Ask Bob 5/01/06
Q&A #25

Q.     What does banking the ball off the dry part of the lane mean?

A.      When the lanes are oiled they are usually oiled heavier in the
center with drier boards to the out side. So when you throw the ball out from the wetter center to the dry boards this would be banking the ball off the dry boards. Think of the bumpers the kids use. Same idea you use the dry boards as bumpers the turn of the ball makes in hook hard when it hits those boards.


Q.      What does letting the ball do the work mean?

A.  Instead of trying to make the ball go to the pocket you let the ball go to the pocket. You just try to hit your mark and let the ball roll do the work. Don't try to do extra to make it work. No grabbing or hitting up on the ball.


Q.    What are the considerations when drilling a ball with a cg-pin distance of 1/2" or less? There is no problem understanding the "usual" 2-4 inch affairs.  Does a shorter distance complicate things?

A.  This does complicate things. Placing the pin anywhere other than close proximity between fingers and thumb usually forces a very large weight hole to be used to make the ball "legal". For instance, if the pin placement is over the finger holes, a large weight hole near the pin in the positive quadrant must be used. This will have the effect of lowering the differential and decreasing the flare, and so, weakening the ball. It would make sense in most cases to use a pin-out. A pin-out ball is much more versatile, and with it's core mass tilted nearer one side of the ball creating a pin-out and a mass bias, enabling you to fine-tune the ball reaction.


Q.  What is meant by the statement: "the dynamics of a 14lb. ball is higher that either 15 or 16 lbs".

A. A pin-in ball's c.g. is located very near or on the pin. Wherever you choose your pin placement, the added weight of the c.g. accompanies it. What is meant by the statement, the dynamics of a 14lb. ball is higher than either 15 or 16 lbs. That means the relationship between the core of the ball and the cover is greater in a 14 lb. ball. This can be a good thing if you are after more ball reaction. The same weight blocks are used for all 3 weights so putting an imbalance in a 14 lb. ball can affect the lighter weight more than the heavier weights.


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