Drilling Brunswick Einstein: A Guide

Drilling a Brunswick Einstein bowling ball requires specific equipment and a good understanding of the process. The drilling technique significantly impacts the ball's performance, and it is crucial to ensure the holes are drilled accurately and symmetrically. The drilling process involves several steps, including preparing the ball, determining the layout and grip, and using a drill press with specialised bits to create the holes. The Brunswick Einstein bowling ball can be drilled using standard drilling techniques for asymmetric core balls, and the ball's unique core shape is considered in the drilling process to ensure consistent ball reaction characteristics.

Choosing the right grip

Conventional Grip

The conventional grip, also known as the "finger tip grip," is the most common grip style for bowling. With this grip, only your fingers and thumb go into the holes, allowing the ball to rest comfortably in the palm of your hand. This grip provides a good balance between control and comfort. It is suitable for bowlers with average-sized hands and fingers and is the recommended grip for recreational bowlers.

Fingertip Grip

The fingertip grip is often preferred by more advanced bowlers as it offers more control and allows for greater revolution of the ball. With this grip, only the tips of your fingers go into the holes, leaving a larger gap between your palm and the ball. This grip can be advantageous for generating hook potential and achieving more striking power. However, it may take some time to get used to the feel of the ball resting less in the palm of your hand.

Semi-Fingertip Grip

The semi-fingertip grip, as the name suggests, is a middle ground between the conventional and fingertip grips. It offers a balance between the control of the fingertip grip and the comfort of the conventional grip. With this grip, your fingers go deeper into the holes than with the fingertip grip, providing a more secure hold on the ball. This grip is suitable for bowlers who want more control without sacrificing too much comfort.

Fit and Adjustments

It's important to remember that not everyone's hands and fingers are the same, so finding the perfect grip for your Brunswick Einstein bowling ball may require some adjustments. Even with pre-sized drilling options, you may find that slight modifications are needed to achieve the ideal fit. A professional drilling service can help ensure your ball is drilled to match your unique hand and finger measurements.

In conclusion, choosing the right grip for your Brunswick Einstein bowling ball depends on factors such as hand size, finger length, and your bowling style. Whether you choose a conventional, fingertip, or semi-fingertip grip, ensuring a proper fit will help you bowl with confidence and improve your game. Remember that you can always seek advice from a pro shop or experienced bowler to guide you in choosing and adjusting your grip for optimal performance.

Cleaning the bowling ball surface

The coverstock of a bowling ball has the most influence on its performance, so it's important to keep it clean and well-maintained. A layer of oil and dirt can affect the ball's grip on the lane, so it's recommended to wipe your ball with a towel after every game. Ideally, you should use a lint-free, microfiber cloth to protect the finish of your ball.

For a simple clean, you can wipe down your ball with a small amount of rubbing alcohol on a cloth, and then dry it with a towel. This is best done after each use to prevent oil build-up.

For a deeper clean, you can use the following method, known as "pulling the oil out of the ball". First, cover the finger holes with waterproof tape to prevent water from seeping in. Then, fill a bucket with hot water and submerge the ball for about 20 minutes. After soaking, remove the ball from the bucket and dry it with a lint-free towel, ensuring that the tape is still in place. Once the ball is mostly dry, remove the tape and dry it again.

You can also use an oil extraction machine to clean your bowling ball. These machines are available at most bowling pro shops and will help remove deeply entrenched oil. The process usually takes around an hour and a half.

In addition to regular cleaning, periodic resurfacing is important to restore the pores of the ball and maintain its grip on the lane. You can either have your bowling ball professionally resurfaced or do it yourself at home using a bowling ball spinner and sanding pads.

Products to clean a bowling ball

There are several commercial bowling ball cleaners available on the market, but you can also use homemade options. Here are some products that can be used to clean a bowling ball:

• Rubbing alcohol
• Waterproof tape
• Hot water
• Lint-free towels
• Windex (USBC-approved)
• Simple Green (degreaser)
• Ammonia (basic cleaner)

Inspecting the bowling ball

Inspecting a Brunswick Einstein bowling ball is a crucial step in the process of drilling and customising your ball. Here are some detailed instructions and considerations to keep in mind during the inspection process:

Firstly, it is important to understand the core type and dynamics of the Brunswick Einstein bowling ball. This ball features a Modified Mastermind Low RG core with a single-density, squared-off elliptical inner core. This design extends the rotational energy and boosts angular velocity, resulting in increased pin action and higher scores. Understanding the core dynamics will help you make more informed decisions during the drilling process.

Next, examine the coverstock of the ball. The Brunswick Einstein features a hybrid coverstock called the Relativity Hybrid Reactive. This coverstock provides more traction in the oil, smoothing out the overall reaction shape. By understanding how the coverstock interacts with the lane surface, you can determine the optimal layout and drilling instructions for your ball.

When inspecting the Brunswick Einstein bowling ball, pay close attention to the ball's performance characteristics. This ball is known for its predictable motion and versatility. It tends to be cleaner through the heads compared to other balls, and it doesn't overreact on the backend. This makes it a great option for league or tournament bowlers who want a ball that reads the lane without overreacting.

Consider the ball's performance on different lane conditions. The Brunswick Einstein performs exceptionally well on medium to oily lane conditions. It provides easy length through the heads, mid-lane traction, and a strong move on the backend in these conditions. However, it's essential to test the ball on your typical lane conditions to understand how it performs for your specific style of play.

Finally, take into account your bowling style and skill level. The Brunswick Einstein bowling ball is suitable for a wide range of bowlers, from beginners to experienced players. If you're a league or tournament bowler, this ball can provide the versatility and predictability you need to adjust your play style accordingly.

Remember, the inspection process is crucial to understanding how your bowling ball performs and how it can be customised to enhance your game. Take your time to evaluate the core, coverstock, performance characteristics, and lane conditions to make informed decisions about drilling and layout instructions.

Pin-up layout

Drilling a bowling ball is a crucial process that greatly affects its performance. Drilling allows the ball to be tailored to the bowler's hand size, style, and desired ball reaction, resulting in better control, accuracy, and performance. The drilling layout refers to the positioning and orientation of the finger and thumb holes on the ball's surface.

The pin-up layout is a drilling arrangement where the pin, which is the top marking on the ball, is positioned above the finger holes. This layout creates a longer skid phase and a sharper hook at the backend, resulting in more length and a stronger backend reaction. It is suitable for bowlers who want a more angular ball motion.

To achieve the pin-up layout, the drilling process begins by securing the bowling ball in a drilling jig, which holds the ball in place during drilling and helps maintain the desired hole positions. The first step is to drill the finger holes. Using a 1 1/4" Forstner drill bit, set the drill press to the desired angle, typically between 3 and 15 degrees. Slowly lower the drill bit into the ball, applying moderate pressure, and maintain a consistent speed throughout the drilling process. Drill to a depth of around 1 3/8" to 1 1/2". Repeat this process for the second finger hole, ensuring consistency in angle and depth.

After the finger holes are drilled, the ball is repositioned in the drilling jig to align for drilling the thumb hole. For this, a larger 1 3/8" Forstner drill bit is used. Set the drill press to the desired angle, typically between 0 and 10 degrees, ensuring it complements your preferred release style and desired ball motion. As with the finger holes, lower the drill bit gradually, applying steady pressure, and maintain a consistent speed. Drill the thumb hole to a depth of approximately 1 3/8" to 1 1/2", ensuring symmetry with the finger holes and a comfortable fit for your thumb.

The pin-up layout can be customized to suit your specific needs. The drilling angles for the finger holes can be adjusted within the range of 3 to 15 degrees, depending on factors such as your release style, desired ball motion, and chosen layout. Similarly, the thumb hole angle can be adjusted between 0 and 10 degrees to align with your preferred release technique and desired ball motion. The hole depths can also be customized based on your hand size, flexibility, and comfort level.

Remember, drilling a bowling ball requires specialized equipment and knowledge. It is important to prioritize safety and accuracy throughout the process. If you are uncertain or lack experience, it is recommended to seek guidance from a professional or an experienced bowler.

Pin-down layout

The pin-down layout is a bowling ball drilling technique where the pin, or the top of the bowling ball's core, is positioned below the fingers. This configuration promotes an earlier rolling motion and a smoother hook, making it ideal for bowlers seeking more control and a predictable ball path, particularly on oilier lane settings.

When a ball is drilled using the pin-down layout, the holes are drilled into the top of the core, removing more mass from the weight block, especially from the top. This results in a shorter weight block than its original state. The pin-down layout is perfect for bowlers who want their ball to roll earlier on the lane but struggle to achieve this with their current setup.

Pin-down drilling layouts are best used when you need to move to a new area on the lane but want to maintain your current playing style and zone. This is because the ball reaction is less aggressive, allowing you to stay in the same area. Pin-down layouts are also beneficial for bowlers with lower rev rates or ball speeds as they provide a slower and more controllable ball reaction.

However, there are some disadvantages to using a pin-down layout. These layouts tend to be slower and less responsive on longer or higher-volume oil patterns (house or sport shots). Additionally, they may not provide enough reaction off the breakpoint and can be less effective when trying to play deeper into the lane where there is more oil.

When deciding whether to use a pin-down layout, it's important to consider your bowling style, lane conditions, and personal preferences. Consulting with an experienced pro shop operator can also help you make the right decision for your specific needs.

Frequently asked questions