Author Topic: Buying used.. worth it? (Read 1903 times)

3M Dust Remover · « **on:** March 31, 2008, 04:02:41 PM »

Is buying a used ball and plugging/re-drilling worth it? Does it affect performance at all? The reason i ask is a buddy said he would sell me his used black widow bite for $25 so i'd just have to re-drill and plug. thanks.

LFSoccer2k6 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 01, 2008, 12:15:52 AM »

for $25...hell yea it is worth it. Plug will take little to no performance away unless the plug ends up in your track. IF you keep the same drill on it you might only have to plug the fingers and re-slug the thumb. Why is your friend giving it to you so cheap?
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Thank You
Greg T.
LU Bowling

Edited on 4/1/2008 0:16 AM

Joebowler98 · « **Reply #2 on:** April 01, 2008, 12:27:37 AM »

Get it before he sobers up!
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A FOOL AND HIS MONEY CAN THROW ONE HELL OF A PARTY!

Spider Ball Bowler · « **Reply #3 on:** April 01, 2008, 12:29:34 AM »

$25 for that ball is definately worth it. Also say thanks for having such a good friend. Like the other poster said, as long as the plug work stays away from the track area, it will be like you have a brand new ball, minus some odd colored circles, but that just gives your new ball personality

I would jump on that for sure. You will have basically a new ball for the price of what $60....can't really beat that.
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2007-08 Averages:

Monday: 211
Tuesday Sweeper: 223
Friday: 228
Michigan Majors: 208

Crash15 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 01, 2008, 01:13:55 AM »

I wouldn't have the equipment I have if it wasn't for buying used, or having stuff given to me. I have some very good bowling friends that have taken care of me very well and gotten me into good stuff at a fraction of the cost.
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Currently in the bag:
15# Brunswick Absolute Inferno
15# Brunswick Ultimate Inferno
Columbia Scout Urethane Hi-flare

dizzyfugu · « **Reply #5 on:** April 01, 2008, 02:14:01 AM »

It is IMHO always worth a try if the ball you are looking for has features (e. g. coverstock material) that is not used in the current line-ups. There are a lot of used balls out there that are worth re-drilling, sometimes even at 3rd hand - it just depends on the overall ball shape. If it is intact and has not been resurfaced too many times before, you can get a really good piece at low prices, and the plugging/drilling expenses are IMHO worth it - especially for a $25 ball when it is in good shape.
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DizzyFugu - Reporting from Germany

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SUNDEVIL23 · « **Reply #6 on:** April 01, 2008, 06:22:55 AM »

So if the plugs do happen to end up in your track is there a major effect on the ball reaction? I am getting a hammer plugged right now that i will have drilled up this week.

sheppy335 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 01, 2008, 06:49:37 AM »

I have purchaseda couple balls used and i have not been disappointed at all. Both have performed the way i wanted.
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Oil is served Best with fingers!

Why does the 8 Pin laugh at me!

Sheppy

Scolai · « **Reply #8 on:** April 01, 2008, 07:06:19 AM »

I shot 796 with a ball I bought used from LuckyLefty a few years ago. Shot 300 with the same ball in practice. Cashed in at least 1 PBA event with that ball.

Used/Previously owned is not necessarily a bad thing.
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ScolaÃ

)O(

I'm Not Fluent In Idiot So Please Speak Slowly & Clearly

dizzyfugu · « **Reply #9 on:** April 01, 2008, 07:49:59 AM »

quote:
So if the plugs do happen to end up in your track is there a major effect on the ball reaction? I am getting a hammer plugged right now that i will have drilled up this week.

Normally not, even though a plug in the track is rather undesirable. It is just hard epoxy that does not absorb oil or offers no traction - the effect should be negligible.

Only thing I'd watch out is when you resurface the plugged ball or frequently maintain the surface prep - the plug material is harder than reactive coverstock material. The plugs are not sanded down the same way as the softer ball shell, so over time the plug areas can become "hills". This might be hard to see/feel, but if a ball tracks over such an uneven area, it will start "rattling" and even jumping on the lane, losing contact and react erratically. Happened to me, and since then I make sure I scratch plug material areas back with a knife to an even level before I apply the final surface finish.
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DizzyFugu - Reporting from Germany

Confused by bowling?
Check out BR.com's vault of wisdom: the unofficial FAQ section
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mainzer · « **Reply #10 on:** April 01, 2008, 09:18:58 AM »

OH YEA! Lightly used gear that other people do not want can be a great way to supplement your Aresenal cheaply.And Try new gear that normally wouldn't pay full price for. I have bought a Hole Finder Solid for 60 shipped and it had only 3 games on it, it was used for a demo vid, A Break for I think 55 it has lass than 15 games on it great deals now I got a deal going for a Ravage 5 and Complete Annhilation for 90 bucks.

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Mainzerpower

Edited on 4/1/2008 9:21 AM

NicholasE · « **Reply #11 on:** April 01, 2008, 09:23:42 AM »

I buy pretty much everything used. Maybe bought 3-4 balls ever new. Have a Bash with plug in track, ball hooks a ton on the backend. So no neg, effect just yet.
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Throwing hambones since 2005.
www.myspace.com/nestes12

Author Topic: Buying used.. worth it? (Read 1903 times)

3M Dust Remover

Buying used.. worth it?

LFSoccer2k6

Re: Buying used.. worth it?

Joebowler98

Re: Buying used.. worth it?

Spider Ball Bowler

Re: Buying used.. worth it?

Crash15

Re: Buying used.. worth it?

dizzyfugu

Re: Buying used.. worth it?

SUNDEVIL23

Re: Buying used.. worth it?

sheppy335

Re: Buying used.. worth it?

Scolai

Re: Buying used.. worth it?

dizzyfugu

Re: Buying used.. worth it?

mainzer

Re: Buying used.. worth it?

NicholasE

Re: Buying used.. worth it?