Best items you found at thrift stores (Goodwill)?

[Hannah19]

Originally Posted by michael_1265

Tell me if you ever want to trade that Copper Ace. It is one that I had back in the day, and I've been wanting to try it again. I have lots of classic graphite trade bait.

Watch out for TW's Tiffani..........!!!!!!
No trading or selling in this section!!

[jonestim]

Originally Posted by Hannah19

Watch out for TW's Tiffani..........!!!!!!
No trading or selling in this section!!

Which is why folks should have their accounts set to "Receive Email from Other Members"

[Long Face]

The best item I found in a thrift store is a Wilson T2000 at $4.99:

[michael_1265]

Originally Posted by jonestim

Which is why folks should have their accounts set to "Receive Email from Other Members"

Yes, they should.

[Sanglier]

I've only been exposed to two types of DuraFiber racquets prior to today: the orange "Lite", of which I picked up a pristine example a few months ago, and the black "XT".

With a name like "DuraFiber", one would have thought that the brand was created specifically to market racquets made out of a tenacious fibrous substrate, so I was quite surprised to come upon this well-worn stick in a pile of unremarkable Dunlops and Heads today (shown above its "Lite" cousin for dimensional reference):




While this frame is not made out of any kind of fiber, the material is in fact a 'dura' according to a decal affixed to the side of the shaft - 'Duraluminum' to be exact, an old-school aircraft alloy that's actually a good deal stronger than the 6000 series alloy used in most contemporary aluminum racquets.

There are no legible markings other than the aforementioned decal, a serial number, and the logo on the butt cap, so I have no way of knowing what the actual model designation was. I am guessing that this was the low-end offering of the series, but the alloy frame is significantly stiffer than the buttery soft "Lite", and has a tinier but more solid-feeling sweet spot compared to the one found on the latter. This particular unit had seen plenty of hard use in its day; which suggests it had reliably served its previous owner(s). I am particularly intrigued by the onboard crucifix (or is that an anti-aircraft sighting device?); I suppose the cavity could have been covered by a logo at one point, but this is weirder looking, hence better . Regardless, I don't expect to ever run into this unusual beast again in my neck of the woods, unless it is actually more common than I think it is?

[Hannah19]

Yes, it's a Dur Aluminum and the Durafiber logo was situated in the now empty cavity.
Made by Acro in the USA, according to an Arco patent, around 1978.

(Source: Book of Tennis rackets by Kuebler)

[Sanglier]

Thanks for the confirmation, Hans!

Yes, if I had the Kuebler book, I suspect I would have no more reason to post here, as the vast majority of my questions can probably be answered by simply looking through that book.

However, this is one monumentally expensive book! Both the original '95 edition and the 2000 English language edition (I think you have both?) are worth more than what I had paid for my entire rag tag collection of discards. Until I chance upon a copy at a significant discount, I think I am going let the mysteries fester indefinitely, while continuing to siphon knowledge from guys like you whenever necessary ...

[Hannah19]

Yes, I got both the 1995 English edition and limited and signed 2010 Update. It did set me back a hefty 200.00 euro all together. But it's worth it, I believe anyway.

[coachrick]

Originally Posted by Sanglier

I've only been exposed to two types of DuraFiber racquets prior to today: the orange "Lite", of which I picked up a pristine example a few months ago, and the black "XT".

With a name like "DuraFiber", one would have thought that the brand was created specifically to market racquets made out of a tenacious fibrous substrate, so I was quite surprised to come upon this well-worn stick in a pile of unremarkable Dunlops and Heads today (shown above its "Lite" cousin for dimensional reference):




While this frame is not made out of any kind of fiber, the material is in fact a 'dura' according to a decal affixed to the side of the shaft - 'Duraluminum' to be exact, an old-school aircraft alloy that's actually a good deal stronger than the 6000 series alloy used in most contemporary aluminum racquets.

Wow, it's too early in the week to process; but, I'm remembering this aluminum frame. Possibly a 7000 series alu like the Head Pro or PDP Open. Seems PENN marketed a similar model(I might be dreaming) and had a logo sticker covering the 'gunsight' throat brace. A butt-cap logo sticker would fit there just right, I believe. Frames like that were destined to fail, I reckon, because the throat piece had the stress of 6 or more mainstrings pulling straight up(while the Head rackets had the mains run through the frame for significant increased strength). The Wilson World Class suffered the same fate. In the hands of a hard hitter, the throat could be pulled out of place in short order.

Of course, the super-thin throat brace in the composite DuraFibers was a potential failing point. I have the Lite and the XR-Graphite, both with intact throats...but neither appears to have much 'court time'. I remember seeing my first DuraFiber in the South Carolina heat(in the '70s) and the throat bridge had simply 'melted' and failed.

[joe sch]

Originally Posted by coachrick

Wow, it's too early in the week to process; but, I'm remembering this aluminum frame. Possibly a 7000 series alu like the Head Pro or PDP Open. Seems PENN marketed a similar model(I might be dreaming) and had a logo sticker covering the 'gunsight' throat brace. A butt-cap logo sticker would fit there just right, I believe. Frames like that were destined to fail, I reckon, because the throat piece had the stress of 6 or more mainstrings pulling straight up(while the Head rackets had the mains run through the frame for significant increased strength). The Wilson World Class suffered the same fate. In the hands of a hard hitter, the throat could be pulled out of place in short order.

Of course, the super-thin throat brace in the composite DuraFibers was a potential failing point. I have the Lite and the XR-Graphite, both with intact throats...but neither appears to have much 'court time'. I remember seeing my first DuraFiber in the South Carolina heat(in the '70s) and the throat bridge had simply 'melted' and failed.

Coach is very correct as usual.
These rackets were beautiful if strung and played at low tension, like 40 lbs with victor imperial. I had a few such strung models and they played extremely flexible, like slingshots.

Take a look at a few of the offerings:

http://woodtennis.com/durafiber/duraFibers1.jpg

[chrischris]

I found a PDP Fibergraph for 8 bucks in 9.0 condition last fall..and a few years ago a Head Competition that was blue and silver and was probably the European version of the racket.4.95.

[BlueB]

Thrift stores and used sports goods stores... Prices ranging from 5 to 20.
Left to right:
Dunlop Max 200G J.Mac sig, hardly a scratch to it;
Prince Spectrum Comp 90 (came with original leadther, I replaced it with lightweight overgrips only);
POG 90 4-stripe (they were twins, one given away to my hitting partner) came with original suede bag;
Prince Boron 110, close to mint condition;
Queen Elizabeth's personal racquet (susspected, bears insignia)

[michael_1265]

That is a nice haul!^

[pshulam]

It's never too late for a happy childhood!

Nice find! Are they stored in your garage?

[BlueB]

Originally Posted by pshulam

Nice find! Are they stored in your garage?

No, I sleep with them

[michael_1265]

NOS Black Max. It was wedged between two golf bags. I never imagined that I would be finding this at Goodwill.

[coachrick]

Originally Posted by michael_1265

NOS Black Max. It was wedged between two golf bags. I never imagined that I would be finding this at Goodwill.

Wow, that's something you might expect to find in Greenville, SC, not Richmond. Based on the cover graphics, it's one of the later models. Well done!!!

[michael_1265]

Originally Posted by coachrick

Wow, that's something you might expect to find in Greenville, SC, not Richmond. Based on the cover graphics, it's one of the later models. Well done!!!

Thanks. I think Richmond is a crossroads of sorts. I have found a number of the original owner tags in racquet cases, and they have been from Minnesota, Oregon, California, everywhere but Virginia.

Why SC?

[coachrick]

Originally Posted by michael_1265

Thanks. I think Richmond is a crossroads of sorts. I have found a number of the original owner tags in racquet cases, and they have been from Minnesota, Oregon, California, everywhere but Virginia.

Why SC?

The US home office of Dunlop Sports was(is?) in Greenville, SC. Just down I-85, across the Georgia line, is Hartwell--where the tennis balls were made for years and the distribution of the tennis products took place.

I would imagine there are a few closets and garages still housing some NOS rackets in both cities.

[michael_1265]

Originally Posted by coachrick

The US home office of Dunlop Sports was(is?) in Greenville, SC. Just down I-85, across the Georgia line, is Hartwell--where the tennis balls were made for years and the distribution of the tennis products took place.

I would imagine there are a few closets and garages still housing some NOS rackets in both cities.

I learn something new every day here.

This is my third favorite "pick" from this store, the first being an immaculate 200G and the second being a cherry Rossignol GW-200