Author Topic: Plugging Question (Read 2791 times)

Beef STL · « **on:** November 07, 2007, 04:54:49 PM »

When plugging equipment, you want to have as sharp of a hole as possible, correct? So, I was wondering if it'd be a good idea to set up some kind of press with a drill where I can drill the current hole a little bigger on the ball I'm about to plug to sharpen that hole. Also, if the previous is correct, do I have to drill all the way to the bottom of the hole, or can I go like the top inch of the hole?

Another mentioned was something about "mixing the plug with as little air bubbles as possible." Can anyone give me a quick step by step rundown on actually plugging a ball? Thanks everyone.

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-Ricky-
Member of the St. Louis, Missouri USBC Adult Rankings

MORE Speed = LESS time to PANIC

Current Arsenal: MoRich Awesome Hook, MoRich Total Shock & Awe, MoRich Pioneer, AMF Nighthawk Torque, AMF Nighthawk SPT, Brunswick Impact Zone #1, Brunswick Impact Zone #2, Brunswick Target Zone

legend4life95 · « **Reply #1 on:** November 08, 2007, 05:37:12 AM »

To get the hole sharp, I use a little bigger bit, whatever it takes to get all the bevel out. You don't need to go to the bottom of the hole just a inch or so.

For mixing and pouring the plug, I use the same method as MikeP, except I don't wait 15 to 30 minutes. I usually give about 5 minutes and its good to go. The trick is to not stir so vigorous when mixing. Just make slow figure 8's for a few minutes.
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qstick777 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 08, 2007, 08:48:44 AM »

quote:
To get the hole sharp, I use a little bigger bit, whatever it takes to get all the bevel out. You don't need to go to the bottom of the hole just a inch or so.

For mixing and pouring the plug, I use the same method as MikeP, except I don't wait 15 to 30 minutes. I usually give about 5 minutes and its good to go. The trick is to not stir so vigorous when mixing. Just make slow figure 8's for a few minutes.
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****Kids in the back seat cause accidents; accidents in the back seat cause kids.****

Same here.

Stir slowly and you shouldn't have to worry about bubbles. Pour slowly and any air bubbles will work their way to the top - since you are pouring over the hole, any air bubbles you may get will only be at the top and you will be routing them away anyways.

Also, if they are really an issue, you can go back after an hour and pop the air bubbles with a toothpick (unless you are using quick plug).
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tekneek · « **Reply #3 on:** November 08, 2007, 09:42:23 AM »

I prefer mine stired not shaken,lol, like stated above,for inserted holes I center a 31/32 then replace with a 1 1/32, drill down 1/4 - 1/2" then pour compound the less bubbles the better when plugging, lightly tap the ball with a rubber mallet to get any bubbles to surface before the compound begins to harden especially if I've dropped a few "gum drops" in the holes.
--------------------
Steve
Leading Edge Pro Shop
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Mike Austin · « **Reply #4 on:** November 09, 2007, 02:42:42 PM »

Just like these guys said, drill down about 1 inch with a bigger bit. Clean out inside of hole some.

Temperature of your room makes a big difference. If it is cold in your room, stir more, pour sooner.

Use the little plug nuggets from ice cube trays for plugging big holes like Switch Grips or thumb slugs.

Also, a trick we used to do: You can light a match and hold it close over the plug after you pour it in the ball, this will draw the air bubbles to the top. The plug materials are so much better today than 10-15 years ago. I used Ebonite Everclear, never had any problems.

--------------------
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Mark T. Trgovac · « **Reply #5 on:** November 10, 2007, 03:15:21 AM »

These guys are right on with what they are saying. You dont have to go all the way down with a bigger bit, yet you can if you wish. The only time you have to is when you got a thumbslug to take out. Also if you can try to use plug cubes as often as you can. It helps to make sure you dont use a over amount of plug all the time. Like say you have a 1 1/4" thumb hole to plug that is like 2 3/4" deep. Well without the cubes you would use almost 3 shots of the plug mix if not more to fill it. Well if you use cubes you can probly get away with maybe 1 1/2 of the plug mix, you would make enough for a double batch but half would get used for more cubes next time. It really helps to make sure no plug gets wasted. The cubes also help to make sure the plug sets up better, and doesnt harm the ball from the heat. I know that sounds odd but when you got a big switch grip hole and you plug a few of them without cubes you will see what I am talking about. You can get plug that pulls away from the hole slightly when it gets hard. The cubes help prevent that.

--------------------
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C-G Pro Shop
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ccrider · « **Reply #6 on:** November 10, 2007, 10:49:58 AM »

What exactly is a plug cube and where is the best place to get them from?

Thanks

Charles

quote:
These guys are right on with what they are saying. You dont have to go all the way down with a bigger bit, yet you can if you wish. The only time you have to is when you got a thumbslug to take out. Also if you can try to use plug cubes as often as you can. It helps to make sure you dont use a over amount of plug all the time. Like say you have a 1 1/4" thumb hole to plug that is like 2 3/4" deep. Well without the cubes you would use almost 3 shots of the plug mix if not more to fill it. Well if you use cubes you can probly get away with maybe 1 1/2 of the plug mix, you would make enough for a double batch but half would get used for more cubes next time. It really helps to make sure no plug gets wasted. The cubes also help to make sure the plug sets up better, and doesnt harm the ball from the heat. I know that sounds odd but when you got a big switch grip hole and you plug a few of them without cubes you will see what I am talking about. You can get plug that pulls away from the hole slightly when it gets hard. The cubes help prevent that.

--------------------
Mark "scoot" Trgovac
C-G Pro Shop
Offical "Spokesman"
Youngstown, Ohio

Finishing THS book ave: 200
Finishing PBA Experence ave: 176
Finishing Composit ave: 194

Track HITMAN.

Tag Team Coaching Success Story.

Beef STL · « **Reply #7 on:** November 10, 2007, 12:36:58 PM »

quote:
What exactly is a plug cube and where is the best place to get them from?

Thanks

Charles

If I'm remembering correctly, plug cubes are made from the excess plug you have left over after a job. You take a little tray, like an ice tray, that's smaller than ice cubes (my pro shop uses one that almost makes what look like the "dots" candy). You pour it in there and you have little cubes of plug that are already solid. People that know 100% can confirm this, or shoot it down if it's wrong.
--------------------
-Ricky-
Member of the St. Louis, Missouri USBC Adult Rankings

MORE Speed = LESS time to PANIC

Current Arsenal: MoRich Awesome Hook, MoRich Total Shock & Awe, MoRich Pioneer, AMF Nighthawk Torque, AMF Nighthawk SPT, Brunswick Impact Zone #1, Brunswick Impact Zone #2, Brunswick Target Zone

azguy · « **Reply #8 on:** November 10, 2007, 12:58:37 PM »

Ricky, You're 100% correct. You can, with a little work, use a normal ice cube tray, put tin foil crumples into a very small "drop" shape, put plastic wrap in it and bang, you have a plug saver tray.

If you throw out the excess each time, you'll go through a lot of material. Thumbs/very large weight holes you use them in, saves a lot over time.

And, if your kids/grandkids, like mine do, need help starting math they make great 'counters' for them to learn addition/subtraction. Hey, use what ya got !
I remember using beans when I was in First Grade !
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ccrider · « **Reply #9 on:** November 10, 2007, 06:18:40 PM »

thanks!

i never thought of this.

charles

BW · « **Reply #10 on:** November 10, 2007, 09:39:53 PM »

Also, keep in mind that if you have more than one ball to pour, you can mix plug for the first ball and pour it. Then put the excess in the second ball and top it off after the first pour cures.

You can also plan your plugging and start with one color that you can turn into another. For example, you have two balls, one blue and one purple. Make the blue first and pour. Then take the leftover and add more plugging material. Then add color to match the second ball.

This works well if you have two thumbs to pour. Many thumbs need about one and a half pumps anyway.

Mike Austin · « **Reply #11 on:** November 11, 2007, 03:59:31 AM »

quote:
Ricky, You're 100% correct. You can, with a little work, use a normal ice cube tray, put tin foil crumples into a very small "drop" shape, put plastic wrap in it and bang, you have a plug saver tray.

If you throw out the excess each time, you'll go through a lot of material. Thumbs/very large weight holes you use them in, saves a lot over time.

And, if your kids/grandkids, like mine do, need help starting math they make great 'counters' for them to learn addition/subtraction. Hey, use what ya got !
I remember using beans when I was in First Grade !
--------------------
az guy aka: R & L Bowlers Pro
rlbowlerspro@cox.net
www.rlbowlerspro.com

I think Brunswick or Jayhawk have an ice cube tray type thing in their catalog. That's what I used, works great. (a very light coat of WD40 on the tray before pouring the excess plug into it makes them pop right out). I also used a jello mold thing for Easter that I got for dirt at Walmart. The idea was to make these tiny Jello eggs. They worked great for plug nuggets!!

--------------------
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qstick777 · « **Reply #12 on:** November 12, 2007, 01:35:45 PM »

quote:

I think Brunswick or Jayhawk have an ice cube tray type thing in their catalog. That's what I used, works great. (a very light coat of WD40 on the tray before pouring the excess plug into it makes them pop right out). I also used a jello mold thing for Easter that I got for dirt at Walmart. The idea was to make these tiny Jello eggs. They worked great for plug nuggets!!

--------------------
Just because they make it in your size, doesn't mean you should wear it!!!

Check out my project: www.mikeaustinbowling.net

CHECK OUT MY BLOGS! www.myspace.com/strikes4days

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I'll have to keep my eyes open for those "specialty" trays after the holidays!

I use the regular trays from Walmart - they have about 3 different cube sizes in the tray - from skinny (good for finger holes) to wide (big enough for switch grips).

I tend to over-estimate my plug needs, so I have close to 100 little cubes laying around!

How do you guys go about figuring out how much material to use? I heard that you can use rice to help figure out how much to mix, but I usually end up spilling the rice!

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Author Topic: Plugging Question (Read 2791 times)

Beef STL

Plugging Question

legend4life95

Re: Plugging Question

qstick777

Re: Plugging Question

tekneek

Re: Plugging Question

Mike Austin

Re: Plugging Question

Mark T. Trgovac

Re: Plugging Question

ccrider

Re: Plugging Question

Beef STL

Re: Plugging Question

azguy

Re: Plugging Question

ccrider

Re: Plugging Question

BW

Re: Plugging Question

Mike Austin

Re: Plugging Question

qstick777

Re: Plugging Question