Post by: admin on December 31, 1969, 06:00:00 PM
Patent pending.
Ball Specifications
Core Technology: Dense polymer core with top energy flip block in stabalizer core
Core Technology Benefits: A medium Rg of 2.53 and medium differential of .040 was chosen to complement the enhanced friction of the Catalyst coverstock.
Coverstock: Catalyst
Coverstock Benefit: Catalyst creates more friction in oil without sacrificing strong backend continuation.
Hardness: 75-78
ABC/WIBC Approved: Yes
Track Flare: 4-5
Color: Purple
Sanding Process: 500 girt cross hatch
Polish Name: 3M Rubbing Compound
EPX T1 core
Hook Rating
Overall Hook: 70
Hook Oil: 40
Hook Dry: 30
Dynamic Properties
Available Weights Radius of Gyration (Rg.) Rg. Differential
16 lb. 2.533 0.040
15 lb. 2.573 0.040
14 lb. 2.618 0.036
Post by: ptommy on August 24, 2005, 02:23:27 AM
Post by: ptommy on August 26, 2005, 07:26:10 PM
Post by: ptommy on September 01, 2005, 02:20:18 PM
Post by: Stan on September 01, 2005, 03:25:33 PM
The second time I used it, I was playing 20 to 10 again but gave it more hand. The ball was a truck and carried everything. The lanes were oiled the night before and no one used them. Based on this, I would say that strokers should play up the boards and the bigger hand folks can just swing it and watch it come back.
Bottom line, a bit too sensitive for me, will probably end up on the for sale rack. Will use it one more time tonight, this time in league, and that will determine where it ends up.
Post by: striker7 on September 02, 2005, 09:00:15 PM
Post by: wtfmayte on September 03, 2005, 03:01:22 PM
revs: about 17
ball speed: 69 (lol) 19
pap: it's as round as they come
cg: 5 mm's from core dynamics
core: double diamond
ok, do I was skeptical at first, but now I absolutely hate this ball. I was bowling on these dry lanes and busted out my smash/r but it hooked 2 much. Then I took out my epx and it is a roll out machione. I could not get that orb 2 move much so I pooped on it. it really increased midlane rxn and shiz. so i c.u.m.'d in the 2nd thumb hole and it made the coverstock more adaptable to the condition. I like it now.
Post by: sbla on September 10, 2005, 02:20:41 AM
Everyone mfg's a dud now and then, but for the price......ouch!
Post by: thegame on September 12, 2005, 01:36:38 AM
Post by: htotheizzo3561 on September 17, 2005, 10:16:52 PM
I then sort of followed the instructions and cleaned it with track clean n smooth, not the clean n dull that it recommends. The ball became kind of shiny, slippery like the oil ring texture, and very dark purple. Didn't like that look and put neo tac hook-it on it, dulled it down a little but still felt that same texture. Then I decided to hit it with something that guarantees it to be clean, ACETONE used it and cleared up all the slippery texture and lightened it up a little too. I know its illegal, but I don't care.
Threw it again this morning at another house about 10 games with it, on medium oil and a significant amount of carry down, the ball didn't really hook that much, got into a roll but shut down on the back. This is not you're ultimate ball, hook in a box, hook on everything type of ball, you need cleaner backends to really see the greatness of this ball. It rolls great and is very smooth and predictable, it is worth the money!
I then gave it to my pro shop to clean it with clean n dull, the recommended cleaner, and it made the same dark purple but did not produce that shiny texture that clean n smooth does. The ball driller also was using a red shop rag to clean it with and the redness bled into the ball!
This ball is something new and will/is changing the game of bowling. It is very predictable and does not hook early like high load particle nor skid flip like the reactive resins.
I have heard that this is the least hooking of the first made epoxys.
Post by: DrillLord on September 18, 2005, 01:46:23 AM
1st customer: Med-High tracker
2nd customer Full Rolller
Went with the most aggressive layoiuts possible for each bowler. First of all, there are balls on the market that will hook more than the EPX on most conditions. But, I found that the EPX will hook when other balls will not. The EPX gives the same look on Med-Heavy to very Oily pattens for these bowlers.
Bottom Line:
If you are bowling on a house shot and want more hook, go with a high flaring high-load particle or solis reactive at about 500-grit. If you want a ball that will give you consistent hook without over-reacting on the backend, I suggest that you take a look at the EPX.
Jason
--------------------
I've found that the RESET button is the easiest way to knock down ten pins.
Post by: Tex on September 18, 2005, 11:43:03 PM
For some reason our backends were not moving last week, so since I had drilled up my EPX just before league I figured why not. I had already tried both of my Big Bully's with no consistent reaction. Well after 7 frames I bagged the EPX, I could not keep it on the right side of the headpin. The two times I got it over there I had one strike and a heck of a mix to end up with a 10. I have never owned anything that hooks like this did on first impression. I am hoping to find oil soon and if I can get off this Friday, I will. I will be in Arkansas and shooting on 44 foot of PBA pattern. Now that will be a huge test for the ball.
Just to follow up. The EPX did not hook that much more on the 44 foot pattern this weekend than my other balls. However, they used a heavier version that had a huge out of bounds and the lanes played best for me going up the boards. So, no swing was needed or used. I never tried it during qualifying, only practice. I did see a lot of guys using theirs though with mixed results.
Post by: Bob Hanson on October 03, 2005, 01:05:41 PM
My first outing was on 7 year old anvil lane with a long oil 10 to 10. The oil was prodigy. I tried to line up a bit inside the oil line to see how strong it would be. I got a lot of skate out and was unable to get the ball back to the hole until I moved well right into the dry area. The ball rolled up strong and did not over react in the dry, but carry was spotty. The reaction on this condition reminded me a lot of my old Blue Hammer.
I next bowled the same house after league where the shot had moved into about 17 at the arrows. This time I got a much better reaction plyaing against the inside oil out to the track. Carry was better, although both my Ultimate Inferno and Absolute Inferno were stronger and had more continutation.
Next effort was on a very old anvil lane house with a defined track area at 3rd arrow. I was able to move in to 15 on fresh oil and scored extremely well. My AI still rolled stronger with a similar breakpoint, but more continuation.
The last house I tried was a new pro anvil lane center on a fresh condition. Again as in the first house I was not able to get much of a back end reaction and carry was spotty. All of my resin equipment, including my Freak a Zoid, opened up the lane and carried better than the EPX.
Despite my less than earth shaking results, I would not call the EPX a bad ball. In my hand it definitely needs either a booming back end or some dry boards to the right, but I think heavier handed young guys might be able to exploit the ball a lot more than I could. In that respect it reminds me a lot of my old urethane balls of the late 90's. This ball does not like carrydown.
In summary, I have often said that the modern resin balls remind me of my old yellow dot on steroids. If that is indeed a good analogy, then the EPX reminds me of my old Blue Hammer on multiple vitamims.
Post by: Aud21946 on October 07, 2005, 07:02:43 PM
Specs on the Ball - 15 pounds 4oz with 3 1/2 top with a 2 inch pin.
Reason on drilling the ball was to have something stronger in my bag for med. to heavy lane conditions and my Rpi regional in Austin with the 42 feet pattern.
My Profile has my info on how I throw the ball.
Layout on the ball is a 3 3/8 by 3 3/8 with a weight hole .5 inch above my PAP.
Ball is left at factory finish.
First impressions - Bowling at the famed Astro Bowl( Old wood with a Burned Track at 10) .. I stood 34 with my feet and hit 23 with the ball rolling to 13 at 40 feet and making a sharp recovery to the pocket. After about 12 - 15 shots hitting the pocket, I moved my feet to the right at tried to stand 23 and hit 17. As I suspected as did my ball driller, the ball pinged a 10 pin and We ( mostly the ball driller ) said it was burning up.
Overall - it's too early to tell but I will return from a tourney this weekend and find out what this ball does on Syn. lanes in Austin this weekend on Pattern 4 which is 42 feet.
P.s. - Don't be afraid to drill this ball strong..... It meant for Heavy oil and remember what is heavy for me coulfn't be heavy for you.
--------------------
Audric Bent
San Antonio, Texas
Home of the San Antonio Spurs
Don Jonietz Pro Shop
Bowling Centers with no clue
http://www.allbowling.com/journal/public.php?uid=291&leagueid=165
http://www.allbowling.com/journal/public.php?uid=291&leagueid=236
http://www.allbowling.com/journal/public.php?uid=291&leagueid=341
Post by: Garcia on October 17, 2005, 04:17:00 PM
Coverstock - out of box
Biggest benefits: strong strong roll. much better hit than any strong particle I've ever thrown. But the best characteristic Ive seen is when it encounters friction... When most particles encounter early friction in Mids/heads, they tend to rev hard/roll out, burn up and hit badly.
the EPX-T1 is completely different. It reads the early friction, doesnt hook instantly, continues to roll harder thru the friction. Its continuation is its best attribute, then the hit. Doesnt rip racks like a strong reactive but definitely hits better than any other Strong Particle. arc arc arc.
Im not afraid of this ball burning up so I want to drill another one even stronger for really long difficult patterns. Its a definite breakthru and worth a try. Oh, and I leave mine in the car and have yet to see any type of crack.
Post by: WMcKleroy on October 17, 2005, 05:32:38 PM
--------------------
Wes McKleroy
Columbia 300 Amateur Staff
________________________
http://www.mccorveysproshop.com
The Complete Bowlers Pro Shop
Post by: lap11450mchsicom on November 09, 2005, 02:42:15 PM
Post by: JCLives on November 12, 2005, 04:58:18 PM
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Born Again and Heaven Bound (Ask Me How, if Interested)
Post by: 7 10 my butt on December 17, 2005, 05:03:49 AM
I'm not a professional or anything nor am I anything close to an expert. I don't know much about my specs. its drilled strong with weight hole according to columbia drill specs it came with, pin is a little right and below my ring finger hole, somewhat of a tweener at about 14-17 mphs. my driller is wayne webb, if u know sumthin about bowling I'm sure u've heard of him. he's drilled my rotogrip epic, v2sweet, and wmb... u can say I'm a ball junky cause I like to learn to control different ball reactions... but whatever the case, here is my review:
I think this ball is a 8.5/10, I can find enuff oil about 50% of the time I'm at the lanes... I'm a casual bowler, I don't bowl league but bowl right after so sumtimes carrydown is an issue with my epic and wmb, the carrydown will skid them past their normal break point and hook right into the 3 pin itself leaving ugly stuff. if I move right it hits the dry and comes back too early... which was why I bought the epxt1. this ball will come back to pocket when my epic and wmb won't, sumtimes brooklyn even and then I have to start controlling my wrist/hand more...
sum the more re+arded reviews say it leaves lots of splits, I'm only guessing they have no revolutions on the ball and its coming in light or else they need glasses and they are missing pocket. I have left a few solid 10s, and have yet to leave a split, 9 or 8 with this ball when I hit pocket. It does leave less 10s than my epic, and my epic leaves less solid 9s and both solid/ringing 10s than my wmb. on rare occasion the epic and wmb will even leave a solid 8. that's just a lil comparison for more info on the epx.
the reason its not a ten is because for me it is extremely dry sensitive, and maintenance is a b!t(h... it soaks up oil like no other and seriously needs constant care. asides from that its a great go to ball when nuthing else hooks.
I hope this helps the next person interested in looking into purchasing this ball. I normally don't post in forums too much but I found the reviews for this ball noooo help whatsoever. its because of posts here that I purchased my previous balls. it was wayne webb gave me the real 411 on this ball and I'm glad I didn't listen to reviews here on this ball.
sorry it was part rant part review... really do hope this helps the next person interested.
Post by: Freakin10pin on January 01, 2006, 09:19:50 PM
You will notice that the Columbia staffers on tour are using the Action and Power Drive and have shined the EPX and committed it to spare ball duty.
I was ready to purchase one out of curiosity but was talked out of it by more than a few knowledgeable people.
Hopefully, Columbia will straighten out the issues since the concept of this ball is revolutionary and the company needs to polish their tarnished image.
--------------------
Righty
Lo side cranker/hi side tweener
@60 deg. axis tilt
@16 mph at pin deck
Revs increase with speed
All balls are 16#
Post by: Cranking_Inferno on January 11, 2006, 02:00:35 AM
I recently rolled the EPX-T1 - The Super Carbide Bomb - and the Ultimate Inferno in a test simulation. I am a power Tweener, with above average speed.
Lane condition: Heavily flooded oil, 38ft pattern, out of bounds outside 5.
This lane condition is considered one of the hardest to get a ball to trully finish, when playing a 12 to 6 shot.
Results:
EPX-T1 - Set up well, finished hard, carried perfectly.
Super Carbide Bomb - Never set up, sailed through the 3 pin continualy
Ultimate Inferno - Never set up, sailed through the 3 pin continualy
Click this link top find out why:
http://www.columbia300.com/innovation/techdocs.cfm?id=21
The reason is that reactive resin and reactive resin particle both have a series of small holes that they use to create surface friction to grab the lane.
Since the EPX-T1 is not reactive resin it does not have millions of tiny holes, holes that trap oil in the ball, oil that is really hard to get out. The EPX-T1 is an Epoxy shell, the first of its kind. The surface has thousands of dents or valleys on the surface, but they are only visible with a very high powered microscope. These valleys are sometimes 50 times the size of a reactive resin hole, but they are not holes, just fisures used to grab the lane. These valley act like small suction cups, making the ball rough and very very grippy. They create the most friction to date, and make the ball hook in the heaviest of oils, without over-reacting.
The best part is that this new epoxy shell has a really cool feature.
To clean the shell and rejuvinate the ball, and to remove oil from the valleys, just fill a sink with scolding tap water, and set the ball in the water with the water line on your track (keep all the holes, above the water line. Use a cork in a weight hole if its to low) Wait 20 minutes, pull the ball out and wipe off the lane oil.
The ball is suddenly good as new. Maby people did not know this and thought the ball lost its hook. With this technology you can do this every 20 - 30 games and the ball will continue to roll like new for a very ong time.
It is simply a new technology, and you can't approach this ball as though its another reactive resin.
Post by: breezyjr on February 02, 2006, 09:30:40 AM
When I first got this ball, I thought it was a complete dud. But, I was throwing it too fast. Had a lesson from Michelle Mullen, and now I'm "rolling" the ball much better, and the ball hooks more. Has a great backend reaction for me. Rolling it in the 12Mph range, the ball goes fairly long, and makes a good angular turn into the pocket. Was on Med oil lanes, and standing at 30 throwing out to 15.
Unfortunately, after approx 10 games or so the ball broke. And, I don't mean it got a crack. The ball had a HUGE CHUNK. Were not talking about a little chunk from like the ball return, this was a 3 inches by 4 inches and 1.5 inches deep kinda chunk. It was HUGE. No one has ever seen anything like it before. One of the guys that looked at the ball, says it looks like it cracked from the inside out, as he could se a crack in the weight hole, going up to the HUGE Crater.
So, They're going to replace it, but I hope I don't have to get another one of these.
breezyjr
--------------------
Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. -Ben Franklin
Post by: BrunsMike on February 02, 2006, 12:52:18 PM
BTW, my pro shop sold 6 of these balls. EVERYONE of them came back with huge chunks broken off the core/shell (including my buddies ball). 1 guy got 1 shot with it before the coverstock broke. Felt bad for thouse guys in leauge practice. Be Warned.
--------------------
Mike Zadler
NE Lake County IL
Brunswick Equipment
Sanctioned Highs:
775 Series/288 Game
Sanctioned average (2004/2005)
194
Post by: Speedburner89 on February 04, 2006, 03:10:21 AM
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Don't trust the moustache
Post by: Shadowman on February 08, 2006, 06:47:16 AM
shadowman
Post by: ChrisLak on February 08, 2006, 07:08:12 PM
--------------------
Chris Lakatosh
Columbia 300 Staffer
Post by: heavyarty on February 16, 2006, 09:34:30 PM
Post by: DKPerfect_300 on February 20, 2006, 11:40:53 AM
Post by: travlinslsmn on February 22, 2006, 10:07:43 PM
Post by: heavyarty on February 26, 2006, 07:40:22 PM
this is an updated review from my previous one.
this ball is amazing i was lucky enough to get a good ball. i bowled in two tournaments with this ball and it is absolutely amazing..... this is a must have ball for oily conditions. by the way one of the tournaments was the us open and i finished 98th
Post by: Teek on February 27, 2006, 06:20:41 PM
Not my ball ,
it was being thrown (bowled) by a person onthe team we were playing last night , ball was working "super" well
he was bowling down 4 or 5 board , ( stringing strikes
) while i was looking for oil in the middle
anyway back to the "ball"it was late into the third game 8th frame i think . i don't think
this can be blamed on COLD weather , it was warm , also it doesn't
"Snow" in Melbourne Australia,and the ball was smashing the pins
until one decided to " Bite Back " hit the pocket and left a pin or
two , can't remember which, when it came back there was a LARGE PIECE
MISSING ( about the size of 2 twenty cent peices , i think you call
them Quarters , and about 10 to 15 mm deep (half inch) )
so sadly its R.I.P. to another EPX TI . as the flag is lowered to
half mast to the tune of "another one bites the dust"
Post by: Shadowman on March 05, 2006, 05:44:21 PM
Post by: Storm8300 on March 06, 2006, 07:23:59 PM
Post by: Shadowman on March 22, 2006, 06:44:23 PM
Post by: Angelfire on April 22, 2006, 10:16:44 AM
First tried in on a condition where it was heavy but drier backends. Normally I throw the ball at my usual spot at about the 15-20 board right side, but ended up at the middle arrow throwing it deep to the 10 board. It drives smooth into the pocket, not like a flip/snap reaction of any kind. Even if I go high in the pocket, I would still produce a strike, but the pin reactions are off the hook! My only problem was that if I slow down on my speed a little, it slices through the pocket or goes brooklyn. Throwing it that way was a bit unconfortable for me, but I needed to find out how the ball reacts on different conditions.
Last night, on my final league night, the lanes were extremely oily and spreaded down all the way with alot of carrydown. That's when I threw the EPX on my normal lines, going in a straight path, and breaking well toward the end. The pin reactions there were much, much better and surprisingly, kept throwing that same line all night. It still keeps the pins low on impact, and it's very consistent as long as you're consistent as well.
I decided to make that ball first in my arsenal because I can control it alot better than my Xxxcel. It goes longer and rolls more smoothly in the pocket than the Xxxcel. I would recommend this ball to anyone who needs one for tournament games or for those really heavy oil patterns. I started throwing Columbia300 balls when I was 8, and so far, I'm glad I'm throwing them again.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ho3JnJOX7AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=135cXboY42I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnHNOfEzjU0 (video)
Average For 2006 Season: 208
Ball Style: Stroker
Ball Speed: 15-16 mph
Highest Game: 289(sanctioned), 300(unsanctioned)
Highest Series: 763
My Weapons of Mass Destruction:
Columbia 300- EPX-T1
Ebonite- Xxxcel
Ebonite- The One
Track- Xception
Revolution- Vengeance
You can give yourself 100% every night when you walk up to those lanes and throw that ball. But there is a part of you that can put yourself beyond that limitation, to an entirely new level. The question is this, can you handle going beyond your own potentials?
Post by: LeoAnalyn on August 29, 2006, 08:38:06 PM
I've only used this ball 2 times total of 8 games in a Sports shot. But I still have a mixed feelings about it. The First week it works on a flooded lane. It hooks compares to other heavy Oil ball. Then I decided to Deep it in the Hot water before the 2nd Week then the ball hits like a dart. I think I've just pushed the oil out close to the surface instead of totally draining it. Then Boiled it really really hot and drained the oil completely but Sport Shot ended and never played sport shot again. Damm! I'll sub next time just to try it.
Post by: Bluff on October 02, 2006, 08:40:03 PM
3 3/8 x 3 3/8
1/4 oz side weight after 4 holes put it.
This is the Most hooking ball I ever used! Only the Infinite One and Awsome Hook and SCB I have never try. This ball hook so much and dry the lane so fast I can't use it more than 6 frames. Last week this pair was fresh and alot of oil. This ball just turns like no other hooking ball that I have try. I throw 7 shoot on practice and 6 strike and a 8 pin. 1st game 277 with a 7 on 3 frame due to human error. I play from 10 all the way 25. one game max hehehehe wish there's more oil.
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stormy lane
Post by: mainzer on November 20, 2006, 01:07:43 PM
SPECS: pin is below and left of my fingers mass bias is out about 2 1/2 inches and the PAP is about about 4 1/2 inches. small balancing hole to give it a little length
THS: 38 Feet light outside and med-heavy volume in the middle roughly oil 10-10 dry the rest of the way to the ditch.
EPX eats this pattern for lunch. The ball gets down about 35 feet then you can see the ball get ready and go left not a hard turn but not a smooth turn just in the middle covers alot of boards in a hurry I gotta make sure I stand well left and throw well right I really don't need to aim a whole lot I just look left and the ball pretty much takes care of the rest of the shot for me. EPX hits like a bomb pins just fly back and messengers are coming from the sky and the pit and the parking lot again this balls angle and power pins don't have a chance. Normal Line was like this 15-20 at the arrows and where ever I pleased at the break point as long as it was right of 15
MOUNTAIN BAY MASTERS SHOT: I used this successfully the first couple of weeks in the league when we had very heavy oil. Shot was like this, Heavy juice all the way across the lane very little anywhere you put the ball out of bounds 7 and out to the gutter. 41-43 feet buff to 45 or a little more. I have bowled on easier SPORT Patterns!
Like I said only a couple of weeks of use for this ball and it tore the shot to threads it is an oil eater of a ball. I would release at 14 and throw out to 5 straight into the out of bounds area and the ball would just bath in the oil then hook like monster once again the same turn as previously mentioned above and the same hit. It was like the added oil didn't even affect the balls performance it was still a killer. Other than standing a little farther right on the approach no real change was needed.
PBA PATTERNS: I only used this ball on the heaviest patterns and the ball was more than I needed I was often very far inside with the shots trying to keep the ball in oil long enough it was just sick. A note to those who are throwing the BIG ONE on the same shot '' Don't whine cause my ball hooks and yours doesn't.'' Once again when ever I pulled the ball out that same hook and hit if it wasn't so good I might get sick of it.
OVERALL: EPX has and incredibly consistent has alot of hook more than most will need and enough hitting power to stop freight train in its tracks. I never really had to worry about over throwing the ball it would just hook harder when it turned toward the pocket Only thing I had to watch was throwing to slow then I would pick up the 7-pin with a full rack HOLY HOOK! I have never had a better oil ball I can always count on it to get the job done I can't wait until they do another one of these epoxy balls this thing rocks the house
--------------------
Mainzerpower
Post by: Freakin10pin on December 05, 2006, 09:19:01 PM
'nuf said. It's too bad since Columbia has put a lot of time and money into a failed effort. I'd like to see them return to the days of Superflex and Flexel. Those were some of the best rolling balls made.
--------------------
Righty
Speed: average 16.5 (Quibica)
Revs: med-high to high
Axis: 5-3/4" w/ 0' tilt ( hi-track )
Post by: another300 on May 24, 2007, 05:13:03 PM
--------------------
"If you fail to try...you have already failed"
Post by: rhbowling07 on October 26, 2007, 11:39:09 AM
I bowl between 16-17mph with a lot of hand
My current arsenal:
Columbia Action Packed
Columbia Epx T1
Dynothane Anomaly
Ebonite Tidal Wave Wipeout
Storm Tropical Storm
Track Arsenal Angular
Track Sheer Havoc
Previous Balls i have owned:
Brunswick Fury
Columbia Action Attack
Ebonite V2 Sweet
Track Robo Rule
Balls Bowled with:
Columbia Action
Columbia Action Max
Dynothane Threshold
Ebonite Angular One
Ebonite Xcel Pearl
Ebonite Stinger 2 piece
Elite PBA Scorpion
Morich Awesome Hook
Storm Double Agent
Storm Hot Rod Super Sport
Solution Power Plus EX
Storm Trauma Response
Track Arsenal Artillery
Track Equation 2
Track Machine
Track Rule Delta
Track Xception