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Author Topic: Best Thumb Hole "Feel" ?  (Read 8139 times)

MK

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Best Thumb Hole "Feel" ?
« on: April 11, 2011, 12:17:57 AM »
I am looking to improve my thumb holes on my bowling balls from a standard hole in the ball to something with a smoother texture and contoured to my thumb.   I recently had my driller mill a custom oval hole but I was a little concerned at how much time he spent "fine tuning" the fit at the end with a hand rasp.  In spite of his good intentions, I have subtle differences between two of the balls he drilled.  As a result, I have a different feel between my bowling balls.

 

I don't want to go the VISE IT route.  I am looking at the following ideas:




 

Can you guys give me feedback with what you like out of these or something else?

 

I want a smooth, consistent feel with all my bowling balls but I don't want to spend a fortune.

 

Thanks

MK

 

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I am a 180 avg bowler with avg speed and above avg rev rate.

 


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dizzyfugu

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Re: Best Thumb Hole "Feel" ?
« Reply #1 on: April 11, 2011, 08:29:33 AM »
A Switch grip might be your technical solution, since you can take the thumb insert from one ball to the next. Will cost some extra bucks, but you have the same insert in any ball with a female plug for the insert and you might drill up a tighter/wider alternative.

 

Besides, I made very good personal experience with simple urethane slugs, a file and sand paper, plus tape. My ball driller has a proper basic drilling for the thumb and roughly knows my desired bevel shape - when things match up roughly, I take the ball and take my time to shape the thumb hole's edges until it matches well. Sure, there are slight differences between balls, but since I hold the ball with my thumb pad and just make sure I have a clean hold and exit from the ball, that's no problem.

 

Some time ago I had trouble, though, but that was in a period when I tended to hold onto the ball at the bevel level - here, slight differences caused a huge impact. But after a small thumb pitch change and a more relaxed hold onto the ball (with the thumb pad), the thumb hole and bevel shape challenge has become much less of a problem.


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qstick777

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Re: Best Thumb Hole "Feel" ?
« Reply #2 on: April 11, 2011, 08:43:56 AM »
If you are having that many issues with what your driller is doing for you, the chances of using one of those products AND being happy with the fit is probably pretty slim.

 

If the feel is that much different, or it is that important that you have the same feel from ball to ball you are basically looking at 2 options:

 

1)  one of the interchangable thumb products out there,

 

2)  take your best fitting ball and get a thumb mold made.

 


 


 

 
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backupball

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Re: Best Thumb Hole "Feel" ?
« Reply #3 on: April 11, 2011, 09:11:31 AM »
+1 on the molded thumbs, it's the only way to truly get the same feel from ball to ball
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bowler001

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Re: Best Thumb Hole "Feel" ?
« Reply #4 on: April 11, 2011, 09:54:50 AM »

The only way?? Im pretty sure Interchangeables and Switch Grips accomplish the same thing....considering its the same slug in every ball.....



backupball wrote on 4/11/2011 9:11 AM:+1 on the molded thumbs, it's the only way to truly get the same feel from ball to ball
 
Edited by bowler001 on 4/11/2011 at 9:55 AM
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Dan Belcher

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Re: Best Thumb Hole "Feel" ?
« Reply #5 on: April 11, 2011, 10:48:49 AM »
Because I'm picky about feel, I went with the Vise IT for all my bowling balls. It's great. Same exact feel in every bowling ball, and if I change balls, I don't have to spend ages changing out tape since my thumb changes sizes several times a night.


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charlest

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Re: Best Thumb Hole "Feel" ?
« Reply #6 on: April 11, 2011, 05:05:10 PM »
My only objection to these is the huge amount of weight they remove. My friend has one and while they're good and easy to remove, the hole they make is freaking crater. I think I'd have to ask for a minimal 4 oz of top weight if I used them.
 
I found the contoured oval insert from Pro Sports to be very good for me. They require minimal alteration with a piece of sandpaper when I first get them. I use white tape in the front to adjust them because my thumb swells and shrinks a lot. They take out a lot less than the interchangeables, and require minimal effort on behalf of the driller, mostly placing it at the right angle. 
 
A lot depends on how well the oval fits you from the get-go.  Many people here also use the mold for consistencies sake. I've found the oval insert gets me sop close, I don't even want to bother with a mold.
 
MK,
 
I'd suggest trying an oval insert (or a round one, depending on the shape of your thumb WHEN IT'S IN THE BALL) first as a cost saving measure and to make it easier when drilling a ball. You can always try a mold or an interchangeable, if needs be.
 
Dan Belcher wrote on 4/11/2011 10:48 AM:
Because I'm picky about feel, I went with the Vise IT for all my bowling balls. It's great. Same exact feel in every bowling ball, and if I change balls, I don't have to spend ages changing out tape since my thumb changes sizes several times a night.




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MK

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Re: Best Thumb Hole "Feel" ?
« Reply #7 on: April 11, 2011, 06:04:15 PM »
Why Pro Sports over VISE?

 

I found the Pro Sports Oval and the Pro Sport Round Tapered.  Could not find the Pro Sports Oval Contoured.  Can you post a link?

 

Thanks

MK


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backupball

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Re: Best Thumb Hole "Feel" ?
« Reply #8 on: April 11, 2011, 08:18:24 PM »
Allow me to modify then...
 
+1 on the molded thumbs, it's the best way to truly get the same feel from ball to ball without worrying about drilling a crater into your ball.
bowler001 wrote on 4/11/2011 9:54 AM:

The only way?? Im pretty sure Interchangeables and Switch Grips accomplish the same thing....considering its the same slug in every ball.....



backupball wrote on 4/11/2011 9:11 AM:+1 on the molded thumbs, it's the only way to truly get the same feel from ball to ball
 
Edited by bowler001 on 4/11/2011 at 9:55 AM
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MK

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Re: Best Thumb Hole "Feel" ?
« Reply #9 on: April 11, 2011, 08:26:16 PM »
Do you recomend any company/website in particular?   What is the price point and what is the process molding a thumb?

 

thanks,

MK


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qstick777

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Re: Best Thumb Hole "Feel" ?
« Reply #10 on: April 12, 2011, 08:26:23 AM »
 
Check with your local shops to see if anybody offers the service.  It's always good to keep your business local if you can.  A few years back my local shop said he could do it, but didn't advertise it and said that honestly he didn't like to do it.
 
If not, Buddies offers the service....link was provided in my earlier response.   There may be others that offer the service, but since you linked to Buddies in your original post, I assume you feel comfortable with them.
 
As far as the process with Buddies, you will need to send them your best fitting ball.  They will make the thumb mold and send back your ball.  They keep the mold and will make you a custom slug whenever you ask.
 
$25 to make the mold (not sure, but I believe that includes them shipping the ball back to you).
 
$13 for each custom slug.  My local shop charges $10 for a blank slug, so an extra $3 to get it right is pretty good.  Of course that doesn't include whatever your shop will charge you for installation.  I can't imagine they would charge more than $5 to install it, and if they are drilling the ball for you, they really should just install it for free....but that's just my opinion.
 
 
 
 
MK wrote on 4/11/2011 8:26 PM:
Do you recomend any company/website in particular?   What is the price point and what is the process molding a thumb?

 

thanks,

MK


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MK

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Re: Best Thumb Hole "Feel" ?
« Reply #11 on: April 12, 2011, 12:46:41 PM »
Great feedback everybody.   Think I am going to try an oval insert first on a cheap ball to see if it is "close enough" for me.   Molded thumb will be next option.

 

Thanks again,

Mark


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Curt_Dupre

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Re: Best Thumb Hole "Feel" ?
« Reply #12 on: April 14, 2011, 05:38:28 PM »
When using a thumb slug, you drill the ball with an 1 1/4 bit with the Vise IT, you are using a 1 5/16 bit. I highly doubt you can consider that a crater. Now maybe with the switch grips because they are 1 1/2, but the IT doesn't take out a crater.


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