04 Spec Sheets

Measurements · Drilling · Records

4.1 — Terminology & Concepts

4.1 — Terminology & Concepts

4.1.1 Acronyms Used in Spectre Cloud

📐 Acronyms Used in Spectre Cloud

Beyond the three primary span type acronyms, Spectre Cloud uses a number of additional shorthand terms throughout its interface. The following reference covers the most commonly encountered.

Acronym Full Name Where Used What It Refers To
PAP Positive Axis Point Bowler profile; layout fields The point on the ball's surface at the end of the bowler's initial axis of rotation at release — the geometric anchor for all structured layout systems
VAL Vertical Axis Line Layout fields (VLS, Dual Angle) The vertical line running through the bowler's PAP — used as a reference for pin and mass bias placement in VLS and Dual Angle layouts
MB Mass Bias Layout fields The heaviest point of the ball's core — its placement relative to the grip center affects the ball's flare potential and backend motion
VLS Versatile Layout System Layout type selector; spec sheets Storm Bowling's chart-based layout system for traditional thumb bowlers — see 2.5.1.1
2LS Two-Layout System Layout type selector; spec sheets Storm Bowling's layout system designed for two-handed bowlers — see 2.5.1.2
PAL Performance Axis Layout Layout type selector; spec sheets Three-input layout system (drilling angle, pin distance, VAL angle) — referred to as Dual Angle in Spectre Cloud's UI — see 2.5.1.3
CLT Center Line Transformation Bowler profile; Auto-CLT setting A fitting measurement that defines how a bowler's finger centerline relates to the ball's grip center — used to derive lateral finger pitch — see 2.6.3
OD Outside Diameter Insert fields; spec sheets The outer diameter of a finger insert — the drill bit must match this dimension for the insert to seat correctly — see 2.6.6
RG Radius of Gyration Arsenal Plus; ball detail fields A measure of how the ball's mass is distributed relative to its axis — lower RG = earlier roll, higher RG = longer skid
diff / differential Differential of RG Arsenal Plus; ball detail fields The difference between a ball's highest and lowest RG values — higher differential = more flare potential and stronger backend reaction
V Vertical Oval calculator; milling settings The vertical axis of oval cut movement — see 2.3.5 and 2.3.6
H Horizontal Oval calculator; milling settings The horizontal axis of oval cut movement — see 2.3.5 and 2.3.6
RPM Revolutions Per Minute Bowler profile (rev rate field) The unit used to record a bowler's rev rate — how many times the ball rotates on its axis per minute during lane travel
RH / LH Right-Handed / Left-Handed Bowler profile; pitch settings; Auto-Invert Shorthand for the bowler's dominant hand — affects pitch sign conventions, layout orientation, and Auto-Invert behaviour
F Full Span Spec Sheet Span Measured span with all inserts included.  Also known as the complete span
C Cut-to-Cut Spec Sheet Span Full Span minus the thickness of the inserts.  This is used primarely when drilling the thumb first and then having to find the measurement for the 31/32 hole for the inserts.  Cut-to-Cut on the PBA tour (biggest hole to biggest hole) is known as H in Spectre.
O Outer-to-Cut Spec Sheet Span Used with an interchangeable thumb insert.  Typically when drilling a new ball for a bowler using an interchangeable, they won't need you to drill another thumb.  This measurement makes it easy when drilling a new ball for this bowler, as they can simply show up to your shop, the holes are in the right spot, and they simply have to lock in their male inner sleeve.
H Hole-to-Hole Spec Sheet Span Known as Cut-to-Cut on the PBA services truck, this is the biggest hole to the biggest hole. 

Tip: Print this page and keep a copy at the drill press during onboarding of new staff. Acronym familiarity is one of the first barriers a new team member faces when reading a spec sheet under time pressure — having a quick reference to hand removes that barrier in the first few sessions and builds confidence faster than repeated explanation alone.

4.1 — Terminology & Concepts

4.1.2 Span types explained: F, C, O, H

4.1.2   concept

The span type setting on a Spectre Cloud spec sheet defines the measurement convention used to record the distance between the finger holes and the thumb hole. Choosing the right span type — and understanding what each one measures — ensures spec sheet values are interpreted and drilled correctly every time. This page explains how each of the four span types works, how they differ, and how to choose between them for a given bowler or workflow.

Note: This page explains the span types conceptually. For the acronyms used to represent them on spec sheets (F, C, O, H), see 4.1.1. For oval hole measurement — a separate concept from span type — see the Oval Calculator (Book 05).

📐 What Is a Span Measurement?

A span measurement records the distance between a bowler's finger holes and their thumb hole on a drilled bowling ball. It is the primary dimension that determines how far the thumb must reach — and how comfortable and consistent the grip feels through the swing and release. All four span types describe this same fundamental distance, but they differ in where the measurement begins and ends and whether the inserts are included.

📐 Full Span (F)

Full Span is the complete measured span, everything included — inserts and all. It is taken with the bowler's grips/inserts in place, capturing the full distance the thumb must reach from the seated finger position to the thumb hole. It is also referred to as the complete span.

When to Use Full Span

📐 Cut to Cut (C)

Cut to Cut is the Full Span minus the thickness of the insert — the span measured to the actual drilled cut of the finger hole, before the inserts are accounted for. It is most useful when you drill the ball thumb-first: rather than mentally subtracting the grip thickness to find where the finger holes go, you work directly from the Cut to Cut value.

When to Use Cut to Cut

Autofill requirements: The Cut to Cut auto-suggestion doesn't measure anything on its own — it derives the value. For it to run, the spec sheet needs a Full Span measurement on both fingers, plus the insert type and insert size for each. From the insert type and size, Spectre Cloud calculates the insert wall thickness and subtracts it from the Full Span to produce the Cut to Cut value. If any of those inputs is missing, the autofill can't calculate.

Watch the terminology: Spectre's Cut to Cut (C) is not the same thing the PBA services truck calls "Cut-to-Cut." The PBA truck's "Cut-to-Cut" (biggest hole to biggest hole) is Spectre's Hole to Hole (H) — see below.

📐 Outer to Cut (O)

Outer to Cut is used for interchangeable thumbs. It is measured from the inside of the female portion of the interchangeable to the cut of the finger's outer-diameter hole. It has nothing to do with oval holes — the "O" stands for Outer to Cut, not Oval.

Its purpose is repeat-drilling convenience. When a bowler with an interchangeable thumb comes in for a new ball, you don't need to drill a fresh thumb hole for them. Using the Outer to Cut measurement, the holes land in exactly the right spot, and the bowler simply locks in their own male inner sleeve.

When to Use Outer to Cut

📐 Hole to Hole (H)

Hole to Hole is measured biggest hole to biggest hole — for example, from a 1 1/2" thumb hole to a 31/32" finger hole. It is a purely physical, edge-to-edge measurement of the largest openings on the ball.

This is the measurement the PBA services truck refers to as "Cut-to-Cut." Because Spectre already uses "Cut to Cut" for a different measurement (C, above), that PBA convention lives under the name Hole to Hole in Spectre to avoid confusion.

When to Use Hole to Hole

📊 Span Types Compared

  Full Span (F) Cut to Cut (C) Outer to Cut (O) Hole to Hole (H)
What it measures Complete span, inserts and all Full Span minus insert thickness Inside of the female interchangeable to the cut of the finger OD hole Biggest hole to biggest hole (e.g., 1½" to 31/32")
Inserts included? Yes — everything included No — insert thickness removed Interchangeable system (female/male sleeve) N/A — hole edge to hole edge
Primary use General fitting; the default/complete reference Thumb-first drilling; deriving finger-hole position Bowlers with interchangeable thumbs; repeat drilling Quick physical reference; PBA-truck workflows
PBA truck term — Not the truck's "Cut-to-Cut" — This is the truck's "Cut-to-Cut"
Auto-suggestion — Yes — needs Full Span (both fingers) + insert type & size (2.6.9) — —

🔄 Span Type and Spectre Cloud's Auto-Suggestions

Spectre Cloud's auto-suggestion features are aware of the span type selected on the current spec sheet and apply their calculations within that convention. The primary one tied to span type is Autofill Cut to Cut, which derives the Cut to Cut value from the Full Span rather than requiring you to measure it separately.

For Autofill Cut to Cut to run, the spec sheet must contain:

  1. A Full Span measurement on both fingers (middle and ring).
  2. The insert type for each finger.
  3. The insert size for each finger.

From the insert type and size, Spectre Cloud determines the insert wall thickness, then subtracts it from the Full Span to produce the Cut to Cut value. If any of these inputs is missing, the calculation can't complete.

Tip: If your shop is setting a default span type, Full Span is the lowest-friction choice — it's the complete measurement most fitters already work in, it aligns with published fitting charts, and it's the input the Cut to Cut autofill depends on. Reach for Cut to Cut when you drill thumb-first, Outer to Cut for bowlers on interchangeable thumbs, and Hole to Hole when you want the biggest-hole-to-biggest-hole reference the PBA truck calls "Cut-to-Cut." Remember: none of these is "Oval" — that's a hole shape, not a span type.

4.1 — Terminology & Concepts

4.1.3 Grip type definitions: Finger Tip vs. Conventional

4.1.3   concept

A bowler's grip type defines how deeply their fingers are inserted into the ball — and it is one of the most consequential decisions in a pro shop fitting. Grip type determines the standard span, pitch, bridge, and insert values that apply to a bowler, and it is the first meaningful fitting choice for any new bowler purchasing their first personal ball. This page explains the two grip types — Fingertip and Conventional — how they differ physically and in terms of ball motion, and how the choice is reflected throughout Spectre Cloud.

🎳 Fingertip Grip

In a fingertip grip, the middle and ring fingers are inserted into the ball to the first knuckle only — the fingertip. This is a shallower insertion than conventional, leaving the bulk of the finger outside the ball and relying on the fingertip's contact with the hole edge (or insert) to hold and release the ball.

Physical Characteristics

Ball Motion Characteristics

Fitting Standards — Fingertip

🎳 Conventional Grip

In a conventional grip, the middle and ring fingers are inserted into the ball to the second knuckle — past the first crease, with a deeper portion of the finger inside the hole.

Physical Characteristics

Ball Motion Characteristics

Fitting Standards — Conventional

📊 Fingertip vs. Conventional — Side-by-Side

FingertipConventional
Insertion depthTo first knuckleTo second knuckle
Lever armLonger — more torque at releaseShorter — more secure hold
Rev rate potentialHigherLower
Hook potentialHigherLower
Release sensitivityHigher — technique-dependentLower — more forgiving
Standard bridge1/4"3/8"
InsertsStrongly recommendedNot recommended
Typical bowler profileLeague, competitive, performance-orientedBeginner, youth, senior, recreational
Autofill Bridge in Spectre Cloud1/4" (2.6.5)3/8" (2.6.5)

🔄 Grip Type in Spectre Cloud

Grip type is recorded on the bowler's profile (see 3.1.2) and is used throughout Spectre Cloud to drive autofill defaults and IBPSIA-standard suggestions. Selecting the correct grip type at profile creation ensures every subsequent spec sheet starts with the right baseline values.

4.1 — Terminology & Concepts

4.1.4 Pitch terminology

4.1.4   concept

Pitch is the angle at which a finger or thumb hole is drilled relative to the ball's center. It affects grip comfort, how securely the ball is held through the swing, and how cleanly it releases. In Spectre Cloud, you set pitch for each hole using the pitch tiles on the spec sheet — the boxes framed by directional arrows around each hole. This page explains how those tiles work and defines the four pitch terms: Forward, Reverse, Lateral, and Zero.

Note: For the display and sign settings referenced here, see chapter 2.4. For the auto-suggestions that propose pitch values, see 2.6.2 and 2.6.3.

🛠️ Setting Pitch with the Pitch Tiles

On a Spectre Cloud spec sheet, each hole — thumb, middle finger, and ring finger — has its own pitch tile. Each tile is surrounded by arrows that represent the two pitch axes:

You enter the pitch amount in the tile in the chosen direction. Forward/reverse and lateral are independent, so a single hole can carry both at once (for example, a small forward pitch and a small lateral pitch together).

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🔢 Fractions or Thousandths of an Inch

Pitch values in the tiles can be displayed two ways, controlled by a Spectre Cloud setting:

The value is identical either way — only the notation changes. Choose whichever matches how your drill press readout and your shop's habits express pitch, so there's no conversion in your head at the press.

⚠️ Verify with your Spectre team: confirm the exact name and location of the fractions-vs-thousandths display setting so it can be linked precisely from this page.

➕➖ Pitch Polarity (+/-)

By default the arrows around each tile carry the direction. You can also turn on polarity so a + or − sign appears in the pitch tiles, giving you the direction as a sign in addition to the arrows. This is set in chapter 2.4 and is worth aligning to your specific machine:

Matching these to how your drill press signs its pitch is the single best way to avoid drilling a hole in the wrong direction.

📐 The Four Pitch Terms

Forward pitch angles the hole toward the center of the ball. It draws the thumb or finger deeper in, increasing grip security and slowing the exit slightly. Common for less flexible thumbs, conventional grips, or a ball that feels loose. Typical range: 0 to 1/2" forward; 1/4" is the common IBPSIA starting point.

Reverse pitch angles the hole toward the outside of the ball, away from center. It assists the thumb's exit for a faster, cleaner release, but reduces grip security if overapplied. Common for higher rev-rate bowlers, very flexible thumbs, or a thumb that hangs. Typical range: 1/16" to 1/4" reverse.

Lateral pitch tilts the hole sideways, toward or away from the adjacent hole, to relieve side pinching and align with the bowler's hand geometry. Direction is described relative to the ring-finger side and flips for left-handed bowlers:

Direction Right-Handed Left-Handed
Toward ring finger Tilts opening to the right Tilts opening to the left
Away from ring finger Tilts opening to the left Tilts opening to the right

Typical range: 0 to 3/8"; 1/8" toward the ring finger is among the most common.

Zero pitch — also called manufacturer's or no added pitch — drills the hole straight toward the ball's center with no added tilt on either axis. It's a valid, complete spec (not a placeholder) and a common starting point for a first fitting.

Note: Because lateral direction is physically opposite for RH and LH bowlers, dominant hand is a required field on the bowler profile. The Auto-Invert setting (2.6.4) flips lateral pitch automatically when cloning or templating across handedness.

📊 Pitch Summary Table

Pitch Type Direction Primary Effect
Forward Toward center of ball Increases grip security; slows exit
Reverse Toward outside of ball Faster, cleaner thumb exit
Lateral Toward/away from ring finger Relieves side pinch; aligns to hand geometry
Zero Straight toward center Neutral; no added adjustment

Tip: Before you drill, make sure your fractions-vs-thousandths and +/- polarity settings match how your drill press readout expresses pitch. When the spec sheet and the press speak the same language, you read the tile and drill it directly — no mental conversion, no risk of reversing a direction.

4.1 — Terminology & Concepts

4.1.5 Bridge: standard bridge sizes and their purpose

4.1.5   concept

The bridge is the distance between the near edges of the middle and ring finger holes on a drilled ball — the strip of material, or land area, that holds the two finger holes apart. It's one of the smallest measurements on a spec sheet, but it's an industry-standard value that depends on grip type, and Spectre Cloud defaults it for you.

📏 Standard Bridge by Grip Type

The bridge default is set by the bowler's grip type:

Spectre Cloud applies the correct default automatically based on the grip type recorded for the bowler (see Autofill Bridge, below).

⚠️ The 1/4" Warranty Minimum

Whatever the grip type, 1/4" is the hard floor. Ball manufacturers will not warrant a ball that cracks if the bridge was drilled narrower than 1/4" — below that width, the land area between the finger holes is too thin to reliably survive repeated impact.

🛠️ Autofill Bridge in Spectre Cloud

When Autofill Bridge (2.6.5) is enabled, Spectre Cloud pre-populates the bridge field with the standard value for the bowler's grip type — 1/4" for fingertip, 3/8" for conventional — so you don't need to enter it on a routine drill. The fitter only intervenes when a specific, deliberate reason calls for a different value.

🖥️ Bridge on the Spec Sheet

The bridge field sits in the insert and finger hole section of the spec sheet.

Tip: Let Autofill Bridge set the grip-appropriate default — 1/4" fingertip, 3/8" conventional — and treat 1/4" as the floor you never drill below. Going narrower than 1/4" for any grip gives up the manufacturer's crack warranty, so only do it for a specific, documented fitting reason.

4.1 — Terminology & Concepts

4.1.6 Insert OD: drill bit sizing for STD and VACU grips

4.1.6   concept

When drilling finger holes for bowlers who use inserts, the drill bit must match the insert's Outside Diameter (OD) — the outer dimension that sets the hole size. Spectre Cloud sizes these holes for you through Autofill Insert OD (2.6.6). This page explains what OD is, how it differs from insert size, and how the two insert systems — STD and VACU — are drilled and recorded on the spec sheet.

🎳 Insert OD vs. Insert Size

Two dimensions matter for an insert, and it's important not to confuse them:

📐 STD (Standard) Inserts

Standard inserts are press-fit: the hole is drilled to the insert's OD and the insert is pressed in, held by friction against the ball's coverstock.

📐 VACU (Vacuum) Inserts

VACU inserts are drilled in two diameters so the insert has room to expand. The hole is stepped: an oversized pocket at the top, then the insert's true OD deeper down.

  1. Drill the top portion of the hole at the size shown on the spec sheet.
  2. Drill that top portion 1" deep.
  3. Continue to the full depth of the insert using the insert's regular, actual OD.

The oversized top creates a pocket — a void where the insert does not touch the surrounding ball wall. That void gives the insert room to expand.

📊 STD vs. VACU — Key Differences

STD (Standard)VACU (Vacuum)
Drilling methodSingle diameter at the insert's OD, full depthTwo diameters — oversized top ~1" deep, then the actual OD to full depth
What the spec-sheet OD meansThe drill bit size for the whole holeThe top-portion (pocket) drill size
Why it's sized this wayFriction press-fit secures the insertThe oversized top leaves a void so the insert can expand
Common use caseGeneral fingertip / insert fittingBowlers whose fingers need room to expand

⚙️ How Spectre Cloud Handles STD vs. VACU

Autofill Insert OD (2.6.6) populates the drill bit size on the spec sheet from the insert type and insert size recorded for the bowler. Recording the insert type correctly is what tells Spectre which sizing to apply.

The drill bit size is saved to the spec sheet and carries forward when the sheet is cloned. Confirm the insert type and OD are still correct for the new ball before saving, and if a bowler switches systems (STD to VACU or vice versa), create a new spec sheet so the history reflects what was actually drilled on each ball.

Tip: The most common VACU error is drilling the whole hole at one size. Remember it's two cuts: the spec-sheet size for the first inch to form the pocket, then the insert's actual OD to depth. If your shop is adding VACU for the first time, walk every driller through that two-diameter step at the press before the first VACU ball — it's the one detail that's easy to miss and easy to get right once seen.

4.2 — Creating a Spec Sheet

4.2 — Creating a Spec Sheet

4.2.1 Creating a blank spec sheet for a bowler

1. Access Bowler Profiles

Click "Bowlers" to open the list of bowler profiles in Spectre Proshop .

Access Bowler Profiles

2. Select Bowler

Select the bowler to view the specific bowler's profile details.

Select Bowler Email

3. Open Spec Sheets Addition

Click "Add Spec Sheets" to begin adding a new spec sheets for the selected bowler.

Open Spec Sheets Addition

4. Lets create a new spec sheet for an already existing profile.

5. Select a bowler 

Select your already existing bowlers profile.

Choose Spec Sheet Email

6. Open Additional Options

Click here to add a new spec sheet to the bowler.

Open Additional Options

7. Access Further Spec Sheet Settings

Click here to modify the name of the spec sheet

Access Further Spec Sheet Settings

8. Select Spec Sheet Name Field

Click "Spec Sheet Name" to edit the name of the spec sheet.

Select Spec Sheet Name Field

9. Confirm Spec Sheet Addition

Click here to finalize and save the new spec sheet.

Confirm Spec Sheet Addition

4.2 — Creating a Spec Sheet

4.2.2 Naming a spec sheet

4.2.2   step-by-step

When you create a new spec sheet, Spectre Cloud lets you give it a plain-English name at the top of the sheet. This name is how you identify the sheet later — a far more useful label than relying on the created and modified dates alone.

🎳 Naming the Spec Sheet

The name field sits at the top of the spec sheet when it's created. Use it to describe, in your own words, what the sheet is for — so anyone opening the bowler's history can tell at a glance what each sheet represents.

🔄 Naming When You Clone a Sheet

Spectre Cloud's Clone feature creates a copy of an existing spec sheet in the bowler's history. It's the right way to make a small change and log it properly — the original stays intact, and the copy records the new work.

When you clone a sheet, Spectre Cloud prompts you to rename it before the copy loads. This is your chance to describe the change you're about to make.

Note: Naming is the key to a useful drilling history. A good name identifies what was done on that sheet — without it, a list of near-identical sheets and dates is hard to interpret later.

Tip: Think of the sheet name as a one-line summary of the work. Refit pain ring finger 2026 tells you everything at a glance; "Spec Sheet 3" tells you nothing. When you clone to make a change, take the extra few seconds at the rename prompt — future you, reviewing the history, will be glad you did.

4.2 — Creating a Spec Sheet

4.2.3 Selecting grip type on the spec sheet

1. Access Bowler Section

Click "Bowlers" to open the bowler management section in Spectre Proshop Management.

Access Bowler Section

2. Select Bowler

Select the bowler.

Select Bowler

3. Click on grip type

Click here to access the grip type.

Open First Profile Option

4. Click on the drop down

Click here to access the drop down.

Open Second Profile Option

5. Select grip type

Select the grip type you would like.

Choose Conventional Style

4.2 — Creating a Spec Sheet

4.2.4 How to identify the type of grip from measurement sheet

4.2.4   step-by-step

Before entering span and pitch measurements, you need to identify which grip type the bowler uses. The grip type determines how the fingers sit in the ball and which measurements are relevant. Most fitting sheets — handwritten, printed, or from a previous system — record grip type either explicitly or implicitly through the measurements themselves.

🎳 The Two Grip Types

Spectre Cloud supports the two IBPSIA-standard grip types. Understanding how each is defined helps you read any fitting sheet accurately.

Grip TypeFinger insertion depthTypical bowler profile
ConventionalFingers inserted to the second knuckle (middle joint)Beginners, recreational bowlers, seniors, youth
FingertipFingers inserted to the first knuckle (tip joint only)Most competitive and league bowlers; the most common adult grip

Note: The overwhelming majority of adult league and competitive bowlers use a fingertip grip. If a fitting sheet doesn't state a grip type, fingertip is the most likely default for an adult bowler — but always confirm with the bowler directly.

🛠️ Selecting Grip Type in Spectre Cloud

  1. Open the spec sheet you're creating or editing.
  2. Locate the Grip Type selector in the spec sheet header or measurement section.
  3. Choose Conventional or Fingertip based on your reading of the fitting sheet.
  4. Spectre Cloud adjusts the available span fields and IBPSIA auto-suggestion logic to match the selected grip type.

Important: Selecting the wrong grip type will cause span fields to mismatch the bowler's actual measurements and may produce incorrect IBPSIA auto-suggestions. If you're unsure, choose Fingertip as the default for adults and confirm with the bowler at their next visit.

Tip: Not sure which grip a new walk-in bowler uses? Fingertip bowlers often have calluses or grooving at the first knuckle from years of fingertip use — a quick look at the hand usually tells you.

4.2 — Creating a Spec Sheet

4.2.5 Cloning a spec sheet

4.2.5   TIP   step-by-step

When you need to make an adjustment to an existing fit, and you want to document the change in the spec sheet history, cloning a spec sheet saves time and prevents transcription errors. Instead of re-entering every measurement from scratch, you duplicate an existing sheet and change only what's different for the new fit. The original spec sheet is never altered.

🔄 What Cloning Does

🛠️ How to Clone a Spec Sheet

  1. Open the bowler's profile from the Bowlers list.
  2. Go to the Spec Sheets tab for that bowler.
  3. Find the sheet you want to clone — use the name and date to confirm you have the right record.
  4. Open the sheet and select the Clone option.
  5. When prompted, give the clone a new name that reflects the new ball or the change you're making.
  6. Spectre Cloud opens the renamed copy for editing.
  7. Edit any measurements, pitches, or layout details that differ from the original.
  8. Save the cloned spec sheet.

📸 Visual Walkthrough

  1. Open the bowler profile — select the bowler whose spec sheet you want to clone. Open Bowler Profile
  2. Hit the CLONE button — create a clone of the spec sheet. Clone Button
  3. Name the cloned sheet — click "Spec Sheet Name" to rename the clone at the prompt. Name the Clone
  4. Confirm the name. Confirm Name
  5. Modify the necessary fields — proceed to adjust the bowler's specs on the cloned sheet. Modify Fields

Tip: The rename prompt at clone time is the moment your history earns its value. A quick, descriptive name on every clone turns a bowler's spec sheet list into a readable record of their equipment evolution — and makes future ball conversations much easier.

4.2 — Creating a Spec Sheet

4.2.6 Printing a spec sheet

4.2.6   TIP   step-by-step

Once a spec sheet is complete, you can print it directly from Spectre Cloud to use at the drill press, hand to a colleague, or file for your records. Spectre Cloud generates a clean, formatted printout that includes all measurements, layout details, and notes for the selected spec sheet.

🖥️ How to Print a Spec Sheet 

  1. Open the bowler's profile and navigate to their Spec Sheets tab.
  2. Open the spec sheet you want to print.
  3. Select the Print option — look for the print icon or button in the spec sheet action menu.
  4. Spectre Cloud opens a print-ready view of the spec sheet in your browser.
  5. Your browser's standard print dialog will open. Select your printer, adjust page size if needed, and confirm.

Tip: Saving spec sheets as PDFs and storing them in a shared folder (Google Drive, Dropbox, or a network drive) gives your whole team instant access to drilling records even when Spectre Cloud is not open in front of them.

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4.3 — Span

4.3 — Span

4.3.1 Entering span measurements (F, C, O, H)

4.3.1   step-by-step

Span measurements define the distance between the thumb hole and each finger hole. Spectre Cloud supports four span types, and it's important to enter values under the correct one — the number only means what it's supposed to when it's paired with the right span type.

📐 The Four Span Types (Summary)

Spectre Cloud uses four span measurement types. Each is explained in full — including how it's measured and when to use it — in 4.3.2. In brief:

For the full detail on each type, see 4.3.2 — Span types. This page covers how to enter the values once you know which type you're working in.

🎳 The Span Fields on the Spec Sheet

The two span boxes sit at the center of the spec sheet, directly below the finger holes. For a right-handed bowler:

Enter each finger's span in its box. The values are almost always different from one another, so confirm you're entering each in the correct field.

Note: The middle and ring finger boxes flip when you change the bowler's dominant hand. Because handedness mirrors the layout, switching a bowler from right-handed to left-handed (or vice versa) swaps which box is the middle finger and which is the ring — so always confirm the bowler's hand is set correctly before reading or entering span values.

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🔘 Reading the F / C / O / H Bubbles

Between the two span boxes is a row of four bubbles — F, C, O, H — one for each span type. Their shading tells you, at a glance, which span type is currently displayed and which ones already hold a value:

image.png

Bubble state Meaning
Black background This is the span type currently being displayed in the span boxes.
Grey background A value is present for this span type (but it's not the one currently displayed).
White background Nothing is present — the value for this span type is blank or incomplete.

The bubbles let you switch which span type is shown and immediately see which types are already filled in. A grey bubble means that span exists on the sheet; a white bubble means it doesn't yet.

⚙️ Only Cut to Cut Is Automated

This is the key thing to understand about span entry: Cut to Cut is the only span type with any automation behind it.

Because there's no validation catching mistakes, the responsibility for a correct value sits entirely with the person entering it. Confirm the span type and re-check the numbers before saving.

🔢 Adjusting Span Increments

The values available when entering a span come from a drop-down, and the increment of that drop-down is adjustable in the settings (see 2.2.7). If the default steps are finer or coarser than you like to work in, change the increment so the drop-down offers the values that match your shop's habits.

📋 Entering Span — Step by Step

  1. Confirm the bowler's dominant hand is set correctly — this determines which box is the middle finger and which is the ring.
  2. Confirm the span type is set correctly (see 4.3.2) — check that the intended bubble (F, C, O, or H) is the one with the black background.
  3. Enter the middle finger span in its box.
  4. Enter the ring finger span in its box.
  5. Double-check both values against your fitting source before moving on.

Tip: Glance at the bubble row before you save. A black bubble tells you which span you're looking at, and the grey ones tell you which other spans are already on file — an easy way to confirm nothing you meant to enter was left white and blank.

4.3 — Span

4.3.2 The four span types: F, C, O, H

4.3.2   concept

Spectre Cloud supports four span types — Full Span (F), Cut to Cut (C), Outer to Cut (O), and Hole to Hole (H). All four measure the distance between the finger holes and the thumb hole, but they differ in where the measurement begins and ends and whether the inserts are included. This page defines each; for entering them on the sheet, see 4.3.1.

📐 Full Span (F)

The complete measured span — everything included, inserts and all. Also called the complete span.

📐 Cut to Cut (C)

Full Span minus the thickness of the insert — the span measured to the actual drilled cut, before the inserts are accounted for. Useful when drilling thumb-first, so you don't subtract the grip thickness by hand.

📐 Outer to Cut (O)

For interchangeable thumbs — measured from the inside of the female portion of the interchangeable to the cut of the finger's outer-diameter hole.

📐 Hole to Hole (H)

Biggest hole to biggest hole — for example, a 1 1/2" thumb to a 31/32" finger. A purely physical, edge-to-edge measurement of the largest openings.

📊 The Four Span Types

  Full Span (F) Cut to Cut (C) Outer to Cut (O) Hole to Hole (H)
What it measures Complete span, inserts and all Full Span minus insert thickness Inside of the female interchangeable to the cut of the finger OD hole Biggest hole to biggest hole (e.g. 1½" to 31/32")
Inserts included? Yes No Interchangeable sleeve N/A — hole edge to hole edge
Primary use General fitting; the default reference Thumb-first drilling Interchangeable thumbs Quick physical reference; PBA-truck workflows
Auto-suggestion — Yes (2.6.9) — —

Tip: Full Span is the lowest-friction default — it's the complete measurement most fitters work in and the input the Cut to Cut auto-fill depends on. Reach for Cut to Cut when drilling thumb-first, Outer to Cut for interchangeable thumbs, and Hole to Hole when you want the biggest-hole-to-biggest-hole reference the PBA truck calls "Cut-to-Cut."

4.3 — Span

4.3.3 Ring finger 5/16" rule

4.3.3   measurement

The ring finger span is often derived from the middle finger span rather than measured independently, using the 5/16" Ring Finger Rule. Spectre Cloud can apply this calculation for you through Auto-Calculate Ring Span (2.6.8), or you can enter the ring finger span manually.

📐 The Rule

The ring finger span is calculated as:

Ring Finger Span = Middle Finger Span + (5/16" − d)

Where d is the observed difference between the second joint lines of the middle and ring fingers, measured with the bowler's hand flat on the ball. When the joint lines are level (d = 0"), the ring span comes out 5/16" longer than the middle span; as d increases, the ring span shortens relative to the middle.

d valueAdjustment (5/16" − d)Effect on ring span
0"+5/16"Ring span 5/16" longer than middle
5/16"0"Ring span equals middle span
> 5/16"NegativeRing span shorter than middle

⚙️ Auto Calculation in Spectre Cloud

When Auto-Calculate Ring Span is used:

  1. Enter the middle finger span as measured.
  2. Enter the d measurement in its field.
  3. Spectre Cloud calculates and displays the ring finger span using Middle Span + (5/16" − d).
  4. Review the result before saving.

⚠️ Verify with your Spectre team: confirm the exact field label for the d input and whether the calculated ring span is read-only or an editable value the operator can still override.

✏️ Manual Entry

If you measure the ring finger span directly, you can enter it manually instead of using the calculation — appropriate when you have independent measurements of both fingers, or when transferring an explicit ring span from a legacy sheet.

Tip: The 5/16" rule produces a starting span, not a fixed prescription. If a bowler reports the ring finger feels consistently tighter or looser than the middle despite a correct-looking sheet, re-check the d measurement first — it takes under a minute and often explains the complaint.

4.4 — Finger Measurements

4.4 — Finger Measurements

4.4.1 Round finger holes, no inserts

1. Select Customer Account

Click and select the bowler

Select Customer Account

2. Hole size

Click on hole size

Access Customer Options Menu

3. Open drop down

Click here to open the drop down.

Open Customer Details

4. Select the size

Click and select the size of the hole

Choose Appointment Date

5. Hole size

Repeat the same process for the other finger.

Open Date Options

6. Open drop down

Open the drop down

Confirm Date Selection

7. Select the size

Select the size

Select Product Size

4.4 — Finger Measurements

4.4.2 Finger inserts

4.4.2   measurement

When a bowler uses finger inserts, the spec sheet needs the insert type, the insert size (ID), and the drill bit OD for each finger. The order you enter them in matters — enter type and size first and Spectre Cloud's auto-suggestions do the rest. For the STD vs. VACU distinction, see 4.4.3; for the underlying OD concept, see 4.1.6.

Always enter finger inserts in this order — insert type first, then insert size — and let the auto-suggestions handle the rest:

Note: The list of insert types offered in the drop-down can itself be filtered in the Settings section — so you only see the brands and types your shop actually carries, keeping the type list short and relevant.

⚙️ What the Auto-Suggestions Do

Once insert type and size are entered:

Note: This is why order matters. Selecting the type first narrows the size list; entering the size then drives the OD auto-fill. Enter them out of order and you lose the filtering and may have to set the OD by hand.

📋 Entering Finger Inserts in Spectre Cloud

  1. Select the insert type for the finger (None, STD, or VACU). Middle and ring are independent.
  2. Select the insert size (ID) from the now-filtered drop-down.
  3. With Auto-OD on, Spectre fills the OD automatically; otherwise enter it manually.
  4. Repeat for the other finger.

Tip: Build the habit of type → size → let it fill. Selecting the insert type first is the single step that makes the rest of the finger-insert entry fast and error-free — the size list filters itself and the OD fills itself in.

4.4 — Finger Measurements

4.4.3 STD vs. VACU

4.4.3   concept

Finger inserts seat in one of two ways — STD (Standard) or VACU (Vacuum). The insert type you record on the sheet (see 4.4.2) tells Spectre Cloud how the hole is drilled. This page explains the difference. For the OD-sizing concept, see 4.1.6.

📐 STD (Standard)

Standard inserts are press-fit: the hole is drilled to the insert's OD, at full depth, and the insert is pressed in and held by friction against the ball's coverstock.

📐 VACU (Vacuum)

VACU inserts are drilled in two diameters so the insert has room to expand:

  1. Drill the top portion at the size shown on the spec sheet.
  2. Drill that top portion 1" deep.
  3. Continue to the insert's actual OD for the rest of the depth.

The oversized top forms a pocket — a void where the insert doesn't touch the surrounding ball wall — giving the insert room to expand.

📊 STD vs. VACU

STD (Standard)VACU (Vacuum)
DrillingSingle diameter at the insert OD, full depthOversized pocket ~1" deep, then actual OD to depth
Spec-sheet OD meansDrill size for the whole holeTop-portion (pocket) size
WhyFriction press-fitVoid lets the insert expand

Tip: The most common VACU error is drilling the whole hole at one size. Remember it's two cuts — the spec-sheet size for the first inch to form the pocket, then the insert's actual OD to depth.

4.4 — Finger Measurements

4.4.4 Oval fingers, no inserts

4.4.4   measurement

For a bowler who wants an oval finger hole without inserts, Spectre Cloud replaces the round OD field with an OVAL field. There is no auto-suggestion or calculation here — it's a simple text input you annotate yourself.

🔵 The OVAL Field

📋 Entering an Oval Finger Hole

  1. Set the finger's round hole size first (e.g. 11/16").
  2. Switch the finger to oval — the OD field becomes the OVAL input.
  3. Type the move in thousandths (e.g. 0.030) for the direction you're cutting.
  4. Repeat for the other finger if needed.

Note: Because nothing is auto-calculated, the value you type is exactly what's recorded. Double-check the amount and the direction before drilling.

Tip: The OVAL field is just a move off the round hole size — note both the round size and the oval move in your records so the fit is reproducible on the next ball.

4.4 — Finger Measurements

4.4.5 Inputting pitches

4.4.5   measurement

Finger pitch is entered directly into the pitch tiles surrounding each finger hole on the spec sheet. There's no direction to "select" — the tile you put the value in is the direction. This page covers how to read and enter those tiles for the middle and ring fingers.

🛠️ How the Pitch Tiles Work

Each finger hole is framed by pitch tiles, and the tile's position on the sheet determines the direction of the pitch:

You don't set a direction from a dropdown — you enter the value in the tile that corresponds to the direction you want. Forward/reverse and lateral are separate tiles, so a finger can carry both at once.

Note: To apply a pitch against a tile's default direction — for example, Right pitch on the left finger — scroll to the absolute bottom of that tile's drop-down. There you'll find values listed as Rx, where x is the desired pitch. These cross-direction entries live at the very end of the list, below the standard values.

Note: On fingertip fits, it is quite rare to see forward pitches on the fingers — most fingertip finger pitch is zero or reverse. Treat a forward finger pitch on a fingertip sheet as something worth double-checking against your source.

⚙️ Finger Pitch Is Fully Manual

There is no automation for finger pitch. Every finger pitch value — forward, reverse, and lateral, on both fingers — is manual data entry. Spectre Cloud records exactly what you type, with no auto-suggestion and no error validation behind these fields, so accuracy is entirely on the person entering it.

📋 Entering Finger Pitch — Step by Step

  1. Locate the pitch tiles around the middle finger and ring finger holes.
  2. For each finger, enter the forward or reverse value in the correct tile — forward points toward the middle of the sheet, reverse toward the outer side.
  3. Enter the lateral value in the Left or Right tile as needed. 
  4. Repeat for both fingers.
  5. Review all the finger pitch entries before moving on to thumb pitch.

  6. For a cross-direction pitch (e.g. Right on the left finger), use the Rx values at the bottom of the drop-down.

    image.png

Tip: Because forward points to the middle of the sheet and reverse to the outer side, the sheet's own layout tells you the direction — you don't have to remember a sign convention. Enter each value in the tile that matches the direction you measured, and read the finger pitches back before saving, since nothing here is validated for you.

4.4 — Finger Measurements

4.4.6 CLT (Center Line Transformation)

4.4.6   measurement

CLT (Center Line Transformation) is a fitting measurement that captures how a bowler's finger centerline relates to the ball's grip center. Spectre Cloud uses it to derive the lateral finger pitch. This page explains the two ways CLT is measured, which one Spectre accepts, and the reference chart used to look it up.

📏 The Two Ways CLT Is Measured

CLT can be expressed two different ways — they describe the same thing, just in different units:

Important: Spectre Cloud accepts CLT in degrees only. If you measured in inches, convert to the angular value — the reference chart below maps the two together.

📊 CLT Reference Chart

The chart below maps each CLT line (A–E) to its angle and to the resulting lateral finger pitches. Because the layout mirrors with handedness, the middle and ring values swap between right- and left-handed bowlers.

[Insert CLT reference diagram here] — add the "Diagram #1" CLT chart image (right-hand and left-hand versions). The transcribed values are below for quick reference and searchability.

Right-Handed Bowler

LineAngleMiddle FingerRing Finger
A8°3/8" Left1/2" Right
B16°5/16" Left9/16" Right
C24°1/4" Left5/8" Right
D32°3/16" Left11/16" Right
E40°1/8" Left3/4" Right

Left-Handed Bowler

LineAngleMiddle FingerRing Finger
A8°3/8" Right1/2" Left
B16°5/16" Right9/16" Left
C24°1/4" Right5/8" Left
D32°3/16" Right11/16" Left
E40°1/8" Right3/4" Left

🔄 CLT and Auto-CLT

Once a CLT value is entered in degrees, the Auto-CLT setting (2.6.3) uses this chart to apply the corresponding lateral finger pitches automatically — so the lateral pitch is derived from the CLT rather than entered by hand.

Tip: Since Spectre only takes CLT in degrees, decide as a shop whether you measure at the thumb (inches) or at the fingers (degrees). If your fitting habit is the 1" thumb-based measurement, keep this chart handy to translate it to the angular value Spectre expects before you enter it.

4.5 — Thumb Measurements

4.5 — Thumb Measurements

4.5.1 Selecting the thumb hole shape (Round or Oval)

4.5.1   thumb

The thumb is the largest hole on the ball and the primary control point for the release. Before entering thumb measurements, the spec sheet asks you to set the thumb hole shape — Round or Oval. This choice affects only how you define the hole size. Everything else in the thumb workflow — pitch and insert entry — is the same either way.

⚠️ Two-handed and thumbless bowlers: If a bowler is set as two-handed or thumbless in their profile (see 3.1.2), Spectre Cloud removes the thumb section from the spec sheet entirely. There is no thumb hole to input — the shape selector, thumb size, thumb pitch, and thumb insert fields simply do not appear. The rest of this chapter applies only to bowlers who use a thumb.

🎳 Round vs. Oval — What Actually Changes

Round and oval thumbs are drilled and recorded almost identically. The single point of difference is how the hole's dimensions are specified:

Beyond hole size, the two are the same: you enter the thumb pitch in the pitch tiles (4.5.3) and any thumb insert details (4.5.4) exactly the same way for a round or an oval thumb.

🛠️ Selecting the Shape in Spectre Cloud

  1. In the spec sheet, go to the Thumb section.
  2. Set the thumb hole shape to Round or Oval.
  3. The size fields update to match — a single size field for Round, or the four oval input fields for Oval.

⚠️ Verify with your Spectre team: confirm the exact UI element for the thumb shape selector (toggle, dropdown, or radio) and whether Round is the default on a new spec sheet.

Note: Oval is the right choice when a bowler's thumb doesn't sit cleanly in a round hole — the oval follows the thumb's natural shape and rotation. The four oval inputs are covered in 4.6.1; the calculator mechanics live in Book 05.

Tip: Because only the hole-size step differs, don't think of round and oval as two separate workflows — it's one thumb workflow with two ways to size the hole. Pick the shape first, size the hole the matching way, then proceed through pitch and insert as normal.

4.5 — Thumb Measurements

4.5.2 Entering thumb hole size

4.5.2   thumb

For a round thumb, the hole size is a single value entered on the spec sheet. The thumb section records both the O.D. (the drill/hole size) and, when a thumb insert or slug is used, the hole size the bowler's thumb actually sits in — the two are different values whenever an insert or slug is involved.

🛠️ Entering Thumb Size in Spectre Cloud

  1. Confirm the thumb shape is set to Round (see 4.5.1).
  2. Enter the thumb O.D. (hole/drill size).
  3. If a slug or insert is used, enter the finished hole size as well.
  4. Proceed to pitch and insert entry.

⚠️ Verify with your Spectre team: confirm the exact field labels for thumb O.D. vs. hole size, and the unit (fractional/decimal inches).

Tip: Thumb size is the measurement most likely to change between visits — with temperature, time of day, and swelling. Don't carry a thumb size forward from an old sheet without re-checking it.

4.5 — Thumb Measurements

4.5.3 Entering vertical and lateral pitch for thumb

4.5.3   measurement

Thumb pitch works exactly like finger pitch — you enter it into the pitch tiles around the thumb hole, and the tile is the direction. There's no direction to select from a dropdown. For the full mechanics of the pitch tiles, see 4.4.3; for the terminology, see 4.1.4.

🛠️ How the Thumb Pitch Tiles Work

Forward/reverse and lateral are separate tiles, so the thumb can carry both at once. The thumb and fingers are fitted independently — it's normal to have reverse on the thumb and something different on the fingers.

Note: To apply a pitch against a tile's default direction (for example, Right pitch on the left-side tile), scroll to the absolute bottom of that tile's drop-down for the cross-direction values listed as Rx, where x is the desired pitch.

⚙️ Thumb Pitch Is Manual

Thumb pitch is manual data entry — there's no automation and no error validation behind these fields. Spectre records exactly what you type.

📋 Entering Thumb Pitch

  1. In the thumb section, locate the pitch tiles around the thumb hole.
  2. Enter the forward or reverse value in the correct tile (forward = toward the center of the ball, reverse = toward the outside).
  3. Enter the lateral value in the Left or Right tile.
  4. Review both before saving.

Tip: Because forward points to the center of the ball and reverse to the outside, the sheet layout tells you the direction — no sign convention to memorize. Enter each value in the tile that matches the direction you measured, and read it back since nothing here is validated.

4.5 — Thumb Measurements

4.5.4 Thumb insert type and size

4.5.4   thumb

Many bowlers use a thumb slug or thumb insert rather than a bare thumb hole. This page covers recording the thumb insert on the spec sheet. The physical installation (drilling the pilot hole, seating, adhesive, finishing) follows your shop's standard practice and the insert manufacturer's instructions — it is not covered here.

🎳 Recording the Thumb Insert

⚠️ Verify with your Spectre team: confirm whether the thumb insert brand/model has a dedicated field or is recorded in Notes, and how the thumb insert O.D. and hole-size fields are labelled in the UI.

Tip: For an interchangeable thumb, recording the setup with the Outer to Cut span means a returning bowler's next ball is ready without re-drilling the thumb — they show up, lock in their sleeve, and go.

4.6 — Oval Thumb

4.6 — Oval Thumb

4.6.1 Selecting an oval thumb: starting bit, oval width, oval degree, and taper

4.6.1   oval

An oval thumb hole needs four inputs beyond the standard thumb measurements. Together they define the shape, orientation, and profile of the finished oval so Spectre Cloud can generate the drilling sequence. The calculation mechanics live in the Oval Calculator (Book 05) — this page covers what the four inputs are and where they go on the spec sheet.

🔵 The Four Oval Inputs

🛠️ Entering the Oval Inputs

  1. In the thumb section, set the shape to Oval (see 4.5.1).
  2. Enter the starting bit, oval width, oval degree, and taper.
  3. Review all four before proceeding — an error in any one changes the drilling sequence.

⚠️ Verify with your Spectre team: confirm the degree convention, the unit taper is entered in, and whether an oval depth field is required in addition to width.

Tip: Oval degree is the most judgement-dependent of the four inputs — observe the bowler's thumb in a round hole before committing to an angle, and record your observation in Notes for future visits.

4.6 — Oval Thumb

4.6.2 Entering the oval inputs (step-by-step)

4.6.2   oval

This page is the step-by-step companion to 4.6.1. The four oval inputs — starting bit, oval width, oval degree, and taper — are defined in 4.6.1, and the calculation that turns them into drilling movements is covered in 4.6.3 and the Oval Calculator (Book 05).

  1. Set the thumb shape to Oval (4.5.1).
  2. Enter the starting bit diameter.
  3. Enter the oval width (finished width, including clearance).
  4. Enter the oval degree (orientation of the width axis).
  5. Enter the taper.
  6. Confirm all four values, then review the calculated oval cut (4.6.3) before drilling.

Tip: Print or display the spec sheet at the press before you start — having the four inputs and the calculated output visible throughout the cut prevents errors from misremembering a value mid-drill.

4.6 — Oval Thumb

4.6.3 How the system calculates the oval cut from your inputs

4.6.3   oval

Once the four oval inputs are entered, Spectre Cloud calculates the drilling instructions — a set of x-axis and y-axis offset movements that tell you how to reposition the ball relative to the bit to open the round pilot hole into the correct oval. Rather than working out the geometry by hand, you read the offsets off the sheet. The full derivation lives in the Oval Calculator (Book 05).

⚙️ What the System Outputs

⚠️ Verify with your Spectre team: confirm how direction is indicated in the output (signs, arrows, or text labels) and whether taper is output as separate values or integrated into the offset sequence.

📋 Quick Sanity Check Before Cutting

Tip: If your press has a digital readout for lateral positioning, zero it after drilling the pilot hole so the x and y offsets can be dialled in directly from the Spectre Cloud output.