Author Topic: Help me set up a Secret Agent for a friend...(UPDATE) (Read 1929 times)

JessN16 · « **on:** October 07, 2008, 05:01:45 PM »

Hey guys,

I've got a friend who is getting a NIB Secret Agent (I'm drilling it for him) and we're replacing a Track Crash that literally crashed tonight at league (chunk taken out of the ball and huge crack, courtesy of a lane malfunction).

The ball has a 3-inch pin and about 3 oz. of top.

This friend is an older gentleman who throws almost a full roller (meaning the way he holds/releases the ball he doesn't track between the thumb and fingers, but you would think he should judging by the way his release looks). Without yet measuring exactly, I'd say his PAP is about 5.5 over 0 up to 6 over 0 up, looking at the oil rings. He throws with very good speed for his age (74) and decent revs, but nothing special. He suitcases the ball because his wrist doesn't allow him to get a true power release.

What we're trying to do is set this ball up for our league. He only bowls at one house, never in tournaments. He picked the Secret because he does need a little help getting to the pocket and carrying. He tends to play straight up 10.

Our house runs on THS, but not an automatic-hook THS. The pattern is short, there's not a drastic wall outside and the total volume is medium to medium-light. The crown in the middle is flatter than most THS shots.

I'm thinking the box surface prep is going to be a little too much. We need the ball to clear the heads and save something for the backend.

Would going to 2000 Abralon plus Moon Shine be a good option? And any layout suggestions you might have would be appreciated.

I'm a decent amateur driller who understands layouts but I'm not a pro. I typically only drill for myself and my wife but I'm trying to help this man out financially. We only paid $55 for the ball NIB.

His Crash was a 4-inch pin, with the pin way off to the right of the ring and slightly above. I think they got the pin too close to his VAL. Whoever drilled his Crash didn't spend a lot of time with this very kind man and I hope to do him a good turn.

Jess

Edited on 10/8/2008 1:06 AM

Edited on 1/11/2009 1:59 AM

Rc Charger · « **Reply #1 on:** October 08, 2008, 06:57:36 AM »

Drill the secret with a 4x3 pin down, extra hole down. I wouldn't play with the surface untill he throws a few games with it. I personally like this ball with a stronger drill on it because gets down the lane really well. Good Luck

Rob

moooorich · « **Reply #2 on:** October 08, 2008, 07:21:41 AM »

Do your friend a favor and throw it in the river...I know of at least 5 people that bought this ball last season and it did nothing for them. Theres a difference between "getting down the lane" and doing nothing. Just my $.02.

Monster Pike · « **Reply #3 on:** October 08, 2008, 08:41:31 AM »

quote:
Moorich said: Do your friend a favor and throw it in the river...I know of at least 5 people that bought this ball last season and it did nothing for them. Theres a difference between "getting down the lane" and doing nothing. Just my $.02.

Typical. Guy w/a different brand user name & no profile comes on w/a stupid answer. If you can't help answer the question then just stay at the Morich board. Thanks.
--------------------
"The last time I saw a mouth like that, it had a hook in it." Rodney Dangerfield

Edited on 10/8/2008 8:42 AM

moooorich · « **Reply #4 on:** October 08, 2008, 09:00:37 AM »

like I said.....that's just my experience with the ball, seeing that everyone I know that had the ball did not like it....even the die hard Ebonite fans. I'd hate to see the guy drill a ball for his friend and it sucks...who's to say it's the ball or his layout. Seeing several different layouts and the same result, I'd say it's the ball. Just because I didn't set up my profile dosen't make me stupid. I at least gave my opinion, Monster Pike... did you have anything intelligent to put forth???

Monster Pike · « **Reply #5 on:** October 08, 2008, 09:12:41 AM »

quote:
like I said.....that's just my experience with the ball, seeing that everyone I know that had the ball did not like it....even the die hard Ebonite fans. I'd hate to see the guy drill a ball for his friend and it sucks...who's to say it's the ball or his layout. Seeing several different layouts and the same result, I'd say it's the ball. Just because I didn't set up my profile dosen't make me stupid. I at least gave my opinion, Monster Pike... did you have anything intelligent to put forth???

Again: If you can't help answer the question then just stay at the Morich board. Thanks. Throwing the ball in the river is not answering the layout question.
--------------------
"The last time I saw a mouth like that, it had a hook in it." Rodney Dangerfield

JessN16 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 08, 2008, 11:57:34 AM »

quote:
Drill the secret with a 4x3 pin down, extra hole down. I wouldn't play with the surface untill he throws a few games with it. I personally like this ball with a stronger drill on it because gets down the lane really well. Good Luck

Rob

Rob,

In the event we decide to add polish, is Moon Shine the best match for this ball? I have Moon Shine, ReactaShine and XtraShine on hand.

Also, where exactly would you suggest the extra hole? On the VAL?

Thanks,
Jess

Monster Pike · « **Reply #7 on:** October 08, 2008, 12:27:27 PM »

Jess,
I know you asked Rob, but I would say depending on what grit you're trying to finish to would be the polish to use. My best guess would be the Moon Shine. Because the Reacta Shine finishes to a 3500 grit, unless that's what you want. I believe Moon shine is just a polish w/no grit factor. I could be wrong.

On a side note, I used Storm's Step 2 on my Dimension. I couldn't use it at box finish either. Too strong. I brought the cover down w/a 1000ab pad & then step 2'ed it. Works great now.
--------------------
"The last time I saw a mouth like that, it had a hook in it." Rodney Dangerfield

abrown · « **Reply #8 on:** October 08, 2008, 12:49:17 PM »

hey mooo what does a die hard ebo guy have to do with drilling up a storm ball? the problwm with the secret agent is for it to truely be effective for me i had to have a lot of head oil i threw it on a hevy sport shot and it was great on a house pattern yeah i didnt really hook that much but if you know what your looking at it was rolling out

stormed1 · « **Reply #9 on:** October 08, 2008, 12:51:26 PM »

The guys who usually don't like this ball are the ones with no clue to ball reaction. The expect the big booming backend of a resin ball but that's not what you get with this ball. You get control and a good read in carrydown. That all being said I would have to agree with the pin under layout and tweak the surface as necessary. I would go either 4 x 3 1/2 or 4 1/2 x 3 1/2 or 4 depending on what your looking for. Pin up layouts seem to go a little long for most people and seem to loose some carry. Hope this helps.

Mr Straight Ball · « **Reply #10 on:** October 08, 2008, 02:59:49 PM »

Why not a T-Road Pearl? This ball will "help" your friend who has a lack of tilt. The Secret is going to use up a lot of energy and not give him the direction change down the lane. No matter what age, we all want to see it change direction.
--------------------
Baker...Why doesn't my ball h

k?
40 Boards & A Ball Tournament Director
www.40boards.com
The left sucks & the right is wide open! R.I.P. Brizmo 6/15/08

thirtyclean · « **Reply #11 on:** October 08, 2008, 03:06:57 PM »

This ball does well for me when carrydown starts occuring, and it is a sleeper on even some lighter conditions. It is a very versitaile ball. I have ball speed around 15 MPH, and drilled it 4 X 4, and my PAP is 5 inches over and
1/2 inch up. This layout does get above average length, and more of a contolled back end. Nobody was thowing these in the river in our area !
--------------------
Thirtyclean (Well maybe 29, or 28, most of
the times !)

moooorich · « **Reply #12 on:** October 08, 2008, 03:14:45 PM »

quote:
hey mooo what does a die hard ebo guy have to do with drilling up a storm ball? the problwm with the secret agent is for it to truely be effective for me i had to have a lot of head oil i threw it on a hevy sport shot and it was great on a house pattern yeah i didnt really hook that much but if you know what your looking at it was rolling out

Sorry about the ebo/ storm thing.....I got interrupted and lost my train of thought. Looks like I wasn't the only one that didn't see change of direction with this ball. NO....not every one want's a 90 degree turn but ya gotta have somethin there to get pin carry, or else ya might as well throw a $30 plastic ball.

Dan Belcher · « **Reply #13 on:** October 08, 2008, 03:55:14 PM »

quote:
quote:
hey mooo what does a die hard ebo guy have to do with drilling up a storm ball? the problwm with the secret agent is for it to truely be effective for me i had to have a lot of head oil i threw it on a hevy sport shot and it was great on a house pattern yeah i didnt really hook that much but if you know what your looking at it was rolling out

Sorry about the ebo/ storm thing.....I got interrupted and lost my train of thought. Looks like I wasn't the only one that didn't see change of direction with this ball. NO....not every one want's a 90 degree turn but ya gotta have somethin there to get pin carry, or else ya might as well throw a $30 plastic ball.

Throw it on the right conditions and it should carry. Norm Duke made it look really good in the first match of the PBA World Championships last season...

JessN16 · « **Reply #14 on:** October 08, 2008, 05:11:48 PM »

quote:
Why not a T-Road Pearl? This ball will "help" your friend who has a lack of tilt. The Secret is going to use up a lot of energy and not give him the direction change down the lane. No matter what age, we all want to see it change direction.
--------------------
Baker...Why doesn't my ball hk?
40 Boards & A Ball Tournament Director
www.40boards.com
The left sucks & the right is wide open! R.I.P. Brizmo 6/15/08

The main reason we have a Secret to work with was the price. At around $50 for a NIB ball with good specs, we couldn't argue, and it's already been bought and can't be returned/swapped. This gentleman doesn't have a lot to spend.

Your point about the downlane change of direction is precisely why I was asking about polish/surface options.

Jess

Author Topic: Help me set up a Secret Agent for a friend...(UPDATE) (Read 1929 times)

JessN16

Help me set up a Secret Agent for a friend...(UPDATE)

Rc Charger

Re: Help me set up a Secret Agent for a friend...(UPDATE)

moooorich

Re: Help me set up a Secret Agent for a friend...(UPDATE)

Monster Pike

Re: Help me set up a Secret Agent for a friend...(UPDATE)

moooorich

Re: Help me set up a Secret Agent for a friend...(UPDATE)

Monster Pike

Re: Help me set up a Secret Agent for a friend...(UPDATE)

JessN16

Re: Help me set up a Secret Agent for a friend...(UPDATE)

Monster Pike

Re: Help me set up a Secret Agent for a friend...(UPDATE)

abrown

Re: Help me set up a Secret Agent for a friend...(UPDATE)

stormed1

Re: Help me set up a Secret Agent for a friend...(UPDATE)

Mr Straight Ball

Re: Help me set up a Secret Agent for a friend...(UPDATE)

thirtyclean

Re: Help me set up a Secret Agent for a friend...(UPDATE)

moooorich

Re: Help me set up a Secret Agent for a friend...(UPDATE)

Dan Belcher

Re: Help me set up a Secret Agent for a friend...(UPDATE)

JessN16

Re: Help me set up a Secret Agent for a friend...(UPDATE)