Basement Bowling lane project

Since I was a young boy I have always wanted to have a bowling lane at home. Thanks to the support and encouragement of my new bride I finally started making my dream a reality last year. I didn't have enough room for a full-length lane in my basement so I decided to make my lane to exact half-scale. The project started simple and grew and grew and is still growing and evolving. This is the first video footage of the lane in action. I will be uploading more videos in the near future. Many thanks to all of you who have shared their enthusiasm and their similar projects with me at www.BasementBowling.com.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• bowling
• basement
• home
• bowl
• half-scale
• ball
• pins
• pinsetter
• basementbowling
• lane
• return

[Tomkat53]

Thanks for the reply.

So, they are not half-weight, but it seems they are at least the proper weight ratio.

For example, the pin to ball weight ratio for actual bowling (for a 15 pound ball) is 3.375/15 = 0.225

The pin to ball weight ratio for your "lane" is 0.5/2.25 = 0.222

So, you should be seeing ball/pin action equivalent to a 15 pound ball on normal pins.

[BasementBowling]

@Tomkat53: Exactly! Makes it have very realistic pin action.

[Tomkat53]

How/where did you get "half-scale" pins?

Also, is everything half-scale in size only, or also in weight?

[BasementBowling]

@Tomkat53 : You can get them through your local bowling reseller. If you really want a set and can't find a local seller, message me and I can get them for you. It is half-size only, not half-weight. The balls are 2 pounds 4 ounces and the pins are about a half pound each.

[minn793]

That's so awesome! I'm heading for the National Bowling Championships. I wish I had that so I could get some more practice!

[BasementBowling]

@minn793: Thank you! Good luck in Reno!

[shing5145]

Runswick Hand setter A1

[zomgitzakitteh]

wow that pin setting machine must have been expensive!

XD lol

[XXXDJH101XXX]

we just moved into a new house, and my dad is building a bar and poker room in the basement XD

I keep asking if we could build a bowling alley and he says we might.

[RE4chainsaw]

cool

[RE4chainsaw]

i would just keep playing untill i got a 300, then i would move on to trying to make the 7 10 split xD

[TheMultiwilliam]

nice hook

[BasementBowling]

@supermonkeyballboy Thanks for the compliment. Yes, the sound wasn't working on my camera. I thought I did a good job of synching up the sound. :) The sound works on the latest videos.

[Bowlingkid94]

@tikibird1970

Duckpins are 5" tall, thus are a third the size of the official height of a bowling pin. Besides the fact that duckpins appear much more squat.

[bowler811]

@BasementBowling This sounds about right. For a true half scale model, weight is proportional to volume which is length to the 3rd power, hence the weight should be 1/8 of the real thing.

[tikibird1970]

the pins look like regular duckpins and the bowling balls remind me of duckpin balls but a little larger in size. good job though on the overall design and this is coming from a man that has witnessed several top tournaments in the state of texas.