Best way to dampen a racquet response with customization?

gino

gino

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Trying to assess what I can do with some old pure drives to dampen the response.

That being said, trying to look outside of simply adding weight or slapping on a leather grip. Moreso searching for some material or grip that can mute harsh vibration

Couple thoughts:
  1. Fill handles with silicone or similar dense injectible filler
  2. Replacement grips with shock absorption
    1. Wilson shock shield hybrid
    2. Babolat Xcel Gel
    3. Gamma Hi Tech Gel
  3. Cotton swabs/light removable material into the handle
Let me know if you guys have other thoughts
 
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gino said:
Trying to assess what I can do with some old pure drives to dampen the response.

Couple thoughts:
  1. Fill handles with silicone or similar filler
  2. Replacement grips with shock absorption
    1. Wilson shock shield hybrid
    2. Babolat Xcel Gel
    3. Gamma Hi Tech Gel
  3. Cotton swabs/light removable material into the handle
Let me know if you guys have other thoughts
Click to expand...
2 for sure with the shockshield.

1. Have fun. Silicone is kind of a pain but blutak is easier.

3. Not sure that would really work.

First off why? Its a puredrive. Aren’t you the 6.1 guy?

2nd i am assuming you mean vibrations and not power when you say “response”?

Gamma shockbusters help for vibration as well
 
If you get any packages with foam peanuts, those would work if jammed into the handle. Or trim a larger piece to jam inside. Attach with a dab of rubber cement.

Small pieces of lead tape also work if placed away from the frames nodal points.

Your list would also work. Just adding to the list.
 
Shroud said:
2 for sure with the shockshield.

1. Have fun. Silicone is kind of a pain but blutak is easier.

3. Not sure that would really work.

First off why? Its a puredrive. Aren’t you the 6.1 guy?

2nd i am assuming you mean vibrations and not power when you say “response”?

Gamma shockbusters help for vibration as well
Click to expand...

lol to address the bolded, I am the 6.1 guy, but I’m also a general collector. I have dozens of sticks and lately I’ve been growing my Babolat collection. The drive was the one frame I never did a deep dive on, but that will soon change

Acquired all 3 of the roddick PDs and a swirly/2nd iteration. So 5 PDs acquired and I want them to be more muted, not so harsh and sharp. Feel more in the vein of the APD OG is what im after, just solid and not so tinny

That being said, acquired two shock shields today. Looks like they weigh close to 25g, so I’ll put those on the 2 lighter spec ones I have. Then will probably give Babolat Xcel gel to the roddick sticks
 
esgee48 said:
If you get any packages with foam peanuts, those would work if jammed into the handle. Or trim a larger piece to jam inside. Attach with a dab of rubber cement.

Small pieces of lead tape also work if placed away from the frames nodal points.

Your list would also work. Just adding to the list.
Click to expand...
Packing peanuts !! Nice man. That’s a good one. Interesting bc it’s more dense material than the cotton. That’s a fun one to mess around with. Thanks mate
 
I love the gamma hi-tech, but I actually found the gel grip less comfortable in terms of shock than a normal grip. i removed it after just one session, so ymmv.

i think extra weight is your best bet for improving comfort, so silicone seems like a good option. square rubber erasers can also be trimmed and shoved into the handle.
 
gino said:
lol to address the bolded, I am the 6.1 guy, but I’m also a general collector. I have dozens of sticks and lately I’ve been growing my Babolat collection. The drive was the one frame I never did a deep dive on, but that will soon change

Acquired all 3 of the roddick PDs and a swirly/2nd iteration. So 5 PDs acquired and I want them to be more muted, not so harsh and sharp. Feel more in the vein of the APD OG is what im after, just solid and not so tinny

That being said, acquired two shock shields today. Looks like they weigh close to 25g, so I’ll put those on the 2 lighter spec ones I have. Then will probably give Babolat Xcel gel to the roddick sticks
Click to expand...
If the qtips and peanuts work, why not bubble wrap?

Best to collect investments imho :)
 
gino said:
Trying to assess what I can do with some old pure drives to dampen the response.

Couple thoughts:
  1. Fill handles with silicone or similar filler
  2. Replacement grips with shock absorption
    1. Wilson shock shield hybrid
    2. Babolat Xcel Gel
    3. Gamma Hi Tech Gel
  3. Cotton swabs/light removable material into the handle
Let me know if you guys have other thoughts
Click to expand...

Juvale 90,000 Pieces Foam Beads for Slime, White Polystyrene Beads for Kids DIY Craft, Party Decoration (0.08-0.12 in)​


I believe a hollow racquet will take around 8 grams worth.
 
Shroud said:
If the qtips and peanuts work, why not bubble wrap?

Best to collect investments imho :)
Click to expand...
If you saw the price I got them at, you’d consider them an investment lol but not planning to move any of them. Have always loved having different flavors of classic frames
 
thenewbig3 said:

Juvale 90,000 Pieces Foam Beads for Slime, White Polystyrene Beads for Kids DIY Craft, Party Decoration (0.08-0.12 in)​


I believe a hollow racquet will take around 8 grams worth.
Click to expand...
Do you contain them with anything at the top of the handle ? Or just pour them in?
 
My thought is to get one of those rubber things that slip over the grip for holding the tape down and use that for a dampener nearer to the throat end of grip but use more then one like 2 of them to dampen the shock but on the flat part before the grip starts/ over the tape holding the grip down if need be.

Another is to use some kind of Gorilla or Iron Force thicker duct tape over the base grip in 3 or 4 big separate tubes as this will not be too thick so as to change the grip size or doing the same with 2 layers of the thicker Gorilla or Iron Force duct tape for the base grip to match a regular base grip thickness as either way will add some rubber dampening to the handle.
 
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Casey 1988 said:
My thought is to get one of those rubber things that slip over the grip for holding the tape down and use that for a dampener nearer to the throat end of grip but use more then one like 2 of them to dampen the shock but on the flat part before the grip starts/ over the tape holding the grip down if need be.

Another is to use some kind of Gorilla or Iron Force thicker duct tape over the base grip in 3 or 4 big separate tubes as this will not be too thick so as to change the grip size or doing the same with 2 layers of the thicker Gorilla or Iron Force duct tape for the base grip to match a regular base grip thickness as either way will add some rubber dampening to the handle.
Click to expand...
The rubber tape is an interesting notion. I’d figure the thickness of the shock shield is way more than that of a few layers of tape. Might have to check that out, have you done it yourself? To which frames if so?
 
tele said:
I love the gamma hi-tech, but I actually found the gel grip less comfortable in terms of shock than a normal grip. i removed it after just one session, so ymmv.

i think extra weight is your best bet for improving comfort, so silicone seems like a good option. square rubber erasers can also be trimmed and shoved into the handle.
Click to expand...
Square rubber erasers another cool idea. To take it a step furhwr, maybe could toss them in a blender lol

that way the material is basically rubber flake and can be packed together densely but also with less pockets of air/better conforming shape to the inside of the handle
 
gino said:
Square rubber erasers another cool idea. To take it a step furhwr, maybe could toss them in a blender lol

that way the material is basically rubber flake and can be packed together densely but also with less pockets of air/better conforming shape to the inside of the handle
Click to expand...
good idea, though I wonder if it would be hard to make a plug that would allow it to be packed in tightly. maybe cotton would be enough. Curious to hear what you end up doing.
 
gino said:
The rubber tape is an interesting notion. I’d figure the thickness of the shock shield is way more than that of a few layers of tape. Might have to check that out, have you done it yourself? To which frames if so?
Click to expand...
No I have not to my current frames where I use over the base grip some black cloth hockey tape (Howies), going in 1/4 overlapping spiral after at top going over first bit before spiral down and some waterproof glue at bottom. I then use dirt/soil then brush off and wipe down with a damp paper towel to work in this is important step to remove the sticky issue from the grip and have that worked in feeling without the wear as my think outer grip. I supposed a 2--3 layers of the hockey tape over the base grip could work because on my model of aluminum racquet at the top of grip where a plastic piece is I can with the layer of overlap over the original tapeing I can the almost use this taped plastic as part of the grip.

I have seen others use that stretchy medical bandage material that sticks back onto itself as a dampening material and for some the actual over grip but to me I feel this material would be too rough for an over grip if left unstretched out in a loose form so the air cushion effect of the tape could be used.
 
gino said:
Do you contain them with anything at the top of the handle ? Or just pour them in?
Click to expand...
Pour them in.... After a hitting session they will continue to go deeper and deeper and then add some more. This is where I read about them.

Latest Greatest Spin Effect racket for Graycrait

Just for the fun of it I picked up several 110 14x17 Prince Thunder Bolts. Brought the weight up to 11oz 4pts HL strung weight, stringing them with Ash Kev x ZX, stuffed today's example with 9 grams of Styrofoam beads. I can't and won't put them down. No issues with my APD/PD-sensitive elbow...
tt.tennis-warehouse.com tt.tennis-warehouse.com

Styrofoam beads for racket fill

These work well and you get plenty of them for quite a few rackets. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F31J49Q?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
tt.tennis-warehouse.com tt.tennis-warehouse.com
 
gino said:
Trying to assess what I can do with some old pure drives to dampen the response.

Couple thoughts:
  1. Fill handles with silicone or similar filler
  2. Replacement grips with shock absorption
    1. Wilson shock shield hybrid
    2. Babolat Xcel Gel
    3. Gamma Hi Tech Gel
  3. Cotton swabs/light removable material into the handle
Let me know if you guys have other thoughts
Click to expand...
Mine have leather grips and silicone in the handle. Excellent combo in the PD.
 
tele said:
good idea, though I wonder if it would be hard to make a plug that would allow it to be packed in tightly. maybe cotton would be enough. Curious to hear what you end up doing.
Click to expand...
Will definitely update the thread. It’s tough not being able to clearly decipher what is the best method without having two of the same sticks with the same mod. I think I’ll track down another 2009 roddick bc that’s my fav cosmetic. More to come…
 
Casey 1988 said:
No I have not to my current frames where I use over the base grip some black cloth hockey tape (Howies), going in 1/4 overlapping spiral after at top going over first bit before spiral down and some waterproof glue at bottom. I then use dirt/soil then brush off and wipe down with a damp paper towel to work in this is important step to remove the sticky issue from the grip and have that worked in feeling without the wear as my think outer grip. I supposed a 2--3 layers of the hockey tape over the base grip could work because on my model of aluminum racquet at the top of grip where a plastic piece is I can with the layer of overlap over the original tapeing I can the almost use this taped plastic as part of the grip.

I have seen others use that stretchy medical bandage material that sticks back onto itself as a dampening material and for some the actual over grip but to me I feel this material would be too rough for an over grip if left unstretched out in a loose form so the air cushion effect of the tape could be used.
Click to expand...
Hockey tape interesting too, rigid form factor but wonder if it could compress/deform over time. My concern with wrapping the handle is that the material will bunch, regardless it seems like a really cool option
 
thenewbig3 said:
Pour them in.... After a hitting session they will continue to go deeper and deeper and then add some more. This is where I read about them.

Latest Greatest Spin Effect racket for Graycrait

Just for the fun of it I picked up several 110 14x17 Prince Thunder Bolts. Brought the weight up to 11oz 4pts HL strung weight, stringing them with Ash Kev x ZX, stuffed today's example with 9 grams of Styrofoam beads. I can't and won't put them down. No issues with my APD/PD-sensitive elbow...
tt.tennis-warehouse.com tt.tennis-warehouse.com

Styrofoam beads for racket fill

These work well and you get plenty of them for quite a few rackets. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F31J49Q?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
tt.tennis-warehouse.com tt.tennis-warehouse.com
Click to expand...
Nice - thanks for the links here gonna do some reading this eve
 
808 said:
Mine have leather grips and silicone in the handle. Excellent combo in the PD.
Click to expand...

Silicone seems like a good move. I have to say leather amplifies what I feel vibration wise. Same with simple lead tape. I guess what I’m looking for are dampening agents outside of weight and thinner leather grips. Even the diadem 1/2 leather hybrid is a little raw feeling for me in this use case
 
gino said:
Trying to assess what I can do with some old pure drives to dampen the response. That being said, trying to look outside of simply adding weight or slapping on a leather grip. Moreso searching for some material or grip that can mute harsh vibration

Couple thoughts:
  1. Fill handles with silicone or similar filler
  2. Replacement grips with shock absorption
    1. Wilson shock shield hybrid
    2. Babolat Xcel Gel
    3. Gamma Hi Tech Gel
  3. Cotton swabs/light removable material into the handle
Let me know if you guys have other thoughts
Click to expand...
I would go to the supermarket and buy sponge for cleaning dishes/car sponge... cut them up and stuff them in. (the handle)
Aluminum silver foil wrapped around the handle before putting on the basegrip.
 
There’s vibration frequency and amplitude. Dampening materials can decrease the amplitude but they won’t change the frequency. It’s like when you wear earplugs while listening to music. A high note will still sound high and a low note still sound low, but the volume will be lower. All this is to say that if a racquet is harsh on the joints, dampening methods can help but only up to a certain point. I think adding weight will decease frequency, but you’d have to add a lot of it to have a noticeable effect.
 
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Bill Lobsalot said:
Multi-filament strings around 40 lbs.
Click to expand...
Hmmmm... I also own 2 PD Roddick. (I still wonder why I bought them.) I play them with NXT at 25 kg. And at 25 kg I still get almost no control. 40 kg multi looks like a setup for a wooden stick. Btw, at 25 kg multi with PD I get plenty of stiffness for starting/enhancing TE.
 
BallsOfFire said:
I would go to the supermarket and buy sponge for cleaning dishes/car sponge... cut them up and stuff them in. (the handle)
Aluminum silver foil wrapped around the handle before putting on the basegrip.
Click to expand...
Dense sponges a good shout, cool idea. I like that given the material is dense

Foil an interesting one, would be a touch concerned about it tearing apart/moving under the grip. I bet the physical properties make it a great dampener
 
PistolPete23 said:
There’s vibration frequency and amplitude. Dampening materials can decrease the amplitude but they won’t change the frequency. It’s like when you wear earplugs while listening to music. A high note will still sound high and a low note still sound low, but the volume will be lower. All this is to say that if a racquet is harsh on the joints, dampening methods can help but only up to a certain point. I think adding weight will decease frequency, but you’d have to add a lot of it to have a noticeable effect.
Click to expand...
any ideas on practical applications to allow for lower amplitude? appreciate this post for the physics lens
 
gfwp said:
Hmmmm... I also own 2 PD Roddick. (I still wonder why I bought them.) I play them with NXT at 25 kg. And at 25 kg I still get almost no control. 40 kg multi looks like a setup for a wooden stick. Btw, at 25 kg multi with PD I get plenty of stiffness for starting/enhancing TE.
Click to expand...

lol not much control coming from a powerful PDR without poly. I use super soft poly which i feel like will protect my arm no matter what i use. maybe im trying to polish a piece of ****, but Im romantic about the PD lately lol

i wont me maining these or anything, just a passion project to hit around some classic blue babolats
 
gino said:
Hockey tape interesting too, rigid form factor but wonder if it could compress/deform over time. My concern with wrapping the handle is that the material will bunch, regardless it seems like a really cool option
Click to expand...
This is why with the cloth type of hockey you wrap over the initial start one time then do your preferred overlapping spiral and have to use the waterproof (sweat) glue. Then either a bunch of water with salt in it or going the method I like becuse I am using aluminum racquets of same model for removing the sticky issue if you are going to be using as your over grip is a must or it will be sticky for the next 10--30 times depending on the brand, otherwise keep the sticky for helping on a final over grip. I use the hocky tape in 1 layer on my racquet to work on a base grip where the vinyl is pealing and was planning on using when getting into tennis here again becuse of how I never really liked the grip on hot days or when I am sweaty.
 
gino said:
Dense sponges a good shout, cool idea. I like that given the material is dense

Foil an interesting one, would be a touch concerned about it tearing apart/moving under the grip. I bet the physical properties make it a great dampener
Click to expand...
Makes me think maybe filling the inside of handle tight with aluminum foil might be a good Idea. I know the old/cheap aluminum racquets seem to dampen themselves but might be more becuse the throat is on most models of aluminum racquets made after the Wilson steel T series era have a plastic piece separate from the aluminum racquet that seems takes away the big vibrations, even some early aluminum/better steel racquets made after the Wilson T-2000 have a plastic/rubber piece after the string part on the throat to dampen the vibrations until they made the throat bridge on most of plastic.
 
gino said:
Dense sponges a good shout, cool idea. I like that given the material is dense

Foil an interesting one, would be a touch concerned about it tearing apart/moving under the grip. I bet the physical properties make it a great dampener
Click to expand...
Thank you.Yes Aluminium is great for alter the frequenzy to something healthy.
I'm sure you can find a way to make the foil not move. You could use a bit of see-through thin package tape a few places, to keep it from moving... though I think a tight wrapped base grip should be enough for it to stay in place.
 
Casey 1988 said:
Makes me think maybe filling the inside of handle tight with aluminum foil might be a good Idea. I know the old/cheap aluminum racquets seem to dampen themselves but might be more becuse the throat is on most models of aluminum racquets made after the Wilson steel T series era have a plastic piece separate from the aluminum racquet that seems takes away the big vibrations, even some early aluminum/better steel racquets made after the Wilson T-2000 have a plastic/rubber piece after the string part on the throat to dampen the vibrations until they made the throat bridge on most of plastic.
Click to expand...
The IGA 298 Tempo has aluminium in the layup to counter vibration, So even a pro uses this "tech"
 
Aluminum and plastic rods would have different harmonics effectively dampening each others vibration out quickly. Alu foil does not have the ability to do this. Foam, sponge and silicone do not vibrate for very long, which is why they are efficient dampeners. Layers of tape will also dampen, but not well as foam, etc. Keep in mind that any inserted material should contact as much of the chamber as possible.

FWIW, I use silicone cubes or foam. Depends on whether client wants to go more HL.
 
gino said:
any ideas on practical applications to allow for lower amplitude? appreciate this post for the physics lens
Click to expand...
Nothing new comes to mind. It turns out silicone has really good damping properties. Cork is another, but it can’t fill the handle like silicone can.
 
2ndServe said:
Silicone , string and tension too. Can try blutack but silicone dampens more
Click to expand...
I actually just used both. I used about .2 ounces worth of blue tac to create a blockage and solid feel and then I bought some moldable silicone earplugs from cvs. It gives a solid feel of the tac, dampening at the end with silicone, and relatively mess free.
 
codonnell said:
I actually just used both. I used about .2 ounces worth of blue tac to create a blockage and solid feel and then I bought some moldable silicone earplugs from cvs. It gives a solid feel of the tac, dampening at the end with silicone, and relatively mess free.
Click to expand...
how do you insert the silicone earplugs? can you link the variety you are using?
 
esgee48 said:
Aluminum and plastic rods would have different harmonics effectively dampening each others vibration out quickly. Alu foil does not have the ability to do this. Foam, sponge and silicone do not vibrate for very long, which is why they are efficient dampeners. Layers of tape will also dampen, but not well as foam, etc. Keep in mind that any inserted material should contact as much of the chamber as possible.

FWIW, I use silicone cubes or foam. Depends on whether client wants to go more HL.
Click to expand...

can you like in the silicone cubes and foam?

are the cubes similar to earplugs others have mentioned?
 
There's no amount of shock absorption that can stop the eventual demise of your arm from a pure drive. Pure drives are harder than diamonds. It should be illegal to sell pure drives for tennis. Pure drives should only be sold to install on the heads of drilling machines.

Every person I know with a pure drive reports pain and injury problems. They go from poly or syn gut or cheap multi to x1 biphase. They buy softer grips. Go lower tension. Wear wrist bands.

Young orthopedic doctors who are wanting to get into more surgeries endorse the use of pure drives.
 
gino said:
lol to address the bolded, I am the 6.1 guy, but I’m also a general collector. I have dozens of sticks and lately I’ve been growing my Babolat collection. The drive was the one frame I never did a deep dive on, but that will soon change

Acquired all 3 of the roddick PDs and a swirly/2nd iteration. So 5 PDs acquired and I want them to be more muted, not so harsh and sharp. Feel more in the vein of the APD OG is what im after, just solid and not so tinny

That being said, acquired two shock shields today. Looks like they weigh close to 25g, so I’ll put those on the 2 lighter spec ones I have. Then will probably give Babolat Xcel gel to the roddick sticks
Click to expand...

Babolat racquets are herpes sir

Put them in storage and don't even try this, unless you fancy a go with tennis elbow
 
gino said:
can you like in the silicone cubes and foam?
Click to expand...
Not sure what you mean here.

I make foam inserts from pre cast 3'x'3'x1" insulating foam that are available at HD. Cut to size to squeeze into handle. I use peanuts if available.

I precast my own silicone slabs/cubes using a plastic lined ice cube tray and silicone caulking. I fill each cube about half full; let dry and dump the slabs out. Trim/weigh as needed to install. I generally use dabs of Shoe Goo or rubber cement to ensure the stuff is removable and don't go anywhere. Make sure the material is soundly touching several sides inside the handle.

Sponge idea sounds interesting and I may try this since it may be easier to install than foam.
 
esgee48 said:
Not sure what you mean here.

I make foam inserts from pre cast 3'x'3'x1" insulating foam that are available at HD. Cut to size to squeeze into handle. I use peanuts if available.

I precast my own silicone slabs/cubes using a plastic lined ice cube tray and silicone caulking. I fill each cube about half full; let dry and dump the slabs out. Trim/weigh as needed to install. I generally use dabs of Shoe Goo or rubber cement to ensure the stuff is removable and don't go anywhere. Make sure the material is soundly touching several sides inside the handle.

Sponge idea sounds interesting and I may try this since it may be easier to install than foam.
Click to expand...
Oh wow you make yourself nice !!
 
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