Abstract: The length of a drilling cycle in a bowling ball fitting and drilling method is reduced in an apparatus including a fitting apparatus (10) usable by a bowler to determine the size of a thumb hole and at least one finger hole to be drilled in a bowling ball and including a drilling apparatus (14) having a ball support (22), a rotatable drilling tool (30) movable relative thereto and a drive (36) for the drilling tool (30). A dove tail slide connection (50), (52) provides for moving the drilling tool (30) in an orbital path and an adjustment mechanism (56), (58), (60), (62), (70), (84) is provided whereby the diameter of the orbital path may be varied to vary the diameter of a hole drilled in the ball. A control motor (122) is responsive to the fitting apparatus (10) to operate the adjusting mechanism (56), (58), (60), (62), (70), (84). The control motor 122 is carried by the drive (36) and thus, may be adjusted "on the fly".

Abstract: Delays in fitting and drilling bowling balls are eliminated in a point of sale bowling ball fitting and drilling apparatus. A fitting apparatus (30) includes two movable finger blocks (34), (36) and a thumb aperture (38). Through the use of inserts taken from a group of inserts (150), the fitting apparatus (30) may be utilized to generate control signals to a drilling apparatus (46). A ball (204) may be positioned within the drilling apparatus (46) and insert receiving holes drilled therein in response to the information received by the drilling apparatus (46) from the fitting apparatus (30).