Interchangeable thumb inserts

[Mudpuppy]

Who is using them and how good do they work?

I just recently went to a thumb slug and it seems pretty decent all the time. But would like adjust-ability.

And what needs to be done to the ball to put these in? Can it easily be done on an existing drilling? And what kind of cost are we talking - drilling and inserts? What kind of adjustment are you using - main size, size down, size up? More? Less?

[bowl1820]

Who is using them and how good do they work?

I just recently went to a thumb slug and it seems pretty decent all the time. But would like adjust-ability.

And what needs to be done to the ball to put these in? Can it easily be done on an existing drilling? And what kind of cost are we talking - drilling and inserts? What kind of adjustment are you using - main size, size down, size up? More? Less?

If you try the search function, there are several threads talking about this, there is also a video showing how they are installed.

they can easily be put in a existing drilling, basically they drill the thumbhole a little larger and install it.

heres a 4 page manual that shows how the VISE Interchangeable Thumb (IT) is installed:
http://www.viseinserts.com/media/it_instruction_manual.pdf

Cost around $25 for the inner piece and $15 for the outer, but it will vary from shop to shop.

The VISE Interchangeable Thumb (IT) is the most common one used.

There are 3 main brands:

VISE Interchangeable Thumb (IT)
http://www.viseinserts.com/it.html

TURBOGRIP Switch Grip
http://www.turbogrips.com/products_switch_grip.php

Grip Loc
http://grip-loc.com/

[Mike White]

Who is using them and how good do they work?

I just recently went to a thumb slug and it seems pretty decent all the time. But would like adjust-ability.

And what needs to be done to the ball to put these in? Can it easily be done on an existing drilling? And what kind of cost are we talking - drilling and inserts? What kind of adjustment are you using - main size, size down, size up? More? Less?

With a thumb slug the hole in the ball is barely large enough for the slug to be glued, and forced into the ball.

Once it dried, it's unlikely to come loose.

An inter-changable thumb (Vise) uses the identical material as the slug, the hole is drilled about 1/16" oversized allowing the slug to turn in the hole.

At the base of the thumb slug is a threaded area which screws into a piece that is glued into the ball at the base of the hole.

When the thumb slug is threaded completely in, you feel a slight click, at that point it acts the same as the slug you currently have.

Twisting it the opposite way, you immediately feel the same slight click, then unthread and remove.

[Jaescrub]

One of my teammates and I both use the Vise It's and love them. They work great I started with two thumbs one in my normal summer size and one a lil larger for when I get well into my second and third games. my thumb changes size with use, temp, and humidity. In fact my normal start thumb is about two sizes to big when it's cold out. I'm having a third thumb made for that. It's less time consuming to just switch thumbs then it is to put in and remove tape. One other great use that works well with my team is that we have all been friends for the last 27 years. all grown up together like brothers and along with my wife, with the it's we can use each others equipment. My wife throws 14lb and some times she will throw Choppers 15lb TD and kills it. Chopper has such high revs that he can throw Damon's left hand drilled equipment and it works great for him. I have huge fingers so they can all drop a thumb in my equipment as well. I love Vise it's and will never go back.

[Aslan]

I just got my Bullet Train drilled for the VISE IT system just to give it a try.

I think it cost $45 for the drilling, $2-$4 for each finger insert, $15 to put the piece in the bottom of the hole, and $25/each for each thumb insert. I had it done on a new, undrilled ball…but I'm sure they can plug and re-drill the thump on a used ball for not too much more.

I got 3 sizes and need to get another size. The smallest isn't small enough.

So far it's felt pretty good. A couple times where it wasn't "all" the way in and it felt "wiggly"…but other than that so far it's felt good.

[Stormed1]

I have been using the IT's for about 4 years now and they have been trouble free and a godsend for me as far as throwing a newly drilled ball. It usec to take a couple weeks of tinkering with the thumbhole to get a good feel. Now I can just take the ball off the press and throw it with confidence. Plus another bonus is like right now, due to my layoff my thumb is significantly smaller ( as in 10-15 pieces of tape). Instead of having to reslug all my balls I can make a couple smaller IT's and be good to go. When I install them I get $15.00 to install the ball-0it and sleeve and $20.00 per thumb slug. In the case of an already drilled ball you have to drill out the slug, drill the larger hole, install the sleeve and ball-it and you're good to go

[MICHAEL]

ICEGOD uses the Vise system and has all of his balls fitted with it. Its great to have the same feel on all my balls, by simple slipping in a Vise that gives the same fell, no matter which ball. I did have 4 extra ones made, all with a little different size, a little larger or smaller in regards to fit!

Get it,,, especially if you don't like using or wearing tape. make your thumb adjustments by simple screwing in a size that fits that day!

[rv driver]

I'm really thinking about going to a slug or, more likely, an IT. I just can't find a good thumb feel, and it's been going on too long to ignore anymore.

[zdawg]

I'm really thinking about going to a slug or, more likely, an IT. I just can't find a good thumb feel, and it's been going on too long to ignore anymore.

Yeah, I have a problem with my thumb shrinking as the night goes on, my game 3 scores are typically my lowest of the evening. I used to add tape as the night wore on, but then the next day I would have to remove a bunch of tape, rinse, repeat its beyond tedious at this point.

I think I'm gonna do what others have suggested, and have 3 or 4 sizes made for my thumb and just switch them out as necessary - in the long run it's probably even cheaper than all the tape I go through :D

[rv driver]

Yeah, I have a problem with my thumb shrinking as the night goes on, my game 3 scores are typically my lowest of the evening. I used to add tape as the night wore on, but then the next day I would have to remove a bunch of tape, rinse, repeat its beyond tedious at this point.

I think I'm gonna do what others have suggested, and have 3 or 4 sizes made for my thumb and just switch them out as necessary - in the long run it's probably even cheaper than all the tape I go through :D
I'd almost bet you're right. The IT system is not cost-prohibitive.

[dnhoffman]

Highly recommend it...

[mike_thomas93]

I've been wondering: do interchangeable thumbs have a different feel from regular grips/slugs?

[Jaescrub]

I've been wondering: do interchangeable thumbs have a different feel from regular grips/slugs? nope the inner sleeve is made out if the same thing as a reg thumb slug feels the same.

[rv driver]

Here's a dumb question: If you've got the removable slug bevelled in a certain way, how can you be certain that once you've got it screwed into the ball, it's pointing the right way? Is there some kind of guide to start the slug? Or is the click-stop always in the same place? I've never used a slug. Help me out here.

[Jaescrub]

Here's a dumb question: If you've got the removable slug bevelled in a certain way, how can you be certain that once you've got it screwed into the ball, it's pointing the right way? Is there some kind of guide to start the slug? Or is the click-stop always in the same place? I've never used a slug. Help me out here.
Yes when the it's slug is drilled and shaped for your thumb it's lock in point "the click" it's always the same place every time. So every thumb I have has the same lock in spot.

[Aslan]

Here's a dumb question: If you've got the removable slug bevelled in a certain way, how can you be certain that once you've got it screwed into the ball, it's pointing the right way? Is there some kind of guide to start the slug? Or is the click-stop always in the same place? I've never used a slug. Help me out here.

There's no dumb questions; only dumb people.

As to the question about how they feel, I've never had my ball "slugged"…just drilled…and the VISE IT sleeves feel very "smooth" compared to a standard bowling ball. But I don't think those used to slugs would feel as much a difference.

[vgw]

I tried the IT out for a year. The locking mechanism broke on my balls about 4-5 times over that span. One time, it broke right before a tournament, got it fixed, bowled maybe a game with that ball before the tourney. I go to the tourney, and it was broken again. before I could even roll one shot with it That's when I decided to get rid of it. It works for some people, just not me.

[Blacksox1]

Who is using them and how good do they work?

I just recently went to a thumb slug and it seems pretty decent all the time. But would like adjust-ability.

And what needs to be done to the ball to put these in? Can it easily be done on an existing drilling? And what kind of cost are we talking - drilling and inserts? What kind of adjustment are you using - main size, size down, size up? More? Less?

I have the turbo switch grip and I love it. This may be all you need to win the next Las Vegas Board Tournament! :D

[Aslan]

This may be all you need to win the next Las Vegas Board Tournament! :D

I don't think interchangeable thumb inserts keep you from choking in the finals. :eek: :)

[rv driver]

I don't think interchangeable thumb inserts keep you from choking in the finals. :eek: :)
Blast! I thought they were magic!

[dnhoffman]

There's no dumb questions; only dumb people.



While his wasn't a dumb question - I'm absolutely sure that there are in fact, both dumb questions and dumb people.

Usually the former is asked by the latter.

[rv driver]

While his wasn't a dumb question - I'm absolutely sure that there are in fact, both dumb questions and dumb people.

Usually the former is asked by the latter.
Here's a great example of a dumb question:

<door slams>
"Mom! I'm home!"
<walks into living room; gives mother a kiss on the cheek>
Here it comes:
"Are you home, dear?"

[rv driver]

Here's a great example of a dumb question:

<door slams>
"Mom! I'm home!"
<walks into living room; gives mother a kiss on the cheek>
Here it comes:
"Are you home, dear?"
Even better:
"honey?"
"Yeah?"
"You awake?"