Counter balance lead

[Head057]

Ive recently applied 8 grams of lead onto my racquet. I placed 4 grams on 3&9 o'clock. But my question Is where to put the lead and also the amount needed. I know there is a thread/equation to solve this, but im quite confused over it.
The racquet I use is the HEAD Youtek Speed 315 16x19
My reason for applying lead was to increase plow through against hard hitters. Thank you for the help.

[tata]

A lot of people mention 7 inches from the butt cap is a good counter balance location. But I do think going 8grams total there is a bit extreme off the bat. Maybe try 6 at most for now?

[mikeespinmusic]

7 inches above the buttcap has been a general rule of thumb on these forums. I personally think thats about the top area of your grip. So either put it under there or inside the handle in that area.

[Head057]

Thank you for the information but how much lead should I put to counter balance it?

[TennisCJC]

Consider:

1. taking all grips off the racket
2. Apply 4 grams centered 7" from the butt and 4 grams just above where the plastic butt cap ends. You can wrap 1/4" wide lead tape around the handle. I usually wrap 1 strip and put the next strip next to it. Or, you can layer them 1 on top of the other but you don't want them to get so thick they impact the grip size.
3. Instead of #2 above, place longer strips of tape running up the handle starting just above the butt cap and going up toward the head. Use a symetrical pattern like 4 grams on each side of the handle pallet and you can use the bevels to apply the strips straigthly. You'll have to work out the math and exact bevel locations to come up with 8 grams. 8 grams is approximately 32" of 1/4 lead tape which is not excessive.
4. Or, combine #2 and #3, maybe 2 grams wraped at 7", 2g wrapped just above butt cap, and 4 grams layered up the handle.

I have used both, and like #2 the best with some at 7" and some about 1.5" just above the butt cap. I like to spread the weight to 2 locations or even longer strips up the handle (#3) rather than have it all packed in at one location like 7" up the pallet.

Another thing to consider is golf shops sometimes have 1/2" wide DOUBLE DENSITY lead tape that weighs 1 gram for 1" length. It is twice as wide as normal 1/4" lead tape and twice a thick so 1" weighs as much as 4" of 1/4 lead tape. I have used this for grip weighting in the past. Be sure it says DOUBLE DENSITY as I have seen 1/2" wide tape that is not 2denisty. With DD 1/2" wide you don't have to use as much as an 8" strip would weigh 8 grams. The big golf retailer that sounds like blacksmith might have it.

[OHBH]

These calculators should help you find the weight and balance you want

http://twu.tennis-warehouse.com/lear...tomization.php


http://www.racquettech.com/store/lea...nedswtbal.html

[Head057]

I decided to put 2grams at 12. 4 grams on the handle (7inches above buttcap) and another 4 grams 1.5 inches above the buttcap. Is that a little too much counter balancing? Sorry for the dumb questions...this is pretty complicated. Thanks once again.

[Hi I'm Ray]

Originally Posted by Head057

I tested out two racquets today. A racquet with 6 grams on 3&9 and2 grams on 12. And i enjoyed playing with the racquet with lead on 12. But should I put the same amount of lead to counter balance?

This is what I do: Say I used 4 grams of lead at 3&9, if I want the swingweight to be about same as lead at 3&9 but want it at 12 instead, I'll use 1/2 the lead, 2 grams in this example. The TW reverse customization calculator will show roughly the same result.

I counter balance at the buttcap with the same amount as I would use at 3&9, and 2x what I used at 12. In my example I would use 4 grams at the buttcap for both. Not a magic formula but a good place to start if you are just starting to experiment. Btw I ONLY counter balance at the buttcap if adding lead to the head makes it feel unbalanced. No need to counter balance if everything feels fine.

2gm @ 12
or
4gm @ 3&9

Counter-balance with 4gm @ buttcap for either