Lane Certification Tools

[Dave_G]

Does anyone know if someone besides the usbc sports store sells a lane level with the dial indicator and sled?

[rivmike]

Why do you need one? If I need something I borrow it from the local assoc. That's what we pay them ALOT of money in sanctioning and yearly certification fees.

[Ted]

You can buy a 4" or 6" Starrett precision level and mount it on a piece of square aluminum tubing. It is 4 times more accurate than the USBC bubble. Feeler guages will replace the dial micrometer.
On these levels, each mark outside is .020, and the one off center in between the main hash marks is .010.
The USBC bubble is .040 for the first outside mark.

http://www.starrett.com/metrology/metrology-products/precision-measuring-tools/machinists-levels#itemsPerPage=24&currentPage=1&displayMode=grid&sortBy=none/asc

You can google starrett too find distributors.

[mikeb]

Ted, Great idea for dross tilt, but don't think that will replace the depression gauge's accuracy in pinpointing the depressions in the lanes.

[Ted]

Thats where the feeler guages come in. In fact, if you just need to see if any spot is out, just slide a credit card along the edge of the level and see if it fits anywhere. They wanted an alternative to the USBC equipment. With a few mnutes practice, you can find and measure spots that are out. Once you look under the edge of your custom level and take some measurements, you will be able to guage whats within the limits just by looking.
Pinpointing is not what the USBC does. They place the level in 3 spots down the lane and measure 1/3 the way in from each side at those locations. Lane mapping by Kegel pinpoints the topography by checking each board across the lane, and down to every 1' of length.

[mikeb]

Ted, You are absolute correct. I'm kinda picky though. when I have to shim my synthetics I check the entire width of the lane, and check in six inch increments up and down the lane. Our local association always lists the spot they check as 15'. I believe they are aloud to check anywhere from 12 to 18 feet at that section of lane. The problem I had was that they measure a depression that was out of spec, and I would correct it. When the inspector came back to recheck they failed me again! I had to point out that the sheet says you checked at 15' and now you are looking at 13' 6"! Being extremely thorough the last few years has paid off! I had one panel that needed some shims this year. That first year I took over at this center we had around 20 that were out of spec. and 15 machines that needed pinspotting corrected. This was the first year we had all 50 check within spec on pinspotting accuracy too!

[8270tom]

On the subject of pinspotting. Each year during our annual the local association has newbies checking our pinspotting and they said all our lanes were a 1/4" offspot!!! The head inspector told me they were supposed to allow 1/4" offspot to pass and passed all our lanes.

[Drillmn300]

I purchased a USBC level, flat gutter tool and lane reader and take up as I don't want to rely on someone telling me what everything is, I can measure it read it and have my own documentations. You would be amazed at how fast problems just disappeared from the local association when you have the option to check them frequently.

[Steve Stafford (JBEES)]

On the subject of pinspotting. Each year during our annual the local association has newbies checking our pinspotting and they said all our lanes were a 1/4" offspot!!! The head inspector told me they were supposed to allow 1/4" offspot to pass and passed all our lanes.

There is no allowance in the rules. The pin must be on the spot...it can not have any part of it off the spot.

[Ken-Cliff Lanes]

Steve - According to the CLIP manual, pages 75-76, pins can be no more than 1/4" off spot on first ball.

Source: http://usbcongress.http.internapcdn....CLIPManual.pdf

Instruction:
After completing all other examinations of the pit end,

1. Activate the pin-setting machine to set pins on
first cycle.

2. Observe the pins on the spots.

3. If any pin is set in such a way that more than
1/4" of the outer edge of its spot is visible, make a
record of it on your form. [Page 2, item 13.]

[Alastair]

Picture1.jpg

[Steve Stafford (JBEES)]

This...

pins can be no more than 1/4" off spot on first ball.

...is not the same as this.

3. If any pin is set in such a way that more than
1/4" of the outer edge of its spot is visible, make a
record of it on your form. [Page 2, item 13.]

Since the bottom of the pin is 2" in diameter and the pin spot is 2 1/8" in diameter...if you can see more than 1/4 inch of the spot on any side of the pin...it means that a part of the pin is off of the spot on the other side. That means it is not totally on the spot and would not meet specifications. All this means is there is no tolerance for off spot pins...if it is off of the spot...it is not correct.

Hope that helps...

[dothan]

I have been here 3 years and the assc. passes me every time even though I know none of the foul light work. They don't even try to see. When I first got here they said all of our pin spots were good when I know 90% were off. As for the lane level and lane reader good luck in getting them here. I have asked, the manager have asked but they will not help us. The people running the assc. is owners and friend of the center across town. They pretty much just pencil us in as good.

[Alastair]

In the large UK bowling companies, as part of your health and safety remit, the foul units are checked on a daily basis and signed off by the duty tech. Pin spotting is a weekly check as per the QAMF guidelines.
Not too difficult to keep these things in check and of course makes it more of a sport than a game.

Nice clarification Steve!