Best way to fasten a butt-cap

[Hankenstein]

Well, i change many grips, pallets etc and normally fasten the butt cap with a normal staple gun

like this

The staples are a bit wide though and maybe a bit weak and they dont hit through the interior graphite, just the foam in the pallet.

How do u guys secure your butt caps when u change grips, butt caps and so on? Any good staplegun you can recommend that use the same type of staples thats similar to what the manufacturers use?

 

[Bud]

Well, i change many grips, pallets etc and normally fasten the butt cap with a normal staple gun

The staples are a bit wide though and maybe a bit weak and they dont hit through the interior graphite, just the foam in the pallet.

How do u guys secure your butt caps when u change grips, butt caps and so on? Any good staplegun you can recommend that use the same type of staples thats similar to what the manufacturers use?

I use a Hansen T-2 Tacker with #24 - 1/4" long tack points (i.e. staples). They go right through the cap and the handle and sit flush. They are the same width as the stock staples and are easy to remove as well.

The staples for the T-2 are available with a 1/8" crown and are available in a variety of lengths.

Made in the USA and built like a tank

http://www.hansentacker.com/tacker-t2.htm
http://www.hansentacker.com/staples.htm

 

[flashfire276]

Well, i change many grips, pallets etc and normally fasten the butt cap with a normal staple gun

like this

The staples are a bit wide though and maybe a bit weak and they dont hit through the interior graphite, just the foam in the pallet.

How do u guys secure your butt caps when u change grips, butt caps and so on? Any good staplegun you can recommend that use the same type of staples thats similar to what the manufacturers use?

Staple guns work very well! Especially if you don't actually remove the buttcap.

But let's say you have to remove the buttcap for some reason. When putting it back on, I suggest using liquid silicone. Just spread it on the end of the handle where the buttcap is placed, and push the buttcap right on. The silicone dries up, and adheres to it like a very solid glue. Works like a charm.

 

[Hominator]

I use a Hansen T-2 Tacker with #24 - 1/4" long tack points (i.e. staples). They go right through the cap and the handle and sit flush. They are the same width as the stock staples and are easy to remove as well.

The staples for the T-2 are available with a 1/8" crown and are available in a variety of lengths.

Made in the USA and built like a tank

http://www.hansentacker.com/tacker-t2.htm
http://www.hansentacker.com/staples.htm

Bud - any idea where I can buy one of these? Thanks.

 

[Bud]

Bud - any idea where I can buy one of these? Thanks.

Follow the links I provided.

Hansen does business pretty much the old way. You have to call them up and order over the phone or send your credit card info via unsecured email (I used the phone).

Great company to do business with

- - -

Hansen Tacker Co., Inc.
P.O. Box 430
South Point, OH 45680
Toll Free: 1-877-442-6736 Fax: 740-894-5373

You can inquire about their products here but can't actually make an online order:
http://www.hansentacker.com/order.htm

 

[Hominator]

Follow the links I provided.

Hansen does business pretty much the old way. You have to call them up and order over the phone or send your credit card info via unsecured email (I used the phone).

Great company to do business with

- - -

Hansen Tacker Co., Inc.
P.O. Box 430
South Point, OH 45680
Toll Free: 1-877-442-6736 Fax: 740-894-5373

Thanks, Bud - before I call, do you know how much they go for? Thanks again for all of your help.

 

[Bud]

Thanks, Bud - before I call, do you know how much they go for? Thanks again for all of your help.

They are not cheap. I believe the tacker was $60-$70 but also came with a free box of 1000 staples (pretty much a lifetime supply is using only for buttcaps.)

The 1/4" long staples work great but I'd love to try their longer staples as well to see if they'll penetrate all the way through and into the handle like the stock staples.

The hammer in the T-2 is more powerful than something you'd purchase at a hardware store. I tried something from HD and the staples wouldn't sit flush.

BTW, if you contact them, let me know how much their other size staples go for and post in here. Thanks.

 

[kajik]

My 12$ staple gun from hd works fine using 3/8 staples,you need to press and hold firmly on the cap while squeezing

 

[pshulam]

for cheap - glue and duct tape could work.

 

[JackB1]

I just use a little electrical tape wrapped around. With the replacement grip over that and then some overgrip, the buttend
isn't going anywhere. A little crazy glue on the end would probably work as well.

 

[tball]

I've had a buttcap which was properly stapled, but still squeaked/creaked. That bugged the hell out of me. It happened twice actually. Both were on brand-new Kneissls, bought a year apart from different sources. One was from TW. I fixed the first one, by removing the staples, then putting a layer of double-sided tape on the end of the handle, then forcing the buttcap over it. The hold is deadly. I then put the staples back. No more squeaks. The tape I have is for hanging tiles. It is not your regular office tape. It is very strong.

I wish I knew about the liquid silicone then. It is probably much easier. I did not know it was a glue.

 

[TennisMaverick]

Thanks, Bud - before I call, do you know how much they go for? Thanks again for all of your help.

The T2 is no longer manufactured. The T35 goes for like $65.00.

 

[Bud]

The T2 is no longer manufactured. The T35 goes for like $65.00.

Really? They just haven't updated the site? Does the T-35 take the 1/8" crown staples?

 

[StanW]

Superglue works wonders with butt-caps.

 

[TennisMaverick]

Really? They just haven't updated the site? Does the T-35 take the 1/8" crown staples?

Check-out this vendor's site:

http://www . southern-importers . com/staplers . html

 

[snoflewis]

i use 3/8" staples and they work fine.

 

[Hominator]

Check-out this vendor's site:

http://www . southern-importers . com/staplers . html

Thanks, TM!

 

[GoodSamaritan]

So this past week I've been trying to secure my buttcap with electrical tape and then going out to buy crazy glue. The electrical tape worked for a few days and the krazy glue didn't really work at all. It's a Head Youtek Buttcap btw. Is there any way to secure it without having to buy anything extra? I'm a student, don't want to spend too much money but this problem is bothering me

 

[Bud]

So this past week I've been trying to secure my buttcap with electrical tape and then going out to buy crazy glue. The electrical tape worked for a few days and the krazy glue didn't really work at all. It's a Head Youtek Buttcap btw. Is there any way to secure it without having to buy anything extra? I'm a student, don't want to spend too much money but this problem is bothering me

The only way to do it correctly is with staples, tacks or very small screws.

Check-out this vendor's site:

http://www . southern-importers . com/staplers . html

Do they sell the tackers and staples for a lower price than the manufacturer?

 

[GoodSamaritan]

I just don't get why the krazy glue didn't work..

 

[SuperDuy]

I use krazy glue, and then first I saved the old staples then glued the cap on, then put old staples in their holes. Then used the above staple gun not buds but the other one. Though the staples didnt go all the way in, I hammered them the rest. Stayed ever since.

 

[JackB1]

So this past week I've been trying to secure my buttcap with electrical tape and then going out to buy crazy glue. The electrical tape worked for a few days and the krazy glue didn't really work at all. It's a Head Youtek Buttcap btw. Is there any way to secure it without having to buy anything extra? I'm a student, don't want to spend too much money but this problem is bothering me

Just bring it to a tennis shop and ask to use their staple gun.

 

[Hankenstein]

I found a really good staple-gun at our well know "Biltema" store here in Sweden. I bought this device; http://www.biltema.se/sv/Verktyg/Elverktyg/Ovrigt/Elektrisk-spik--och-haftpistol/ and tried it yesterday. I removed the trap-door from the buttcap so i could see how the staples went through the graphite interior and it is now solid as a rock!

 

[Carolina Racquet]

I'm apprehensive about putting new holes in the handle. I once had a pallet "fail" and I suspect the new staples were the cause.

The most secure way to affix the butt cap is use 5 minute Epoxy Gel. It dries in 5 mins (duh) and epoxy is similar to the compound they use to attach golf heads to shafts (so its not going anywhere). A small amount of this is around $6 - $7 USD. To mix, use a small disposable cup and knife and it might be smart to use gloves as well. Once you put the cap on, wipe any access off. I understand you can remove it in the future, but you need to use a thin blade between the cap and the handle to work it loose.

If you're going to remove the butt cap and the staples, why not try to CAREFULLY remove the staples, then just align the butt cap the same and put the same staples back in the same holes? A little tap with the hammer gets it done and you haven't punched new holes in your handle.

 

[aznfatmonkey]

My butt cap is loose, and I've never fastened one before. If I take it off, would it be obvious where I should put the glue? I don't have a staple gun, so I can't staple it. Also, if I glue the butt cap, does that mean I can't take it out anymore?

 

[AlpineCadet]

Just bring it to a tennis shop and ask to use their staple gun.

I'm sure there's money to be had from this advice. Lots of it, when you staple your finger to your pallet.

 

[Robbnc]

Forget the staples. About 4 drops of clear silicone adhesive is all you need. And it will come right off with a hairdryer if you ever need to.

 

[Povl Carstensen]

My butt cap is loose, and I've never fastened one before. If I take it off, would it be obvious where I should put the glue? I don't have a staple gun, so I can't staple it. Also, if I glue the butt cap, does that mean I can't take it out anymore?

A suggestion would be to put the glue where the surfaces meet, and wipe of any surplus before it dries. And yes, if you glue it properly, you have the advantage of a butt that doesnt move or rattle or come loose, and that will be hard to remove without damaging the racket.
But sorry, dont know about the silicone adhesive alternative...

 

[GS]

If you want a buttcap to stay on forever, and want to do the job cheaply, just use epoxy glue. It'll never come off.

 

[seb23]

If you want a buttcap to stay on forever, and want to do the job cheaply, just use epoxy glue. It'll never come off.

I did this and it came off today while hitting a backhand so i think for me i need to have it stapled.

I tend to hold the racket right at the end with most of my little finger off of the racket so i think i put quite a bit of pressure on the butt cap and even though i glued it well it still managed to work its way off

 

[max]

This is a good question. I would recommend going to the hardware store and buying a pack of copper tacks. These won't rust from sweat, etc., and predrill and small hole for it, tack it down and use superglue. Rock solid and permanent.

 

[Steve Huff]

I've had to use glue before. Not because I wanted to, but my manual staple gun would not go through the PK 5g's graphite handle. It doesn't have any plastic or wood to it, only the extension of the graphite shaft. Even when I held the stapler very firm, the staples would just crush before they went through. I'm considering one of the Hansens now too.