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Author Topic: copperhead and swarm  (Read 1825 times)

DON DRAPER

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copperhead and swarm
« on: July 27, 2008, 08:35:39 AM »
i finally had a chance to try my copperhead and swarm on a fresh shot. olympia lanes in st. joseph, missouri, has recently installed brunswick proanvilane synthetic lanes and anyone who has bowled on them will tell you they are extremely hard and smooth. the center tried using their typical 40' house shot but that was too much oil and they've changed it to 37'. i started with my swarm in box finish( 400 wetsand and polished ). i found a down and in shot around 7-8 that looked great for a while until the carrydown reached my breakpoint. slower ball speed and a more direct angle barely helped. i switched to my copperhead which i had recently changed back to it's box finish( 800 grit sanded ). there was now a night and day difference in ball reaction. this was obviously going to work out much better and it did. i was surprised on how "skid/snap" the ball reaction was with the copperhead-----i think a big part of that was a new lane surface with dry( finally ) backends.

 

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Re: copperhead and swarm
« Reply #1 on: July 27, 2008, 07:37:28 PM »
Greg,

I've used mine on Anvilane, too. I kept my Copperhead at box finish for awhile, and boy, mine was REAL SMOOTH. Sometimes carry was suspect, but so is the bowler. I applied the "Snake Oil" for kicks, and the ball is still smooth, just a little stronger late, and carry is a bit better.

My Swarm is just a beast on the back end. I've only used it on fresh conditions, so I haven't experienced the carry-down thing yet, at least where it was bad enough that I needed to put it away.

I get two completely different looks with these two balls. They seem to be a good compliment. Keep us posted on here as to what works for you and what doesn't. Feedback from knowledgeable bowlers is invaluable.



--------------------
Lane Carter, Strike Zone Pro Shops - Salt Lake City, Utah
Brunswick Amateur Staff

DON DRAPER

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Re: copperhead and swarm
« Reply #2 on: July 27, 2008, 09:18:59 PM »
i fully expect to use the swarm on my wednesday night scratch league. it's at a house that has 40+ year old wood lanes with the laneshield overlay. their league shot has a huge crown from 15 to 15 and the rest is tapered to the 4th board or so. it's much drier outside there than the house that has the synthetic lanes.

Cyre

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Re: copperhead and swarm
« Reply #3 on: July 28, 2008, 08:09:06 AM »
I am still trying to find a house with a fresh shot for my Copperhead.  The closest I have come so far is the day after league play.  So I was able to stand far left and throw out over 17-18, to where it would slide to 4-5, and come back and hit the pocket.  It was a very smooth roll.  If it hit low, the pin carry was incredible, but if it hit high, i would keep hooking through the pins, and leave a 9.  I had to put a higher speed on it, about 17 mph, vs where I usually throw at 15.  It gave me somewhat of a picture of what it might look like on fresh oil.  Thats probably the biggest frustation I have is trying to find a fresh shot...so far no luck...it wants to bite too early and hook right past the pocket.