Customer asked for a pinky hole.... how to pitch it?

Which layout is right for me?

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Munson
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Customer asked for a pinky hole.... how to pitch it?

Post by Munson »

Had a guy in his late 70's come in asking if I can put another hole in his ball as he has arthritis.

I already measured his span and its not stretched.
Weight is 13lbs. Doesn't want to drop to 12 as 13 already deflects a little.

I have seen people drill the pinky before (long time ago) but I never really got into it.

My question is how close should I put the pinky hole to the ring (assuming 1/4"?) and what pitch do I put it at and which direction?

His fingers are 7/16 lateral and 1/8 away with oval grips.

Should this pinky hole be pitched to the right and how much?

Thanks.

-Mark
-Mark-
YABA/ABC/USBC Sanctioned:
3's - 23
8's - 11 (846 high)
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EricHartwell
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Positive Axis Point: 4-3/4" and 1/2"up
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Re: Customer asked for a pinky hole.... how to pitch it?

Post by EricHartwell »

I would suggest the pinky to be conventional. I tried the 3 fingers with the pinky finger tip in an attempt to stay with 15# back in the day. It created a pain at the base of the pinky metacarpal bone where it attached to the wrist. I didn't keep it very long and soon after dropped to 14#.

As for pitch, I am no fitting expert but keeping it from intersecting the ring finger AND fit the hand is the issue.
What is the pitch and lateral of the ring finger?
Is his grip fingertip or conventional?
Eric Hartwell

Right Handed
PAP 4.75" up 1/2"
45* rotation
12* tilt
330 rev rate
16 mph off hand
Munson
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Re: Customer asked for a pinky hole.... how to pitch it?

Post by Munson »

EricHartwell wrote:I would suggest the pinky to be conventional. I tried the 3 fingers with the pinky finger tip in an attempt to stay with 15# back in the day. It created a pain at the base of the pinky metacarpal bone where it attached to the wrist. I didn't keep it very long and soon after dropped to 14#.

As for pitch, I am no fitting expert but keeping it from intersecting the ring finger AND fit the hand is the issue.
What is the pitch and lateral of the ring finger?
Is his grip fingertip or conventional?
His ring is 7/16 right and 1/8 away. I will ask him if he is ok with a conventional pinky hole. In case he isn't to be safe if the ring finger is 2" deep, should I cut the grip in half and only go 1.5" deep to ensure they don't intersect?

Thanks Eric! Much appreciated.
-Mark-
YABA/ABC/USBC Sanctioned:
3's - 23
8's - 11 (846 high)
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EricHartwell
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Posts: 4080
Joined: April 5th, 2011, 12:24 am
Positive Axis Point: 4-3/4" and 1/2"up
Speed: 16 off hand
Rev Rate: 330
Axis Tilt: 12
Axis Rotation: 45
Heavy Oil Ball: Radical Tremendous, EVO solid, Hammer Obsession
Medium Oil Ball: EVO pearl, True Motion, Columbia Command, DV8 Intimidator
Light Oil Ball: Blue Hammer
Location: Michigan

Re: Customer asked for a pinky hole.... how to pitch it?

Post by EricHartwell »

The pinky will be stronger in a conventional hole, just saying.
Also the conventional hole, no grip, the hole will be smaller diameter and further from the ring finger so the chance of intersecting is virtually nil.
Pitch should be determined by the flexibility of the pinky finger.
The lateral determined by the relationship between the pinky and ring finger. Looking at my hand I would make the lateral the same as my ring finger. You need to evaluate His hand.

Yes your idea will help keep them from intersecting if he insists on fingertip.

I was kind of hoping one of the proshop guys would have chimed in with their thoughts/expertise.
Eric Hartwell

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PAP 4.75" up 1/2"
45* rotation
12* tilt
330 rev rate
16 mph off hand
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DarkHorse
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Re: Customer asked for a pinky hole.... how to pitch it?

Post by DarkHorse »

Did this for an older friend suffering from arthritis.

I had her place her hand on the ball, and moved her pinky to a spot where she felt comfortable, that it wasn't spread out too far. Measured for a conventional span.

For drilling, I traced a line centered on her pinky, and used that as my "centerline," drilling like a thumbhole on the line, vs a finger hole next to a line. I simply pitched 1/2" REV along that line, and gave her a good amount of bevel. She's been very happy with the result, and had her next 2 set up that way.

It hasn't noticeably affected her release, and her hand pains (relating to bowling) have stopped.

If you have some junk balls laying around, try those first to verify they won't intersect.

EDIT - If this had gone in the "Pro Shop" section, you might have gotten more responses. Just a thought.
Right Handed
Speed: 18 mph (foul line)
Rev Rate: ~350 rpm
Tilt: 10*
Rotation: 55*
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Re: Customer asked for a pinky hole.... how to pitch it?

Post by Munson »

Thanks guys. I have his card so I'll drill up a dummy ball and see if he likes the conventional hole.
-Mark-
YABA/ABC/USBC Sanctioned:
3's - 23
8's - 11 (846 high)
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