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Author Topic: Another Cracked Hammer  (Read 3639 times)

sirguy

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Another Cracked Hammer
« on: February 26, 2007, 10:10:01 AM »
This week I discovered my Hammer Switch Blade had developed a crack.  This ball isn't even a year old (11 months). I bowl once a week and practice rarely. I didn't leave it in the trunk in the bitter cold. I had not used it two weeks. Last thing I did was to clean it in the dishwasher. I did put it in the car but took it out about 10hrs later and it sat in the bag with the other two balls (Ebonite Showtime perl & polyester spare ball) in my spare kitchen where I keep my equipment. This is the 2nd hammer I have had to crack. My Vicious cracked last March after about 2yrs of use. That one I left in the car four about a week in the cold. (Long story)  After that I never left them in the car more than few hours after bowling.  Are the new Hammers more prone to cracking?  I'm a hammer head and would hate to give that up but I'm not into buying a new ball every year.  BTW what current Hammer is most like the switch blade.

 

KDawg77

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Re: Another Cracked Hammer
« Reply #1 on: February 26, 2007, 07:54:37 PM »
Probably the Blue Vibe
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sirguy

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Re: Another Cracked Hammer
« Reply #2 on: February 26, 2007, 08:03:30 PM »
That sounds like some kind of drug.

Thanks

BenDover

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Re: Another Cracked Hammer
« Reply #3 on: February 26, 2007, 08:58:14 PM »
quote:
Probably the Blue Vibe K Dawg teddy gieger lives up here by me just outside of rochester.I don't know who gets more press him or J-Mac.
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splendorlex

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Re: Another Cracked Hammer
« Reply #4 on: February 26, 2007, 09:26:01 PM »
The dishwasher?  I personally wouldn't put a ball in the dishwasher, the water in there gets REAL hot, and that can be bad.  Also, leaving it in the car for 10 hours, if it's really cold, could really do a number.  I had a sling blade crack on me, but it was on it's second drill and about 4 years old and had also spent LONG periods of time exposed to the elements.  I've had NO problems with my recent Hammers, the Doom or Pain.
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Elite_Digger

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Re: Another Cracked Hammer
« Reply #5 on: February 27, 2007, 09:02:36 AM »
quote:
This week I discovered my Hammer Switch Blade had developed a crack.  This ball isn't even a year old (11 months). I bowl once a week and practice rarely. I didn't leave it in the trunk in the bitter cold. I had not used it two weeks. Last thing I did was to clean it in the dishwasher.....

I'd almost guarantee this is the problem right here. Dishwasher temps get waaay too hot. Constant excessive high heat on the outside causes the shell to expand differently and more rapidly than the core and can cause problems, thus dishwashers, ovens, boiling water, etc. are discouraged. Then if you took it out a bit too quick, it's gonna cool down quite a bit quicker than the core also. If you're gonna wash it, just use as hot a water as your faucet puts out.
Digs
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phoenixheat

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Re: Another Cracked Hammer
« Reply #6 on: February 27, 2007, 09:52:50 AM »
I agree... they don't make "DISH"washers for bowling balls...
ohh and btw.. Blue vibe.. actually a nice ball for drier-medium lane conditions, ball goes pretty long and has a nice draw back to the pocket.  I've rolled a few 700's with it on my house lane.
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EboKnight

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Re: Another Cracked Hammer
« Reply #7 on: February 27, 2007, 09:57:32 AM »
quote:
I agree... they don't make "DISH"washers for bowling balls...
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i agree
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BW

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Re: Another Cracked Hammer
« Reply #8 on: February 27, 2007, 09:33:28 PM »
Balls crack sometimes. Is it cracked half way around the ball? Or a few hairline cracks around the fingers?

Hammer stands behind their products. If the cracking affects the use of the ball, return it where you purchased it. They should be able to take care of it.

Keep in mind, the ball has been discontinued for a year. You may need proof of purchase for warranty. Most switch blades are more than 11 months old.

sirguy

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Re: Another Cracked Hammer
« Reply #9 on: March 02, 2007, 06:38:50 AM »
quote:

Balls crack sometimes. Is it cracked half way around the ball? Or a few hairline cracks around the fingers?

Hammer stands behind their products. If the cracking affects the use of the ball, return it where you purchased it. They should be able to take care of it.

Keep in mind, the ball has been discontinued for a year. You may need proof of purchase for warranty. Most switch blades are more than 11 months old.
 


The crack is coming off the 2nd finger hole and extends around 2/3rd's of the ball.  Hammer/ebonite support has been great so far I'm sending it back this week. I'll keep you guys posted.

jkiser01

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Re: Another Cracked Hammer
« Reply #10 on: March 02, 2007, 07:05:38 AM »
If Hammer replaces that ball, I would be amazed. Its almost a year old.. You also put it in the dishawasher, which is not such a good idea. I just don't understand why you think Hammer is responsible for this damage..

IMO they are not responsible in any way.. Sorry it happened but I would not put a bowling ball inside a dishwasher..
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gsback

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Re: Another Cracked Hammer
« Reply #11 on: March 02, 2007, 11:32:54 AM »
I share the same sentiments as Jim.  I can understand having the ball for a period of time and with light use, the ball developes a crack.  But to have it for close to a year, and have it in a dishwater and out in the cold for 10 hours?  

That's really pushing it in my opinion.

I've also had 2 Hammers that have cracked.  My Blade Reactive cracked by the thumb area and my Deal cracked by the ring area.  Balls were still in use and cracks never progressed.  The balls were a good 4-5 months old each but the Deal wasn't thrown much.  I still couldn't see me going after Hammer to get a new one though.
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sirguy

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Re: Another Cracked Hammer
« Reply #12 on: March 02, 2007, 05:29:49 PM »
quote:
If Hammer replaces that ball, I would be amazed. Its almost a year old.. You also put it in the dishawasher, which is not such a good idea. I just don't understand why you think Hammer is responsible for this damage..

IMO they are not responsible in any way.. Sorry it happened but I would not put a bowling ball inside a dishwasher..



Well we're all entitled to our opinions but..

Using a dishwasher to clean a bowling ball is not that exotic a solution. I've seen it many times on this site and other bowling bbs sites as well as usenet groups on the internet.  I have also read articles where people would bake their balls in the oven.  Over the years I have soaked balls in hot water with various detergents including Dawn.  The dishwasher just heats the water to temp I can't get out of the faucet.  Of course the drying cycle is to be avoided.  I have other balls that haven't cracked including an original Faball Black Hammer. I have another ball that cracked and never saw the inside of a Dishwasher.  This ball cracked just sitting in the box during a 1yr period of inactivity.  I have friend who threw a  perfect game and decided to retire the ball because it was his first. It cracked just sitting on the shelf.  I'll probably go back to soaking in hot water   each week and avoiding the dishwasher. I'll miss the dishwasher it makes the surface tacky like it was when you first got it.

Now whether or not Hammer is responsible is not entirely clear. They don't say you can't put them in a dishwasher. Of course this ball might have cracked anyway. Who is to say?  We already have one poster here that ball cracked after 4 months. Didn't mention anything about dishwashing or baking his balls. They cracked under normal use.  My advice would have been to take it back.  These balls cost on avg $200.00 or more. I don't see anything wrong  with using the warranty  and getting compensated if you don't get at least 2yrs out of the ball. I generally only buy a ball if one breaks or a major change in the lanes occur. I threw a Black hammer from 1987 to about 1998. During that time I picked up an Ebonite Puma around 1995 but rarely used it and it became my spare/dry lane ball until about 2004.  I have had less than 10 balls in nearly 20yrs of 10pin league bowling.

No Open Tenths

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Re: Another Cracked Hammer
« Reply #13 on: March 02, 2007, 05:35:56 PM »
Unless it has its own heater(most don't) the water in a dishwasher is no hotter than the hottest water you can get out of the tap. This is controlled at the water heater itself.
You should not however use the heated drying feature as this can cause too high of temperatures.
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