Author Topic: Help Gluing Oval Thumb Insert (Read 11804 times)

mfhames · « **on:** December 17, 2010, 12:26:01 PM »

I use the Vise ProV2 Oval thumb inserts and the trouble happens when I am gluing the insert into the thumb hole after the bowler has aligned the insert. I place a mark on the ball and a mark on the insert to realign to the correct position. OK, the glue I use is the Krazy Glue Gel form. I glue the thumb hole, press the thumb insert into the hole then it always happens about 3/4 of the way into the thumb hole the insert starts to get really hard to push into the thumb hole the last 1/4. I usually have to hit the insert really hard with the palm of my hand or slam the insert on the floor for the insert to reach the bottom the thumb hole.

Does anyone have a better process of gluing the oval thumb insert and keeping the alignment?

I just hate to push the insert into the thumb hole to fast because it makes it difficult to keep the oval thumb insert alined. I could use round thumb inserts where it wouldn't matter but I and alot of people I drill for like these oval thumbs.

Thanks
Mike

tenpinspro · « **Reply #16 on:** December 20, 2010, 03:55:47 PM »

Hey Mike,

I''ve also used ProV2''s or mainly UV ovals (like them better, oval is a little truer). This is the process I use.

1) Align insert to degree angle desired and push into hole.

2) Get a hair dryer and heat up the top of the sleeve for approximately 30 seconds to a minute. (time depends on how hard the insert is, during winter the vinyl sleeves tend to get firmer or a little stiffer). Heating up the insert makes it much softer and more pliable so we can pry it back to apply glue to.

3) Once the sleeve is heated up, I use a small pocket screwdriver and pry back the edges at 12,3,6 and 9 then apply super glue.

This has worked fine for me for the last 15 yrs with "any" vinyl insert.

Make sure the insert is "snug" as raiderh20boy has stated, have come across many various batches in mass production that are slightly smaller or larger than the diameter of the hole. If you come across sleeves with a slightly smaller diameter than your bit size, just add electrical tape in strips vertically to the sleeve to ensure snugness. Hope this helps some...

On edit: Heating up the insert to cut it down also makes it a ton easier. Some of the inserts I came across from an inch up in size can get a little tricky and messy to cut down due to its thickness.
--------------------
Rick Leong - Ten Pins Pro Shop
Tag Team Coaching - Co-Founder
"El" Presidente of the Legion

Edited on 12/20/2010 6:26 PM

ccrider · « **Reply #17 on:** December 20, 2010, 06:37:33 PM »

Thought I was the only one with this problem.

5 minute epoxy seems to be the best answer. Turbo hardens in 5 to 10 seconds so that is still not enough time if you misalign the plug.

I make sure the oval is lined up with my mark and then take the end of heavy drill bit and gently tap it down until it is flush. Metal works better than the rubber mallet for some reason.

If you need to get a slug out, first, make sure you drill the hole a little deeper than the length of the slug.

Buy a long nail at the hardware store. Use it to get the slug out if it gets stuck. Put the head into the hole, slide the edge of the head under the slug edge and pull up with a pair of plyers. I cut a small gap on each side of my ovals so that I can pull from each side if needed.

If you have glued the slug in and want to try to save it, take a slug a little smaller than the insert and tap the insert in enough to break the glue seal, then use the nail to pull the slug out.

I will take my torch set and make me a tool, bending my the end on a screwdriver at 90 degrees when I get a chance, to use instead of the nail.

Thanks for the idea about using the tape if slug is slightly small.

--------------------
Those that can do. Those that can't complain. Pimpin ain't easy, but it's mandatory.

Most things we like, we don't need. Most things we need, we don't like. Don't confuse your likes with your needs.

JohnP · « **Reply #18 on:** December 21, 2010, 08:36:21 AM »

I use a 1 7/64" bit when installing sleeves. If the sleeve is too tight I sand the hole with my bevel sander until it's just right. -- JohnP

Dave_in_Rio_Rancho · « **Reply #19 on:** December 21, 2010, 08:44:00 AM »

+1 to bluerrpilot's method.

And, if you have a small fridge in your shop just keep the super glue in it. This slows the setup speed by quite a bit - can actually turn the insert a bit if you need to

mfhames · « **Reply #20 on:** December 22, 2010, 07:32:11 PM »

I have done three bowling balls now with the 5 minute epoxy. This is way easy than superglue and the insert can be moved around very easily. THE ONLY WAY TO GO IN MY BOOK FROM NOW ON!!!!!!!!!! THANKS to everyone!!!! Mike

raiderh20boy · « **Reply #21 on:** December 22, 2010, 08:01:38 PM »

YOU'RE VERY WELCOME!

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Use "IT" and BOWL UP A STORM!!

mfhames · « **Reply #22 on:** January 05, 2011, 10:14:16 PM »

I would like to offer one more good point about using epoxy. Tonight i drill a ball that was rather tight at the bottom of the thumb hole and the insert would bind and leave about 2" exposed in the dry fitting. The epoxy also acts as a lubricate when pushing the insert into the thumb hole. After I put the epoxy in the thumb I was able to push the thumb insert all the way to flush. If you currently don't use epoxy I strongly suggest you give it a try. The only draw back is the bowler has to wait 1 hour before using the ball but the thumb insert sets up in about 5 minutes.

Thanks

Mike

JohnP · « **Reply #23 on:** January 06, 2011, 09:05:41 AM »

Use super glue, tap it in with a hammer and don't let it sit at one spot very long. -- JohnP

Author Topic: Help Gluing Oval Thumb Insert (Read 11804 times)

mfhames

Help Gluing Oval Thumb Insert

tenpinspro

Re: Help Gluing Oval Thumb Insert

ccrider

Re: Help Gluing Oval Thumb Insert

JohnP

Re: Help Gluing Oval Thumb Insert

Dave_in_Rio_Rancho

Re: Help Gluing Oval Thumb Insert

mfhames

Re: Help Gluing Oval Thumb Insert

raiderh20boy

Re: Help Gluing Oval Thumb Insert

mfhames

Re: Help Gluing Oval Thumb Insert

JohnP

Re: Help Gluing Oval Thumb Insert