Pin Rotation

[Bruns-man20]

I currently work for a company that does not rotate their bowling pins. They use the same set until the pins literally fall apart then buy a new set. I was always under the inpression that you were supposed to rotate the sets about every 90 days. I also understood that when receiving a shipment of pins from another area, you should let them sit and get used to the climate before putting them in play. The last set we received (over 17 months ago!) was put into play just days after their arrival by order of management. The same set is still in the machines and they are awful. We have a new set in stock, however we are waiting for the intallation of new lanes at the end of this month. Each of our machines has only about 16-17 pins! Bowlers hate that, and I as a bowler and mechanic do too! I was just curious as to how often you guys rotate your sets of pins, and how long 2 sets should last provided they are properly rotated. Also curious about how long they should be allowed to sit after arrival. Thanks!

[Guest]

Re: Pin Rotation

Hey,

I am a casual in a 28 lane centre, and we change a pair of lanes each day, we run with 3 sets of pins all up. I thought that was what everyone did! So basically, a set of pins will stay in the machine for a month at the most.

Cheers
Andrew D

[KL Kevin]

Re: Pin Rotation

I don't rotate/rest at all, put them in, run for 2 seasons, toss em. End of the second year some sound a little ratty, usually buy 8 cases on the off year to account for cracks, cripples, and belt burns.

Would like to hear from some who have done both this, and rested them, to see how much better life you could get

Kevin

[Guest]

Re: Pin Rotation

I believe, that in drier climates that pin rotation will squeeze an extra 6 months of life out of the pin. However, I have not noticed any difference in more humid areas. Also the manufactures keep changing their recommendations. 20 years ago, we used to rotate every 3 weeks. Now we rotate when ever I think their looking to dirty.

[usr bin geek]

Re: Pin Rotation

We'll let newly arrived pins sit in the center usually for a week or two, but, once they're in the machines they usually stay in. They're only taken out to be inspected and cleaned once a month. They go right back into the machine afterwards without any additional rest.

We replace pins based on looks and sound. Buying usually 10 to 12 boxes at time and only replacing pins if they are cracked, burned, damaged, or look bad. Im very concerned about their looks. Any that don't meet my standards go off to the NRA/Police shooting range or to a high school shop class (they make lamps with them.)

We sometimes have a few pins that are several years old in the machines. These pins for one reason or another didn't wear much and avoided getting cracked or broken. I feel there is no point in replacing them just because they're "old". Just because something is old doesn't mean its no longer any good.

And yes pin action and scores are very good in the center.

------------------
Steve Mermelstein
Milton Bowling Center / BowlingFans.com / The Bowling Search Engine

[David Johnson]

Re: Pin Rotation

I remember in the early 70's doing pin maintenance,cleaning patching,filing,dipping,
putting a wet sponge in each box, what a pain. A few years ago I was chatting with a ex-brunswick salesman and he said the
pin rotation story was basically a line to get owners to buy 2 sets of pins.Personally I
I think that resting pins is over rated.I
don't think the rest makes them score any better or last much longer so we put pins in
and run them till we feel its time to replace
them.

[cobow]

Re: Pin Rotation

I ROTATE PINS EVERY 5 WEEKS. IT PROBABLY DOSENT GIVE THEM ANY LONGER LIFE (3-4 YEARS A SET RUNNING 2 SETS ON RELETIVLY LOW LINAGE) BUT IT GIVES YOU A GOOD CHANCE TO CLEAN & CHECK THEM.

[billman]

Re: Pin Rotation

I like to let a new set of pins set about a week before I put them in play. I also used to rotate pins, but have found that the extended life from the off time is caused by the lack of pounding and not by some miracle that takes place in the box on the shelf. I no longer rotate pins. I do have a set of "summer pins" which are pins that are not very nice looking and will soon be breaking.

billman

[Guest]

Re: Pin Rotation

use amflite pins. No rotation, no cleaning, no nothing. Do use an "older" set for the summer time, but the regular good set is run from sept to end of may. Have 2 winter seasons on the good set now and going to try a squeeze another season out of them next winter. Scoring is better than ever this season but next season? guess I'll find out
marty

[Dutch]

Re: Pin Rotation

Tech_Mech is right about the drier climates.
In Reno if we don't rest our pins in a humidified room they only last a year. (a few will go longer, 20% won't last the year) We get 3 years out of 2 sets if we clean & rest them every 30 - 45 days.

If you're going to clean your pins often, buy the DBA SPIN CLEAN machine. It's like a little car wash for pins. Just put the dirty pin in one end & pull the clean pin out the other end, wipe it dry & box it.

The machine is a little pricey but it cuts the time it takes to clean a set of pins by about 70%.

[GPS]

Re: Pin Rotation

I was brought up umpteen years ago to rotate pins and I guess old habits are hard to break. I rotate every 6 wks. Used to rotate every 4 wks but unfortunatly linage isn't what it used to be. I buy a complete round 66 sets (32 lanes 2 spare sets) for two years and am able to skip the third year. We have to buy a round this year and are looking at the twister real close. They changed the surface on the pin. Not supposed to pick up dirt. Time will tell. Good luck guys.

[Steve Stafford (JBEES)]

Re: Pin Rotation

Rotating pins was a way of allowing the belly of the pin to expand back out when rested. This was done for the reason that the shape of the pin would change as bowling balls would strike them. The outer "plastic" coating adhered to the pin, so as the wood compacted...the pin would get smaller. (remember having to constantly adjust snubbers to compensate?) Todays pins don't have this problem due to the outer coating. It is no longer necessary to rotate pins for that reason. In very dry climates, "rotation" would need to be done in a humidity controlled room to keep the wood from becoming too brittle from drying out. Pin life should be thought of in terms of lines/set. To get 2 years out of a set of pins means nothing without knowing lineage/year. We have been getting 7000 lines/set the last 5 years using Amflite II. About normal for that pin. How about eveybody else? How many lines?

Steve

[Dutch]

Re: Pin Rotation

If my math is right, we get more than 21,000 lines per set with Amflite II. (Rotating every 30 - 45 days)

See if you get the same #. Am I using the wrong formula?

150,000 frames per week
50 lane house
11 frames per game
52 weeks per year
3 years
2 sets of pins

[Steve Stafford (JBEES)]

Re: Pin Rotation

Dutch,

Based on you figures....

150000 frames per week
50 # of lanes
11 frames per game
52 weeks per year
3 years
2 sets of pins
here is the math
13636.36364 # of frames/week divided by frames per game=lines per week
2127272.727 # of lines/week times # of weeks times # of years=total lines on pins
210 assuming 21 pins per machine times 2 sets of pins=total sets of pins
10129.87013 total lines on pins divided by number of sets=lines per set of pins
Answer is about 10130 lines per set.
Sorry about that, but half of your estimate...hope this helped

Still real good for AmfliteII's

Steve

[This message has been edited by JBEES (edited 05-13-2000).]

[Dutch]

Re: Pin Rotation

I like mine better!

I used a different formula. I'll go with yours cuz I thought mine sounded high.

[This message has been edited by dutch (edited 05-14-2000).]