Is there any way of softening a frame?

As per title.

I have two sticks, but one feels slightly brassier than the other - is there any way of softening it, and has anyone tried a method that works?

The only things I can think that might work are:

1. Stringing / re-stringing it a zillion times.
2. Putting in on a RDC and pressing the 'flex reading' button a zillion times, whilst flipping it over each time.
3. Stringing it super high tension, letting it sit, cutting out the strings. Letting it sit. Repeat x alot.

Any of these likely to work? Any reliable methods?

Torres said:

As per title.

I have two sticks, but one feels slightly brassier than the other - is there any way of softening it, and has anyone tried a method that works?

The only things I can think that might work are:

1. Stringing / re-stringing it a zillion times. NO
2. Putting in on a RDC and pressing the 'flex reading' button a zillion times, whilst flipping it over each time. Probably, but not recommended.
3. Stringing it super high tension, letting it sit, cutting out the strings. Letting it sit. Repeat x alot. NO

Any of these likely to work? Any reliable methods?

Click to expand...

Easy Answer: NO

ATP100 said:

Easy Answer: NO

Click to expand...

I don't think that's true.

Torres said:

I don't think that's true.

Click to expand...

Then go ahead with 2, just don't blame us for not warn you once you ruined it. :twisted:

^ Why would it possibly be ruined? Racquets break down with each restring. You're going from 0kg of force to ~25kg of force through a small piece of graphite. Do you realise how heavy 25kg is? The bonds between the graphite fibres break down each time.

All I'm wanting to do is speed up the process until it starts feeling level with the 2nd racquet. I don't see anything wrong with that. I'm curious as to how long that is likely to take and what might be the best method - hence the thread.

You could always use some silicone in the handle to provide a less brassy feel!

-Fuji

I was going to say clamp the handle; then hang a weight (5-10#) off the tip. I am assuming the racquet is unstrung. Turn the racquet over after an 1/2 or 1 hour and do the same thing. Repeat until the frame feels softer. This should start to flex the racquet so that the bond between graphite and resin start to break down.

Torres said:

As per title.

I have two sticks, but one feels slightly brassier than the other - is there any way of softening it, and has anyone tried a method that works?

The only things I can think that might work are:

1. Stringing / re-stringing it a zillion times.
2. Putting in on a RDC and pressing the 'flex reading' button a zillion times, whilst flipping it over each time.
3. Stringing it super high tension, letting it sit, cutting out the strings. Letting it sit. Repeat x alot.

Any of these likely to work? Any reliable methods?

Click to expand...

RDC flex gives a measure of how much the throat/neck of the racquet bends when pressure is applied slowly. Another measure of flexibility is vibration frequency, which tells you how many times the frame vibrates or oscillates back and forth in a second when the impact is at speed, like during a real hit. The frequency of vibration is related to the amplitude of vibration. If the frame oscillates fewer times in a second it means it is also flexing a greater distance each time it oscillates. In other words it is more flexible. And this measurement tells you about the entire frame and not just the neck/throat so is probably more relevant to feel and feedback than static (RDC) flex measurements.

Vibration frequency tells us things about the stiffness of the frame material but also about mass and mass distribution. If you have two identical racquets and add 20 grams to one of them it will be more flexible, dynamically, which you can certainly feel.

Experimental results show that adding mass to the poles reduces vibration frequency (dynamic stiffness) the most. Some people claim that adding mass to the center of the frame will increase vibration frequency and make the frame feel stiffer, but I don't know if that has been tested by experiment. Since adding mass at 12 o'clock is usually unwelcome due to swingweight concerns, adding 5 grams or so in the butt is probably better. On the other hand, if you are starting with "platform" racquets you can add weight at the poles to bring them to your playing weight but with a flexier feel.

The RacquetTune app now lets you test vibration frequency so you could use that to compare pre and post-mods.

Tennis Warehouse University publishes vibration frequency specs: http://twu.tennis-warehouse.com/cgi-bin/vibfrequency.cgi

If you are trying to make the frame more flexible at the throat and neck, I suppose you could repeatedly let an RDC machine flex it.

I've had good results using a tip from one of Travellerajm's posts. He said to add lead tape below the balance point. I found that to take some feel out of the my AG200, so I moved the lead to the bottom inside of the throat. I use less than .5 gram of lead and it feels noticably more flexible. I'm not sure exactly what I'm feeling, except that it's a softer hit.

Easy:silicone!!!

Adding silicone to the handle makes it more solid, soft and more headlight to boot! Just make sure u don't squeeze too much and make the racquet too heavy.

Muppet said:

I've had good results using a tip from one of Travellerajm's posts. He said to add lead tape below the balance point. I found that to take some feel out of the my AG200, so I moved the lead to the bottom inside of the throat. I use less than .5 gram of lead and it feels noticably more flexible. I'm not sure exactly what I'm feeling, except that it's a softer hit.

Click to expand...

.5 gram? I don't think you are feeling anything that the weight is doing! I don't see where that little bit of weight would make any difference! Especially placed in the throat!

Cheers,
kev

Not what I expected my first post to be.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJrXUqYhYBM
You figure out yourself how to apply this. I'm sure someone could play with a old stiff racquet and rollers.

Can you drop string tension?
Use a more resilient string?

LeeD said:

Can you drop string tension?
Use a more resilient string?

Click to expand...

+1

@ OP

at least if you don't like the new string or new tension you can change it.....

if you do any of what you ask about and don't like the result you can't undo any of them.....

my $.02

bugeyed said:

.5 gram? I don't think you are feeling anything that the weight is doing! I don't see where that little bit of weight would make any difference! Especially placed in the throat!

Cheers,
kev

Click to expand...

I agree. I was surprised how little lead was needed for results. You'd have to try it out to see if you feel any difference. Works for me.

A prodigious poaster once upon a time, long, long ago in a different but nearby galaxy suggested drilling small holes in the throat.

Slightly crack the throat by banging the racket on the court. You have to be careful though, banging too lightly makes you look like a nob, banging too heavily will simply end in tears.

klementine79 said:

A prodigious poaster once upon a time, long, long ago in a different but nearby galaxy suggested drilling small holes in the throat.

Click to expand...

This is new Prince Throat-Port technology!

klementine79 said:

A prodigious poster once upon a time, long, long ago in a different but nearby galaxy suggested drilling small holes in the throat.

Click to expand...

maxpotapov said:

This is new Prince Throat-Port technology!

Click to expand...

sounds more like Head flexpoint 2.0

klementine79 said:

A prodigious poaster once upon a time, long, long ago in a different but nearby galaxy suggested drilling small holes in the throat.

Click to expand...

maxpotapov said:

This is new Prince Throat-Port technology!

Click to expand...

:mrgreen:

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