There are up and downsides to all interchangeables. I personally dont like the switch grip. They're a pain to put in and a bastard 1-7/8" hole to drill. The knobs that hold them in place have improved but can still break and if the bit stopper is off by a little or the installer doesnt hammer them all the way in, the slug will not sit flush.
The vise-IT's are a lot better. However, if the connecting pieces break the ball is no longer useable until you redo the ball. So you would have to drill out the molly, plug it, and do it again.
There is another company called grip-loc that makes an interchangeable. I have not had deals with them but was interested. Havent heard much or seen anyone with them though so I might have to order a small set for a trial. Someone or here might use them and be able to chime in with better information on that than me.
Im not trying to deter you from the above mentioned, just give you an understanding of what some of the issues you will face in doing an interchangeable. Its best to have multiple slugs and potentially your own bit and extra pieces. Be sure to order longer pin balls because of the excess thumb weight you'll be drilling out. Thats about all I have.

This is my favorite topic, so I'll add my $.02...

You've heard people say "I've tried them all"? Well, I actually have. For whatever reason, I have been a fan of interchangeable thumb grips since the first one came out. Some have been a disaster, and it is important to note that all of them can have minor problems depending upon the skill of the driller. However, by far, the top two products are the Switch Grip and the Vise IT. I used the Switch Grip for several years in at least 10 different balls. People say that the nubs on a lot of them would break easily, but I only broke one in all my usage, and that was before they improved the model. I cannot comment on how they are now, but I was very happy with what I had even before they made the improvement. I did have to re-glue one, but that was the only other problem.
However, as pleased as I was with the Switch Grip, the Vise IT is a superior product in my humble opinion. I am not a driller and I cannot tell you which one goes in more easily, but for me the Vise IT locks into place a little more securely and feels slightly more natural because I don't have the additional feel of the inner sleeve. To me, both products are superior to any of the others out there, including the Grip-Loc.
Really, for either of the top products, the driller makes the difference. SLight edge to the Vise IT for mechanical design, but really, the driller is the key.

As for me, I only use the Vise IT and will never go back to a standard thumb.

Other than that, I have no real opinion   
Hope that helps.

I use Grip Loc and I've had no problem at all. 

Also the drillhole is not as deep as with the Vise IT and if something breaks the Grip Loc is much cheaper to fix.

Sorry for my error in size. Werent they 1-7/8" at one point? Either way, its still a big deep hole to drill.

Quote from: Rightycomplex on November 03, 2012, 06:44:55 AM

There are up and downsides to all interchangeables. I personally dont like the switch grip. They're a pain to put in and a bastard 1-7/8" hole to drill. The knobs that hold them in place have improved but can still break and if the bit stopper is off by a little or the installer doesnt hammer them all the way in, the slug will not sit flush.
The vise-IT's are a lot better. However, if the connecting pieces break the ball is no longer useable until you redo the ball. So you would have to drill out the molly, plug it, and do it again.
There is another company called grip-loc that makes an interchangeable. I have not had deals with them but was interested. Havent heard much or seen anyone with them though so I might have to order a small set for a trial. Someone or here might use them and be able to chime in with better information on that than me.
Im not trying to deter you from the above mentioned, just give you an understanding of what some of the issues you will face in doing an interchangeable. Its best to have multiple slugs and potentially your own bit and extra pieces. Be sure to order longer pin balls because of the excess thumb weight you'll be drilling out. Thats about all I have.

Switch Grip hole is big, but only 1 1/2". I have only used the Turbo, I generally don't have any problems with installation and the only failure I have had is the slug coming loose from the inner sleeve portion (once). A little crazy glue and back in business. Plus, you can't beat the feel of a Turbo slug.

Grip-Loc for me and I've tried the others and the Grip-Loc is so easy to use and they offer a variety of slugs and you can even get slug solid to customize!! Just my $.02, Bruce

I used to use Switch Grips exclusively and personally never experienced any problems with breakage. My teenage son throws the same weight as me and we have the same span too, to it is very cost effective for me. I can pass balls on to him and only have to change the finger grips and we are good to go, and vice Versa.
My son has experienced some problems with the SG, inner getting stuck or tabs breaking. One time he threw his ball and the inner flew out 3 lanes over!  ( I personally think he didn't lock it in good before he threw the ball)
Only problem for me now is that I recently moved on to custom molded thumb slugs, so the fit is perfect, but can't interchange balls with my son.

I too have used them all.

Started with the switch grip.  Poor installation resulted in the slug being impossible to insert into the sleeve in one ball and was loose in another, the depth was incorrect and the locking tabs wore out so in the loose sleeve it would not lock.

Changed to the Vise-IT and it is truly a very well designed system.  The driller always did a great job installing them and I never had any issues with the system.  I especially liked the 3/4 turn to lock in place vs the 1/4 turn in the Switch Grip.

Recently I started drilling my own equipment and while I wanted to continue to use interchangeable thumbs, I wasn't going to invest $700 in the Vise-IT starter kit.  So I am now using GRIP-LOC.  Inexpensive, simple to install, and great customer service.  Don't go to the Lane #1 site to learn about the product, go right to the source www.grip-loc.com  I haven't had them installed very long, but so far I like the product a lot.  It's a 1/4 turn like the Switch Grip but I have no fear of the slug spinning out.  Also with the locking tabs on the sides of the slug instead of the bottom, the driller has the option of drilling the thumb deeper if needed.

All in all, they are all good products and I recommend interchangeable thumbs to everyone that has more than 2 or 3 balls.