoyance outweighed by the ability to compensate for a changing thumb size.  I've had nights where I went from 61/64 to 31/32 to 63/64 and finall 1" in three games when it was really cold outside and hot inside.  If your thumb changes a lot it is a wonderful thing to have.  If not don't bother with it, use tape.

EboHammer4ever

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Re: interchangeable thumb systems?
« Reply #9 on: December 05, 2005, 10:56:18 AM »
I have griplocs in all my equipment and in about 10 or so other bowlers in my center and they love them.  I'm even replacing guys equipment who have the Thom's Thumb in thier balls and hate them.  I just love drilling those out and putting the Griploc sleeve in their place.  I've only had a couple failures with the yellow 61/64 inch inserts in that the spot where the sleeve clicks into place has worn and broken, but it only appears to be on this size.  I am going to email Tom at Griploc and ask him if he knows about this.  Other than that, Griploc kicks but.  I've only seen the Turbo Grip switchgrip in the magazine, haven't tried it and won't.  If you want to try them, you can order them right from Tom and install them yourselves if you drill and then spread the word.