Expert: - 7/17/2008

Question
Hi, Warren. Hope you can help... I just bought a Cell and am in the process of decide which drilling layout is best for me.  Of course, I´ve been discussing with the driller in a pro shop, but I´ll appreciate your opinion about pin position, pin buffer, distance to PAP, etc, even though I know you can advise better seeing me bowl. These are my specs:
- Speed: 15.2 mph
- Revs: Medium
- PAP 5 5/8 by 1 7/8 up
- High track
- Stroker with 174 average; best game, 266
- Need to fight heavy oil (that´s the reason I´m making the transition from actual Venus to a Cell)
- The new ball is 15 pounds
Grip specs:
- Middle finger, CTC (cut to cut) 4 11/16, TS (total span) 4 7/8
- Ring finger, CTC 4 7/8, TS 5 1/16
I usually throw from 4 to 5 boards to the right of center dot toward second arrow, but I´m capable of throwing from far left when lane conditions are right for an entry level ball like the Venus.
Hope I gave enough information. Thanks in advance...
Oscar

Answer
Oscar,
Getting an idea how the Venus is working, and it's layout will help round out the info you provided. If you can provide the details of the Venus layout (un-drilled mass bias to PAP and VAL, Pin to PAP, Pin Buffer, Weight hole if you have one and where is it located)? If your driller knows the MoRich Dual Angle layout technique, send that info. Or, if you can take a picture (against a strong contrast background) and send it (revbowl@gmail.com). I can confirm some of the suppositions below and be more comfortable with my suggestions.

Is the old ball 15 pounds (if the old ball is lighter you will throw the new one slower)? The stronger surface and stronger core of the Cell should allow it to do more for you.

Looking to stay in the middle of the lane, keep the layout of the New Cell less aggressive by placing your mass bias further away from the vertical Axis Line (VAL) than the Venus layout. Assuming your Venus has a strong pin placement, I'd set up the Pin to PAP about 4 1/2 inches. If the Mass Bias is closer to the PAP than 5 inches, the transition from skid to hook may be too soon or to hard (necessitating a surface adjustment).

Your PAP and higher track indicate a lesser degree of axis rotation most likely, so potentially earlier rolling ball reaction but your  rev rate and tilt doesn't get the ball to bite a huge amount on the back. Use a closer pin buffer 1 1/2 to 3 inches (a little closer than the Venus) to gain tilt on the backend.

Thanks for the questions, looking forward to hearing back.