BallReviews
Equipment Boards => Hammer => Topic started by: 2handedrook12 on December 30, 2016, 09:51:45 AM
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I'm hoping to find an Arson Low Flare within the next 8 months. In the event I cannot, I might try a Rebel with a weaker layout (maybe even a p1). Any thoughts on the characteristics of that cover compared to balls that are made today?
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If you cannot find a ALF, I would then recommend the new Track Tundra as it a pretty close to the original ALF, but just a little more at the end of the pattern... after my ALF cracked on me, I drilled up a Tundra due to recommendation, and this ball really shines and rolls pretty close to what my original ALF rolled like... It was a touch too long, so I hit the Tundra with a used 3000 pad and it was what I wanted in ball motion wise...
Hope this helps!
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Plowboy,
I highly respect your reviews. The one thing I worry about with the Tundra is the RG compared to the Low Flare. Do you still think the Tundra would be a good option?
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The ALF was a weaker cover than expected
I had reached out to Mitch Beasley at the time and the advce I was was given
"FOR ME"
was to drill it stronger than you would think, or it would not be strong enough motion
the factory used a clean n sheen polish on it which is a gritty Matte polish, not the normal powerhouse factory finish product they normally use
I had several ALF. I kept the one with a pin under bridge layout and take it to tournaments just in case. Its still a great piece
I have purchased the clean n sheen polish to use as well, but I have had that cover at 1000 dull to 4000 with polish, all with good results
As for the Tundra, I know its a original 300C replacement with a new cover
I haven't thrown it, but from what Ive seen and heard, its a bit stronger than the original ALF
I would take a look at the Nitrous also
Nitrous - http://www.columbia300.com/products/balls/lower-mid-performance/nitrous-silver-black
the Tundra and Nitrous are the 2 weakest pieces in the EBI line-up
unless you want to go with a Columbia Scout, but its a pancake weight block
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Because the ALF has a very low RG, much lower than any of the other balls so far discussed, it usually handles medium-light to true medium oil. I think that the Tundra would skid 60 feet in its box condition, if it were used on an oil amount where the ALF worked well.
I have an ALF (Mine is pin under the bridge also) and while I don't have a Tundra, I do have a Deep Freeze and Strike King and they are very similar in hook and oil handling to the Rhino, Tundra and the Nitrous.
I think you'd have to sand them to 2000/3000 grit, while leaving the ALF stock half-matte/half-polished for them. I have my Strike King at 2000 grit and it still doesn't hook as much as my ALF. They do have more backend, but not more overall hook than the ALF, in my experience.
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With the higher RG - it does get down the lane with ease, but like I said, I took the FF polish off (used 3000 pad) it so it gives me earlier read on the lane and smooths out the response from the friction... I will be trying this out the PBA Cheetah pattern next weekend at a local tourney during games 3-5 prolly...
I'm sure you can do the same surface prep with the Tundra of 500 w/ clean & sheen and this ball might be just a touch longer but still continuous down the lane. I was surprised on the length of this ball and was worried that it would be a bit too much down the lane, but I am happy with what this ball can do... BTW - I drilled mine, pin down (70 x 4 3/4 x 60)
Hope this helps...
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I have a 15lb fully-plugged Arson Low Flare you can have for $60 shipped. Single-drilled and fully resurfaced to factory specs.