Expert: Chip Aki - 4/2/2004

Question
I want to learn how to drill my own bowling ball and all about the technical aspects that goes with it (CG, PAP, placement, ETC).  Where is a good place to learn how to drill a ball besides working with a proshop (My fulltime job doesn't allow me that kind of time) and what kind of equipment do I need.  I already have a table top drill press.  Thank you.

Answer
Classic products in Ft Wayne, bowling supply in Nashville, and Ace Mitchell in Akron offer seminars on ball drilling.  I am sure other bowling distributors do as well.  I would imagine you will have to contact them directly to check on the attendence policy and cost.

All of the ball companies have layout info on their web sites.

If you are going to get involved in exotic layouts, you will need a kaufman scale to weigh the balls with.  Good luck on finding a used one.  New they are around 800.00 or so.
If you use inserts, you could get by with on drill bit for the fingers and one for the thumb.  At most you would need 3 drill bits for your own use.

A ball spinner would really help in working of the surface condition of the balls.

Good luck,
Chip