Alpha Pioneer DC Plus Support Crushing Grommets

[darklore009]

I wanted to ask the community if any Alpha Pioneer DC plus users that has experience with the support crushing into the 2,5,7,11 o clock of the racket. I didnt set the knobs too tight but snug so it wont wobble at all. I did contact CS about this and they suggested using old leather grips and cut into pieces as inserts for the supports to soften it.

Any one experience something similar to this?

 

[esgee48]

What frame? Some frames are noted for squashing. Is the overall length of this frame the same before and after stringing?

How snug are you doing the main supports at 6 and 12? If those are too loose, then the frame will squash AND the grommets will have to contact the side supports. 6 and 12 should be snug enough that it takes some effort to move the frame when you grab it by the handle. Then you snug up the side supports.

 

[darklore009]

 

[darklore009]

Mostly Angell rackets are experiencing this.

 

[esgee48]

For the indents to occur, the frame was compressed against the side supports. How snug were your 6 and 12 supports? And how long are the frames suppose to be and what are their lengths now with strings?

IIRC, Dunlop frames had a tendency to need a little pre-stretch from the 6 and 12 supports. I treated them just like Radicals and Prestiges, i.e. they will squash if you are not careful.

 

[darklore009]

for the 6 and 12 supports, I set it as they would be snug enough so the racket wont push or pull. The racket is 27 inchs unstrung. I will have to measure out the length of my racket later as strung later.

 

[Irvin]

It looks to me like most of the crushing is right where a grommet is located. Are you adjusting the side supports so they are not blocking a grommet hole? If the support is directly over a grommet when you tension the string there is no way you can avoid the string pushing on the support while pulling on the grommet. That puts a lot of pressure on the frame / support point. Also you’re string is pulling the frame into the support at the same time you’re twisting the frame / support contact point.

 

[darklore009]

The supports have a C Shaped support that allows me to insert the string through the grommet where the support is. I would assume its the hard material from the support that's causing the problem.

 

[Irvin]

The supports have a C Shaped support that allows me to insert the string through the grommet where the support is. I would assume its the hard material from the support that's causing the problem.

That’s great and it does help but you can also adjust the supports. When mounting the frame first you want to turn in the side supports so they do not meet the frame blocking a grommet then turn in the 6 or 12 support depending on whether your mount the top or bottom of the racket first. Then do the same on the other end. Remember the string pulls opposite on the top / bottom of the racket.

If you adjust the 6/12 supports first you’ve preset the side supports points because they have a preset distance from the tower (standard.) Your adjust is on the 6/12 supports so there is no preset distance. If that’s hard to understand I can make you a short video to explain, just let me know.

EDIT: On some machines you can move either of the standards in or out. I’m not talking about moving the standards. Near the top there is are fine adjustments to move the billiards (for 6/12 support) in and out and that’s is you adjust to adjust the SIDE support contact points.

 

[Dags]

I had exactly the same when I played with Angell racquets. I think the bumpers are just made of a softer material than most. I keep the offcut from replacement grips now, and have those stuck on the supports to add a spot of cushioning. Problem solved. I do need to periodically replace them - leather would probably be a more permanent solution, but I haven't got around to it yet.

 

[esgee48]

Factoid noted. I have no clients using Angell frames, but this is good to know, that the grommets are soft. Question for you, @Dags. Did you need to replace the grommet and bumper guard more frequently than than normal? Say compared to Head?

 

[Dags]

Factoid noted. I have no clients using Angell frames, but this is good to know, that the grommets are soft. Question for you, @Dags. Did you need to replace the grommet and bumper guard more frequently than than normal? Say compared to Head?

I play probably 90% or more of my tennis either on carpet or artificial grass, both of which are relatively kind to bumpers. I played with two Angells for just under a year, restringing one of them 9 times and the other 11. Other than the usual scuffs on the bumper, there was no need to replace them. For comparison, I've played with my Head Prestige's for around 10 years. I have replaced the grommets a few times because I keep fiddling with customising them (they're pro stock, and I experiment more than is probably good for my game), but the CAPs on those last me for years - never had to change them due to wear. I think the grommets themselves last well for me because of good stringing practices - I don't remove the string in a way that could burn the grommets, I always mount with the buttcap the same way up so that any light deformation from the knots is the same. Sometimes I get given racquets with mangled tie offs, and can't help but wonder how they got into that state.

The grommets that I'm replacing constantly at the moment are the 2018 Pure Drive. They're very popular with the performance juniors round my way, who mostly play on acrylic and are aggressive when digging for the ball. The channel for the string on the outside of the racquet is ridiculously shallow, so they wear it to the point very quickly where they're breaking strings from contact with the ground. It's the only time I've ever ordered grommets in bulk to keep a stock of them rather than buying on demand.

 

[esgee48]

Thank you. A lot of Head and Babolat users playing on hard courts. Head isn't an issue except when they have shared holes. Babolats are a pain-in-the-ass. Lots of Prince too, but can't find grommets for all of them any more since they're O3. "Never More! It is time to buy a new racquet" quote Da Stringer.

 

[darklore009]

I'm wondering if the Gamma Side support will work on my DC plus. I have a feeling that their support can cushion the racket much better than the Alpha one.

 

[Irvin]

I'm wondering if the Gamma Side support will work on my DC plus. I have a feeling that their support can cushion the racket much better than the Alpha one.

There are different side supports for different machines. I got a set for my 6004 and they would not fit so I sent them back. Later I think they came out with different supports that would work but I had already sold my machine.