Faball 3D Offset Blazing Violet Hammer Bowling Ball

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Line 3D Offset
Color Purple
Coverstock Reactive
Core 2-piece Asymmeterical
RG  
Differential  
Intermediate Diff n/a
Factory finish Polished
Weights 10 thru 16lbs
   

Quick reference drilling suggestions


All layouts are for right handed bowlers. For left handed bowlers simply reverse procedures (mirror image)

HIGHER TRACK PLAYERS (ball track within 1 1/2" of thumb hole) and also STROKERS

  • Select ball with pin 1" - 3" out.
  • Position pin approximately 1" right of ring finger.
  • Position HOT SPOT approximately 1 1/2" right
    of center line, as shown.
  • If balance hole is required, mark line from center
    of grip through C.G. and drill balance hole 5 1/2".
    from center of grip on that line. Balance hole may
    be drilled above or below midline.





MEDIUM HOOK (HIGHER TRACK PLAYERS AND STROKERS)

  •     Select ball with pin 2" - 4" out.
  •        Position pin above finger holes on center line, as shown.
  •        Position HOT SPOT approximately 1 1/2" right of
           center line, as shown.
  •        If balance hole is required, mark line from center of
           grip through C.G. and drill balance hole 5 1/2" from
           center of grip on that line. Balance hole may be drilled
           above or below midline.




LOWER TRACK PLAYERS (ball more than 1 1/2" from thumb hole) and also CRANKERS 

  • Select ball with pin 2" - 4" out and less than 3.0 oz top weight. 3dtec-3.gif (12333 bytes)
    Position pin 45 deg. , just above ring finger, as shown.
    Position HOT SPOT approximately 3" right of center line, as shown.
    If balance hole is required, mark line from center of grip throughC.G. and drill balance hole 4 1/2" from center of grip on that line.
    Balance hole may be drilled above or below midline.


MEDIUM HOOK (LOWER TRACK PLAYERS AND CRANKERS)

3dtec-4.gif (11245 bytes) Select ball with pin 2"- 4" out and less than 3.0 oz top weight.
Position pin 1 1/2" right of ring finger, as shown.

Position HOT SPOT approximately 4" right of center line, as shown.

Drill balance hole at C.G. Balance hole may be drilled above or below midline.

Break points for suggested drillngs can be easily adjusted with
surface changes. A higher lustre of polish will result in more
length and a later break point while maintaining the back end
reaction, a duller surface or sanding the ball will result in an
earlier breakpoint with the desired back end reaction.

3-D OFFSET HAMMER

Precision Drilling suggestions


THE P.A.P. IN THE DRILLING SUGGESTIONS IS THE BOWLERS POSITIVE AXIS POINT
The suggested layouts are for right handed drillling. Reverse the drilling procedure (mirror image) for left handed drilling.
The Center Of Gravity (C.G.) is identified by an engraved 1/4" circle. The suggested drilling illustrations show the C.G. located on a visual line from the Top Pin to the Hot Spot (locator Pin) and is strictly for reference. With the core body offset, C.G. can fall left, right or be centered on the visual line from Top Pin to the Hot Spot. When balance hole is required, mark line from Center of Grip through C.G. and drill balance hole on that line at the intersection of the vertical axis line. Balance hole may be drilled above or below the mid line
.



---------------3 3/8" STRONG-----------------

DESIRED REACTION: Large flare, maximum hook, strong back end.

LANE CONDITION: Medium to heavy oil blend.

PIN PLACEMENT: 3 3/8" from P.A.P.

(use ball with pin 1" - 4" out)

HOT SPOT PLACEMENT: 2" left of vertical axis line.

3dptec-1.gif (13239 bytes)

 


This drilling will produce the sharpest break point obtainable
in the 3-D Offset Hammer. Use this layout when trying to
open up the lane and create area on a blended lane condition.
Too reactive for wet/dry conditions
.


-----------3 3/8" CONTROLLED------------

  • DESIRED REACTION: Large flare, large hook, controlled back end.
  • LANE CONDITION: Medium to heavy oil with carry down.
  • PIN PLACEMENT: 3 3/8" from P.A.P.
    (Use ball with pin 1" - 4" out and less than 3 oz. top weight)
  • HOT SPOT PLACEMENT: Position Hot Spot on the vertical axis line.


This drilling will result in a more controlled back end by
generating heavy forward roll from the break point to the pins.
Great for low track players.





------------------3 3/8" ARC------------------

  • DESIRED REACTION: Large flare, medium hook, smooth arc.
  • LANE CONDITION: Medium to heavy oil with a hooking ball track.
  • PIN PLACEMENT: 3 3/8" from P.A.P.
    (use ball with pin 1" - 4" out)
  • HOT SPOT PLACEMENT: 4 1/2" left of vertical axis line


Hot Spot will be left of the center line.
This drilling produces a smooth arc with a large flare pattern.
Not recommended for an inside line
.




------------------5" STRONG------------------

  • DESIRED REACTION: Medium flare, medium hook, strong back end.
  • LANE CONDITION: Medium oil with dry back end.
  • PIN PLACEMENT: 4 1/2" - 5 1/2" from P.A.P. (use ball with pin 2" - 4 1/2" out)
  • HOT SPOT PLACEMENT: 3" left of vertical axis line.


This drilling will produce Medium hook with a late break point.
Good for playing inside the ball track.





--------------5" CONTROLLED---------------

  • DESIRED REACTION: Medium flare, medium hook.
  • LANE CONDITION: Medium oil with carry down.
  • PIN PLACEMENT: 4 1/2" - 5 1/2" from P.A.P.
    (use ball with pin 2" - 4 1/2" out and less
    than 3 ounces top weight)
  • HOT SPOT PLACEMENT: Position Hot Spot on the
    vertical axis line.



This drilling will produce medium hook, with
controlled back end by generating heavy forward
roll from the break point to the pins. Good for
wet/dry conditions.





---------------------5" ARC---------------------

  • DESIRED REACTION: Medium flare, smooth arc.
  • LANE CONDITION: Medium to light oil with a
    hooking ball track.
  • PIN PLACEMENT: 4 1/2" - 5 1/2" from P.A.P.
    (use ball with pin 2" - 4 1/2" out)
  • HOT SPOT PLACEMENT: 4 1/2" left of vertical
    axis line. Hot Spot will be left of the center
    line.

This drilling will produce an even arc reaction.
Not recommended when playing a deep inside line
.




------------------2" STRONG-------------------

  • DESIRED REACTION: Early revolutions, strong
    back end reaction.
  • LANE CONDITION: Medium to light oil.
  • PIN PLACEMENT: 1 1/2" - 2 1/2" from P.A.P.
    (use ball with pin 1" - 3" out and less than 3 oz. top
    weight)
  • HOT SPOT PLACEMENT: 1 1/2" left of vertical axis
    line.

This drilling will produce early revs in the front part of the lane
with medium flare and a strong reaction at the breakpoint
.




----------------------2"ARC--------------------

  • DESIRED REACTION: Early revolutions with controlled
    back end.
  • LANE CONDITION: Medium to light oil with strong
    reacting back end.
  • PIN PLACEMENT: 1 1/2" - 2 1/2" from P.A.P.
    (use ball with pin 1" - 3" and less than 3 oz. top weight)
  • HOT SPOT PLACEMENT: Position Hot Spot on the
    vertical axis line.


This drilling will produce early revs in the front part of the lane
with controlled reaction at the break point by generating strong
forward roll from the break point to the pins. Great for wet/dry
conditions
.




--------------2" CONTROLLED--------------

  • DESIRED REACTION: Early revolutuions with
    a smooth arc.
  • LANE CONDITION: Medium to light oil with a hooking
    ball track.
  • PIN PLACEMENT: 1 1/2" - 2 1/2" from P.A.P.
    (use ball with pin 1" - 3" out)
  • HOT SPOT PLACEMENT: 4 1/2" left of vertical axis
    line. Hot Spot will be left of Center Line.

This drilling will produce early revs in the front part of the lane
with smooth arc. Good for playing a direct trajectory when the
ball track is hooking.

12 Reviews

  • williamrox1

    Posted by williamrox1 on Jul 23rd 2006

    After a bunch of 160-190 games with the Hammer after gettin it, I finally bowled 237 with it. I beat my dad that game and the one before it 195. I'm 13 and that was the second time I beat him. The games before that the lanes were oily so I used my sanded Brunswick Punisher and Power Groove. Nothin hits like a Hammer. I like those classic hammers. I'd like to get a Jack Hammer. I have bowled six 200 and I have only been throwing hook for 10 months. I throw from board 10 over to board 5 or ten depending on the lane conditions. My Hammer on oily lanes can be thrown on board 10 and it will hook rite into the pocket . Got Inserts put in the Hammer. Got my release to were I can control the hook, my release is the oldie hand shake style. Bring hand back flat with the thumb at 12 o'clock, bring it forward like that until release and have a hand shake with the pins. I shot 183 highest game while the lanes were still med oily. Then the lanes got dry and I had to use the house balls. I avged

  • Dexter Stormswick

    Posted by Dexter Stormswick on Mar 12th 2006

    Although a very old ball, the 3D Offset Violet Hammer is still useful in my bag. Much older equipment comes and goes but this ball should not. That is why the High Rev is being sold today, same core but more modern and stronger cover. On a fresh shot, most of my reactives were skidding to much in the heavy oil and my particles were not very readable and did not recover well on the backend. I decided to just see what the old 3D Offset could still do. After cleaning it with Clean N'Dull, the Hammer was ready to go. It went down the lane very easily as is should being polished but it created friction fast and had a very strong arc to the pocket just as I remembered it when I first bought it. I have not used the High Rev, but I imagine it is very similar only a little stronger and more durable. Even though useable, you could tell that the 3D Offset is an old ball. When the lanes became spotty, this ball overflipped and had a very serious over/under reaction to it. Versatility w

  • Colossus621

    Posted by Colossus621 on Aug 18th 2005

    on medium to heavy oil i have to play up second arrow and a little more direct. as the lanes break down then i can start moving in more towards third arrow. but there is only one draw back is that it can't handel real heavy oil with alot of head oil. by the time i see that type of shot again i'll have either a hammer real deal or a hammer hawg. also when throwing this you can't throw it down the lane you stroke it it can get itself in a roll. it doesn't have a lot of backend so try not to send very wide. overall it is a very good ball for being so old. i can't wait until i try the hammer high rev.

  • Colossus621

    Posted by Colossus621 on Jul 22nd 2005

    when polished it gives good length and strong backend but it skid to far down the lane in heavy oil. in this surface it allows for a more direct and straighter line to be played. polished also allows for you to play deep inside lines when the lanes break down and dry out. one thing you have to do for this ball to work it you force or over-power the ball. you have to be soft and stroke the ball. but then once the lanes breakdown then you can start throwing a little harder. will post another review next week after i try this ball sanded.

  • Dr. Strikenheimer

    Posted by Dr. Strikenheimer on Jan 21st 2005

    I found one of these that a friend of mine had bought in 1998 as a backup and had never drilled, so it was NIB condition. It was a light 16 lb ball (15# 12oz) with a 3" pin, since he injured his wrist and now throws 14# balls he was willing to part with it for $50 (what a steal). I had my pro drill it to go long and arc strongly back into the pocket. It is drilled with the pin about 3/4" above my ring finger with the CG about 1" below my ring finger. The mass bias mark (HOT) is 1/4" to the right of my thumb. There is a 1/2 " weight hole about 4-5" to the right of my ring finger. I took this ball to the alley this morning and threw it on a freshly oiled pair of lanes. I was simply blown away by the performance, I have never thrown a ball with this much control that hits the pins this hard. I was able to stand on the third dot and throw the ball straight between the 1st and 2nd arrows and just watch as it cruised through the midlane hit the dry back end and exploded into the rack. Wh

  • pinstrikes

    Posted by pinstrikes on May 9th 2004

    The first time I used this ball was when there was a tremendous amount of carry down on the lanes. I struggled a bit at first but then I slowed this ball down and let it do all the work. I was stand around 40 and getting this ball out to about 5, and this ball was coming back and crshing the pins. the one problem about playing this kind of line with the ball was that it makes it very speed sensitive. If your throw the ball a bit too fast it wont snap at the end and if youo throw it too slow it will flip over too hard. Once you settle down and find a line this is definitely a go to ball if your want high scores. I can only imagine what this ball will do on fresh oil conditions. I will update this review when that time comes.

  • PbaSonny

    Posted by PbaSonny on Feb 28th 2003

    This is truly an all time ball. The first introduction into the 3-d line. I remember in 98 when this ball first came out on league night there were at least 2 on every rack in a 40 lane house. The only reason I gave it a nine was because it will leave 10 pins like there is no tomorrow. The ball can't compete with todays coverstocks that are able to keep pins close to the pin deck. The ball will leave a lot of true no-taps on the 9 pin. I have thrown 3 299's with this ball. Shanked one and left a 4 pin.1 left a 7 and the most heart breaking one was the buried 9 pin.

  • Bergy21

    Posted by Bergy21 on Dec 29th 2002

    This has got to be the pinnacle of Faball history. Have owned NOTHING but Faball since I got into bowling in 1986, beginning with original Black urethane. Just got back into bowling seriously 2 yrs ago and had to rebuild my aging arsenal. This ball completes it. Got it used (very gently) from a Hammer brother in Texas (thanx again G!) Pin was 3 3/8 from MY PAP, CG kicked out in a 10:30 drill with void hole on PAP. Ball gets through the heads with ease and has a strong recovery with more snap than I expected. Carry is best I've ever seen in ANY Hammer. Have had ball just 4 weeks and have already thrown my high game and high series with it in league this yr. This ball is a MUST have for ALL Hammer fans! Pick one up, if you can. You will NOT be disappointed! Spike

  • g_thing

    Posted by g_thing on Nov 13th 2002

    I bought this ball used, advertised as a Norm Duke ball. The ball was in very good condition and once cleaned and plugged (and now drilled), it looks almost new. Nice for $45 delivered!! The ball is drilled the same as anything else I own, leveraged with 3 3/8 to get max hook. This may be a little different setup since I specifically wanted an earlier break. I can play a variety of shots with the ball and either maintain same release or alter it a little to give me something different with the ball. I do not find the ball hard to control on drier lanes, actually I prefer those lanes. No matter, the ball rolls smooth and has a consistent roll right into the pocket. Solid hit reward with the atypical Hammer sound, and the light ones sent the pins scattering. This was to be the 6th I own currently, but I gave away a relatively unused Nova that I really liked...so I'm back down to 5. But....I will be out for more. Overall, a 10 out of 10 for the ball. The Vicious was

  • david bennett

    Posted by david bennett on Feb 15th 2002

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This was the ball that brought me back to FAB in '98. Drilled this one for Nationals in Reno and ended up falling in love with it. I drilled it with 5 inch pin to pap, with 12:00 cg to pin configuration, and cg to pap of approximately 4 inches. The condition I normally bowl is a 7 to 7 box. This ball gets down the lanes very well with a strong backend. Not as violent as my 4D reactive action and much more forgiving. I just heard yesterday that this line is being discontinued so I need to go and order another. I would recommend this ball to anyone and any style. By the way, it was the BTM Ball of the Year in '97.

  • bowlingking

    Posted by bowlingking on Nov 22nd 2001

    I bought this ball back in the day.It is drilled at 2 oclock and I am a crancker.I stand at the 20 board and throw it out to about the 5 board and it comes back with no problem. This ball is all about back end.What I really like about this ball is that it plows over them pins as if there was nothing there.This ball sokes up the oil, but if you take a heat gun to it, it will be just like brand new. If you come across one of these balls I advise you to take one while you can. later.....

  • DrBob806

    Posted by DrBob806 on Nov 8th 2001

    This has to be Faball's best reactive ball ever, and they discontinue it. I've always been a Hammer fan, and I was hoping they don't fall prey to the ball-of-the -month stuff like Brunswick, Ebonite, & Columbia. Sadly, they're headed in that direction. This ball hits very hard. Grab one if you can!! I resurfaced mine at least 4 times, have used it on both wet-dry (fresh league), and a late shift since 1997. It's still going strong, and I know it won't last forever. I just hope I can find an adequate replacement once it's retired.