Author Topic: Who in NorCal can hit lines? (Read 7495 times)

RSalas · « **on:** April 08, 2003, 07:32:43 AM »

I'm looking for some recommendations for *good* ball drillers in Northern California, preferably in the Bay Area. The bare minimum requirement is the ability to consistently drill to specifications (that is, no missed spans or pitches). Access to a press with a mill (for ovaling slugs) is highly desired. Price isn't a factor, as long as the work is top quality.

Thanks in advance for the help.

pchee2 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 08, 2003, 11:00:20 PM »

Yeah I heard he's gone from the Orleans and word has it he's going to be a Brunswick rep.

Ever try Steve in Homestead?

Shoot me a message, I've been to just about everyone.

--------------------
pchee2<~~~strokin the ball with cranker revs and spraying the lanes for an average of a buck 62. This guy is full of STUFF!

mrfjmt · « **Reply #2 on:** April 08, 2003, 11:43:19 PM »

Hey Ray, how's everything? Hope you had a good JANBA. Now that you decide to bowl when I don't go!

Haven't you been to everyone up there already? Is Terry (Cal West) still in the business? I had Dean do my stuff while I was living up there and IMHO he does a good job. Hit lines and got my pitches. That's all I really ask for. He may not have been the most tech savvy driller at the time, but I heard he's getting better. A lot of guys I know (and maybe you do too) go to Goody Ng in the City. Others I know go to Rick Leong at Mel's Alameda. Naturally, the guys who go to these drillers say they do excellent work. However, I can't comment on the latter two since I've never had work done by them. One my my pals up there used to work with Steve Nimmo at Homestead. I really don't know how he is as a driller either, but I've heard he's got loyal clientele. Other than that, I don't know who's left up there. Good luck!

rocnbol · « **Reply #3 on:** April 10, 2003, 03:33:32 PM »

Terry Engel unplugged the drill press several years ago. I have since been searching for a good replacement.
Al Louie at Diablo and a center in Vallejo is pretty good and knowledgable, FWIW he is also a IBPSIA cert. I have had some luck with him.
There is a gal in Danville bowl who I have been happy with the drilling but not impressed with the knowledge of equipment or different layouts.
While I was up in Reno last weekend I saw Wayne Webb drilling at the stadium. I know a lot of people liked his work when he was in Brentwood.
I have also heard good things about R & J in Daly city

komike · « **Reply #4 on:** April 10, 2003, 03:43:09 PM »

R&J is no good....I have tried Steve at Homestead and he has done a good job. He fixed my span and has drilled several balls for me. All of them are the same fit.

Ringing10 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 12, 2003, 09:14:56 AM »

Alex Romanowsky at Moonlite in Santa Clara is one of the best around IMHO. He's been around for 25 or so years and he knows his stuff. He has fixed my span problems and helped me a lot.His web site is www.morestrikes.com.

Nolimitz1090 · « **Reply #6 on:** April 12, 2003, 10:46:32 AM »

If you are looking for a good ball driller, Kevin Mecham at Solano county bowling supply in Napa, Ca; at Napa bowl drills all my equipment. He will listen to you and make recommendations. I do not recommend going to Al Louie for 2 reasons he is WAY OVER PRICED for the shotty quality he does, and he will tell you what you should do with the ball. Mark in Vallejo runs Dorn Niendorfs old pro shop and isn't knowledgeable enough to help the advance bowler. I do not know of anybody in South bay to help you I haven't tried anybody down there. If this helps my recommendation would be Kevin. He is located inside Napa Bowl 494 Soscol Ave. Napa Ca. 94559, 707 224 3460. Good luck.

Gravy · « **Reply #7 on:** April 12, 2003, 11:40:36 AM »

Lee Sears at Palo Alto bowl is very good at matching a ball fit from one ball from another. His drill press is much better then Steve's (Homestead lanes). I have used all 3 drillers in Santa Clara County. Alex(Moonlite Lanes) is also very good driller and very knowledgeable , but at times his people skills can be very annoying. Lee is also very good and he also knows his stuff. He drilled up a ball with a layout that he though would work for me. 1st league game, I shoot 300. Steve is also a good driller, his drill press could stand to be rebuilt(press seems to have a slight wobble) He's great for the improving bowler. He likes to help the bowler(very nice guy). The other pro shop guys don't like him because he's very inexpensive.

wubowler · « **Reply #8 on:** April 17, 2003, 11:20:02 PM »

Well i go to Skip Pavone's World of Bowling located inside Cambrian Bowl. But the best ball driller i would say in all of California would be Rod Ross. He is located in the new bowl in Modesto now, but it is almost impossible to catch the man with all he does for the bowling industry. He used to run the shop out of Pacifica but handed it over to some other guy i have heard is just as good a driller as he.

pchee2 · « **Reply #9 on:** April 18, 2003, 02:36:55 AM »

Lee is a space cadet, Alex is a prick, Rod is FAR from the best although he would like you to think so, Skip is ok but he's a full time roofer so he's only a pro shop dude part time, thus he's not always available with his short hours. Steve's drill press is old but it works well and there is no wobble when drilling balls. Hitting lines is NO problem. I should know, I've only drilled 100's of them at his shop.

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pchee2<~~~strokin the ball with cranker revs and spraying the lanes for an average of a buck 62. This guy is full of STUFF!

Wilbert · « **Reply #10 on:** April 23, 2003, 12:57:06 PM »

Sounds like you have a lot of choices and everyone has their favorite driller. The only thing you can do is to try a couple of them and find one that suits you.

Only thing that puts Steve at Homestead a step of the others is that he will drill you a used ball for you to test at no cost. This is especially true if you are not sure what you want.

Edited on 4/23/2003 1:29 PM

mumzie · « **Reply #11 on:** April 23, 2003, 02:20:10 PM »

It always was challenging to get along with Alex. Nice to know some things never change.

His brother was nice, though!
--------------------
One advantage of bowling over golf
is that you seldom lose the ball.

gottahookit · « **Reply #12 on:** April 25, 2003, 11:56:42 AM »

Have to put my 2 cents in for Steve at Homestead. Very accomadating, for a pro shop operator.

RSalas · « **Reply #13 on:** July 14, 2003, 04:31:52 PM »

Back to the top, just in case anyone else wants to chime in.

Thanks to all who have already responded. Keep 'em coming!

Mr Alternate · « **Reply #14 on:** July 14, 2003, 05:46:55 PM »

Hey Duda, Alex's shop is not at Mission, it is at Moonlite.

As for finding a ball driller that has an Oval press and can actually use it, you better call ahead.

I know that the "One Stop Bowling Shop" (inside Oakridge Lanes) is pretty good and they can oval out a thumb hole for you. You can call them at 408-225-7280 (I think). This is touring pro Tony Reyes's shop.

Hope that helps,
Mr. Alternate

Author Topic: Who in NorCal can hit lines? (Read 7495 times)

RSalas

Who in NorCal can hit lines?

pchee2

Re: Who in NorCal can hit lines?

mrfjmt

Re: Who in NorCal can hit lines?

rocnbol

Re: Who in NorCal can hit lines?

komike

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Ringing10

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Nolimitz1090

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Gravy

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wubowler

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pchee2

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Wilbert

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mumzie

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gottahookit

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RSalas

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Mr Alternate

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