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Author Topic: How old is too old?  (Read 5638 times)

n00dlejester

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How old is too old?
« on: May 15, 2008, 12:31:40 PM »
So, I've seen a few different theories about older balls on modern lanes.  My question is, how old is too old?  Let's say you buy a nice new ball today, and don't get it drilled for 1, 2, 5, 10 years from now.  When does the oil change enough that the balls performance gets affected?  My oldest ball I'm using now is creeping up on 2 years old, and I don't see any performance difference at all.  I've kept up with maintenance, get it sanded when it starts to look shiny; all that jazz.  Assuming the cover doesn't absorb too much oil and maintenance is kept up, how long will I continue to see the same reaction?
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qstick777

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Re: How old is too old?
« Reply #16 on: May 16, 2008, 08:44:59 AM »
People in my league are using stuff that is 5+ years old.  Older balls are the norm.  

When I first started bowling (2004), my teammate was using a purple Rhino Pro and a Columbia300 Beast.  Both were estimated to be from around 1992, and both were still functional.  He actually still brings them out from time to time and they work just fine on our league shot.  He doesn't recall ever really having any maintenance done on them, other than a resurface due to lane damage.  I think they both still had the original finger inserts as well!

His brother started bowling with us a couple of years later and was using a Cuda/C from around the same time (I think they had bowled in a ball league).  That ball worked (and still works) just fine.

They both have newer equipment (Black Widow, Angular One), but sometimes the older stuff works "better" - aka more reliable, more consistent.
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dizzyfugu

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Re: How old is too old?
« Reply #17 on: May 16, 2008, 08:58:11 AM »
quote:

They both have newer equipment (Black Widow, Angular One), but sometimes the older stuff works "better" - aka more reliable, more consistent.


Yup, exactly!
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jd1319

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Re: How old is too old?
« Reply #18 on: May 16, 2008, 04:22:56 PM »
I know a guy who is still using an original black hammer, with a 205 average, and finished this last league shooting 750+.  While balls do help, and combined with the BS lane conditions are responsible for the grossly inflated averages, even a rubber ball can still be great in the hands of a great bowler.
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leftehh- LG

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Re: How old is too old?
« Reply #19 on: May 16, 2008, 11:53:54 PM »
if it strikes, it aint too old.. unless of course ur on staff then u need to throw the latest and greatest
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Juggernaut

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Re: How old is too old?
« Reply #20 on: May 17, 2008, 12:11:08 AM »
Shot a 756 with my original NitroR/2 just a few weeks ago, and it is quite old, 14 years I think.  It is also a pin in with what we used to call a "block weight" drilling.
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Scolai

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Re: How old is too old?
« Reply #21 on: May 19, 2008, 09:05:32 AM »
I shot 300 in March with a Columbia Flipside Panic that I bought in 2004.  I've averaged 227 since January with that ball.

Those ball-of-the-month bowlers can keep spending their money in the hopes of finding the "magic" ball.  I've got better things to do with my money.
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n00dlejester

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Re: How old is too old?
« Reply #22 on: May 19, 2008, 09:12:53 AM »
quote:
I shot 300 in March with a Columbia Flipside Panic that I bought in 2004.  I've averaged 227 since January with that ball.

Those ball-of-the-month bowlers can keep spending their money in the hopes of finding the "magic" ball.  I've got better things to do with my money.
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And speaking of all sorts of old balls, I found (yes, FOUND) an X-Factor Vertigo in great shape, and it fit my span and thumb perfectly. New inserts, and away I went.  It was smooth as butter at 2000 after some maintenance, and fits very well under my Gravity Shift.  Older technology proving very worthy, although not quite what it was built for originally.
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LuckyLefty

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Re: How old is too old?
« Reply #23 on: May 19, 2008, 09:16:13 AM »
This post I took from a recent post here...all about oil extraction...

ie an overreactive new ball can become a smooth performer on a bouncy overreactive shot!

In most of these drilling sheets....brunswick in particular they talk about oil extraction to revive older balls.

They specifically state....if you like the reaction of an old ball on an overreactive shot....don't oil extract it....or the now stronger reaction will lower your scores.

I've seen witness of this. In a super overreactive poorly oiled house I bowl in we have a guy that has a beat up old TiBoss pearl! This thing is so beat up it almost looks like a solid.

This guy shot an 837 one night with an had the world to shoot at. 20 to 5, 15 to 13, 22 to 8. All strikes.

Many a 700 this guy would shoot also! All of a sudden his Dad gets him a Triple X factor. 465, 510, 535.....485.....back to the TourBoss pearl.

710....well you get the picture.

Keep the Vapor Zone and keep throwin it give thanks you have it....sounds perfect for your house!

It came from this
Post [/url" class="bbc_link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">

As to rubber balls...they are very smooth and treat super light volumes of oil as though it is the nicest medium shot you have ever seen....HOWEVER on the backs they have nothing if there is a sniff of carrydown!

As to the Panic talked about by Scolai....a smooth lower flare lower rg overreactive lane superstar!

REGards,

Luckylefty


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