Expert: - 1/3/2009

Question
QUESTION: here's the ball history and ??,(14 pd. fire quantum)originally drilled right handed,around 24 or so games on it,then plugged and drilled for a left hander,my wife)(around 2 yrs ,two leagues a week),question is-ball has not been resurfaced since new(unless it's automatically resurfaced when plugging holes)there is no gouges or chips on surface,a few scratches-no depth on them,can i plug ball again and have redrilled again using the original hand pattern on ball for right handed again, redrilling same right hand holes(i'm right handed,my wife is left handed)without harming ball or reaction,would resurface help make new??i've been told that redrilling ball more then a few times will trash ball out and might as well get a new one for optimal reaction as opposed as resurface and redrill.i have been told by a few others that as long as no big chips,gouges,or loose core that resurface will make ball as good as new and as long as plug job is good that will have no bearing on ball.

ANSWER: Bob,
The ball is rolling over very little of the surface that you will roll on when you switch the grip. My only concern would be redrilling removes some of the top weight/core material. The lack of imbalance can be made up with a weight hole but the core material removed when a ball is drilled influences how it rolls.

It sounds like you bowl on synthetic lanes, they damage a ball less than wood (typically). So if surface is not an issue, the second redrill shouldn't be a huge problem. The ball has absorbed some oil, but again on the opposite part of the ball.

I'd be more concerned that you didn't like it before, what makes you think that it will work better now? Especially since the drill redrill process will reduce its effectiveness to a degree.

Thanks for the question. Happy New Year.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thanks for your response,the lanes are half synthetic (guardian)and half wood,when i had it first,i had quite a few balls and decided to give it to my wife since it only had a few games on it,she moved on to a different ball weight now and i want to utilize it again.do proshops automatically (resurface)balls when they are plugged to get ready to redrill??

ANSWER: Bob,
No, the surface is smoothed (to match whatever surface is needed)once the plug is cut. We actually offer a special on a resurface with each plug job, because once part of the ball is cut and worked on, it doesn't take much to completely resurface the whole ball. Ask the shop people about it, if you think a resurface will help.

A clean consistent surface will help you enjoy the ball again, but I'd be mildly concerned about the impact multiple drills have had on the core.

Thanks for the questions. Good luck with the ball.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thanks again,one last inquirey,i understand about too many plug and redrills in the core and resurface of the ball effecting the reaction,but as i stated besides the ball being plugged and drilled for lefthanded,even though it will plugged a second time for me again,i am going to have the original holes opened up upon the first drilling  i had for me when the ball was new,so in essence the ball would be only like a one time plug and redrill covering my wifes holes if my holes are reopened not really taking mass material out og the ball then a one time plug job,Correct??and the ball never been resurfaced,wouldn't that also be installing the ball back to a pretty good reaction not really losing all that much contention as related to a new ball?? again thanks for your time and advice.    bob

Answer
Bob,
The surface contains the reactive resin material that provides much of the value of the surface. Some is gone from your play (minimal) some is gone from your wife's (more, but mostly, in another area of the ball).

The ball has absorbed dirt and oil from the lane.

Your redrill, while going back into the same place on the ball (as your previous fit), won't effect the ball much (if positioned exactly where it was). But, expect a change in reaction, possibly just subtle or possibly 20-30%.

The resurface, if the ball is returned to it's previous texture and with the Brunswick polish, you should get similar but slightly diminished reaction. I believe with all that's been done, you will experience less that the ball when new. But comparing it to when it was new, you may find it playable. But to expect the reaction you enjoyed when it was new, is a stretch.  

Thanks for the question and follow ups. Good bowling.