new wood racquets

Z

zcarzach

Semi-Pro
So, this might not fit in here in Classic Racquet Talk forum, but I suspect that you guys are the only ones who will appreciate what I'm attempting. I'm planning to prototype a new wood racquet, based on an old busted Maxply I have. I am a furniture maker by trade with a love for the old wood racquets. So, I'm going to "deconstruct" this old Maxply and make a new one based on it in my workshop here in Charlotte, MI.

I was just wondering if anyone had tried this. I think I have solutions for how I'm going to do each step (hence the word prototype). I'm currently looking for a source for graphite sheet of the proper thickness for "reinforcement". I've been researching "real tennis" racquets and have a good grasp of the steps involved. Doesn't seem like it will be that difficult, given my background. I plan to shoot lots of pics, if you guys are interested. If this is successful, I may try a Kramer Pro Staff next...

Best,

Zach
 
K

KneisslDestroyer

New User
zcarzach said:
So, this might not fit in here in Classic Racquet Talk forum, but I suspect that you guys are the only ones who will appreciate what I'm attempting. I'm planning to prototype a new wood racquet, based on an old busted Maxply I have. I am a furniture maker by trade with a love for the old wood racquets. So, I'm going to "deconstruct" this old Maxply and make a new one based on it in my workshop here in Charlotte, MI.

I was just wondering if anyone had tried this. I think I have solutions for how I'm going to do each step (hence the word prototype). I'm currently looking for a source for graphite sheet of the proper thickness for "reinforcement". I've been researching "real tennis" racquets and have a good grasp of the steps involved. Doesn't seem like it will be that difficult, given my background. I plan to shoot lots of pics, if you guys are interested. If this is successful, I may try a Kramer Pro Staff next...

Best,

Zach
Click to expand...

just make it in the same mold as the Puma Boris Becker super model, layer some graphite over it an Voila!
 
firefox

firefox

Semi-Pro
I had thought of making an 85 sq in wooden racquet with mono shaft design, sandwiched with carbon sheets, but the final weight would be a little too much for today's playing style. :(
 
Z

zcarzach

Semi-Pro
KneisslDestroyer said:
just make it in the same mold as the Puma Boris Becker super model, layer some graphite over it an Voila!
Click to expand...

you know, if I had one to work from, I'd consider trying it at some point. I'm using the Maxply because I have one that I won't mind reverse engineering.

firefox said:
I had thought of making an 85 sq in wooden racquet with mono shaft design, sandwiched with carbon sheets, but the final weight would be a little too much for today's playing style. :(
Click to expand...

Yeah, I don't think too many people would be interested in having one, except me and a few other nuts. This isn't commercial, purely for me as I couldn't make them cheap enough to make people want to buy them. I'm planning a standard size so I don't have to try to figure out the string pattern (can just copy what I have already).
 
S

Staidhup

New User
Funny, when I get in a tennis funk, I pull out my old Maxply and hit against the ball machine. Boy have we come a long ways! Years ago I hit with my daughter, all she could say is no wonder your shoulder is a mess.
 
goober

goober

Legend
Didn't prokennex have a racquet series with a wood core in the center surrounded by graphite? I think the models were actually called "core" and they had differing numbers based on specs. It seems it was about 5 years ago or so.
 
K

KneisslDestroyer

New User
goober said:
Didn't prokennex have a racquet series with a wood core in the center surrounded by graphite? I think the models were actually called "core" and they had differing numbers based on specs. It seems it was about 5 years ago or so.
Click to expand...

i actually owned and played with the mid-size jack kramer that had inlays of graphite in it...Wilson put out a midsize version that had the single throat design still, just a bigger hoop with graphite laid in it, the things was soo heavy and I recall it breaking pretty quickly or warping for some reason.
 
mmk

mmk

Hall of Fame
KneisslDestroyer said:
i actually owned and played with the mid-size jack kramer that had inlays of graphite in it...Wilson put out a midsize version that had the single throat design still, just a bigger hoop with graphite laid in it, the things was soo heavy and I recall it breaking pretty quickly or warping for some reason.
Click to expand...

I still have one, I think I bought it in 86. Mine is a 4 5/8 L, 26 7/8" long, 13.25 ounces, seems to be even balance. I also measured my Advantage, which is a 4 3/4 Medium, 27 1/8" long, 13.75 ounces, about 3.5 points head light. The stiffness on these has to be in the 40s at best. I'll occasionally hit with them after a match when my opponent and I still have court time.
 
michaelscoots

michaelscoots

Rookie
This sounds like a fun project. One thing I would recommend is trying out various woods first. My brother and I have been playing with woods almost exclusively since the end of February. I've found that the lights are easier to work in modern technique. I'm enjoying the wood so much that it's hard for me to go back to my K90's! And I'm getting plenty of pace and spin...but the control. It's out of this world!

Good luck and keep us posted!
 
G

GoSurfBoy

Semi-Pro
I build guitars, furniture, boats, etc., and if I were going to build a racket, I'd do a remake of a Prince 'Woodie' in a 95". That frame is STILL one of the most remarkable frames ever produced; spin, power, dwell, silky smooth, and not a whisper of arm-problems. Use a Head or Volkl full cap' grommet for reference, too.

Buy them on the Bay for $20 and deconstruct THAT, let me know, I'll rep' for you and I'll buy 5 or 6 in a 95 version for myself.

With Prince in Bankruptcy, maybe they'll sell the plans for $10 for some working capital?
 
joe sch

joe sch

Legend
rodracquet said:
An Australian did this 10-15 years ago with the belief he could still make a better wood racquet than the modern materials delivered. Funny you should post this now as I just uploaded the pics to FB a few days back. Complete with Mad Raq style stringing.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...4580413533.179215.195175473533&type=1&theater
Click to expand...

Nice looking woody but I prefer the traditional crosses/mains stringing since I feel the "mad raq" dense pattern takes away from the feel and control, ie plays boardy
 
Adles

Adles

Rookie
I used to go up to Charlotte to spend money (a lot) at LL Johnson Lumber when I lived in Michigan...

Google is your friend when looking for carbon or graphite for your reinforcements. You probably want to by it in tapes instead of sheets for less waste. Scroll down the bottom of this page for examples: http://www.uscomposites.com/carbonpage.html

Carbon fiber comes in different weaves and strengths. Which one matches the old "graphite reinforcement" I have no idea.
 
atatu

atatu

Legend
Does anyone know what the last mass produced wood racket was ? I'm talking about all wood, not graphite and wood.
 
joe sch

joe sch

Legend
Ziggy925 said:
I'm a little late to this thread, but a bamboo racquet sounds like an interesting and doable idea.
Click to expand...

There were some all bamboo and cane rackets produced about 50 years ago but I feel the best use of bamboo is how the modern bancroft wood rackets used as lamination to provide more flex and feel, plus good looks.
 
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