Post by: Dan Belcher on July 23, 2008, 02:24:53 PM
Here is the actual removable slug portion of the thumb, complete with a white plastic screw base.
http://img70.imageshack.us/img70/1096/thumbslugbasebt7.jpg
Here is the thumbhole where the slug base screws into the ball.
http://img70.imageshack.us/img70/7075/baseinstalledry4.jpg
The thin black ring around the top of the thumbhole provides support and consistent spacing so the slug fits each ball the same.
http://img70.imageshack.us/img70/1628/ringinstalledinthumbholmz8.jpg
The base is secured in the thumbhole of the ball with both glue on the plastic base, plus a molly that is expanded and glued into a smaller hole drilled inside the thumbhole. Here is a picture of a base and slug screwed together before being installed:
http://img67.imageshack.us/img67/3724/slugbeforeinstallationws1.jpg
And for comparison's sake, here's the Vise IT slug (right) compared to the Turbo Switchgrip (left)
http://img67.imageshack.us/img67/8512/viseitvsturboswitchgripfj3.jpg
Here's a crash course on how it's installed (but PLEASE carefully read the directions Vise includes in the kit, this is just a quick overview. It's really simple once you figure it out, but you need to make sure you follow the directions exactly as Vise has written them!)
After marking the grip center line, drill the hole at the size indicated in the instruction manual for the size thumb slug you wish to use with the kit's included drill bit (and bevel the edges a little to prevent cracking, of course) You will ALSO drill a smaller second hole inside this. This hole will acommodate the molly. It needs to be exactly 1 inch deep for the IT to fit properly. (Sorry I didn't get any pictures of this part)
Install the black plastic ring in the top of the thumbhole
http://img67.imageshack.us/img67/8867/insertspacerringintothuwy0.jpg
The kit comes with a tool to install the base -- it's essentially a hollow slug with a T-shaped handle on top.
http://img70.imageshack.us/img70/3706/installedspacerringmollpp4.jpg
After you do a test fit to make sure everything is OK, spread some glue over the white plastic base and the molly
http://img70.imageshack.us/img70/8382/gluethemollyandbaseqd5.jpg
Place the base and molly in the ball, aligning the slug with the grip center line.
http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/687/placebaseinstallationtosj2.jpg
As the glue is setting, drop one of the small molly extenders (not pictured, they look like a small plastic peg) into the hole in the handle of the installer. Use the included tool that looks like a screwdriver without a bit to gently hammer the molly extender into place. (Sorry I didn't get any pictures of this part either)
Once the glue has set after about 30 seconds or so, you can unscrew the installation slug and remove it, leaving behind the base and molly. The ball is ready for use now if you already have the thumb slug drilled.
Now, as for drilling the actual thumb slug, Vise includes a special bowling ball just for this. Place the ball on the press and drill the hole with zero pitch.
http://img70.imageshack.us/img70/6868/drillingtheactualslugkf6.jpg
After the thumb is drilled, you can then place it in the ball, lock it into place, and cut down on the slug to make it level and work out the thumbhole as necessary just as you would do with any regular thumb slug.
Post by: Gunny on July 23, 2008, 10:35:24 PM
Post by: raiderh20boy on July 23, 2008, 10:54:13 PM
I now reccomend this product to all my customers that have a variety of equip. with at least 3 different sizes to allow for the swelling and shrinking in their thumb so you don't have to keep changing tape.
Post by: Dan Belcher on July 23, 2008, 11:33:20 PM
And yes, being able to avoid constantly changing out tape on a myriad of balls is a great, great thing!
Post by: Lillen on July 24, 2008, 01:00:34 AM
quote:
Now, as for drilling the actual thumb slug, Vise includes a special bowling ball just for this. Place the ball on the press and drill the hole with zero pitch.
Stupid question maybe but my thumb pitch is 1/4 forward, how do you fix that if the hole is drilled with zero pitch?
Post by: ValentinoBowling on July 24, 2008, 01:11:33 AM
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Post by: Dan Belcher on July 24, 2008, 06:59:18 AM
quote:It sounds tougher than it is just because there's several steps. It's actually really simple once you figure it out. (Especially after you already have the thumb slug drilled and you're just prepping the rest of your bowling balls) Drill a big hole, drill a smaller hole inside it, bevel the outside edge, vacuum out the dust. Glue the base in the ball. That's really all you're doing. And when drilling the slug itself, that's no different than drilling any regular thumb slug really. Also, there's a small disposable metal disc at the bottom of the thumb slug that lets you know when you've drilled deep enough -- you'll feel the drillbit hit that disc. After you drill it, you can pop the metal disc right out and throw it away.
that looks somewhat difficult to install, I will have to try it on an old ball.
quote:You drill the hole in the slug at zero pitch. However, you drill your actual ball with the correct pitch. When you actually install the slug in the ball, the slug itself fits at the correct pitch in the ball therefore, the hole will have the correct pitch relative to your ball. (And yes, the slug is too tall for the hole so that you can trim off the top so that you can get a level surface despite the slug being at an angle in the ball). I am using 1/8" reverse in my thumb just fine with this. The reason you have a special ball for drilling the slug has something to do with the torque of the drill press and keeping the slug from breaking. The drilling ball has extra reinforcement to hold the slug in place.quote:Stupid question maybe but my thumb pitch is 1/4 forward, how do you fix that if the hole is drilled with zero pitch?
Now, as for drilling the actual thumb slug, Vise includes a special bowling ball just for this. Place the ball on the press and drill the hole with zero pitch.
Post by: Mike Austin on July 24, 2008, 12:53:27 PM
Thanks for the info and the pictures, very nice!
Jim Nesbitt/Vise have changed this thumb a few times in design before production. Jim was sitting behind me during the 2007 Tour Trials, when I was making a good run during the last day. My Switch Grip busted, the ball flew up in the air, pulling me out on to the lane, almost hitting me in the head on the way down, and landing on the lane on the pair next to me. Just about pulled my thumb out of my arm. Jim swore that they were not going to release the product until it was unbreakable. He did not want to see what happened to me happen to anyone else.
Jim consulted with me a few times, not much on the IT thumb, I had copies of preliminary instructions to review, gave him some thoughts. He wanted to know if he could use my name and TT story. Super Nice people, good products, I have the kit coming to me soon. Can't wait to try it.
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Post by: qstick777 on July 24, 2008, 02:45:44 PM
A regular slug is between 2 1/2 and 3 inches. And the secondary hole has to be another inch further than that?
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Post by: Dan Belcher on July 24, 2008, 03:04:29 PM
Post by: raiderh20boy on July 24, 2008, 03:20:11 PM
Edited on 7/24/2008 6:50 PM
Post by: Dan Belcher on July 24, 2008, 03:34:24 PM
quote:And I guarantee you this -- the "ball safety molly" part works. My ball driller got distracted when installing these when a rush of customers flooded in the door the other night and he forgot to glue the base on one of the balls. When I threw the ball, the slug stayed in the ball! It stretched out of the thumbhole about a half inch but quickly sank back into place. I didn't kill myself hanging in the ball, and the slug and ball were not damaged. Very cool!
Yes, almost 4"deep total the small drill is 1/2" size. The "ball safety molly" the part that goes into the 1/2" hole is almost 1". Having put 9 of these in so far, "It" is, in my opinion, the BEST going!! I have also been told that "IT" hopefully will accomodate custom thumbs!!.
Post by: raiderh20boy on July 24, 2008, 03:44:43 PM
Edited on 7/28/2008 4:54 PM
Post by: raiderh20boy on July 26, 2008, 04:39:35 PM
Post by: Dan Belcher on July 26, 2008, 05:23:22 PM
Post by: Juggernaut on July 26, 2008, 05:37:52 PM
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Post by: Dan Belcher on July 26, 2008, 08:04:54 PM
And it's not a huge hole like you get with the Turbo switchgrip, so it's easier to plug as well.
Post by: qstick777 on July 27, 2008, 01:19:15 PM
Do you guys have an estimated cost to get started with this?
How much more are the slugs to use for these? I'm assuming from the pics that the slug is different than a regular slug, as it looks like the screw base is part of the slug.
How big of hole do you need to drill to start out with? Are the slugs standard 1 1/8, 1 1/4, and 1 3/8? Since you have to install that black plastic ring, that adds a little bit to the size of the hole, or are the slugs sized smaller to compensate?
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Post by: Dan Belcher on July 27, 2008, 02:10:05 PM
Post by: raiderh20boy on July 28, 2008, 04:37:27 PM
The "IT" can be used in the 1 1/8, 1 1/4 and 1 3/8 size. You (pro shop) will drill the actual hole 1/16" larger hole to accomodate a "top sleeve" which will allow the thumb insert to slide in freely and lock in. The insert is the regular VISE brand "easy slug" with the "IT" added to to it. VISE sells the starter kits with everything including the 1 5/16 and 1 7/16 drill bits and enough complete slugs in both sizes to do about 12 of each (not the 1 1/8 size) PLUS all the tools needed and glue and storage racks with a wholesale price savings of OVER $100 !!!!!
As far as the price to get these from a pro shop I'm sure it will vary in different areas of the country.
I am at training camp with THE OAKLAND RAIDERS but I will try to answer any more questions in the evenings!
USE "IT" and BOWL UP A STORM!!!!
Edited on 7/28/2008 10:56 PM
Post by: Nor Cal Bowler on July 31, 2008, 02:19:04 PM
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Visionary Test Staffer 08/09
Post by: Dan Belcher on September 03, 2008, 07:08:10 AM
Post by: J_Mac on September 03, 2008, 07:29:39 AM
While some of the features of this product are likely what pro shop operators have asked for, is it really worth all the extra time and added steps?
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Post by: Dan Belcher on September 03, 2008, 07:41:56 AM
Trust me, this sounds difficult to install just because the installation steps I wrote out are pretty detailed, but as my ball driller says to me every time I punch up a new ball "I love installing these things -- they're so easy!!" It only takes a couple minutes to do these thumbs. Compared to just regular thumb slugs, he doesn't have to whittle out the oval on my thumb every time, he doesn't have to work on the bevel, etc. And compared to Switch Grips and Thom's Thumb, they're much easier to get the same on each ball (we're not running into the usual problems like the thumb not seating down as far in one ball as it does in another like I've seen from Switch Grips). Not to mention these things are infinitely less likely to break in the middle of your swing than a Switch Grip, which is a definite plus!
It's been a life saver for me. I can take my thumb insert out and put it in another ball and get the same exact feel since the Vise IT is easier than other interchangeable thumbs to install properly. If it's a hot day and I'm in the 9th game of a tournament and my hand is starting to swell, or if it's a cold, dry day and I haven't picked up a ball in a week, my thumb changes sizes drastically. Since I have a couple different sleeves, I can swap out the two thumbs instead of adding or removing 80 pieces of tape.
Edited on 9/3/2008 7:42 AM
Post by: stormed1 on September 03, 2008, 08:09:05 AM
Post by: raiderh20boy on October 20, 2008, 02:05:52 PM
Post by: Stan on October 20, 2008, 02:48:44 PM
Post by: stormed1 on October 20, 2008, 03:02:41 PM
Post by: stormed1 on October 20, 2008, 03:56:11 PM
The Morse Taper drill bits are now available for the IT KIT. There is an extra charge of $25.00 per drill bit.
Brad Stark
Vise Inserts / Exactacator, Inc.
2237 Stage Coach Road
Stockton, CA 95215
brad@viseinserts.com
800.323.0039
209.464.2790
www.viseinserts.com
Post by: raiderh20boy on October 20, 2008, 04:04:57 PM
For Stan, I can tell you that the "sleeve that you put in the thumb hole is 1" tall and if you put it in close to the top edge of the sleeve you will have about 7/8" of that sleeve for "support"? of the inserts even though the insert is LOCKED in at the bottom. As far as the locking mechanism? coming loose, there is a molley put into it to expand with enough pressure and glue to hold with over 500 lbs of pressure applied and still NOT COMING LOOSE if put in correctly.
I hope this will answer your doubt but if not, ask and I will try to clarify a little better. I havn't "unwound" from our game yesterday with the Jets and a VICTORY MONDAY is a day off to relax!!
Post by: cheech on October 20, 2008, 04:11:25 PM
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HG:300x2(SR300 both)289(sawblade)280(SR300)
HS:792(SR300)778(SR300)778(SR300/Dr.Jekyll)
bowling for 14years
18 years old
2004 NYSPHSAA team champions
2007 NYSPHSAA individual high game(300) and series(1411-6 games)
current arsenal:
rival, arch rival, dead flush,scout,
blue vibe
SR300, RXS300 maxim
on the way maybe.....the sauce, momentum swing,resurgence, or demension.
p.s. go leftys
Post by: raiderh20boy on October 20, 2008, 04:35:24 PM
Post by: Stan on October 20, 2008, 10:44:23 PM