Bowling Installation, Equipment & Repairs

It all depends on the size and type of tenpin bowling facility required, as we install everything from double lanes to 9-metre duckpin bowling facilities and more than 20 30 metre lanes for major centres. By its very nature, tenpin bowling facilities and technologies require a heavy investment. This is why we offer our years of expertise and experience at DJC Tenpin Bowling Services to offer a dedicated consultancy service, in which we provide entirely independent advice to customers on the most suitable systems and products best suited to meet their needs and budget, ensuring a clear understanding of all technical and operational factors to make the best decisions.

Yes, although technologies have changed and advanced rapidly in recent years, elements which were first installed many years ago can still be replaced – or integrated with newer systems and technologies, with the right expertise and knowledge, saving thousands by avoiding the need for a complete overhaul. Our team at DJC Tenpin Bowling Services has the expertise and knowledge to be able to perform repairs on AMF / QubicaAMF / Brunswick and Steltronic equipment, including all scoring, freefall and string pinspotter systems, machine chassis and front-end systems. If your repair cannot be sent to us, we will arrange to come to you and fix the issue on site.

Yes, buying, removing, and relocating bowling equipment is common practice in the industry. Our team at DJC Tenpin Bowling Services is often asked to remove equipment on behalf of customers who have bought high-value equipment from closing centres to install them in their venues, as well as by centres which choose to close a location and open elsewhere due to less footfall and income than hoped for, or if they have had a change of circumstances with the premises used. We are able to store all equipment in our dedicated warehouse, and complete a full installation when the required new premises are ready.

The requirement to resurface your bowling lane will depend on whether your centre has wooden or synthetic bowling lanes, and how often they are used. Wooden lanes on average last between five to 10 years without needing resurfacing, if well maintained and managed, whereas modern synthetic lanes should last at least 10 to 20 years, requiring occasional repairs rather than sanding. Signs a lane needs resurfacing include inconsistent ball reaction, dark worn tracks appearing, a dull or cloudy finish, deep scratches or dents and the pin action changing due to an uneven surface. On wooden lanes, the ball may begin to impact the front of the lane, and oil and cleaner may build up over time. DJC Tenpin Bowling Services has the knowledge and expertise to professional resurface all types of lanes, at a competitive price.

It’s a question we are often asked and really it is a matter of personal preference – and on the type of venue.Certainly, most bowling connoisseurs would say they prefer wooden lanes, as they offer the classic tenpin bowling experience, sound and feel, and are best suited to ‘high-end’ venues offering a professional, premium experience The wider industry of high-volume family entertainment centre-based bowling centres has shifted to mainly synthetic bowling lanes, largely driven by cost savings, as they still give the appearance of wood without the same level of maintenance burden, last longer, and perform equally as well. At DJC Tenpin Bowling Services we have extensive experience of installing, maintaining and replacing both wooden and synthetic tenpin bowling lanes, and can advise on costs and suitability.

Bowling centres traditionally used free-fall pinsetter which sees the pins fall naturally after being struck and then be mechanically picked up and reset. In modern times, most centres opt for string pinsetters, which sees a cord attached to the top of each pin, with the machine using those strings to lift, reset, and position the pins. The industry has moved towards string pinsetters as they are lower cost to install, easier to maintain as they have fewer moving parts, they use less energy and offer quieter operation. Freefall systems are more suited to centres which attract serious bowlers and hold tournaments as they offer the traditional bowling experience and a natural pin action when hit by the bowling ball.