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General Category => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: Buckwild on June 22, 2007, 08:41:52 AM

Title: Thumb sticks due to humid center - what to do?
Post by: Buckwild on June 22, 2007, 08:41:52 AM
The last couple of weeks I've been having problems getting out of the ball due to my thumb sticking in the thumb hole. The house is hotter than I'm normally accustomed to, and the worst part is that the settee area is much cooler than the approach (its still hot either way), so you go from one temp to another once you step up to bowl. How does one deal with this? It is really frustrating not knowing if you are going to come out of the ball the way you want.
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Edited on 6/22/2007 4:43 PM
Title: Re: Thumb sticks due to humid center - what to do?
Post by: myrddin97 on June 22, 2007, 04:47:45 PM
I don't really mean to be a smart @zz, but isn't that what tape is for?  You have thumb setup so you normally need a couple pieces to get a snug fit, then you can adjust as needed.
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Title: Re: Thumb sticks due to humid center - what to do?
Post by: Buckwild on June 22, 2007, 04:56:41 PM
Myrddin97,

The fit is not what I'm worried about, its the thumb sweating and the stickiness that results from it.

Fellas,
Currently I use white tape in the back of the thumbhole. If I switch to black, would that help?


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Edited on 6/22/2007 4:58 PM
Title: Re: Thumb sticks due to humid center - what to do?
Post by: on June 22, 2007, 04:57:53 PM
I would just open it up and use thumb tape when needed.  If you bowl many tournaments, or even many different houses, thumb tape can be your best friend.


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notclay
Title: Re: Thumb sticks due to humid center - what to do?
Post by: LuckyLefty on June 22, 2007, 05:06:23 PM
I agree with mycroft on the slide stuff on thumb.

In addition urethane thumb slugs make it easy to come out.
In addition perfect bevel using the Mo Pinel beveling methods can really get things great also.

REgards,

Luckylefty
PS I have a dryer thumb and hand so usually I come out very easy...even with vinyl thumb inserts.
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Open the door...see what's possible...and just walk right on through...that's how easy success feels..
Title: Re: Thumb sticks due to humid center - what to do?
Post by: charlest on June 22, 2007, 08:20:00 PM
quote:
Myrddin97,

The fit is not what I'm worried about, its the thumb sweating and the stickiness that results from it.

Fellas,
Currently I use white tape in the back of the thumbhole. If I switch to black, would that help?
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I doubt if black tape would help; if anything it might get more tacky with humidity.

Kind of surprised you had never encountered this problem in previous years.

The interface of your thumb with the white tape is obviously the problem. Since white tape is slightly rough (I was going to suggest sanding the back of the thumb hole with 220-320 grit sandpaper.), that is not the problem. That leaves the skin surface of the back of your thumb: it is obviously geting sticky from the water vapor in the air.

something that will absorb the water and provide a more slippery (less friction) surface where your thumb's skin meets the tape is needed. A rosin material, like Mycroft's "slip in slide" or even "Easy Slide"
http://www.buddiesproshop.com/product/621/Master_Products_Easy_Slide.htm
or Ebonite's Ultra Slide
http://www.bowlersparadise.com/shop/accessories/ebonite/ebonite_ultra_slide.shtml
Placed on the back of your thumb IN VERY JUDICIOUS (read: tiny) QUANTITIES would help reduce the friction that humidity causes.

Also drying your thumb with alcohol or acetone placed on a small towel/cloth will help.
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"None are so blind as those who will not see."
Title: Re: Thumb sticks due to humid center - what to do?
Post by: No Open Tenths on June 22, 2007, 08:28:50 PM
My hand s sweat quite a bit no matter what the temp or humidity is. I use rosin on my thumb before every shot. Some might think that this is wrong as rosin is supposed to be a grip enhancer. However what the rosin does for me is to dry my thumb of the moisture that causes 1) my thumb to stick like you indicate 2) loose the grip in the thumb on the backswing.
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Whether you think you can, or whether you think you can't... you're probably right.
Title: Re: Thumb sticks due to humid center - what to do?
Post by: JohnP on June 22, 2007, 08:45:49 PM
quote:
Currently I use white tape in the back of the thumbhole. If I switch to black, would that help?


Normally white tape is used in the front of the thumb hole as a grip aid.  The slicker black tape is used in the back of the hole for easy release.  Try it that way, one piece of white in front, then enough black in the back to get the fit right.  --  JohnP
Title: Re: Thumb sticks due to humid center - what to do?
Post by: Goof1073 on June 22, 2007, 09:06:09 PM
Sounds like you need to be gripping a rosin bad inbetween shots...

...if that doesn't totally cure thins then I would try a slip agent like easy slide, baby powder or even corn starch.
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-Chris: DJ's Pro Shop : Auburn, MA
Title: Re: Thumb sticks due to humid center - what to do?
Post by: renoatpikeville on June 22, 2007, 09:26:38 PM
Buck...try this.

See if you can get some Vise proformance tapes...they come in various colors and thickness. These proformance tapes provide a cleaner release and may alleviate your problem with the humidity in your bowling center. If your lucky your proshop may have some of this. Cut it to the size of your thumb and just apply it to the back of your thumb and you should be good to go.

Hope this info. helps.

Chris
Title: Re: Thumb sticks due to humid center - what to do?
Post by: Borincano on June 22, 2007, 09:37:47 PM
This is the tape that I and a couple of my friends use for sticking thumbs. You put an inch and a half of tape on each side of the thumb. Inside and out. Take out any tape that you have in the thumb hole and clean out the hole completely.  If it feels loose just put another piece of tape on your thumb.

http://www.buddiesproshop.com/product/602/Turbo_2-N-1_Power_Supplies_Beige_Fitting_Tape_-_1_inch.htm
Title: Re: Thumb sticks due to humid center - what to do?
Post by: No Open Tenths on June 22, 2007, 09:38:50 PM
Maybe I'm wrong, but when i have this problem it is not the back of my thumb that is the prblem but the web area that seems to stick. Is this what you are experiencing?
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Whether you think you can, or whether you think you can't... you're probably right.
Title: Re: Thumb sticks due to humid center - what to do?
Post by: DON DRAPER on June 22, 2007, 09:47:25 PM
always wash yours hands with hot soapy water just before you bowl-----this will remove the excess skin oil, sweat, and dirt. dry your hands very throughly. apply easy slide to the back of your thumb---apply it as often as needed. if you don't use urethane slugs i would suggest starting.
Title: Re: Thumb sticks due to humid center - what to do?
Post by: freak761 on June 22, 2007, 10:00:40 PM
I've had this same problem for a lot of years and I just solved it a few months ago. I bought a roll of the Vise tape and cut it into pieces. I put a piece on the back of my thumb. The tape is flexible and sticks really well. I rub Easy Slide into the thumbhole after I clean the ball to help as well. If the thumb feels loose, I just add a piece of white tape for the front of my thumb and if it starts to get tight, I just take the tape out. It has really helped me to get a very clean release.
Title: Re: Thumb sticks due to humid center - what to do?
Post by: RevZiLLa on June 22, 2007, 11:04:37 PM
Try some "magic carpet" in the back of the thumbhole. If you can't find it, try the soft side of some self-stick velcro (the fuzzy side) and put it down 1/4" into the back of the hole where the thumbnail lines up when you come out of the ball.
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RevZ=======================
Title: Re: Thumb sticks due to humid center - what to do?
Post by: Buckwild on June 23, 2007, 12:11:54 AM
Thanks, fellas for the many replies. I currently use the Vise Hada Patch (blue) on the back of my thumb, but like No Open Tenths mentioned, its the areas not covered by the tape that stick. I never tried tape on any part of my thumb except for the back.
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Title: Re: Thumb sticks due to humid center - what to do?
Post by: charlest on June 23, 2007, 06:11:35 AM
quote:
Thanks, fellas for the many replies. I currently use the Vise Hada Patch (blue) on the back of my thumb, but like No Open Tenths mentioned, its the areas not covered by the tape that stick. I never tried tape on any part of my thumb except for the back.
--------------------
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Tag Team Coaching success story


If you're alreayd using the Hada blue, a very fast releasing tape, in the back, you definitely don't want to put any of the slippery powders on the front of your thumb; only on the sides. You might want to try what I was thinking of originally: sand the front and sides of the hole with 220 - 320 grit sandpaper. It's smooth enough not to interfere with your release and rough enough to allow a good release. Also do try to clean your thumb with alcohol or acetone just prior bowling.
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"None are so blind as those who will not see."
Title: Re: Thumb sticks due to humid center - what to do?
Post by: Troyboy on June 23, 2007, 07:18:49 AM
Ok here's my 2 cents... first off you honestly can't beat that stuff... I have had this same problem in the past... I used the magic carpet, and it worked wonders for me... now...  Another option that may work, would be a vent hole.  Im kinda surprised no one mentioned that yet.  Take it to your shop, he should be able to do it there... If not, there is alot of information on it out there.. I believe thelargest size  bit you can use is 1/8" and you go in starting about 1.5" below your thumb at about a 45 Degree angle...  go through your thumb hole.  This will stop the ball from vacuming to your thumb gaurenteed.
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Title: Re: Thumb sticks due to humid center - what to do?
Post by: Laybzz74 on June 23, 2007, 07:47:45 AM
Slick Tape (from Slicktape.com) and EZ slide work for me; I'm going through the same issues myself right now with the weather changes and I'm doing OK.
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Title: Re: Thumb sticks due to humid center - what to do?
Post by: Buckwild on April 22, 2008, 01:48:07 PM
quote:
Maybe I'm wrong, but when i have this problem it is not the back of my thumb that is the prblem but the web area that seems to stick. Is this what you are experiencing?
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Whether you think you can, or whether you think you can't... you're probably right.


Yes.
Title: Re: Thumb sticks due to humid center - what to do?
Post by: 1MechEng on April 22, 2008, 02:04:49 PM
I used to use talc, but lately I have been hitting the affected area (that sticks in the ball) with lip balm (chapstick). A small amount works really well, and the tube is really small and easily stuffed into any compartment in your bag.

Hope this helps.
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======================
Dan
======================
Engineering * Bowling = a fun and practical application of rotational kinematics.

Bowling Nerd Herd (TM) Member
Title: Re: Thumb sticks due to humid center - what to do?
Post by: Locke on April 22, 2008, 03:44:12 PM
Open up your thumb hole and uses several pieces of what ever tape you use to bring it back to where it normally is. This way if you are sticking you can take a piece out and your thumb will come out great.
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Title: Re: Thumb sticks due to humid center - what to do?
Post by: ramimac on April 22, 2008, 03:55:38 PM
if this is the problme i would sugest that the beval at the top of the thumb hole needs to be checked sounde like you have a lip at the top...


more bevel and you will come out cleen....
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Title: Re: Thumb sticks due to humid center - what to do?
Post by: DON DRAPER on April 22, 2008, 04:25:50 PM
i've used easy slide on the back of my thumb for years and it works great.
Title: Re: Thumb sticks due to humid center - what to do?
Post by: LuckyLefty on April 22, 2008, 04:48:12 PM
Along the lines of the bevel tip....above.

Urethane slugs versus into the ball or vinyl!

Also for bevel ideas have you seen the Mo Pinel bevel tips in drilling?

REgards,

Luckylefty
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Open the door...see what's possible...and just walk right on through...that's how easy success feels..
Title: Re: Thumb sticks due to humid center - what to do?
Post by: Borincano on April 23, 2008, 09:14:25 AM
I will go with what LuckyLefty says about the Mo Pinel bevel method.
Title: Re: Thumb sticks due to humid center - what to do?
Post by: MI 2 AZ on April 23, 2008, 06:43:01 PM
I used to have that problem many years ago (not so much here in AZ), and I used to just put some of that liquid skin on.  Haven't used it in quite awhile so I cant remember the name of the last incarnation but it used to be called Carpenter's Court Plaster - I just checked and that's what it says on the tube, but it's all dried up now.  It used to help me with the moist thumb problem.


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Title: Re: Thumb sticks due to humid center - what to do?
Post by: Doug Sterner on April 23, 2008, 06:51:23 PM
I have not had as clean a release as I got this year. My magic combination is Turbo tan grip tape on my thumb and Ron C's Magic Carpet on the back of the hole....

absoluelty awesome release.
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Doug Sterner
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Title: Re: Thumb sticks due to humid center - what to do?
Post by: mogators on April 24, 2008, 10:49:19 PM
I always seem to struggle getting a good release on a new ball.  Tried something new this week when I had 2 balls drilled.  I used a Urethane slug and had a vent hole put in.  I have a large, long thumb and this seems to have helped so far.  I was able to throw both balls after only opening up the holes slightly.  I usually open them up quite a bit and then end up adding 3 - 5 pieces of tape.  I was throwing both of these balls with no tape at all and getting a pretty good release.  Now to work on perfecting the bevel.  Can someone explain the Mo Pinel method or post a link?