Bowling ball finger inserts provides bowlers with the ability to bowl with a semi fingertip or fingertip grip. Making sure that your finger inserts are snug and glued down will help ensure that they will not come out mid bowl.
There are many different types of super glue on the market which can make it difficult to make a decision. According to VISE, they recommend using a cyanoacrylate glue. We sifted through some of the top glues on the market to and ranked them from what we think is the best.
In our comprehensive guide to the best glues for bowling ball finger inserts, we’ll show you the best glues on the market and give you some advice when it comes time to choose. Let’s get started.
IN A HURRY? HERE’S OUR TOP PICKS…
| Name | Our Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|
Starbond Medium Cyanoacrylate Adhesive Super Glue | 5/5 | Click for Price |
| Glue Masters Professional Grade Cyanoacrylate | 4.5/5 | Click for Price |
| Gorilla Super Glue Gel | 4/5 | Click for Price |
1- Starbond Medium Cyanoacrylate Adhesive Super Glue
Starbond is our top pick for you to use on your bowling ball finger inserts. It is made out of a premium cyanoacrylate that is lab tested to ensure optimal integrity and performance. Not only will it be great to use on your finger inserts, but it will also be excellent around your home for general purposes as well.
It comes with 2 applicator caps, a stopper, and a bag of micro-tips for added precision. With all these extra supplies, you will be able to fix or prevent clogs in the bottle which usually happens with super glues.
This glue comes with a viscosity or thickness of 150 cPs. To put this into more general terms, it has a similar thickness to that of motor oil. Be sure to use less than expected at first due to its thickness.
What we like
- Thick (150 cPs)
- Long shelf life
- Great for arts and crafts
What we don’t like
- Complaints of it hardening in the bottle
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
2- Glue Masters Professional Grade Cyanoacrylate
Glue masters offers industrial strength cyanoacrylate with one of the strongest bonds on the market. It has a very fast cure time (settles in under 60 seconds) and has an extended shelf life. You can also choose the type of thickness you want based on your personal preference and uses for the glue.
It comes in 3 sizes, thin, medium, and thick. Depending on the thickness you get, you will have to gauge how much glue you add to the bowling ball inserts. The thicker the viscosity, the less you will need, while the thinner viscosity, the more you will need.
Aside from gluing in finger inserts, this glue is great to have for general purposes as well around the house. It’s great for repairing shoe soles, wood, fabric, household repairs, and more.
What we like
- Strong bond
- Fast curing time
What we don’t like
- Does not bond well to plastic
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3- Gorilla Super Glue Gel
Gorilla Glue is a trusted name in the super glue and adhesive market. They have definitely paved a name for themselves as you can find them in just about every retail and hobby store all around the world. Their glue has a special gel formula design which helps it from running. This makes it great to use on vertical surfaces.
It also comes built in with an anti clog cap to help prevent the glue from drying out which is a common issue with many other super glue brands. It also has a very fast setting time and dries in 10-45 seconds.
What we like
- Fast drying time
- No run gel formula
- Bonds great to many surfaces
What we don’t like
- Quality control, dried out product upon arrival
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4- The Original Super Glue Cyanoacrylate Gel
The original Super Glue. This is another great glue to use on your finger inserts as it does not run or drop. The only real issue with this type of glue is that it has an insanely fast bond time.
It literally bonds instantly. This can be both a bad or a good thing as you will need to make sure everything is perfect before adhering your inserts to your bowling ball. It also conveniently comes in an easy to use squeeze bottle with applicator tip.
- Does not run or drip
- Bonds Instantly, no more waiting to dry
- Precision applicator for a clean application
- Comes in an easy to use squeeze tubes
What we like
What we don’t like
- Instant bonding
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5- Stick Fast Cyanoacrylate Adhesive
Stick fast cyanoacrylate adhesive is another industrial grade glue used for heavy duty bonding. It has a fast drying time and will dry smooth and clear. It also has a good viscosity so a little will go a long way when applying this to your bowling ball finger inserts.
However there is one main complaint with this brand of glue, and that is that it doesn’t work on all surfaces. Some users have also experienced it still being fluid after about 45 minutes. This seems more like a quality issue than a product issue.
What we like
- Applicator tip
- Strong bond
What we don’t like
- Lacking quality
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
What to Look for in a Glue for Bowling Ball Inserts
To find the best glue for your needs, consider the following major aspects before finalizing a purchase.
Thickness
Thickness, or viscosity, is one of the traits to look for in a super glue. The thicker the glue, the less you will have to use as it will cover more surface area. A medium viscosity will be great for to use for your finger inserts as it will be a tight fit when gluing.
Shelf Life
Although this won’t directly affect how the glue performs, having a good shelf life is important so you will be able to use the glue in the future. A glue with a short shelf life will usually lead to quality control issues if the glue has been sitting too long.
Super glue that is close to expiring will usually harden and be unusable.
Best Glue Brands
Gorilla
The Gorilla Glue company is based in Ohio and has been around for over two decades. Their iconic brand is very hard to miss and they are in just about every retail store you walk into.
The Gorilla Glue company is family-owned and operates in a fun and friendly atmosphere. Their work place was also selected as one of the top places to work in Cincinnati for over 10 years in a row.
Starbond
Starbond has been around since 1988. Their products have been designed with a cutting edge formula that has been manufactured in Japan ever since. Their products offer a 30 month shelf life for their standard clear glues.
Starbond delivers quality and performance when it comes to their frequent shipments as well as optimal storage.
The Original Super Glue
The Original Super Glue was discovered back in 1942 by scientists that were attempting to design clear plastic gun sights for the war. The accidental substance stuck to everything which was first seen as a flaw. What started as an accident has now become one of the most essential adhesives on the market
GlueMasters
The Gluemasters line of adhesives began back in 2014. They saw a gap in the market when it came to the quality of products that were offered to the general consumers. They decided to create a high quality, industrial strength product that customers can rely on for all their crafts and needs.
FAQs
What Kind of Glue Is Used for Bowling Ball Inserts?
The main type of glue used for bowling ball finger inserts is super glue. To be more specific, cyanoacrylate glue is what the finger insert company VISE recommends.
It comes in different mixes, such as thick and thin and works very well. This glue can be found online or in most hobby stores.
How Do You Glue Finger Inserts in a Bowling Ball?
In order to properly glue your bowling ball finger inserts into your bowling ball you will need a few tools. You will need either a small flexible pairing knife, a flathead screw driver, or you can break a pair of nail scissors in half. Just be sure that the blade you are using is thin so it can slide in between the insert and the hole.
Start with gluing the low side first. For the high side, put a small drop of glue on your tool of choice. Pull the insert away from the hole and slide the tool in about an inch with the blue on the ball side of the blade to effectively apply the glue. Let go of the insert and hold it in place for a few minutes until it is properly seated.
Why Use Finger Inserts for Bowling Balls?
Many pro bowlers use finger inserts if they play with their fingertips. Finger inserts do a great job for providing some extra control over the ball when throwing.
If you do not use the finger inserts on your bowling ball, then finger inserts are not necessary to have.
Final Thoughts
Our top pick is the Starbond Medium Cyanoacrylate Adhesive Super Glue as it has one of the strongest bonds available on the market along with its superior shelf life. It can last several years in the cold and can last even longer in normal temperatures. It is also easy to apply due to its thick viscosity and easy use applicator tip.
Our runner up pick is the Glue Masters Professional Grade Cyanoacrylate. Glue Masters offers a high quality product with one of the strongest and most reliable bonds on the market. It has a fast cure time and a very good shelf life which makes this glue a great pick.
Whichever glue you choose for your finger inserts, we hope this guide has been helpful in your purchasing decision. Thanks for reading!