Alternatives to Lead Tape

[mxmx]

If i understand your post, what you are doing is against the rules of tennis.
Dampener must be below bottom cross string.

Regards

I'm considering this approach...not cause i care wether lead is harmful...but rather based on the darn ugliness of lead tape.

How does two of these dampeners affect the "feel"?

Currently i'm looking into the way golfers use lead tape...they have different options....lead thats covered and has nice shapes...pre weighted....

 

[Radical7]

I use coins and nuts in the handle of my racquet and then really small washers that fit under the headguard. I am also going to experiment with magnetic tape, it's not as heavy as lead tape, but is still sticky, pretty thin and malleable.

 

[Balaji_R]

I use head guard tape. I cover the top half of the hoop with tape. Then I tape pennies or small metal washers over the base layer to get the exact location I want. This way I can move the weight around without having to handle the lead. I counter balance with silicone in the handle or lead tape under the top of the grip or both. If you have expecting or nursing women or crawling children in your house, you should completely avoid handling lead imho.

Is Tungsten tape a good alternative to lead tape or does it fall off?

 

[Big Bagel]

Is Tungsten tape a good alternative to lead tape or does it fall off?

Tungsten tape should be fine, but why are you looking for an alternative to lead tape? The lead isn't going to be dangerous unless you consume it.

 

[max]

I think by now we all do a little review of what the California legislature has to say when it comes to science.

 

[WhiteOut]

What are some alternative "tapes" that could be used to increase racquet weight?

 

[brc7]

Hello. I have a question. I want to make my racket a little more head heavy, it is head light. So Shall I add the tapes to the 9-3 o'clocks or 12? Also, I plan using a 6 layers of aluminium tapes, hope that works too?

 

[Big Bagel]

You will have to use more weight at 3 and 9 to change the balance the same amount compared to adding it at 12, but you will also make your racquet more stable at the same time if you add weight at 3 and 9.

I have never heard of anyone using aluminum tape, but as long as it adds weight and will stay on the racquet, it's fine. Usually people use lead or sometimes tungsten, but anything could work.

 

[brc7]

You will have to use more weight at 3 and 9 to change the balance the same amount compared to adding it at 12, but you will also make your racquet more stable at the same time if you add weight at 3 and 9.

I have never heard of anyone using aluminum tape, but as long as it adds weight and will stay on the racquet, it's fine. Usually people use lead or sometimes tungsten, but anything could work.

Sorry, I couldn't understand well ( not my main tongue). So, I should add tape both at 9-3 and 12? Or only 12 is enough, yet if I choose 9-3, I will need to add more than I'd to 12?

 

[hurworld]

Sorry, I couldn't understand well ( not my main tongue). So, I should add tape both at 9-3 and 12? Or only 12 is enough, yet if I choose 9-3, I will need to add more than I'd to 12?

Start with lead tapes at 12 (for example, 2 x 4" quarter inch lead tapes, which gives you 2g in total). Play a couple of hours and see if you like it. If still too head light, then peel off those lead tapes at 12 and apply them to 3 o'clock, and apply the same amount at 9 o'clock. In that example, that would give you total of 4g at 3 and 9 o'clock. Again, go play and see if you like it. If still too head light, add another 2g at 12 o'clock for a total of 6g (2g at 12, 4g at 3 and 9). Repeat steps until you like the set-up.

Main thing is to add weight incrementally and play test after each change.

 

[brc7]

Start with lead tapes at 12 (for example, 2 x 4" quarter inch lead tapes, which gives you 2g in total). Play a couple of hours and see if you like it. If still too head light, then peel off those lead tapes at 12 and apply them to 3 o'clock, and apply the same amount at 9 o'clock. In that example, that would give you total of 4g at 3 and 9 o'clock. Again, go play and see if you like it. If still too head light, add another 2g at 12 o'clock for a total of 6g (2g at 12, 4g at 3 and 9). Repeat steps until you like the set-up.

Main thing is to add weight incrementally and play test after each change.

Alright got it. Thank you a lot. Right now I only have aluminium tapes and I think about adding 10 layers of 4'' . (Before I get a lead tape, but I hesitate to because of health concerns).

 

[Big Bagel]

Sorry, I couldn't understand well ( not my main tongue). So, I should add tape both at 9-3 and 12? Or only 12 is enough, yet if I choose 9-3, I will need to add more than I'd to 12?

If you want to change the balance by 5 points: more lead tape will be required to reach that goal if you ONLY put it at 3 and 9. Less lead tape will be needed to reach that goal if you put it ONLY at 12.

I hesitate to because of health concerns

As long as you don't eat the lead tape then you will be fine. You can't get any into your system by handling lead tape with your hands.

 

[brc7]

If you want to change the balance by 5 points: more lead tape will be required to reach that goal if you ONLY put it at 3 and 9. Less lead tape will be needed to reach that goal if you put it ONLY at 12.

As long as you don't eat the lead tape then you will be fine. You can't get any into your system by handling lead tape with your hands.

Okay, thank you so much. Yes, I guess so, too, but I heard that open wounds, touching your eyes etc. without noticing right after working with lead can do harm, too, where my concerns are coming from.

 

[brc7]

I read on the forum that some people tried: duct tapes, magnetic tapes, rubber tapes etc. and they all say they work?

 

[Big Bagel]

I read on the forum that some people tried: duct tapes, magnetic tapes, rubber tapes etc. and they all say they work?

Anything that adds weight will work. Lead tape is just used because it's easy, it's dense, and it already comes in the proper sizes for less hassle. There's really no reason to be afraid of using lead tape; it's plenty safe.

 

[brc7]

If you want to change the balance by 5 points: more lead tape will be required to reach that goal if you ONLY put it at 3 and 9. Less lead tape will be needed to reach that goal if you put it ONLY at 12.

As long as you don't eat the lead tape then you will be fine. You can't get any into your system by handling lead tape with your hands.

Btw I want to change the balance 2 points.

 

[brc7]

Anything that adds weight will work. Lead tape is just used because it's easy, it's dense, and it already comes in the proper sizes for less hassle. There's really no reason to be afraid of using lead tape; it's plenty safe.

alright then. and one more question. Does lead tape's adhesive part tend to strip off the racket painting? If so, I think about using an electric isolation tape first and stick the lead on it.

 

[Big Bagel]

alright then. and one more question. Does lead tape's adhesive part tend to strip off the racket painting? If so, I think about using an electric isolation tape first and stick the lead on it.

I have never had any problems with changing/removing/moving the lead tape, I don't know if anybody else has though.

 

[Frans Bleker]

I just use normal tape, can get about 4 grams under the bumpers normally. Would like to know if there is something slightly denser, which is not lead or tungsten.

 

[brc7]

I just use normal tape, can get about 4 grams under the bumpers normally. Would like to know if there is something slightly denser, which is not lead or tungsten.

I tried aluminium tapes (2x5layers) and it kinda worked. However, like stated above, it takes too much effort and time to cut them in the proper shape etc. I'm thinking about getting a lead tape.

 

[brc7]

If you want to change the balance by 5 points: more lead tape will be required to reach that goal if you ONLY put it at 3 and 9. Less lead tape will be needed to reach that goal if you put it ONLY at 12.

As long as you don't eat the lead tape then you will be fine. You can't get any into your system by handling lead tape with your hands.

Hahaha thanks, but they say some of them are painted/covered so more safe. However, my budget is low and I'm thinking about getting the Gamma brand one from TW, what do you think?