From: vince@paradyne.com (Vince Ciletti)
Subject: Re: Drilling a Turbo X
Organization: AT&T Paradyne, Largo, Florida
Date: Thu, 19 Nov 1992 18:04:46 GMT

In article <1992Nov17.160526.3803@delfin.com> antonp@delfin.com (Anton Pintar) writes:
>What's this pin-up/pin-down/pin 3 o'clock stuff?

To answer your question correctly, I first need to explain what the pin is, 
and why you would want it up, down or neutral.

On two piece balls (Hammers, Turbos, Enforcers, etc.) the pin looks like a 
small "plug" hole (about a 1/4" in diameter) and is usually the same color as
the ball, but not always.  This is generally close to the label (for a Turbo X,
it should be close to the "Turbo X" writing).  I'm working from memory, but it
should look something like (excuse the character art!):


					*
			   *         *
		   *                 *
		  
        *                       *
                 0    0
      *         0 0  0 0          *
                 0    0

     *         Turbo X  @<-PIN     *
            Reactive Resin
      *    [other label stuff]    *

        *          00           *
                  0  0
		   *      0  0       *
		           00
			   *         *
					*

This pin represents the dynamic center of balance.  As you may know, 
finger/thumb, +/- side weight, and top/bottom all effect the roll of the ball 
in different ways.  These are all static imbalances, which can be measured on
a "do-do" scale (really, that's what they call it!).  The dynamic imbalance
effects the ball in a similar (but potentially) stronger way than the static 
imbalance does.  There are legal limits to how much static imbalance you can 
have, but the only limit to dynamic imbalance is where the pin is in relation
to the grip and static center, and how big of a balance hole you can use to
bring the static balance back to the legal limits.  So effectively, you could
have a ball that REACTS like it has 2 oz of finger weight, but weighs out at
zero finger weight on the scale.

Now I can answer the original question.  The clock positions are the 
orientation of the grip and the pin, relative to the static center (i.e. 
the label).  Think of the static center as the center of the clock, with the 
fingers on top (around 12 O'clock) and the thumb on the bottom (at 6 O'clock). 
The "hour hand of the clock extends from the static center to the pin.  As an
example, the first picture above is (approximately) 1-2 O'clock, while the 
picture below is 6 O'clock.

					*
			   *         *
		   *                 *
		  
        *                       *
                       PIN 
      * 0               |         *
       0 0              V     00
        0      Turbo X  @    0  0
     *      Reactive Resin   0  0  *
        0                     00
      *0 0                        *
        0
        *                       *
                      
		   *                 *
		               
			   *         *
					*

You can still shift the grip sideways to get +/- side weight. 
Notice that both pictures show the grip over the static center, but you would
get very different reactions from these two drillings.  The further toward
12 O'clock (pin up) you move the pin, the more you will delay the hook and
create more snap.  The closer to 6 O'clock (pin down) you get, the sooner the
ball will roll (and decrease the snap).  Positioning the pin at 3 o'clock will
give you an "inbetween" reaction.

IMPORTANT FOR LEFT HANDERS - The pin up/down is still valid for use but
remember to use the other side of the clock!  i.e. neutral is 9 o'clock.

One important thing to note is that you rotate the grip around the label to
position the pin at a given clock position.  In the above picture, moving the
holes up or down would not change the fact that it is still 6 O'clock.


Sorry for the long winded explanation, but I hope it was understandable (and
hopefully helpful). If you have anymore questions, feel free to send me e-mail.


Good luck,

Vince
Newsgroups: alt.sport.bowling