BallReviews
General Category => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: Necromancer on June 23, 2016, 08:20:49 AM
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I've been bowling off and on for over 20 years and always changed my ball surfaces manually (towel in one hand and flipping ball in other). However, I have heard people in my leagues talking about how they adjust their balls to different grits from week to week. I know they aren't going to pro shops to do this. They obviously own a spinner.
Is it worth it? The ones I saw are around $250. Are they easy to use? Would be cool to keep my balls the same exact grit polish week to week instead of paying pro shop $3-5 to get this done.
DISCUSS
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http://www.ballreviews.com/miscellaneous/vertex-ball-spinner-t311316.0.html
Worth buying one.
http://www.vertexbowling.com/Vertex-1-2-HP-Bowling-Ball-Spinner-v-spinner12.htm
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I own a spinner ,& yes its worth the investment.that is if you are an avid bowler like myself.changing the coverstock from dull to polish is a snap with a spinner.
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I think I'm sold haha. I was thinking what makes more impact to my game, yet another bowling ball and stay stuck in my old thinking of years ago (average will improve with a new ball) vs. getting a spinner finally and having a consistent coverstock finish that is the same week to week and something I can use to make 3 balls significantly different from dull to polish for standard league bowling.
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It is definitely worth it. I primarily use mine for ball cleaning purposes, but it is definitely a night and day difference versus just doing it by hand.
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As stated in several other spinner threads, I have had my 1/2 hp Vertex for 15 years; it has paid for itself many, many times over in convenience and insuring I can do whatever necessary to my equipment without having to explain myself to the pro shop and pay for their services.
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Well worth it, have a 1/3 HP vertex for over 10 years.
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1/2 hp vertex.....4-5 yrs, best bowling investment ive made
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Cover prep is essential. I'd feel pretty unprepared if I didn't have one.
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Yes, one of the best bowling investments you can make. Instead of getting another ball, get a spinner for a little bit more. you will not be disappointed. You will learn a lot in the process what works for you as well.
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How do the Vise products that come in the Starter Kit (http://www.vertexbowling.com/Starter-Kit-v-starterkit.htm) compare with other products out on the market?
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How do the Vise products that come in the Starter Kit (http://www.vertexbowling.com/Starter-Kit-v-starterkit.htm) compare with other products out on the market?
I have tried the ball cleaner and it is one of the better water based cleaners available for use all the time.
The kit seems to have a lot of essential items for the beginner for a price that doesn't seem bad at all. I have no experience with their polish or compound, but Vise is a very experienced & trustworthy (as far as I know) bowling company; I would try these items with no hesitation. Polish and compound are essential items and any newbie will try several of each to see which best suits his ideas and preferences. (I can't tell you how many polishes and how many compounds I have now. Literally I have no idea. :) ) These seem good starting points.
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I love my ball spinner. One of the best bowling investments I ever made.
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Good investment...I've been resurfacing all my equipment (normally would cost $30 per ball at my pro shop), so it has already paid itself off many times over. Easy for sanding/polishing/cleaning.
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Ball spinner and a good pair of bowling shoes are two investments every serious bowler should make.
I've had mine for over 20 years - don't remember exactly when I bought it. 1/3 hp no spinner brand name on the spinner itself or the box it was shipped in although the motor says Dayton. I ordered it through a proshop so I assume it was the same model as they were using.
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I have a 1/2 hp Innovative spinner and love it. The unit pays for itself and is a great investment as most posters have stated.
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1/2 HP Innovative, love it!
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I have a 1/2 HP Innovative also. I take it to almost ever tournament.
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I've got the 1/3 hp Innovative, and a spinner is definitely a great investment if you are even slightly serious about your bowling. Well worth the money for all the previous reasons mentioned. To top it off, build yourself a copy of the Revivor / Nu-ball oil-extractor for less than $100 and you are set, with a definite advantage over others that don't have these items. For sure though, buy the spinner.
Btw, I just saw there is a used Innovative 1/3 hp spinner for sale on BBE for $225, Myrtle Beach area.
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Does brand matter? I see a lot of people saying they have a Vertex or Innovative, should anything else be in consideration?
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1/3 hp Vertex (if it matters)
Use it regularly
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Does brand matter? I see a lot of people saying they have a Vertex or Innovative, should anything else be in consideration?
When I bought my Vertex in 2001, Innovative spinners started at over $500; so theirs were out of the question for me.
I started out with a Donkey brand, but it vibrated and jumped at every speed, even when bolted to a heavy table; it was junk, useless and I sold it quickly.
I kind of liked Vertex initially because of the price and its warranty. I liked a whole lot more several years later because of the service I got. They even warranted their basic model for use in a pro shop. Pro shop spinners take a TON of use and abuse; if they warranted their spinners for use there, they have to have a lot of confidence in it.
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Does brand matter? I see a lot of people saying they have a Vertex or Innovative, should anything else be in consideration?
Innovative is top of the line and they have the best customer service.
I have two both 20+ years old, the first spinner I ever bought was the innovative IPS-4 a 1/4hp, 400 rpm table top model must be the smallest spinner there was.
Still going! only thing that ever went wrong with it was it had little nylon gear that wears out, I replaced it twice and they gave me the part for free.
then in 97 I bought a proshop tub mount, never a lick of trouble.
The Innovative Personal Spinner (IPS-4)
(https://s5.postimg.org/jfvv9v05j/ip4innovativespinner.jpg)
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I've owned a spinner for close to twenty years,can't do without.
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Purchased a Vertex spinner 14 years ago. Good buy. I use it for my own equipment and to help friends with theirs.
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best purchase ive ever made use it atleast twice a week. great for experimenting. never get rid of balls when they stop working just resurface and go!
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Does brand matter? I see a lot of people saying they have a Vertex or Innovative, should anything else be in consideration?
When I bought my Vertex in 2001, Innovative spinners started at over $500; so theirs were out of the question for me.
I started out with a Donkey brand, but it vibrated and jumped at every speed, even when bolted to a heavy table; it was junk, useless and I sold it quickly.
I kind of liked Vertex initially because of the price and its warranty. I liked a whole lot more several years later because of the service I got. They even warranted their basic model for use in a pro shop. Pro shop spinners take a TON of use and abuse; if they warranted their spinners for use there, they have to have a lot of confidence in it.
I still have my Donkey, never experienced it jumping/jerking.
Like others said, a ball spinner is gold. It's probably saved me countless money, as I tend to resurface instead of reload on new balls at the pro shop.
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Sorry if I'm hijacking your thread Necromancer, but I have one more question. Is there any real difference for personal/home use between the 1/3 HP and 1/2 HP models?
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Sorry if I'm hijacking your thread Necromancer, but I have one more question. Is there any real difference for personal/home use between the 1/3 HP and 1/2 HP models?
I have used both. Mine is a 1/3 HP and a friends 1/2. both are single speed. IE either on or off. and I saw no difference in function or the quality of resurfacing.
if the spinner has more than "on" speed, HP might matter. but I lack personal experience with those.
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Does brand matter? I see a lot of people saying they have a Vertex or Innovative, should anything else be in consideration?
When I bought my Vertex in 2001, Innovative spinners started at over $500; so theirs were out of the question for me.
I started out with a Donkey brand, but it vibrated and jumped at every speed, even when bolted to a heavy table; it was junk, useless and I sold it quickly.
I kind of liked Vertex initially because of the price and its warranty. I liked a whole lot more several years later because of the service I got. They even warranted their basic model for use in a pro shop. Pro shop spinners take a TON of use and abuse; if they warranted their spinners for use there, they have to have a lot of confidence in it.
I still have my Donkey, never experienced it jumping/jerking.
Like others said, a ball spinner is gold. It's probably saved me countless money, as I tend to resurface instead of reload on new balls at the pro shop.
Donkey is know for this, the problem is the shaft goes into the plastic and over time wears a bigger hole their fore causing the wobbling. Doesnt matter how good you bolt it down, the problem is the worn out shaft area.
I would not recommend a donkey unless they have gotten better. Pay the extra and get innovative.
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Yes I have a spinner. It will payoff if you get one. 8)
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If your truly serious about bowling you need to think about investing in a ball spinner. WHY.... please read my post on the Radical Ball Study measuring grit surfaces from OOB, actual grit (OOB) and how quickly the surface changes with as little as 10 games. If that study does not convince you to think about
investment in a spinner.....well to each there own!
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Sorry I failed to mention the results of the Radical Technologies ball study...... which the results are mentioned by me under the "Misc. section titled Vertex ball spinner.
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Cover prep is essential. I'd feel pretty unprepared if I didn't have one.
t
So do you do cover prep on each ball every time you use them? Once you find a surface that works for a ball, how often does it need re treatment? If untreated, is there really a huge difference in reaction? I'm just wondering what I'm missing by hand cleaning with different scotch brite types? Thanks!
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Cover prep is essential. I'd feel pretty unprepared if I didn't have one.
t
So do you do cover prep on each ball every time you use them? Once you find a surface that works for a ball, how often does it need re treatment? If untreated, is there really a huge difference in reaction? I'm just wondering what I'm missing by hand cleaning with different scotch-brite types? Thanks!
Surfaces need refreshing every 6 - 15 games depending on your release and the surface and the ball. Dependencies are the ball reaction and the appearance of the surface.
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I recommend to my customers that they touch the surface up by hand with the appropriate medium before every set. It takes about 2 minutes, but most of them don't do it that often. -- JohnP
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Have you looked at these products?
https://www.polishyourball.com/
Works better than a ball spinner in my opinion and it's 1/3 the price.
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I have owned a Vertex 1/2 since 2009 and have very pleased with it, not a single issue with it.
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Another happy spinner owner here.....
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I'm going to soon!!
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Vertex 1/2 hp since 2012. Great machine. Don't leave home without it!
Yes, when traveling for 3-4 months at a time in our motorhome and bowling on the road.
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Vertex 1/2 hp since 2010. Best bowling investment I made
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If I was smart, I would have bought one about 5 years ago. I need to get one.
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vertex I/2 hp had mine about 7 yrs, good investment. word of caution though ,using these on a regular basis does wear the cover down.in my opinion .common sense tells me when you use an abrasive on any surface it will wear it down.
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Most folks I know who own a spinner usually don't own/use a ball long enough to worry about decreasing the size of the ball.
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I've owned a spinner since 1995. Best investment I ever made! I went from, going to tournaments and leaving them disappointed because I didn't bring, say, Ball X with me.....to going to tournaments, totally prepared for any and almost all conditions, and knowing I put my best effort out there!
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your comment has nothing to do with the point I was making.
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I own an Innovative Spinner, Best $250 I ever spent!!! 8) You can pay more but it is well worth the investment... No regrets here. I agree with Metal_Rules though, wished I had bought sooner.
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I just picked mine up yesterday. I got it as part of package deal with some other shop supplies for $175. I'm feeling pretty good about it!
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Good Score!
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Admitted bowling dork here, made my own spinner.
long story short, mine has adjustable speeds via frequency drive
Infinite speed adjustments available to me
I would suggest getting what you can afford
1/2 HP and 2 speed would be my suggestion (I don't see a real need for 3/4 HP)
I believe you have a choice of 450 0r 650 rpm
I like to use mine at 300 rpm for surface adjustments and maybe 500 or so for polishing.
thought is to keep the heat of the surface as much as possible (which I can do with water if need be)
I prefer dry sanding if I need a dull surface, say 1000 for a heavy pattern
Wet sanding and 1000 pad doesn't seem anywhere near the results I get with 1000 & dry
Some asymmetric balls don't like that higher speed on the spinner and vibrate quite a bit IMO
all in all - better investment than a new ball(s) - IMO anyways