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Author Topic: Desert Heat vs. Plastic  (Read 1721 times)

boondoggle

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Desert Heat vs. Plastic
« on: July 30, 2005, 04:25:28 AM »
The Desert Heat is definitely the next ball I'm picking up.  My dry lane ball cracked before summer started and I've been forced to throw my plastic visaball on the scorched conditions I've been faced with this summer.

So, I have two questions.  How should I drill it.  What should I expect.

I like to put the pin on the centerline of my grip either underneath the bridge with the cg swung out or above with the cg closer to grip center.  Which would serve better for the Desert Heat?

By all accounts the Desert Heat has a very weak cover to deal with the conditions its intended for.  If I were to throw it on the same lane and condition I'm throwing a plastic piece straight up the 5 board for strikes on, what sort of reaction should I get?

For reference cranking the hell out of that the plastic ball, 20mph+ 450rpm+, 70-90 degree rotation, goes down 30 feet and makes a nice even arc into the pocket.  If I could get that look without having to put so much effort into each shot, that would be perfect.

 

MSC2471

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Re: Desert Heat vs. Plastic
« Reply #1 on: July 31, 2005, 01:57:36 PM »
Based on what I saw from my friend Rock77 and his Desert Heat this morning, I would say the pin above bridge and the cg in the grip would serve best, as you would get the extra length and you will still get the pop at the back that you need. He never lost energy playing outside the track area or when he decided to swing from say 15 out to 2 or 3 board.

Matt

Rock77

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Re: Desert Heat vs. Plastic
« Reply #2 on: August 01, 2005, 07:46:44 AM »
As stated, a pin above bridge will get you more length. Mine is drilled pin below bridge and cg in palm. It works great for me. This is one of the best balls I have thrown. It is so smooth and hits the pins extremely well for a dry lane ball.
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charlest

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Re: Desert Heat vs. Plastic
« Reply #3 on: August 01, 2005, 08:30:27 AM »
Matt & Ryan,

I'm not so sure about that "pin above the bridge" advice to boondoggle. Several of the Track gurus have already said not to use extreme pin positions given both the extreme mildness of the coverstock AND of the core. The core's RG differential is already as weak as more pancake cores.

Boondoggle,

Given your high speed rate, you may not need such a drilling. Your high rev rate may add to the ball's natural length, given the ball's nature.

I'm also not sure that any resin ball will skid through scorched heads, which is why you say you're using plastic now. I'd be inclined to keep the pin in the 4" - 4.5" range as a maximum. Maybe add some height above the midline to get your extra length, but there remains the question of clearing "scorched" heads. I think the only thing you can do is experiment.

In general reports on the Desert Heat do not include extreme length but do include minimal backends, which is what's really needed for dry lanes but retention of hitting power, which many mild balls do not retain.

WHy not try this, which I have just tried: place the pin exactly between the finger holes? I have tried this on both a Columbia and a Brunswick pearl with good results and NO finger hole chipping or damage. Columbia based balls have the pin and its shaft go all the way through to the core; so there are no voids to worry about.

Just a suggestion.


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clintdaley

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Re: Desert Heat vs. Plastic
« Reply #4 on: August 01, 2005, 08:42:04 AM »
I am drilling my Desert with pin above the bridge about 1-2 inches and cg in the palm....as it will add to what the ball already is supposed to do. However, without using it, I can't comment on how it reacts. With the weak cover and core, I would normally be inclined to say put your favorite drill on this one and watch it do its thing.

Clint
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NACDale

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Re: Desert Heat vs. Plastic
« Reply #5 on: August 08, 2005, 11:19:44 PM »
I just drilled my Desert with a 4 X 3" drilling.

I did it for the same reason others were saying, Weak surface and weak core.

It has a very mild midlane reaction and does not over-react on the back end. I was afraid that even with the surfaces it would react too much on the back end with a Pin stacked over the ring with cg below drilling like my dry heat did.

I like it so far.

Dale
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Rock77

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Re: Desert Heat vs. Plastic
« Reply #6 on: August 09, 2005, 07:42:37 AM »
My Desert is drilled pin below bridge, cg in palm.

For dry lanes, this ball is the best thing since sliced bread!!

Seriously, mine gives me a nice smooth reaction all the way down the lane. Its not snappy at all. Very long and controlled.

Drill it for length and control and you will be very pleased with the reaction you get out of the ball.
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