These entry fields were all blank, so I hope I'm using this properly...
You sound as dedicated and a student of the game as I am! I also have equal wonder for the intricacies and history of the equipment as the actual playing of the game, often waxing poetic about the interaction of the spin of the ball and pins hours after league bowling has ended. I have made a 1/12th model of an AMF lane with magic triangle lit with train-set lights, gravity-fed ball return, semi automatic three-bar rake and semi-automatic two-ball pinsetter, maybe I can put some pics or a short video up. I have some ideas maybe on how to make your lane more authentic or closer to fully automatic. Now that I've found the Linds 1/2 pins, I might explore this myself. It's been tough to find any realistic pins less than half scale.

Chad,
Any ideas about how to go about making a lane like you've described?
Would you be willing to share your specs on your lane?
Also what material do you use for the lane surface? It looks like some sort of laminate.

i love your lane i saw you on YOUTUBE
can you by any way help me and tell me some stuff i need because i got the pins

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Thanks pinbuster. Well, mine is half-scale. I basically looked online at lane specs and divided them in half and got to work. A regulation lane is about 42 inches wide, so half-scale is about 21 inches. Regulation pins are setup in a 12" apart. Half-scale pins are 6" apart. Etc, etc, etc. Although the measurements are there, the way you choose to build it is up to you. Give it a shot. Every project is different.

Chad,
yeah i would like to have another lane in my house. It would have to be something that could be put up quickly if need be.

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Matt, you could build it in 6 or 8 foot detachable sections. I have seen others who have done this.

-Chad

Hey! This is great stuff! I have always wanted a bowling alley in my home. I made one a few years back, but had to give it away when i had to move.
I am definitely planning to stop in on occasion to see what you come up with next.


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Hi Matt, thanks for the kind words. Sorry you had to give up your lane. You going to start another one?

Take care,
-Chad

This is really cool. Keep up the good work. Building a pinsetter is going to be tough. There are lots of videos on the internet that show pinsetters working, in fact, thats how i discovered you web site! I was studying how a pinsetter works. I think there are a lot of people that want an alley in their basement, me included, ever since I was a child. Good Luck!!!!!!!

Dan


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Thanks for the comments Dan. The thing I have discovered most from having this website was just how many people are out there just like me who love this stuff.
-Chad

Looks great! I've been kicking around the idea of a half-scale AMF pinspotter...now I know where to research building the lane!

Steve Kerr
Head Mechanic
StarWay Lanes, Massillon Oh

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Thanks Steve. You should definitely work on that project! I would love to talk about any ideas you have with you. I would love to make a half-scale pinsetter but I don't have any actual pit experience, other than asking the owner of the bowling center if I can go back there and watch. I'm not giving up though! I know old dogs can learn new tricks. For now I have to settle for the "mostly manual" pinsetter. -Chad

Boy this looks great. I found your site while looking for inspiration in starting a similar project. I have to say that yours is by far the best looking project of this sort I have found so far. I would love to see more pictures, also the videos that you mentioned a couple of times and more detailed discussions of some of your techniques. Maybe even some of your plans. I have about a million questions. What are you using for a track on your ball return? How did you secure the laminate? If I remember right from doing my dining room it's designed to sort of float free and not be nailed or glued down. How is the laminate holding up? I was worried it might not be able to take the beating of bowling, but I had saved a box from the dining room all the same because I was thinking of making a mini lane even then. Thanks fro posting all of this.

Kent

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Thanks Kent, I sent you an e-mail responding to your questions. Write back anytime and let me know how it's going. -Chad

Hey brother. I just found this site. Totally cool. Reading your history page brought back some really great memories of my family. I practically grew up in the bowling alley on Friday nights (how many quarters did I go through on those arcade games...shaped me into the gamer I am today). And all I can say is: Earl Anthony FTW!

We need to catch up sometime for sure. And I never got to congratulate you and Chrys on getting married. So GRATZ!

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Thanks for all of the congrats corndog! -Chad

Looks good!

Do you have plans drawn up. Also How do you plan on doing the pin setter. I want to make one too, but haven't figured out how to make a pin setter.

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Thanks Tom. I posted a recent blog describing the current "mostly manual" pinsetter. Gonna try and put up some pics of it this week. Please keep me updated on your progress. -Chad