I have a Machine at 500 (I think) dull.  I use it for my leagues, but I don't (really) have anything under it.  I want to have a backend ball that I can use when the lanes have broken down within the second game throughout, and I thought that my Equation would work.  It is STILL undrilled, but I'm thinking about 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 between the bridge.    1) Does this sound good so far?

I'm also thinking about carrydown and the OOB finish.  I'm thinking that 3000 AND polish will slide through the carrydown, and I want to have it a bit dull.  Nothing extreme, maybe 4000 or 2000.   2)  At 4000 or 2000 abralon, will the Equation (if drilled such as the above) still have a strong backend, get through the carrydown well, and be useful on a broken down house shot?

A few more notes:
I may buy a new ball, but I wouldn't like it, seeing as the Equation is free and I'm on a tight budget.
Were I to buy a new ball, it would have to fit under my Machine, so the Kinetic would be too strong.  The Temper is smoother than I want (and it's not free).

That's what I'm thinking.  So, you think that would work?

Maybe 5x5.  Why?

Thanks Directdrill.  I was skeptical about the Equation in carrydown.  The only thing is that I like using the Machine becuase I don't hook it a lot, and with the  being dulled so much, I can get it to rev up and backend strongly.  It's not exactly flippy, but a strong arc.  Just today I was in my second shift league.  The lanes were very confusing.  Oil was psuhed in all directions, not heavily, but scattered in pockets.  I had trouble finding a line, and with the carrydown and all, the Machine was rolling in more than usual.  I like the ball as it is, but I need a backend ball for those types of situations.  I figured the Equation would work, but again - carrydown.  I suppose I could try what you are suggesting, but I'm not sure I can hook the weaker ball.  It's hard to find a weak backend ball that does well in carrydown (unless you have an idea, anybody).

I throw the Machine all the time.  Fresh oil, old oil.  It's working, but I'm looking for something else that I could turn to when it doesn't work.  A weaker ball?  a stronger ball?  I could do well with both, but again, I'm shallow in green.

Well, today I was all over the place, until I finally settled on 15 to 10.  I came up with a few light hits, but many carried.  I don't have problems clearing the heads, and I can manage, but I want something that will react strongly off the dry like the Machine would on a fresh shot.  That might be a Kinetic, and it might be another Machine.

My current Machine is 4 ½” X 4 ½”MB, and 4 ¼” above GC.

I'll try it, thanks.

Actually when I first got it I was bowling on Cheetah.  I didn't bother to change the finish, so it was still at 1500 polished, and I liked it.  There was a lot of backend, but it was also very consistent and smooth, so I played 30 to 13.  My friend and I had a head-to-head practice on Cheetah.  I smoked him with this Machine, 258 - 202!  I needed more hook once league started, and so I took it down.  1000 sounds good, actually, and it will save me quite a few dollars if it works.

Another thing I liked about the polish - the ball LOOKED good.  It was like fused emerald and sapphire.