Thumb Slug Gap

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Bowlin4Beers
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Thumb Slug Gap

Post by Bowlin4Beers »

Hey all - long time no see :)

Recently purchased a new ball and noticed a small gap between the slug and coverstock. Asked my driller about it who said it was OK but I think he thought I was asking about the groove in the slug. Could this cause any issues down the road? All my other balls have no noticeable gap around the slug so I'm not sure how a gap like this could even happen.

I'd hate to have to have it redone since Mo himself carved the thumb oval and the difference in feel vs a round hole is amazing.
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Re: Thumb Slug Gap

Post by stevespo »

I would fill the gap with medium viscosity CA (superglue). Possibly mix some epoxy and thin it down slightly with alcohol. Just to improve the contact and make sure it doesn't come loose.

Not sure how the gap happened, but sometimes bits wander and create oversized holes.

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Re: Thumb Slug Gap

Post by bfweld »

I'm not a driller so I can't say for sure what happened or if it will be a future problem, but it appears to me like your driller had a bit of drillbit deflection while drilling your thumb hole, causing part of the hole to be larger/ovaled out a bit.

Also, I would suggest you look into having a custom slug mold made from that slug if you like it that much...that way you can have the exact same fit in the next slug that gets put in a ball...or use that mold to have a custom switch-grip type slug made for you.
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Re: Thumb Slug Gap

Post by MegaMav »

Bowlin4Beers wrote:I'd hate to have to have it redone since Mo himself carved the thumb oval and the difference in feel vs a round hole is amazing.
It would be wise to get a mold of it before the thing shatters.
I have yet to meet someone that can shape like Mo.
Hes like a plastic surgeon.
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Re: Thumb Slug Gap

Post by snick »

Slugs vary in diameter, even from the same manufacturer.
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Re: Thumb Slug Gap

Post by VLe »

A dull drill bit may cause this to the top of the hole. Especially if there is even little bit play on the machine. Its more noticeable with more pitch used in the hole. You can try to use some slice of paper or thin needle etc to see if you can measure if the cap is only in the surface.

I doubt that this assymmetric hole goes very deep plus its not on the gripping side. Most likely you will be fine. If it were my ball, i would take a mold of it and then try to fill the cap as were mentioned earlier only to get a peace of mind when throwing the ball. :)
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Re: Thumb Slug Gap

Post by Bowlin4Beers »

MegaMav wrote:
It would be wise to get a mold of it before the thing shatters.
I have yet to meet someone that can shape like Mo.
Hes like a plastic surgeon.

That's definitely the plan when I go up Tuesday for some coaching. Mo worked the new ball and then they copied it for my other balls. The lanes were packed that day so I wasn't able to try them out to see which one fit the best for molding. I'm not surprised that the ball Mo did is the best of the three.

I never met him before then. I knew he'd be there when they got the ball in so I was looking forward to meeting him...never expected him to walk over and starting drawing lines on my thumb with a pen to show me why he was doing what he was doing. I had tried a straight oval before and hated it but he explained that I'm not a total oval nor am I round.

His commentary was hilarious so that was a bonus. Not PG rated at all :lol:

I've been reading up on molding the thumb and saw several comments about them coming loose due to how they're made/installed hence my worry. I was able to get a thin strip of paper about 1/2" down before meeting resistance. I think I like the thinned epoxy idea to lock it in.
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Re: Thumb Slug Gap

Post by Viper »

MegaMav wrote:
It would be wise to get a mold of it before the thing shatters.
I have yet to meet someone that can shape like Mo.
Hes like a plastic surgeon.

Concur strongly with MegaMav's recommendation. I, too, have a custom-carved-by-Mo thumb slug. I immediately had a mold made of it. I subsequently moved to a Turbo Switch Grip system for my thumb and it's easy to have a slug made from the mold and glued into the system's inner-sleeve. Keep in mind that I have been told that a mold is only good for maybe six castings so don't dispose of the ball with the original carved thumb slug.

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Re: Thumb Slug Gap

Post by JohnP »

If the slug is glued securely down in the hole the small gap isn't a problem. If you have any doubts get your driller to mix up a small amount of plug and drip it into the gap.
I doubt that this assymmetric hole goes very deep plus its not on the gripping side.
The hole you're referring to is a vent hole to allow air to escape when the slug is inserted, all slugs have them and they continue the entire length of the slug. If the driller is careful not to block the hole with glue it also serves as a vent to help give a smooth thumb release (prevent vacuum). -- JohnP
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Re: Thumb Slug Gap

Post by VLe »

JohnP wrote: The hole you're referring to is a vent hole to allow air to escape when the slug is inserted, all slugs have them and they continue the entire length of the slug. If the driller is careful not to block the hole with glue it also serves as a vent to help give a smooth thumb release (prevent vacuum). -- JohnP
With the assymmetric hole I meant the top part of the drilled hole where the drill bit may have wobbled due to the reasons mentioned earlier, causing the assymmetric shape, not the vent groove in the slug. Sorry about my bad english.
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Re: Thumb Slug Gap

Post by JohnP »

OK, simple misunderstanding. -- JohnP
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Re: Thumb Slug Gap

Post by Bowlin4Beers »

Question on the molded thumbs....what material is used for the actual slugs and how do they compare to regular Vise urethane slugs as far as feel?
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Re: Thumb Slug Gap

Post by ChrisTan »

Is the picture of the thumb hole by OP a round or Oval ??
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Re: Thumb Slug Gap

Post by Bowlin4Beers »

ChrisTan wrote:Is the picture of the thumb hole by OP a round or Oval ??
Neither. A bit of both and something in between.
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Re: Thumb Slug Gap

Post by ChrisTan »

Bowlin4Beers wrote:
Neither. A bit of both and something in between.
Im even more confuse now lmao :shock:
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Re: Thumb Slug Gap

Post by Bowlin4Beers »

ChrisTan wrote:
Im even more confuse now lmao :shock:

It's not a true oval. Can't remember how Mo put it exactly but ovals didn't work for me before because my thumb isn't completly oval. It's not round either hence the custom shaping he did.
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Re: Thumb Slug Gap

Post by MegaMav »

Might be a cone or trapezoidal thumb.
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Re: Thumb Slug Gap

Post by clatara »

Viper wrote:..................... Keep in mind that I have been told that a mold is only good for maybe six castings so don't dispose of the ball with the original carved thumb slug.

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Who the hell told you this! I have molds made with silicone 50 shore and even dental silicone 32 shore ( Exactacator white silicone is way too soft... may be 24 shore or less) that can last for making thousand of casting. :lol:
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Re: Thumb Slug Gap

Post by Bowlin4Beers »

I had also heard that as well and asked my driller about it. He said they're good for hundreds of molds.

The two molded balls are slightly larger than the original but the shape and overall feel is the same. The original needs to be opened up a bit on the back anyway. It's been much warmer here lately and was very warm last night at the lanes. I was forced to use the handkerchief trick about every other shot.
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