Can You Redrill a Bowling Ball? [Redrill Pros & Cons]

Can you redrill a bowling ball? Redrilling a bowling ball is a technical job that requires a keen eye when plugging, drilling, and sanding down holes in a bowling ball. You can read this post about drilling holes in a bowling ball.

Bowling balls come in different materials, colors, and sizes. You can purchase urethane, plastic, particle, or reactive resin bowling balls from any sports equipment shop. The various types of bowling balls offer different experiences to bowlers because of their texture. However, pro bowlers prefer to go for expensive bowling balls because it gives them an advantage.

Redrilling a bowling ball offers bowers a cheap and custom solution to a ball that addresses their preferences. Buying a new bowling ball every time you want to change the configuration of the holes is an expensive affair, especially if you prefer urethane, particle, or reactive resin bowling balls. Can you redrill a bowling ball? The article below covers everything about bowling ball redrilling practice.

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Is it possible to Redrill a Bowling Ball?

Fortunately, redrilling of a bowling ball is a standard practice among amateur and professional bowlers. You can redrill your bowling ball using DIY tutorials or take your ball to a professional bowling ball shop. Redrilling bowling balls involves plugging, redrilling, and sanding down the ball’s surface. However, you require the right tools and detailed guidelines to redrill your ball without a professional. You can continue reading to understand the process of redrilling a bowling ball.

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Process for Re-Drilling a Bowling Ball

Redrilling your bowling ball requires the correct tools, and attempting to redrill your ball without the proper tools may result in losses. You need the following appliances if you are to redrill a bowling ball the correct way.

You are ready to redrill a bowling ball once you purchase the above appliances. Below is the process for redrilling your bowling ball

Step 1: The first step is to use the Bowling ball plugging kit to fill the existing holes in your bowling bowl. The plugging kit contains a special epoxy resin for your bowling ball. Household epoxy is not ideal because it can’t withstand the stain from bowling.

Step 2: Decide on your preferred grip because it informs the hole configuration you will drill on your ball. You can pick from the standard, fingertip, semi-fingertip, or Starge Easter grips.

Step 3: The next step is taking the measurements from your bowling hand. Ensure you record the measurements for your index, middle, and thumb fingers. You can also measure and record the specifications of your palm.

Step 4: Decide on the angles for the holes on your bowling ball, considering they should factor in the type of grip you want. An angle inclined backward on your bowling ball hole means your ball will have little lift when releasing it.

Step 5: Mark where the holes will go on your bowling ball, factoring in the measurements for your desired grip.

Step 6: Take the bowling ball and stabilize it using a clamp to prevent it from moving when drilling. Ensure you avoid the pin because it goes to the core, and touching it may affect the weight distribution of your ball. The pin is usually in the spot with different colors on your ball.

Step 7: Select the right drilling bit from the drilling bit kit. You can use the drill bit on a wood surface to check the width and length. Avoid the household drilling bit because it may damage the integrity of your ball.

Step 8: Slowly start drilling the thumb hole while regularly checking the length, width, and angle.

Step 9: Proceed to slowly drill the index and middle finger holes while regularly checking the length, width, and angle.

Step 10: Check the grip on your bowling ball by inserting your fingers in the ball.

Step 11: Replace the drilling bit with the sanding attachment once you are satisfied with the grip on your ball. Proceed to sand the holes on your bowling ball and ensure they are smooth to complete redrilling your ball.

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What is the cost of Re-Drilling a Bowling Ball?

The cost of redrilling a bowling ball depends on whether you are doing it as a DIY project or taking it to a professional bowling ball shop. The cost of redrilling your ball as a DIY project mainly comes from the cost of re-drilling appliances. Plugging kits cost between $100 to $ 200, whereas drilling bits cost approximately $ 60. A professional bowling ball shop will charge between $ 50 to $100 to redrill your ball.

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Can you Redrill a Bowling Ball more than once?

There is no limit to the times you can redrill your bowling ball. However, redrilling your bowling ball more than once will compromise the integrity of your ball. You chip away at the integrity of the coverstock (resin) every time you redrill your ball. Compromising the integrity of the coverstock can redistribute the weight and surface friction of the bowling ball, thus affecting your game considerably.

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What is the Time Frame for Re-Drilling a Bowling Ball?

The time frame for redrilling a bowling ball depends if you are doing it as a DIY project or using a professional service. Epoxy takes at least 25 minutes to dry, whereas drilling and sanding can take at least two hours if you are doing it. Professional drilling services can take between 2 to 3 hours, depending on the waitlist of the shop.

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Advantages of Re-Drilling a Bowling Ball

The main benefit of redrilling a bowling ball is that it offers hole customization, thus optimizing your bowling performance. It is also cheaper to redrill a bowling ball than to purchase a new one.

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Disadvantages of Re-Drilling a Bowling Ball 

The major drawback of drilling a bowling ball is that it compromises the integrity of the coverstock (resin). It is also risky for a newbie to redrill a bowling ball because it is a complex process, and things can go wrong on the first attempt.

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Conclusion

The decision to redrill or purchase a new bowling ball ultimately lies with you. However, if you decide to redrill your bowling ball, consider the cost when doing it as a DIY project or take it to a professional. Redrilling your bowling ball via a professional is cheaper and less risky, but doing it as a DIY project is worthwhile in the long run if you plan to redrill more balls in the future.