Author Topic: Anyone else having problems with Freak? (Read 1907 times)

Aristotle · « **on:** September 30, 2003, 12:20:52 PM »

Well, I purchased a Freak about 6 months ago and in that time I've had to send back the original and now the replacement. For whatever reason, the coverstock keeps cracking around the thumb and finger holes after a few months. Other than the coverstock problems, I have absolutely NO problems with the ball what so ever. It's one of the hardest hitting, heaviest rolling pieces of equipment that I have ever gotten my hands on. I just feel a bit discouraged that every 3 months I end up having to go without it for a few weeks. Maybe I'll just buy a 2nd one, drill it the same as my primary one for the few weeks following its cracking. Or maybe I'll get lucky and the replacement doesn't come up with this problem..

Aristotle · « **Reply #1 on:** October 01, 2003, 11:39:47 PM »

quote:
I've never heard of this happening in any of the Freak line up. When you took it back did they mention anything about keeping the balls in moderate temperture environment? It can get kind of hot down in Australia and I have seen many a ball crack in someones car or left in the sun at home by accident. The change of extreme heat to airconditioning is no good for balls and over time will make them weaker. I'm not saying you did that but you might want to consider it.

Also check what sort of glue or adhesive that your ball driller is using on your slug, a pro shop that I know managed to crack almost every bridge they drilled because they were using a cheap super glue from the corner shop. Turbo glue is the best I have found and is cover friendly.

George, I NEVER keep my balls in the car. I bowl 3-4 different times in a week, 2-3 of those nights in the same center. When I bowl at that one center, I just leave my stuff in the office, since I also work there part time. The other day I pick up my stuff after work on my way to league, and drop it off on the way home. Additionally, I clean my ball fairly often.. Usually about once a week or so, using Hook-It, and the grips are installed by me, using VERY little glue to put them in with.

quote:
whats wrong with that? New ball every 3 month!!

odddood, Actually it IS kinda nice getting a new one every few months other than the fact that I have to wait 2-3 weeks to get it. Being that this is the first ball that I pull out of my bag, it leaves me somewhat lost for a few weeks.

C-G ProShop-Carl · « **Reply #2 on:** October 02, 2003, 12:31:45 AM »

I have purchased alot of bowling balls in the last 5 years. I went through a stretch were everything was cracking around the finger holes. I firmly believe the pro shop I was going to was not beveling the finger holes enough before he inserted the grips. I have been drilling my own stuff for about 6 months and not one has cracked, and I make sure the hole is beveled. I even slightly bevel the hole before I put the thumb slug in, and I have not had one of them crack.

ALSO, it could simply be the super glue.

Aristotle · « **Reply #3 on:** October 02, 2003, 12:54:21 AM »

quote:
I have purchased alot of bowling balls in the last 5 years. I went through a stretch were everything was cracking around the finger holes. I firmly believe the pro shop I was going to was not beveling the finger holes enough before he inserted the grips. I have been drilling my own stuff for about 6 months and not one has cracked, and I make sure the hole is beveled. I even slightly bevel the hole before I put the thumb slug in, and I have not had one of them crack.

Are you talking about bridge cracks or outside the fingers? My problems have been all been outside the fingerholes.. beveling MAY help the problem, but i'm not too sure about that, since after the holes are punched, I do everything else including beveling of the holes before inserts/slugs go in

cosmo · « **Reply #4 on:** October 02, 2003, 05:35:32 PM »

what kind of glue are you using for the grips?

this is what I use and never had any problem with cracking,
http://shop.buddiesproshop.com/product.asp?pf_id=GRIPLOCGLUE

--------------------

Freedom is not free.

Aristotle · « **Reply #5 on:** October 02, 2003, 06:46:47 PM »

I'll have to start looking into that I guess, since it seems to be the only thing that I have NOT been able to rule out. It seems rather odd that this hasn't happened with my Mutant, EMB, or EMB Pearl. Same glue that was used on the Freak and Threat was used on those three as well. (I forgot to mention that the bridge on the Threat broke as well)

C-G ProShop-Carl · « **Reply #6 on:** October 03, 2003, 12:46:40 AM »

Not so much bevel (sorry that is my fault), more having the hole hit 4-5 times with the sander......just enough to slightly round off the edges of the holes. I am not talking about the bridge, I am talking about cracking from as far out as 3/4 in from where the hole starts.

I know that the super glue helps contribute to cracking, but that does not explain the cracking around weightholes. They cracked on me all of the time until I started sanding them down with the sanding discs.

Aristotle · « **Reply #7 on:** October 03, 2003, 04:42:23 AM »

quote:
yep dull drill bits and also drilling holes too quickly which creates immense heat which contributes to cracking. I noticed ever since I started drilling holes alot slower I haven't had any cracks. If you don't beleive me in regards to heat, drill hole and then put your finger on the tip of the drill bit

George, it's a possibility, but I kinda doubt it.. At least as far as the drill bits being dull. I have had other balls, with the same bits, drilled and have had no trouble since having both of my Freaks drilled. I'm starting to think that it could either be the glue of bevel, if anything.. Maybe I'm just getting into a run of bad luck with some bad batches? Anything is possible I suppose.

psaunders300 · « **Reply #8 on:** October 03, 2003, 09:56:05 AM »

I have a Freak Out (8 months old) and a Mutant (6 months old)
and several months ago both started getting cracks around
the balance hole (not the thumb or fingers).
The cracks in the Mutant got so bad my pro shop had to plug and
redrill it. They just beveled the balance hole in the
Freak Out and that seems to have stopped the cracking. Niether
balance hole was beveled much to begin with but now they are.

seadrive · « **Reply #9 on:** October 04, 2003, 11:03:05 AM »

quote:
Also check what sort of glue or adhesive that your ball driller is using on your slug, a pro shop that I know managed to crack almost every bridge they drilled because they were using a cheap super glue from the corner shop. Turbo glue is the best I have found and is cover friendly.

AUS, are you referring to Turbo Ultra Zip Glue, or is there another product called Turbo Glue?

I had no idea that you aren't supposed to use Super Glue with finger grips. I recently noticed that the filler material between the bridge on my Core Power is crumbling. Do you think it's because I've been using regular old Super Glue on the inserts (which I change every now and then)?

Have you used Master Super Bond? How about the GripLoc Glue that cosmo uses?
--------------------
seadrive
Cogito ergo bowl

Author Topic: Anyone else having problems with Freak? (Read 1907 times)

Aristotle

Anyone else having problems with Freak?

Aristotle

Re: Anyone else having problems with Freak?

C-G ProShop-Carl

Re: Anyone else having problems with Freak?

Aristotle

Re: Anyone else having problems with Freak?

cosmo

Re: Anyone else having problems with Freak?

Aristotle

Re: Anyone else having problems with Freak?

C-G ProShop-Carl

Re: Anyone else having problems with Freak?

Aristotle

Re: Anyone else having problems with Freak?

psaunders300

Re: Anyone else having problems with Freak?

seadrive

Re: Anyone else having problems with Freak?