Bowling pin

Bowling pins are the target of the bowling ball in various bowling games including tenpins, five-pins, duckpins, and candlepins.

Tenpins

Pin specifications for standard tenpins are set by the United States Bowling Congress. Pins are 4.75 inches wide at their widest point and 15 inches (380 mm) tall. They weigh 3 lb, 6 oz, although in 1998 pins weighing 3 lb 10 oz (1.6 kg) were approved.

Duckpins are shorter and squatter than standard tenpins. Canadian fivepins are between duckpins and tenpins in size, but have a thick, inch-wide rubber band around the widest part of the pin to increase pin action when struck. Candlepins are not similar to the others; they are tallest of all at 15-3/4 inches, but only 2-15/16 inches wide and 2 lb 8 oz (1.1 kg) in weight. They are nearly cylindrical in shape and resemble candles, hence their name. Unlike other bowling pins, candlepins may be set on either end.

Bowling pins are constructed by gluing blocks of rock maple wood into the approximate shape, and then turning on a lathe. After the lathe shapes the pin, it is coated with a plastic material, painted, and covered with a glossy finish. Because of the scarcity of suitable wood, efforts to make all-plastic bowling pins have been underway for several years.

Juggling clubs could be mistaken for bowling pins due to their similar shape. The two differ greatly in construction and weight.

External links

• Bowling pin info
• How bowling pins are made
• Bowlinglinks all over the World, sorted by categories