If you've ever played a game of bowling for a birthday or work party (or any reason, for that matter!), you'll have an idea of the immense pressure that bowling pins go under every day.
Just think about it - people launching heavy balls at them at high speed and sending them scattering everywhere, it's a miracle they don't simply snap halfway through a game!
So what is it that keeps them intact? The secret lies in what they're made of and how they're made.
Wood you believe it
Ask any unsuspecting friend what they think bowling pins are made of, and they will likely mention some incredibly hard and indestructible material, such as metal.
Imagine their surprise when you tell them that they are actually made out of wood!
Obviously, pins have to endure a lot of impact on a regular basis, so an especially tough type of wood is used. This is most often Hard Rock Maple wood.
The durability of this wood, coupled with its manufacturing versatility, makes it the perfect material for making bowling pins.
Getting in shape
With their unique shape, you may be wondering how exactly a block of hard wood is transformed into the elegant curves of a pin.
The manufacturing process begins with blocks of wood that are layered together and cut to form a rough outline.
It is then sawed to produce the smoother contours you see on the finished product before the coating is applied.
This coating is usually a hard plastic sheath, which is laminated and lacquered to give it that shine.
Are you ready to test out the strength of the pins at your local alley? Head down to an AMF for a corporate party after work!
