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Author Topic: Clear Balls and Cracking  (Read 5275 times)

Belgarion

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Clear Balls and Cracking
« on: May 01, 2003, 01:33:07 AM »
I have noticed that a large portion of clear spare balls tend to crack out faster than any other ball.  I would like to pick up a Roto Grenade, Storm Golfball, or Visionary Clear Gargoyle, but am worried about the cracking.

Is there a way to drill them that prevents cracking more than others? (ie thumb slug, no thumb slug, inserts, no inserts, specific drill patterns)

Any help on this is appreciated

--chris
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MI 2 AZ

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Re: Clear Balls and Cracking
« Reply #1 on: May 01, 2003, 04:50:31 PM »
Which ones have you noticed cracking?  I havent really paid any attention so have not noticed this.

I would like to know the answers to the questions you asked, since I have a Clear Gargoyle to drill up.
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Belgarion

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Re: Clear Balls and Cracking
« Reply #2 on: May 01, 2003, 04:54:55 PM »
just in general I have noticed that clear balls crack faster than others...The big one was the skull ball from ebonite...but i also know of bubbling occuring in the pin ball also from ebonite, and have heard about a few others that have cracked as well.  I am just curious why, or what makes the clear balls crack sooner, as I am sure you are now too.  Hopefully someone will chime in with some incite for us
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michelle

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Re: Clear Balls and Cracking
« Reply #3 on: May 01, 2003, 04:56:32 PM »

One thing I have noticed with many spare balls (not just those of the clear variety) is that some shops are not as meticulous about beveling the holes before using an insert.  

Also, one must be slightly more judicious with the use of the glue, another factor that I see overlooked.

That said, I have not seen clear balls cracking out at a rate any greater than non-clear polyester equipment.  I do have a clear grenade that has some cracking, but both factors above are likely contributors, for which I have to take some blame simply because the inserts have been in and out of the ball more times than I can remember.
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MI 2 AZ

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Re: Clear Balls and Cracking
« Reply #4 on: May 01, 2003, 05:03:02 PM »
You're not talking about just the bridge cracking then.  More like from a finger-hole around the ball to the thumb-hole?  I had that happen to two of my balls, the Omega LM and an original Danger Zone.  Both times they had been idle in a locker at the center or in my closet and when I took them out to use them, I discovered they had cracked out.

As to what Michelle said, it is why I do not like to use superglue for the inserts.  I prefer to use Pliobond.  Takes a little bit longer to setup but it is easier to remove the inserts without ripping them up and wont supposedly damage the ball.
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AllStar23

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Re: Clear Balls and Cracking
« Reply #5 on: May 01, 2003, 07:10:38 PM »
I had an ebonite clear wolf crack around the finger holes on me.
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Bjaardker

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Re: Clear Balls and Cracking
« Reply #6 on: May 01, 2003, 08:13:58 PM »
quote:

One thing I have noticed with many spare balls (not just those of the clear variety) is that some shops are not as meticulous about beveling the holes before using an insert.


DING!!!! Michelle hit it.

That's exactly what my pro shop said too. The lack of beveling of the holes COMBINED with the fact a spare ball will tend to roll over the holes more often than a strike ball (generally due to most people throwing spare balls with a "broken" wrist) are what seem to cause clear balls to crack out faster.

I know my Soccer Ball is in sad shape with TERRIBLE cracking around the thumb. But then again it thumps over the thumb hole almost everytime I throw it, so I'm not really suprised.
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