Author Topic: Sahara, dry lane ball???? (Read 3127 times)

clint191 · « **on:** April 30, 2006, 11:02:46 PM »

I got a used Sahara a couple wks back and thought that
this ball would work well on dry lanes. Bowled GA
state tourney this weekend and the lanes were fairly
dry all weekend. I brought this ball out hoping that
I wouldn't have to move anymore left, but this ball really
jumped on the backend. Worked great as long I kept my speed
up, but was really suprised at the movement from this "dry lane"
ball. Anyone get similar results w/ this ball?

Jeffrevs · « **Reply #1 on:** May 01, 2006, 07:34:57 AM »

Clint, how is it drilled ?!

This ball has the punisher cover,...which "can" still be snappy.....
--------------------
JEFF
Now THIS is funny!
http://www.blackjelly.com/Mag3/gallery/fents.htm

Doug Sterner · « **Reply #2 on:** May 01, 2006, 08:03:18 AM »

The Sahara is deceptively strong.

I drilled one out for a local kid who averages pretty well for a 15 yr old (226 across 3 leagues and school combined) and the ball is drilled 2x6. Pin is 2" off his PAP and the mass bias at 6" under the thumbhole.

The 2x6 drill has given him a ball that he can play straighter with (not easy for him despite his 20 mph ball speed) and not have it duck hook on the backend. The transition is very smooth and the backend continuous.

One issue I have seenw ith all Mo balls is the distance from the pin to the midline. I know it is important across the board but it seems more critical on Mo's stuff. This is why Mo says to not just pick up someone else's ball and try to throw it. His stuff has shown to be very PAP sensitive.

Is your pin perhaps too high and therefore causing more skid/flip? Maybe a closer pin to PAP and pin lower will help smooth things out? Just a guess based on what I have seen from teh Total Annihilations and Ravages I have seen/ thrown/ drilled.
--------------------
Doug Sterner
Doug's Pro Shop
Owego, NY
http://dougsproshop@aol.com
www.dougsproshop.net
Only the FOS has the Power of the Cobalt!

Edited on 5/1/2006 8:11 AM

Jeffrevs · « **Reply #3 on:** May 01, 2006, 08:09:38 AM »

Good point Doug......similar to a "control drill" layout .......

Also......you can knock the polish off and go with just a smooth cover....2000 or 4000 abralon will get plenty of push, but still smooth the transition enough
--------------------
JEFF
Now THIS is funny!
http://www.blackjelly.com/Mag3/gallery/fents.htm

strikeordie · « **Reply #4 on:** May 01, 2006, 10:09:44 AM »

For me, the sahara works best on medium conditions. I can use it on drier lanes but I have to throw it a little faster. The backend action is amazing on this ball. Lots of pins flying around.

dizzyfugu · « **Reply #5 on:** May 02, 2006, 03:17:22 AM »

The Sahara is NOT a dry lanes ball. Even if it uses Brunswick's N'Control Powerboost coverstock from the Punisher, it needs some head oil to work. The core is pretty strong, and I cannot imagine that you can use if effectively on dry lanes. It will burn up and hook prematurely. Once it starts to move, it won't stop.

You can overpower it with speed, but that's against the ball. If you set it up, I'd recommend setting the pin 1/2" further awwy from your PAP than you originally planned - and put the pin above the fingers for length! Otherwise it goes Brooklyn...

Overall, this ball is VERY versatile for medium to medium-dry conditions. I am astonished how well it responds to hand and line changes, how well it can be placed whereever you want it, and well it hits.

For a full comment, check my upcoming review on the Sahara which is due to be set online this week.
--------------------

DizzyFugu - Reporting from Germany
Team "X" website (now available in English!): http://homepage.mac.com/timlinked/
"All that we see or seem, is but a dream within a dream..." - Edgar Allen Poe

clint191 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 02, 2006, 07:05:25 AM »

Hey guys, thanks for all of the responses. It's drilled w/ the
pin above/between the fingers. I'm not sure of the PAP???

Keeping the speed up helped keep this one from going crazy, but
we were in our 6th game, tourney was 3 hrs behind schedule, and I
had a 2 1/2 hr ride home and off to work I went. Chance it could
have been just me?

I'll post again as I get to use this ball
more, but I'm almost already convinced that this ball is much stronger
than it was intended to be.

Clint

BallsDeep · « **Reply #7 on:** May 02, 2006, 06:27:53 PM »

This:

quote:

The Sahara is NOT a dry lanes ball. Even if it uses Brunswick's N'Control Powerboost coverstock from the Punisher, it needs some head oil to work. The core is pretty strong, and I cannot imagine that you can use if effectively on dry lanes. It will burn up and hook prematurely. Once it starts to move, it won't stop.

You can overpower it with speed, but that's against the ball. If you set it up, I'd recommend setting the pin 1/2" further awwy from your PAP than you originally planned - and put the pin above the fingers for length! Otherwise it goes Brooklyn...

Overall, this ball is VERY versatile for medium to medium-dry conditions. I am astonished how well it responds to hand and line changes, how well it can be placed whereever you want it, and well it hits.

Is very wrong. First of all the coverstock is fairly weak and with the proper drilling it can handle true dry lanes. Second of all and more importantly placing the pin further from the pap on a strong asymetric will NOT change hook potential, it will only change reaction shape. Placing the pin higher above mid will infact add length. To reduce hook potential one must use a pin to pap within 2 1/2" or so, something of a control drill like Doug Sterner mentioned. Putting the pin farther from the pap will give the ball a more end over end look at the breakpoint, a standard "foward roll" drill. The ball does have great versitility and can in fact be used for medium, anything more and you really need a surface change and a strong drill. I have one and have been thinking of drilling another to handle true dry, but considerig its price 185 drilled whereas the power grooves are in the $120 range (not really sure) I'll probably opt for the cheaper option. It is my personal belief that spending alot on a dry lane ball is pretty sense less. Unless your looking for a specific breakpoint, cheap stuff will do the trick. The lanes are providing much of the power, so an increadibly dynamic reaction isn't really necessary. Just get something to get through the heads and in most cases your set.

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four fried chickens and a coke[/size=4]

BallsDeep · « **Reply #8 on:** May 02, 2006, 06:32:26 PM »

Sorry, I kind of neglected your question clint. The PAP is a point that is dependent upon your release. A pap is not a standard point for everyone and varys alot from bowler to bowler. You need a armadillo, a quarter scale and a wax pencil to measure it. Don't measure it yourself though, have your local pro shop owner do this. I would reccomend that you find your pap as it is the only way to drill a ball to your needs.
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four fried chickens and a coke[/size=4]

Jeffrevs · « **Reply #9 on:** May 03, 2006, 07:22:28 AM »

quote:
It is my personal belief that spending alot on a dry lane ball is pretty sense less. Unless your looking for a specific breakpoint, cheap stuff will do the trick.

I don't like to look at it this way. I understand why you do, but, think of it like this......you won't get the HIT you'd get w/ a PG if you had a Sahara drilled properly. Far too many ways to tweak that core to get it "do what you need" it to do....

I'd rather spend the extra $40 and have a lighter oil ball (if you need one) that has a ton of carry potential

But.......that's me
--------------------
JEFF
Now THIS is funny!
http://www.blackjelly.com/Mag3/gallery/fents.htm

Author Topic: Sahara, dry lane ball???? (Read 3127 times)

clint191

Sahara, dry lane ball????

Jeffrevs

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Doug Sterner

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Jeffrevs

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strikeordie

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dizzyfugu

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clint191

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BallsDeep

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BallsDeep

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Jeffrevs

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