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Author Topic: Some Drilling Advise  (Read 1656 times)

kens101

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Some Drilling Advise
« on: July 30, 2008, 03:44:44 AM »
Well first splash into Roto Grip (or Storm) and the pro shop guy likes to drill label if I dont do my research ahead of time and know what I want from the ball.

Big Lane 1 fan but with wife's job in the air and 3 kids to feed figured it would be a good time to try something a little more in my budget to fill holes in my arsenal.

About my style. Lower rev rate (about 200ish) but pretty good tilt. I can move in pretty deep if I need too with some power (avoid it though because of consistency issues). Dont know my pap THS League average is a 203 and Sport League average is a 179 (working on accuracy and spares right now are killing me).

Ball 1:
Pluto
Pin is 2.5 to 3
Top Weight is 3.26 oz

I am thinking weak ball with a strong drill. Probably 4 x 4 with the rg stacked . I dont want it to jump to hard off the dry (hence weak ball) but I do want it to recover if I need to move inside with it because of all the idgits using high performance balls and trashing the outside of a medium ths (happens on our Mens league almost weekly). I am kinda hoping for a good benchmark ball out of it.

Ball 2:
Cell
Pin is also 2.5 to 3
Top Weight is 2.54

I really have no clue on what to drill this up as. I dont need another closet ball for Nationals and the summer Sport Leagues.


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Dirty Bomb 16lbs
Bullet 16 lbs
Angular One 15 lbs
Big One 15 lbs
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EboHammer4ever

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Re: Some Drilling Advise
« Reply #1 on: July 30, 2008, 12:42:24 PM »
I have drilled every Rotogrip ball (hence the name Roto4ever) for me and my friend and we have every ball made in the past 3 years.  I do not have a Pluto but drilled one for my friend the very way you describe.  This is by far the weakest ball RotoGrip has ever made, even the Neptune (same core, pearl cover) hooks more than the Pluto.  So this should fit well for you when the lanes break down.  It does need dry boards though to recover so keep that in mind.  I personally have 2 Cells, one 4 x 4 and one 5 x 3.  The first one 4 x 4 is an all around great layout for this ball and when I first drilled it, I could go from 1st game to 3rd game with this in league.  The Cell does take some maintenance to keep it in top shape, but what ball doesn't these days.  I believe this layout is the first one in the drill sheet that comes with the ball so you should be able to drill it no problem.  Rotogrip makes some good stuff, I'm going back to Storm myself because nothing Roto has now, besides the Cell, looks good to me. The current Storm balls do though.  I tried an Illusion and I think I drilled it wrong and it never did what I thought it would do and I'm not impressed with the Grand Illusion.  For my money, the original Horizon pearl, Horizon solid were far better balls.

By the Way, tell your pro shop guy to try some different layouts and get with the times.

Good Luck.

Roto4ever
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directdrill

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Re: Some Drilling Advise
« Reply #2 on: July 30, 2008, 12:53:42 PM »
I just picked up a used Pluto and had the thumb plugged and redrilled to fit my span.  Ball is drilled pin under fingers, on grip centerline, about 1-3/4" above midline, 5" from PAP, with the CG at about 45 degrees, low weight hole and box finish.  This ball is much stronger than I anticipated.  Ball gets a lot of length and has a very hard snap on the backend.  Ball came drilled with a weight hole, so I will try surface adjustment first, and if necessary, will plug and re-drill the weight hole.  Going to try 4000 Abralon first, then try 600 grit + polish if that doesn't work.

I have the Venus and the Saturn and must say that you can't go wrong with the Planet line.  I would caution you to expect you can move deep inside with the Pluto.  The low differential will make crossing a lot of boards difficult while maintaining good carry.
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kens101

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Re: Some Drilling Advise
« Reply #3 on: July 30, 2008, 04:58:03 PM »
I am kinda worried that the Cell would burn out on a THS with a 4x4 but the Pro Shop just literally said the same thing you said Roto4Ever so it is drilled with a 4x4 layout. Pin is slightly over and to the right of the ring finger.

I am not expecting that much from the Pluto (about 1/20th of what I am from the Cell). Just hoping for a good reliable medium oil ball. Some of my best games came last year when I was playing 10 to 5 and just letting the ball walk in but with all of the "Oil Sponges" out there, that shot never lasts for more then a game.
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Dirty Bomb 16lbs
Bullet 16 lbs
Angular One 15 lbs
Big One 15 lbs
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A_P_K

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Re: Some Drilling Advise
« Reply #4 on: July 30, 2008, 05:06:35 PM »
I will have to say I do not agree, the Pluto is not even close to a weak ball.  Neither is the Neptune but then again the Pluto is stronger.

My Pluto is drilled 4x4 like the layout you are thinking of and it's a complete monster.  It out hooks my Enriched Uranium by a few boards and offers more predictability and versatility down lane.

My style is similar to yours, ball specs are close as well.  I find this ball to be the one I pull out of the bag first everywhere I go.

My Pluto has a strong reaction to friction, it turns very hard when it hits the dry.  Because of the weak core it saves plenty of energy and gets down the lane easy.  You can easily cover any range of medium with the Pluto.  It also carries extremely well, the Orbiter two core is top rate and for the money you are buying one hell of a good ball.


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Spider Ball Bowler

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Re: Some Drilling Advise
« Reply #5 on: July 30, 2008, 05:07:46 PM »
My Pluto was only a few boards weaker than my Cell.  Just an FYI.
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kens101

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Re: Some Drilling Advise
« Reply #6 on: July 30, 2008, 07:50:12 PM »
I had the new bowling ball sitting there syndrome so I stopped by one of the places here after work. Unfortunately both the houses with newer synthetics were booked with sport leagues so I had to hit up an older wood lane house that had just layed out a fresh 38ft THS for leagues later on.

215 with the Pluto (3 easy opens)
224 with the Cell

I got to tinker with the thumbs on both balls. Wasnt coming out cleanly but the Pluto was just crushing the pocket. The Cell seemed to be struggling a little bit. I was using the same line as the Pluto but it just acted funny when it got there). We have the Scorpion pattern on Tuesday so I will see what it can do there with a little more oil.
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Dirty Bomb 16lbs
Bullet 16 lbs
Angular One 15 lbs
Big One 15 lbs
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srlunatic

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Re: Some Drilling Advise
« Reply #7 on: July 30, 2008, 07:58:37 PM »
I just drilled up a Pluto and I went Label Leverage as I wanted something to be a benchmark ball...smooth and consistent...and this is exactly what I have and it a direct step down from my Cell.

My Pluto drilled this way is a total THS monster and allows me to attack the pattern in so many different ways it is ridiculous.  It hits like a Roto Grip ball, and you can't get a better ball for the price period.  I am looking forward to my Pluto being my #1 ball out when I hit the Sport Conditions/PBA patterns due to it's consistency and smooooooooooooooooooothness along with superb hitting power...

Really an amazing ball, much stronger than the numbers suggest....and if you go 4 X 4 it will be too strong (again this ball is not weak!) for your shot. If you are looking to be playing inside lines you need to get that pin up and let the ball get down the lane a bit....If you are looking for a Benchmark, go with your most favorite drill or in this case a Label Leverage would be a very good way to go!  The Pluto is definitely not 1/20th of the Cell...for me it is exactly the step down from the Cell if I want a Solid....(on the BTM Ratings for this ball it received 9.0 in the HEAVY category for all types of bowlers)

As for the Cell....

For me I have used it about 3 games in almost 5 months as just don't see the oil it really needs. It is truly a great ball and would adjust surface to use it on the THS and such, but have other balls to do that so just leave it as my strong ball.  What I would offer on drilling would depend on your speed.....the Cell loves to get in a roll early so if you are a slower speed player I would definitely go with a weaker drill...if you have a bit of speed and not as many revs....then have some more choices, but wouldn't go super aggressive as will be a very condition specific ball..

Hope this helps!

Mike
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“Every now and then when your life gets complicated and the weasels start closing in, the only cure is to load up on heinous chemicals and then drive like a b@$tard from Hollywood to Las Vegas ... with the music at top volume and at least a pint of ether.”
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kens101

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Re: Some Drilling Advise
« Reply #8 on: July 30, 2008, 08:45:29 PM »
Thanks Mike

Definitely helpful stuff and that is what I am looking for out of the Pluto. As far as the 1/20th comment, that was just setting expectations (not hook value) for the ball. Had a bad experience with a "value" ball from another company.

He drilled up the Pluto with the ring under the ring finger and the CG kicked out (leverage). Of course we argued a little over the fact I was still stuck on the "weak ball - max drill" theory but he said pretty much the same thing for what I am looking for.

Speed is about 17 mph according to my friend that has been helping my game out. I can throw harder when I have too but arm hurts for a couple days after.

Only threw one game with it after it was drilled today, but am liking what I see so far.
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Dirty Bomb 16lbs
Bullet 16 lbs
Angular One 15 lbs
Big One 15 lbs
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srlunatic

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Re: Some Drilling Advise
« Reply #9 on: July 30, 2008, 09:17:03 PM »
Mark,

Greetings!

You HAVE to get a Pluto in there......it is truly some ball and if you like the smooth of the HS (which is my fav RG ball...but can see the Pluto replacing it)...then you have to get the Pluto in there....

I love my Illusion.....drilled it up very weak and it is money on the drier stuff and for me I just took off a bit of the shine and it is so good for me on the dry.


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“Every now and then when your life gets complicated and the weasels start closing in, the only cure is to load up on heinous chemicals and then drive like a b@$tard from Hollywood to Las Vegas ... with the music at top volume and at least a pint of ether.”
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directdrill

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Re: Some Drilling Advise
« Reply #10 on: August 01, 2008, 12:41:03 PM »
quote:
Mark,

Greetings!

You HAVE to get a Pluto in there......it is truly some ball and if you like the smooth of the HS (which is my fav RG ball...but can see the Pluto replacing it)...then you have to get the Pluto in there....



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“Every now and then when your life gets complicated and the weasels start closing in, the only cure is to load up on heinous chemicals and then drive like a b@$tard from Hollywood to Las Vegas ... with the music at top volume and at least a pint of ether.”


Mike,

I recently picked up a used Pluto on ebay and had the thumb plugged and redrilled to fit my span.  I don't have the exact measurements, but this is close:  pin is on grip centerline, about 1-3/4" above midline (roughly 5" from PAP), CG is at an approximate 45 degree angle and a small weight hole in the thumb quadrant.  Ball is at stock finish, 2000 Abralon.  I don't have a lot of games on it, but this ball, with this layout, is way more skid/flip than I ever imagined!  I realize the high RG will get it down the lane, but I am truly surprised at the backend reaction.  Right now, it is too similar to my Venus.  I may take it down to 1000 Abralon to see if I can get some early burn and tame the backend.  I may need to have the static weights checked, as the weight hole is rather small.  Anyone seen the Pluto skid/flip with a similar layout?
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A_P_K

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Re: Some Drilling Advise
« Reply #11 on: August 03, 2008, 10:24:10 AM »
I have found overall my Pluto and Venus will cover the same amount of boards as well, but do it in a different ball path.

My Venus is drilled exactly the same, pin next to ring finger over the CG, but the pin out is a bit longer.

The Venus starts earlier and is smoother down the lane, more arching and rolling, for a bit more juice up front.

The Pluto gets down the lane a little longer and makes a strong turn, maybe if it was polished up it may react skid snappy.  It has the potential to do it.

Direct, if you take the Pluto down to 1000 abralon can you report the results?  I have been interested in it but so far am in love with it OOB that I haven't tried adjusting the cover.
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directdrill

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Re: Some Drilling Advise
« Reply #12 on: August 03, 2008, 03:18:05 PM »
A_P_K,

I will take the Pluto down to 1000 Abralon and let you know how it does.  My Venus is drilled with a basic label drill, pin next to ring, CG kicked back towards the grip centerline.  I have it finished with Valentino's Resurrection and Snake Oil, and it has a lot of movement on the backend.  I really like the reaction of the Venus, but right now it is too similar to the Pluto.  I'll report back with what I find.
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