Vinyl Tape as Weight Under Grip

[TimothyO]

Based on recent discussions about Wilson's Ampli-Feel/Ampli-Shock technology and some observations while modding my PSGTs I decided to try vinyl tape as weight under the grip.

Vinyl electrical tape is surprisingly heavy and durable. Eight inches of three-quarter inch tape weighs a little more than 1 gram or about half the weight of quarter-inch lead tape on a unit-length basis.

The idea is that since Wilson's Ampli-Shock technology is intended to transmit more impact vibrations using stiff materials such as basalt and metal in the handle maybe a soft material would dampen these vibrations. And others have reported using silicone INSIDE the handle to weight their frames with the result being a comfortable feel. Of course the downside of silicone is that it can't be undone or adjusted and it's hard to measure out.

So vinyl tape seemed like a good candidate as a replacement for lead tape as a weighting agent.

I tested two PSGTs strung the same way and matched for weight, balance, and swingweight. One used lead tape under the grip and the other vinyl tape.

Result: the frame with vinyl tape under the grip was clearly more comfortable. It wasn't even close. This was a blind test since one couldn't tell the frames apart outside of the serial numbers (these frames are new from TW and haven't suffered much battle damage yet). Swapping back and forth I could easily tell if I was hitting with frame 99 (vinyl tape) or frame 77 (lead tape). These numbers refer to the last two digits of the serial numbers.

One downside (for some) is that there's a slight increase in grip size using vinyl tape. I concentrated the vinyl tape from the butt to a point 5" from the butt mirroring the lead tape placement. I prefer a larger grip size so enjoyed the effect but others may dislike it. OTOH it was minor, perhaps a half a grip size increase at most.

[db10s]

Originally Posted by TimothyO

Based on recent discussions about Wilson's Ampli-Feel/Ampli-Shock technology and some observations while modding my PSGTs I decided to try vinyl tape as weight under the grip.

Vinyl electrical tape is surprisingly heavy and durable. Eight inches of three-quarter inch tape weighs a little more than 1 gram or about half the weight of quarter-inch lead tape on a unit-length basis.

The idea is that since Wilson's Ampli-Shock technology is intended to transmit more impact vibrations using stiff materials such as basalt and metal in the handle maybe a soft material would dampen these vibrations. And others have reported using silicone INSIDE the handle to weight their frames with the result being a comfortable feel. Of course the downside of silicone is that it can't be undone or adjusted and it's hard to measure out.

So vinyl tape seemed like a good candidate as a replacement for lead tape as a weighting agent.

I tested two PSGTs strung the same way and matched for weight, balance, and swingweight. One used lead tape under the grip and the other vinyl tape.

Result: the frame with vinyl tape under the grip was clearly more comfortable. It wasn't even close. This was a blind test since one couldn't tell the frames apart outside of the serial numbers (these frames are new from TW and haven't suffered much battle damage yet). Swapping back and forth I could easily tell if I was hitting with frame 99 (vinyl tape) or frame 77 (lead tape). These numbers refer to the last two digits of the serial numbers.

One downside (for some) is that there's a slight increase in grip size using vinyl tape. I concentrated the vinyl tape from the butt to a point 5" from the butt mirroring the lead tape placement. I prefer a larger grip size so enjoyed the effect but others may dislike it. OTOH it was minor, perhaps a half a grip size increase at most.

Its funny but its true...

[Fuji]

Good experiment! I use hockey tape on my Head racket pallets because I don't like the grip shape and it helps round it out with 4-5 layers of the stuff!

-Fuji

[TimothyO]

Originally Posted by Fuji

Good experiment! I use hockey tape on my Head racket pallets because I don't like the grip shape and it helps round it out with 4-5 layers of the stuff!

-Fuji

Is hockey tape also vinyl tape? Or cloth tape?

[Fuji]

Originally Posted by TimothyO

Is hockey tape also vinyl tape? Or cloth tape?

Well what I use is actually "shin tape" as it's water proof. Hockey tape is made of cloth however.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hockey_tape

It's amazing how many different types of tape one acquires when you live in a hockey household LOL!

-Fuji

[db10s]

OT: I was in a local shop and there was a cloth tape product being advertised as an overgrip.... Can't imagine using that stuff as a grip. It had words like "traditional, classic, etc..." on the package......

[zapvor]

probably gauze.

but am i the only person here that can play with whatever grip?? i guess i am super adaptable:P

[Fuji]

Originally Posted by db10s

OT: I was in a local shop and there was a cloth tape product being advertised as an overgrip.... Can't imagine using that stuff as a grip. It had words like "traditional, classic, etc..." on the package......

Did you see Tourna Grip maybe?

-Fuji

[A_Instead]

Friction tape works best. Its a cloth based electrical tape.

[db10s]

Originally Posted by Fuji

Did you see Tourna Grip maybe?

-Fuji

Nope, more like REALLY rough gauze....

[zapvor]

so i was right!

[db10s]

Originally Posted by zapvor

so i was right!

Yes... YOU are the winner of 10 forum bucks!!!!