Share your lead tape setups!

[robJAR]

I'd just figure it would be neat to see different variations of lead tape setups. Anything that adds weight in the racket goes, it's just that lead tape is the most common. That's why it's in the title!

My setup on my main nSix-One 95 has lead tape at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions, totaling 12g on both sides. Also, I have 16g under the handle near the top of the handle (so I won't grip it while playing), followed by a leather grip and one OG. The stock nSix-One 95 weighs 11.7oz. This setup totals 13.2oz.

If this setup works, then I'll get my other two nSix-One 95's to match.

Once again, this is just experimenting, so no need for harsh comments or fighting.

Enjoy!

-robJAR

 

[Bud]

Prokennex Kinetic Pro 5G Classic

I'd just figure it would be neat to see different variations of lead tape setups. Anything that adds weight in the racket goes, it's just that lead tape is the most common. That's why it's in the title!

My setup on my main nSix-One 95 has lead tape at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions, totaling 12g on both sides. Also, I have 16g under the handle near the top of the handle (so I won't grip it while playing), followed by a leather grip and one OG. The stock nSix-One 95 weighs 11.7oz. This setup totals 13.2oz.

If this setup works, then I'll get my other two nSix-One 95's to match.

Once again, this is just experimenting, so no need for harsh comments or fighting.

Enjoy!

-robJAR

PK Kinetic Pro 5G Classic:

I place 12 grams along the handle bevels and 6-8 grams at 9/3.

Then, add a leather grip.

I like them at about 12.5 oz. and 9-10 pts. HL. It's the perfect racquet.

 

[smirker]

Dunlop M-Fil 300. 13g on handle plus shrink sleeve grip and OG. 8g on head at 3/9. Total weight 355g (12.5oz)

 

[downdaline]

AK-90 leaded up to US specs and then some.

About 25g of lead in the handle. About 12 gram lead around the throat, just above the handle. And about 12gram in the 3 and 9 positions of the head. I never thought of measuring how much it weighed - just leaded it up to my liking.

But if possible, can someone maybe ESTIMATE the swingweight or something? It'd be fun to know.

 

[robJAR]

Nice setups guys. Keep it coming!

Do you have a balance board to measure your racket? I'm too poor to buy one so I figure I'd make one.

Smirker, I take it you're set with your setup? Did you put lead tape then the shrink sleeve? I'd like to try that stick out..

Downdaline, that's an insane amount of lead in the handle, but it works for you. Knowing me, I'll probably work my way to at least 20g under the handle. I still have yet to add lead at the throat. If I'm not mistaken, LT on the throat just increases the weight without changing balance AND swingweight, or just balance?

Keep it coming!

-robJAR

 

[Bud]

Nice setups guys. Keep it coming!

Do you have a balance board to measure your racket? I'm too poor to buy one so I figure I'd make one.

Smirker, I take it you're set with your setup? Did you put lead tape then the shrink sleeve? I'd like to try that stick out..

Downdaline, that's an insane amount of lead in the handle, but it works for you. Knowing me, I'll probably work my way to at least 20g under the handle. I still have yet to add lead at the throat. If I'm not mistaken, LT on the throat just increases the weight without changing balance AND swingweight, or just balance?

Keep it coming!

-robJAR

Invest the $29 and buy a balance board... you won't regret it!

 

[robJAR]

I want to but as is I'm asking for so much from the TW shop, and buying presents for other people leaves me with... Empty pockets.

-robJAR

 

[Cey]

I have ordered some lead tape which should be arriving in the next two days (babolat). I was just wondering would adding the lead at 3 and 9 raise the sweetspot slightly or should i just go with 10 and 2?

 

[kobe3pointer]

Can people post pictures please??

 

[smirker]

Nice setups guys. Keep it coming!

Do you have a balance board to measure your racket? I'm too poor to buy one so I figure I'd make one.

Smirker, I take it you're set with your setup? Did you put lead tape then the shrink sleeve? I'd like to try that stick out..

Downdaline, that's an insane amount of lead in the handle, but it works for you. Knowing me, I'll probably work my way to at least 20g under the handle. I still have yet to add lead at the throat. If I'm not mistaken, LT on the throat just increases the weight without changing balance AND swingweight, or just balance?

Keep it coming!

-robJAR

shrink sleeve first then tape on top. Yeah see no need to tinker any further.

You don't need a balance board. Buy a tape measure that rolls up. Fix it to the edge of a table or similar 9see TW learning centre for a pictoral). Place the handle of the racquet on the tape and the head off the table. Slowly move the handle on the tape until you get your BP. (it should just balance) I move the handle in 1cm segments, then just read bp off the tape.

You can convert to points hl easily too. Take the length of your frame in inches and halve it (13.5 for most frames) take the measurement you got for bp in cm and convert to inches by dividing by 2.54. take this figure away from 13.5 e.g 13.5-12.5= 1then divide that figure by 0.125 ie 1/0.125 =8 so your racquet is 8 points hl. hope this helps

 

[robJAR]

Here are some pictures:


3g on both sides, totaling 6g for one position. 12g total at 3 and 9 o'clock positions.

16g near the finishing tape, not layered so the handle won't look funky. I replaced the grip with a leather grip and 1 OG.


2.5g on this side of the throat. The smaller tape is .5g, and the larger is a stack of two tapes totaling 2g.


Same setup on the other side.

That's basically it for now. This is my first time experimenting with lead, and hopefully this might work. A stock nSix-One 95 weighs at 11.7oz. The total weight of this racket (strung.. I forgot to add the weight of the strings in my first post) is:
13.96... 14oz.

-robJAR

 

[naylor]

adding lead - basics

I understand that if you put lead at 9-3 you add stability to the frame at impact, possibly slightly more weight of shot (the head is heavier as it swings through) but you make the swingweight higher(?) as there's more mass to get moving at the start of the swing.

If you add lead at 10-2, you still get the stability (as it's again even on both sides) and the weight of shot, and I guess you tweak the swingweight slightly higher that at 9-3. But I guess you also move the sweetspot higher up the stringboard.

If you add weight at 12, or 6, it probably doesn't do much in terms of stability (other than by reference to the overall weight of the bat), the swingweight still goes up, so it's a question of adding momentum after you get the swing going, and also of perhaps shifting the sweetspot higher or lower than stock.

Where I don't quite see it as clear (assuming I got the above right!) is the effect of adding weight in the handle. It doesn't actually counteract any of the above, because it's close to the "pivot point" but still on the same side as the leads in the head. However, I expect it makes it a heavier racket overall, so it helps you maintain the overall feel and position of the frame in the backswing and start of the actual "hit", in those early parts where the hand/butt has to lead and the head stay neutral/balanced and then follow - where you don't want a leaded head starting to track on a different path.

Have I got the basics right? - if not, can you enlighten me of point me in the direction of any relevant prior postings? Thanks!

 

[Bud]

I understand that if you put lead at 9-3 you add stability to the frame at impact, possibly slightly more weight of shot (the head is heavier as it swings through) but you make the swingweight higher(?) as there's more mass to get moving at the start of the swing.

If you add lead at 10-2, you still get the stability (as it's again even on both sides) and the weight of shot, and I guess you tweak the swingweight slightly higher that at 9-3. But I guess you also move the sweetspot higher up the stringboard.

If you add weight at 12, or 6, it probably doesn't do much in terms of stability (other than by reference to the overall weight of the bat), the swingweight still goes up, so it's a question of adding momentum after you get the swing going, and also of perhaps shifting the sweetspot higher or lower than stock.

Where I don't quite see it as clear (assuming I got the above right!) is the effect of adding weight in the handle. It doesn't actually counteract any of the above, because it's close to the "pivot point" but still on the same side as the leads in the head. However, I expect it makes it a heavier racket overall, so it helps you maintain the overall feel and position of the frame in the backswing and start of the actual "hit", in those early parts where the hand/butt has to lead and the head stay neutral/balanced and then follow - where you don't want a leaded head starting to track on a different path.

Have I got the basics right? - if not, can you enlighten me of point me in the direction of any relevant prior postings? Thanks!

Pretty good summary.

Adding weight to the handle is used to make a racquet more headlight, balance out lead you added to the head (maintain stock balance) or increase static weight (or a combo of the above). Technically, it doesn't affect swingweight since it's close to the butt of the racquet... however, we all know that a human being doesn't swing a racquet like a Babolate RDC machine. So, any weight added to a racquet will increase the perceived swingweight.

 

[robJAR]

Come on people, there has to be more people!

Show some pictures too!

-robJAR

 

[radical pro joe]

I put 12 grams in the handle of my Radical Pro. I experimented with some at 3 and 9 but didn't like it, except on my serve, so I took that lead off.

 

[psp2]

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=235510

Anyone need a digital scale? Got one in the FS section.

 

[Matty G]

Im going to experiment with some lead tape agen soon. Im going to try 4 grams at 12 on one and 4 grams at 3/9 on another one . I will then see if i need on the handle

 

[robJAR]

Well are you trying to stabilize your racket or make your swing weight heavier? Just don't go too OD like I did.. Even though I haven't tried it in a real match. I hit it on the wall the other day before weather started to get terrible, and it felt really comfortable. The way my lead is setup is almost perfectly balanced. It would feel almost like the stock n95 at 11.7oz if it wasn't for the 5g of lead inside the throat. I never knew it would make such a difference in feeling.

-robJAR

 

[namui]

AK90 with approx 16g inside the handle evenly placed in the 4 inch range from the butt. Another 7g evenly placed on the frame in the 2 inch range just above the handle.

A little thicker leather replacement grip (increase handle weight a little) + a layer of overgrip.

17g poly string at 51 lbs.

Overall, around 9 - 10 pt HL strung.

I play serve and volley.

 

[portpass1974]

Lead Tape Rules

I have a Babolat Roddick Oversize (which is 11 oz. strung) and have three sets of 18 gram tapes on it. One on both sides of the the head centered at the 10 and 2 o'clock positions, another underneath the top of my grip and overgrip (which actually helps bulk up the grip at the top, which is good since I have a two-fisted backhand), and another underneath the very bottom of my grip and overgrip (which helps creates a large "butt" at the bottom of the racquet that I really like).

Total weight: 13.3 ounces. Awesome. I might add another 18 grams to the head again at 10 and 2 o'clock.

On another note, I borrowed a fairly lightweight racquet from a friend that didn't have lead tape on it. I swear to God I felt like I was playing with a squash racquet. I seriously can't understand how anyone can play with a racquet under 13 ounces.

I like lead tape.

 

[Seth_k180]

hey

just wondering is there a specific way to lead tape your racket
or can you just tape whatever you like as long as its good for you

 

[bisbeeslicer]

Babolat Swirl Pure Control, 2 quarters in butt cap, two 4" lengths of lead on each side of grip, 10 points head light.

 

[anbu4ever11]

im looking to add weight to my tfight 320 XL and it has no trap door it seems.im going to add at least 3 grams at 3 and 9 but i wanted to add alot more to the handle.if i placed it just between the throat of the racket and above the handle a bit would that do anything.im looking to make it more stable in general and increase static weight.want it to either be at its 5 pts headlight or more.anyone help?oh and if i add to the 3 and 9 and my racket is at its 11.9 oz as its suppose to be what would the new weight be?

 

[Craig8592505]

On another note, I borrowed a fairly lightweight racquet from a friend that didn't have lead tape on it. I swear to God I felt like I was playing with a squash racquet. I seriously can't understand how anyone can play with a racquet under 13 ounces.

I've been working up to heavier racquets and currently playing with a K90. What I've realized is that, for me at least, a 12+ oz. racquet is not too demanding.

So now I'm curious how heavy I can go. Arm-friendliness is my primary goal (the heavier the racquet, the more arm-friendly, at least for tennis elbow, although not necessary for wrist or shoulder) but I also think the heavier the racquet, the more plow-through and the more stable it will feel when returning serve.

 

[matchmaker]

Has anyone ever tried to put lead at 4 and 8? I am thinking of doing this to lower and widen the sweetspot of one of my frames a little. Thoughts and comments?

 

[jazar]

i took a dunlop aerogel 300 16x18, added 3 grams at 3 and 9 o clock, 6 grams on the handle, then put on a leather grip and an overgrip

 

[iTennis]

LM Instinct (non-tour), 10g shaved/ shaped fishing weights in the handle cavity, leather + tornagrip, 330g/ 11.6oz strung at 7pt HL. Plays great enough to make me wonder if I should sell Trisys 260 OS's.....

 

[iksmols]

2 strips of 4 inch lead tape @12 o`clock position on my Flexpoint Prestige MP.

 

[klementine]

Question, I spent my sunday ripping out the old strings on my MG prestide mid (x-1 17g @ 57lbs.), restrung with pacific tough gut 17g @ 58lbs on the mains and Luxilon BB Power Fluoro 17 String @ 60lbs on the crosses, along with my leather and overgrip, added 9grams to the head, 3grams(2 6inch strips) at 12'oclock, and 6grams at 3 + 9 o'clock, 2 6inch strips on each side. The racquet plays like a dream for me now. Able to flatten out the first, plenty of action on my second, the slice is also accessible and buttery. The strings at those tensions really eliminated that soft, pliable feeling (flex-wise), the faster I swing, the more pliable the flex of my frame and feel. The slower the swing for drops, slices and volleys, the stiffer, solid feel comes out, the best of both worlds.

Have not obtained static and swing weights yet, but it is about 4pts. head light and considering that stock it weighed 12oz., I would say it as least 12.5oz in it's current state. Now, finally to my question...

I would like to place the lead under the CAP bumper, should I cut some grams off? Due to the fact that I'll be placing the lead further out on the frame, 9grams outside the frame, under the CAP's should feel (and affect the swing weight) heavier as opposed to 9grams located on the inside of the frame. I was thinking of lowering it to 7.5grams under the cap, 3 -5inch strips. Has anyone had any experience with this procedure ? Iam quite the perfectionist, but also frugal, so if i can save a couple of sets of strings with the help of someone who has done this before, it would be a bonus. Thanks.

 

[taz23]

Been playing with an o3 tour mid for the past two weeks, and decided on 15g of lead tape at 12 o'clock in layers, along with 5 grams of lead tape on the bevels. Also slapped on a wilson leather grip. Plays great, esp. if you take relaxed swings. Only problem is i still can't find the flat serve with it