How-To: Use A Spinner

[JoshWithrow]

Okay... this seems like it may be considered dumb, but I like to be thorough. I'm scoping out spinners as a spinner will be my next purchase (before I purchase another ball) as they seem to be a valuable piece of any arsenal (ohs nos I said the dirty word!).

Anyway, I'm looking them over and start to wonder... what's the proper way to use one of these? Do I just set the ball in the spinner and walk away? Does a ball need to be wet? Do I need to flip/twist/turn the ball every so often? If I'm resurfacing my ball is there anything I need to pay attention to? If I'm polishing a ball is there anything I need to pay attention to?

So I thought I'd bring it here to you guys... my local pros. Could you either give a good rundown on how to properly make use of one of these or point me in the right direction?

[slap]

I'll try to make a detail post when I get home tonight for now...

Watch this video

http://www.brunswickbowling.com/product_videos/active--comfort-zones.wmv

[Rowdy]

I.....um.....You,no....uh.....I can't,I just can't.This is TOO easy.It would be like shooting fish in a barrel.Dear God help me.......I WANT to so bad,but no,I'll be the better man here and just sit back and watch.Y'all have fun,now.

[BradM]

I.....um.....You,no....uh.....I can't,I just can't.This is TOO easy.It would be like shooting fish in a barrel.Dear God help me.......I WANT to so bad,but no,I'll be the better man here and just sit back and watch.Y'all have fun,now.

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l148/kitsuna3/1179764331392.jpg

[JoshWithrow]

I.....um.....You,no....uh.....I can't,I just can't.This is TOO easy.It would be like shooting fish in a barrel.Dear God help me.......I WANT to so bad,but no,I'll be the better man here and just sit back and watch.Y'all have fun,now.

Yeah... another meaningless post from Rowdy. How am I less than surprised? The world will never know... and it's all because of a purple ball named Barney.

[xGatez]

That spinner does look really cool, does that video have sound? It doesn't for me and i was just wondering if maybe it isn't working for me.

[JoshWithrow]

I'll try to make a detail post when I get home tonight for now...

Watch this video

http://www.brunswickbowling.com/product_videos/active--comfort-zones.wmv

Well... I'm embarrassed to admit but my assumption about the way a spinner "worked" was wrong (never been able to see my Pro Shop guy, or anybody, use one). I thought you put the abrasive/pad/treatment/etc in the bottom of the cup and the spinner did the "work"... now I realize all it does is actually spin the ball so that you can condition the ball more easily.

See... stupid question, obvious answer. Everybody wins ;) Thanks slap that answered one question.

How much pressure do you apply when you're polishing? Dulling? Is there too much or too little pressure? Is it common sense in the way of "if it's causing the spinner to bog down then it's too much, stupid!"?

[slap]

Well... I'm embarrassed to admit but my assumption about the way a spinner "worked" was wrong (never been able to see my Pro Shop guy, or anybody, use one). I thought you put the abrasive/pad/treatment/etc in the bottom of the cup and the spinner did the "work"... now I realize all it does is actually spin the ball so that you can condition the ball more easily.

See... stupid question, obvious answer. Everybody wins ;) Thanks slap that answered one question.

How much pressure do you apply when you're polishing? Dulling? Is there too much or too little pressure? Is it common sense in the way of "if it's causing the spinner to bog down then it's too much, stupid!"?

No it's not a stupid question, in fact your assumption was almost correct. You're thinking of a Haus machine. These are closer to being automatic.

http://www.bowlinggift.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=bg&Product_Code=HRSBR&Category_Code=brbgg

[slap]

Okay, now you have the basic concept. You put the ball in the cup and it spins. You use your hand to apply the cleaner, polish or abrasive. Heat builds up from this action and that's what makes cleaning and polishing on a spinner more effective than by hand.

[TenPinSniper]

My only disagreement with that video is there is six side to a bowling ball.

Here is a polishing trick to get a nice shine, water. Also, get the ball hot.

Here are the side I use:
-3 finger holes up
-3 finger holes down
-Finger holes down to the cup, thumb hole up (This will be like looking at a face, finger eyes, thumb mouth)
-Thumb hole down to the cup, finger holes up
-Track side towards the ceiling
-Track side towards the cup.

[TenPinSniper]

Ebonite has one like the Haus... might check it out. Heard the price is much better.

[slap]

Ebonite has one like the Haus... might check it out. Heard the price is much better.

If someone has a Haus at home they are truly hardcore!

[TenPinSniper]

If someone has a Haus at home they are truly hardcore!

Almost bought a use one. If I would have known about the Ebonite's price might have check the price . Suppose to be alot more affordable, than the Haus. They (Haus type machines) just dont polish as well as spinners.

My Proshop has Haus machine is at home in the garage. He is faster on the spinner. Think it does about the same job. You still have to be attentive with the Haus type machines.

[BradM]

I say we all buy Luster Kings.

[slap]

Also read this...
http://donkee.com/Tips.htm

[ravenhammer]

OK why would want a spinner at home. Post discussion here (http://forums.hammerbowling.com/showthread.php?p=26830#post26830) so not to hijack.

[JoshWithrow]

Also read this...
http://donkee.com/Tips.htm

Ooohhh that is hawt n seksy... takes all the guesswork out of it.

So the sanding/dulling is pretty straightforward... but I want to know... is there any polish that's better than the rest? Or is that dependent upon certain factors?

For a more specific example as to why I'm asking... I want to take my Cherry VIBE down to 4000 Abralon and then repolish it (I don't want it to jump so hard). Is there a right or wrong polish for this?

[JoshWithrow]

I say we all buy Luster Kings.

LOL!!! The house I bowl at has one of those suckers... it's like 30 years old and I don't know when the lastime somebody used it was.

[MessiahsHammer]

What a great post very informative... Never really cared about this stuff before I came on to this site... Thanks for all this great info guys...

[slap]

Ooohhh that is hawt n seksy... takes all the guesswork out of it.

So the sanding/dulling is pretty straightforward... but I want to know... is there any polish that's better than the rest? Or is that dependent upon certain factors?

For a more specific example as to why I'm asking... I want to take my Cherry VIBE down to 4000 Abralon and then repolish it (I don't want it to jump so hard). Is there a right or wrong polish for this?

For the most part is pretty simple. The learning curve is really knowing how much pressure to apply.

For restoring a polished ball you really can't go wrong with using the product from the factory. Ebonite uses Factory Finish Polish on most of the recent releases. Once you get your machine and you really get into it, and you will, there are tons of other polishes and compounds that you'll want to try.

[slap]

What a great post very informative... Never really cared about this stuff before I came on to this site... Thanks for all this great info guys...

Surface is important, whether you have a spinner or not. With this information you can work with your pro shop to fine tune your balls.

[JoshWithrow]

Surface is important, whether you have a spinner or not. With this information you can work with your pro shop to fine tune your balls.

Better yet... with this information I can purchase my spinner in the next 6-8 weeks and not have to drop these off at my proshop for the resurfaces, thorough cleanings, and (what should be) regular maintenance.

Now that I think about it my NM is getting a big glossy...

[slap]

Better yet... with this information I can purchase my spinner in the next 6-8 weeks and not have to drop these off at my proshop for the resurfaces, thorough cleanings, and (what should be) regular maintenance.

Now that I think about it my NM is getting a big glossy...

cool you should have the basic ideas down by then. keep the questions rolling

[TenPinSniper]

Polishing the more presure the better.
Sanding try to keep a presure even for the 5-60 per side, you'll get a feel for what works for you. When doing a complete resurface I may not need to sand all six sides with the same grit. you just have to do it to the other side, so it counts by 2's...

When you first start out, you'll want to wipe off the ball between grits. To make sure you are sanding out the previous grit.

Got a box of shop towels like this... some of the other ones look good too.
http://www.kcdiy.com/diy/products/Shop-Towels.asp

Happy to help, more the tweaker, tuners... the better.

[Tinkerbell]

Polishing the more presure the better.
Sanding try to keep a presure even for the 5-60 per side, you'll get a feel for what works for you. When doing a complete resurface I may not need to sand all six sides with the same grit. you just have to do it to the other side, so it counts by 2's...

When you first start out, you'll want to wipe off the ball between grits. To make sure you are sanding out the previous grit.

Got a box of shop towels like this... some of the other ones look good too.
http://www.kcdiy.com/diy/products/Shop-Towels.asp

Happy to help, more the tweaker, tuners... the better.

What does it mean when you sand to a specific amount mean?and what does it do to your ball on the lane.

[TenPinSniper]

Polishing the more presure the better.
Sanding try to keep a presure even for the 5-60 seconds per side, you'll get a feel for what works for you.


Does that clear it up?

[Tinkerbell]

Polishing the more presure the better.
Sanding try to keep a presure even for the 5-60 seconds per side, you'll get a feel for what works for you.


Does that clear it up?

I think so.I am pretty sure the more polish the futher it goes before the hook and the more sanding the bigger the hook.is that right?lol

[TenPinSniper]

I think so.I am pretty sure the more polish the futher it goes before the hook and the more sanding the bigger the hook.is that right?lol

Guess thats about right!

I do realize that when a ball is dull down to lower grit than it current grit, there is the potential for more hook. But there is also the potential for the ball to roll out (lose or use all of it energy before it hits the pins).

When I change the surface of the ball I like to think about the desired ball reaction.

Duller surface aka ball with surface/lot of surface: cause the ball to slow earlier and hook earlier down lane. This is referred to as arching. This ball will read the friction earlier.

Shiner Surface: Will delay hook, further down the lane. This can referred to as skid.

[Tinkerbell]

Guess thats about right!

I do realize that when a ball is dull down to lower grit than it current grit, there is the potential for more hook. But there is also the potential for the ball to roll out (lose or use all of it energy before it hits the pins).

When I change the surface of the ball I like to think about the desired ball reaction.

Duller surface aka ball with surface/lot of surface: cause the ball to slow earlier and hook earlier down lane. This is referred to as arching. This ball will read the friction earlier.

Shiner Surface: Will delay hook, further down the lane. This can referred to as skid.
Thanks TenPin got it now.

[slap]

Thanks TenPin got it now.

Tinker, watch the video at the top of the thread. They throw a dull ball and then polish it to show the difference.

[James]

Hey maybe I will get half of my sling blade to 800 sanded, and the other half will be polished to the most available....lol got to make sure that half of my track is on the polished side and half is on the rough side, that way I have 1 strike ball that does anything! lol just a thought, but i definitely will expiriment (that was just an example) lol:D

[Rowdy]

You guy just make sure to have a supply of old house balls to practice on.Be a shame to ruin a really big dollar ball the first time out on the spinner.

[slap]

You guy just make sure to have a supply of old house balls to practice on.Be a shame to ruin a really big dollar ball the first time out on the spinner.

I could recommend cleaning and polishing several balls first. That way you can get a feel for the spinner. Then move onto sanding.

[slap]

Hey maybe I will get half of my sling blade to 800 sanded, and the other half will be polished to the most available....lol got to make sure that half of my track is on the polished side and half is on the rough side, that way I have 1 strike ball that does anything! lol just a thought, but i definitely will expiriment (that was just an example) lol:D

there is a rule against that. the ball has to be uniform

[JoshWithrow]

I could recommend cleaning and polishing several balls first. That way you can get a feel for the spinner. Then move onto sanding.

My thoughts exactly (as in that's what I planned on doing... starting with babysteps ;) )

[James]

there is a rule against that. the ball has to be uniform

Does my league have to know? lol jk I will probably have my bw sanded to 1000 and work from there. I am just very worried about roll out, if I change a 4000 to 1000 surface finish. will be nice when i get it fine tuned and it will be ready to roll (300s coming i can feel it!)

[Thepainscoming]

Can anyone please share what 4000 grit abralon is in actual sand paper grit. I've heard it is higher than what it actually it is.

[slap]

from my understanding the grits are equivalent.

[Thepainscoming]

from my understanding the grits are equivalent.
Really, o i've heard that the abralon pads aren't as fine as 4000 sandpaper would.

[TenPinSniper]

You guy just make sure to have a supply of old house balls to practice on.Be a shame to ruin a really big dollar ball the first time out on the spinner.

Guess its all a comfort thing.

If you are unsure, might be a good ideal to see if your proshop will give you a lesson in use.

Personally unless I use a light hand when I sand... would rather take more time... than screw something up. Generally time each side. Just remember to keep your hand moving. I generally use alot of water.

I have had tips from several people on using my spinner.
Ranging from Jayhawk Bowling Supply, several people I that work in proshops and a couple of people who also have home spinners. Plus, I read several articles about using spinners.

*** Also have heard that 4000 Abralon is 1500 grit on sandpaper.***

[JoshWithrow]

Water doesn't reduce the effects of the dulling?

[TenPinSniper]

The main use of water is to keep the ball rinsed off and keep sand media clean of dust/ball particles.

Wet sanding ball is just like anything else.

[JoshWithrow]

Cool.

See it's all these little things that people assume are obvious that I like to ask about. Being a teacher I've learned that one can never assume their own knowledge as common knowledge. Instead, state the obvious. Worse case scenario is that that what you've stated is already known. Worst case... somebody learned something today ;)

[TenPinSniper]

Cool.

See it's all these little things that people assume are obvious that I like to ask about. Being a teacher I've learned that one can never assume their own knowledge as common knowledge. Instead, state the obvious. Worse case scenario is that that what you've stated is already known. Worst case... somebody learned something today ;)

What someone once told me, the only stupid question is the one not asked.

[Thepainscoming]

*** Also have heard that 4000 Abralon is 1500 grit on sandpaper.***
Ok, i've also heard that it isn't as fine. Is there anybody else with an opinion. Or can any of the Pro Shop guys clear this up.

[slap]

Ok, i've also heard that it isn't as fine. Is there anybody else with an opinion. Or can any of the Pro Shop guys clear this up.

Ok I did a little google search and I think I have the answer.

Abralon grits are same as Wet/Dry sandpaper. The both use silicon carbide as the abrasive.

Woodworking sandpaper uses Aluminum Oxide or Garnet as the abrasive.

4000 grit silicon carbide = 1500 grit Aluminum Oxide

Silicon carbide is harder than Aluminum Oxide and Garnet so I doubt that woodworking sandpaper would be effective on a bowling ball. The only pad finer than a 4000 abralon is one of the Trizact diamond pads. I not sure which one though, those have pretty much disappeared from the bowling world. I've actually never seen one.

[Thepainscoming]

Ok I did a little google search and I think I have the answer.

Abralon grits are same as Wet/Dry sandpaper. The both use silicon carbide as the abrasive.

Woodworking sandpaper uses Aluminum Oxide or Garnet as the abrasive.

4000 grit silicon carbide = 1500 grit Aluminum Oxide

Silicon carbide is harder than Aluminum Oxide and Garnet so I doubt that woodworking sandpaper would be effective on a bowling ball. The only pad finer than a 4000 abralon is one of the Trizact diamond pads. I not sure which one though, those have pretty much disappeared from the bowling world. I've actually never seen one.

Ok, thanx for that. so if i needed a bit earlier roll, than the 600 scotch-brite, the 500 grit abralon would be good for that.

[slap]

Let out this chart. I've seen this before but it took me a while to find it again.

http://home.earthlink.net/~litefrozen/bowling/bowling_grit_chart.pdf

[Thepainscoming]

Let out this chart. I've seen this before but it took me a while to find it again.

http://home.earthlink.net/~litefrozen/bowling/bowling_grit_chart.pdf
According to that chart, it says that the 500 abralon, is rougher than the maroon scotch-brite pad which is 360