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Author Topic: Lightning Flash  (Read 16665 times)

admin

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Lightning Flash
« on: December 31, 1969, 06:00:00 PM »
Ball NPS Score: Not Available
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The Lightning Flash has an inverted multi-density "Flash Bulb" weight block creating revs in the midlane. Encompassed by a Curelyon pearl coverstock, the Lightning Flash is controllable through the heads on the backend. Factory Finish: 1,500 grit polish; Radius of Gyration: 2.529 (Low); Differential: .030 (Medium); Hook Potential: 15/10 (Dull/Shiny).
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Paul Nosek

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Re: Lightning Flash
« Reply #1 on: January 10, 2000, 01:00:00 AM »
This ball, described by Bowling This Month as a "back-off ball", has been a most pleasant surprise. Its strong suits are control and carry. It gets through the heads clean, revs nicely in the midlane and makes a smooth arc, and just hits really hard. The carry percentage I have had with this ball in two very different houses has been phenomenal.

It seems best suited for league style wet-dry conditions. It was very easy to read this ball as it transitioned and had excellent hold characteristics. It did lack recovery on wide shots, particularly where there was more than a film of oil to the outside of the break.

Despite its low price and relatively simple design, it has terrific carry. Very few 10-pins were not snapped out on a drier and longer back end. This ball was outhitting a lot of much more pricey equipment. Many strikes made a distinctive "CRACK!" as the pins were just blown back. The ball showed just the right amount of deflection to provide the great carry. Some shots left the deck directly between the 8 and 9 spots.

It should be noted here that this was observed on a 35 ft side-to-side top hat, with the last 25 feet fresh stripped. There was a film to the outside. Most other balls appeared too strong for this condition but the Lightning Flash just kicked major butt. Strongly recommended for medium conditions.
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tburky

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Re: Lightning Flash
« Reply #2 on: February 12, 2000, 01:00:00 AM »
I needed a ball for a very short(32ft) top hat pattern with low volume of oil and strong backends. I drilled my lightning flash as follows: Starting pin is 2-3/8" from the cg.  The pin is 4-3/4" from my axis which puts the pin below my ring finger and to the left near the centerline.  The cg is 1-1/4" right of the center of grip and about 1/2" below the midline.  No weight hole was needed.  The ball ended up 3/4 oz pos and 1/4 oz thumb.  This ball went through the heads real smooth and finishes very nicely on the back end.  This ball hits very well. This ball will be used primarily for hooking lanes.  Although there are balls on the market that goes farther down the lane, they hook too much once the get there.  This ball will not do that.  I thought about drilling this ball with the cg in my palm and with a 1:30 lay out, but I was afraid the ball would possibly squirt on me.  This ball makes a great addition to my arsenal for drier lane conditions.
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Paul Meyer

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Re: Lightning Flash
« Reply #3 on: March 22, 2000, 01:00:00 AM »
Well i had drilled this ball awhile ago but was neverable to use in the shots I normally compete on.  This ball is very clean through the heads with a sharp flip in the back. Well I was finally able to use this ball for 3 games in league last night. I was able to move in deep enough where i had some tug room and also some swing.  My carry was excellent and this ball gave me all the room i needed. The drilling was a (4 x 4), no weight hole needed, only about 3/4 side weight (the ball had a low starting top weight). Anyway my scores were 290,289,229. Not that numbers are always a gauge of a balls worth.
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LuckyLefty

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Re: Lightning Flash
« Reply #4 on: May 26, 2000, 02:00:00 AM »
WOW!  I've been looking for a ball to get through the heads and have plenty of backend for when the lanes transition.  Now I've found it after a two year search!

I have a Sledge hammer for medium fronts and fresh backends.  Drilled 3 3/8inch pin to Pap its awesome for this condition.  Have had an impact zone from Brunswick for the above listed condition and it was almost always almost great, (drilled 3 3/8 pin and label) but just a little too much backend most of the time.  Lots of splits and back pins mixed in with an occassional high series.  (Maybe I should have tried a pap hole to slightly tame the bigggg backend!) (See my review of both balls)

This Lightning flash however penetrates the heads just as clean and then covers very smoothly almost as many boards.  Drilled 4 inch pin

label( just up and sligtly offset to my ring finger).  Static specs end up 0 side weight and 1/2 once finger weight. This appears to be the ball I always thought the impact zone was going to be.  Packs a big punch but with a little more control.  I believe this low differential ball should be drilled with a relatively strong pin

4 to 5 inches and then the mass bias should be put in either a track or control position to take out the over under.

I have only thrown about 12 shots(11 strikes with this ball) but I expect high series and tournament victories already.  I'll let you know.
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It takes Courage to have Faith, and Faith to have Courage.

James M. McCurley, New Orleans, Louisiana

Doug Sterner

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Re: Lightning Flash
« Reply #5 on: November 29, 2000, 06:45:05 PM »
I needed a ball to hook less than my Eraser but more than my Soccerball so I chose the Lightning.



I drilled the ball dead over label with a 1:30 pin and 1/8 oz finger and side weights.



This ball is surprisingly strong. I had hoped for about 46 feet and then a nice, smooth transition onto the backend. I got the nice, smooth backend transition but the move came a bit too early. A quick trip to the polisher got another 5 feet of push and then a very powerful hit at the pins. The core design of the ball is the reason for the hit. I am still tinkering with the Flash but I have been very impressed thus far with it.
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Doug Sterner
Doug's Pro Shop
Owego, NY

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Goof1073

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Re: Lightning Flash
« Reply #6 on: January 08, 2001, 11:18:37 AM »
Storm has used the proven technology of the old lightbulb weight block to create a great midpriced ball.  My ball started off with a 2in pin and 3oz of top weight.  Drilled mine with the pin and cg in the gripline with the pin above the fingers.  **Please check my profile for my style and typical house shot**  

I was looking for a ball to fit between my reactive flame and my bolt pro.  I was a bit surprised by the amount of hook this ball gave me considering the weight block and the drilling.  I got a good amount of length and a fairly aggressive flip in the back end.  On my fresh house shot I usually play around 12 out to 5.  This ball works well for me even when the lanes are hooking strong and I have to move deeper into the lane.  Corner pins aren't a problem either!

I think Storm definitely has some competition for Columbia's messenger as I am starting to see more and more of lightning flashes in my local alleys.  I would rate this ball a solid 10 out of 10 for balls in it's range...and an 8 on an overall scale.  Another great ball from Storm!!
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Shane Strickland

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Re: Lightning Flash
« Reply #7 on: July 29, 2001, 01:38:52 PM »
I wasn't expecting much from this ball when I first started.  This ball was drilled leverage with heavy roll.  Bowled on 32 foot Christmas Tree Pattern.  With the medium length of oil, it was just the amount of oil for the ball to get through the mids and make a smooth transition to the pocket.  (Standing 25 and throwing 15)  Great ball for your average house conditions.  Very versatile.
--------------------
~Shane Strickland
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Rich Thompson

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Re: Lightning Flash
« Reply #8 on: January 29, 2002, 04:02:21 PM »
This was/is probably one of the best low priced balls to ever hit the market.  Very predictable, good length and backend and strong carry.  I would rate above the Messenger series in terms of versatility and carry.
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Michael

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Re: Lightning Flash
« Reply #9 on: October 14, 2002, 09:21:12 PM »
I just recently punched one of these babies up. And being the stroker that I am was very impressed with this ball. We layed it out with the pin under the bridge and kicked the cg out a little bit and put a xtra hole 5in. from my center of grip. I was impressed at how this ball carried with how weak it is. It handled dry very well but if it hit a little bit of oil it was a possible 10. I polished it to about 1500 grit. This ball allowed me to square up and not play so deep or so far to the right. This ball definitely earned a spot in my bag. It has a very even true roll to it, nothing fancy, but then again I am very parcial to that drilling. I would recommend this ball to anyone except a stroker with a very low rev. rate, just because of the fact that the ball would never go into a roll. This is like a cranker special.(I would not recommend this ball for a medium to long sport shot, possible a short one with a lighter volume of oil).
Til next time ,
Good Luck and Good Bowling,
Michael
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Michael

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Re: Lightning Flash
« Reply #10 on: December 26, 2002, 08:12:27 PM »
I just got done punching another one of these up. Had about a 2-3 in. pin. We layed it out 3 3/8 x 5. And Sanded her to about 800. Man does she roll good. This ball has quite a bit of backend and carries well to be a (weaker ball). This ball would actually roll good on a fresh house shot. I  think it is a good ball to allow you to read the lanes and have a clue to what is going on. Again this is a cranker special in my opinion. But this drilling would help a stroker to be able to throw this ball.  

Good Luck and Good Bowling,
Michael
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