Extending Head racquets through pallet use?

SpinToWin

Talk Tennis Guru
Eix3eYZ.jpg


So I’ve removed the pallets of my Flexpoint Rad Tour (which was a lot easier than I thought by the way).

I’ve got other pallets on the way, and my question is, can I cut these current pallets to length, cut the tip of the newer pallets too (so there’s no groove) and attach the pallets so that they actually extend the frame? So essentially there will be two separate pallet pieces for each side which in sum are longer than the normal pallet length. I’d wrap the extended bottom with electric tape and inject it with silicone for structural integrity.

Thoughts?
 

Jay Winzenz

New User
Not exactly sure what you mean by "cut the tip of the newer pallets too (so there’s no groove)", but I believe the short answer is yes. I just did something similar on my Tec 315's which use a Head pallet. I removed the old 4 1/4" pallet, replaced it with a new 4 3/8" pallet, and cut the new pallet so that the racquet was 27.5" rather than 27" (cut new pallet 1/2" longer than old pallet). I filled the end of the pallet with balsa wood to provide the structural support and not add much weight.
 

movdqa

Talk Tennis Guru
Eix3eYZ.jpg


So I’ve removed the pallets of my Flexpoint Rad Tour (which was a lot easier than I thought by the way).

I’ve got other pallets on the way, and my question is, can I cut these current pallets to length, cut the tip of the newer pallets too (so there’s no groove) and attach the pallets so that they actually extend the frame? So essentially there will be two separate pallet pieces for each side which in sum are longer than the normal pallet length. I’d wrap the extended bottom with electric tape and inject it with silicone for structural integrity.

Thoughts?

I tried it a long time ago to get an extra half-inch and the results were not satisfactory. I just pushed the pallets down. I think that some material is needed inside the extended pallet and, even then, it would be better if it were firmly attached to the hairpin.
 

SpinToWin

Talk Tennis Guru
I tried it a long time ago to get an extra half-inch and the results were not satisfactory. I just pushed the pallets down. I think that some material is needed inside the extended pallet and, even then, it would be better if it were firmly attached to the hairpin.
Which is why I was thinking of filling the space entirely with silicone.
 

movdqa

Talk Tennis Guru
Which is why I was thinking of filling the space entirely with silicone.

That would add weight and might be hard to reverse. I think that a lightweight and stiff wood might work better. I've seen recommendations for Balsa Wood.
 

SpinToWin

Talk Tennis Guru
That would add weight and might be hard to reverse. I think that a lightweight and stiff wood might work better. I've seen recommendations for Balsa Wood.
Yeah, but the frame vibrates a bit too much to my liking anyways. It will turn into a absolute howitzer, I know lol.
 

movdqa

Talk Tennis Guru
I did a lot of experimentation and I wound up eventually just buying a matched set of XL pro stocks. Today there are more options for XL frames and sometimes you can find sets on the used market. The Prince Longbody might not be a bad option if you like something that isn't too stiff.
 

esgee48

G.O.A.T.
That is a lot of extra work just to extend the handle. I would install the new pallets cut to your desired length. Save the old ones if you want to go back or put them up for sale. You will need to tail weight the frame to get the balance back to normal. Your SW will go up a lot unless you can remove mass from the tip.
 

SpinToWin

Talk Tennis Guru
That is a lot of extra work just to extend the handle. I would install the new pallets cut to your desired length. Save the old ones if you want to go back or put them up for sale. You will need to tail weight the frame to get the balance back to normal. Your SW will go up a lot unless you can remove mass from the tip.
Wait, the new pallets are longer than needed?

It’s my first time installing pallets :oops:
 

H22 fan

Semi-Pro
I just did that on a Head frame a few days ago, I cut the new pallets so that I extended the frame with 0.5’ and filled the empty space with silicone, works just fine.
Balsa Wood will be more solid, but silicone is fine.
With silicone is Easy to reverse, if you do not like it.
 

esgee48

G.O.A.T.
Just don't cut it before you put them on the frame. Cut after installation. The adage "measure twice, cut once" really applies here.
 

PT630Wannabe

Professional
I would also put in an endorsement for filling the void of the new extended pallets with marine epoxy. I am all in on marine epoxy. Miracle product.
 
Yes. At least with Head. It's to accommodate XL racquets. You can just cut them to a longer length and then add some balsa in the open space.

I’ve used Tungsten putty in the “gap” at the end of the hairpin. Works great and easy to do. Took me 30 mins start to finish!! [emoji112][emoji462][emoji112]


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SpinToWin

Talk Tennis Guru
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^I like tail-weighted/extra HL with an extended frame!!!!


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Right now the frames are 27,75 inches long without a buttcap... I think they’ll be a biiiit too hefty and I’ll end up cutting them down a tiny bit lol. I very much look forward to doing that to the IG Prrestige MPs though, their low stock swingweight is perfect :)
 

coolschreiber

Hall of Fame
Right now the frames are 27,75 inches long without a buttcap... I think they’ll be a biiiit too hefty and I’ll end up cutting them down a tiny bit lol. I very much look forward to doing that to the IG Prrestige MPs though, their low stock swingweight is perfect :)

Ooooh IGMP!!! Good buy :) wonderful stick.
 

SpinToWin

Talk Tennis Guru
So I put on the buttcaps and everything, seems sturdy to me, and that's with the silicone still having some curing to do :)

Frame is a full 28 inches long now... Any guess on the swingweight? LOL

Head Flexpoint Radical Tour

Head Size: 100 sq. in. / 645 sq. cm.
Length: 27.00 inches / 68.58 cm
Strung Weight: 12.00 oz / 340 g
Balance: 7pts HL
Swing Weight: 325
Beam Width: 21.0mm
Tip/Shaft: 21.0mm / 21.0mm
Composition: LiquidMetal Titanium & Graphite
Power Level: Low
Stiffness: 58
 

SpinToWin

Talk Tennis Guru
So I put on the buttcaps and everything, seems sturdy to me, and that's with the silicone still having some curing to do :)

Frame is a full 28 inches long now... Any guess on the swingweight? LOL
I'll measure swingweight some time in the future, got stuff to do...

But: Static weight = 374 g(!!!)
Balance = 32.2 cm = 10.4 pts HL.
 

anhboa2

Rookie
Balsa Wood and Silicone to fill the gaps will work great, vibration-wise.

I have tried on before and enjoyed it, it increased much weight but doesn't really make it slower or sluggish.
 

Sardines

Hall of Fame
There are a couple of ways. A buddy of mine tried the XTP, which is a plastic extender butt cap. Or get a customizer to do a custom grip ad extend it. I had my PS85 extended by 1/2", which added 15g. I can't remember the place which did it but I still have that racquet.
 

Simplicius

Semi-Pro
Guessing around 370 or so lol. I think I will cut it down to 27.5, it is just a bit much

+1" = aprox. +35 sw
+1/2" = aprox. +17 sw

325+35 = +/- 360 your current swingweight.
You guess right! Very close to 370 for sure...

27.5" will be close to 340, still hard to move it all day long...
 
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scotus

G.O.A.T.
Guessing around 370 or so lol. I think I will cut it down to 27.5, it is just a bit much

Good idea.

That’s the problem with the 28-inch length. The SW just becomes too much for most players.

The manageable 28-inch sticks are rare, but Prince Graphite Longbody is good. The most maneuverable 28-incher was the Dunlop Revelation Tour Pro Superlong.
 

Zoolander

Hall of Fame
When i have extended racquets with pallets like this i found the best way is to have a spare racquet thats broken and just saw a half inch, full inch, whatever off the handle and use it as a plug under the pallets for the extra length. Easier when you just cannibalise another racquet like that (if you have a spare that is).
 

loosegroove

Hall of Fame
Just don't cut it before you put them on the frame. Cut after installation. The adage "measure twice, cut once" really applies here.

Actually I even prefer to just install one side of the pallet, so that way you can easily cut flush to the hairpin (or in this case easily see the extra length beyond the hairpin). Then install the 2nd half of the pallet, and cut even to the first.
 

SpinToWin

Talk Tennis Guru
Actually I even prefer to just install one side of the pallet, so that way you can easily cut flush to the hairpin (or in this case easily see the extra length beyond the hairpin). Then install the 2nd half of the pallet, and cut even to the first.
I'm trying to extend, I wouldn't cut to the hairpin ;)
 

SpinToWin

Talk Tennis Guru
Use PU foam instead. Only make sure that the bottom is capped.
Any suggestions on the type? Do you think there's a risk of it expanding and breaking the pallets?

Also, couldn't I do it without the buttcap and then cut off the excess that leaves the handle? Or will that make the foam less dense/rigid?

Sorry for the bombardment of questions, I'll be going to buy some foam on Wednesday after picking up the Prestiges :)
 

Imago

Hall of Fame
Any suggestions on the type? Do you think there's a risk of it expanding and breaking the pallets?

Also, couldn't I do it without the buttcap and then cut off the excess that leaves the handle? Or will that make the foam less dense/rigid?

Sorry for the bombardment of questions, I'll be going to buy some foam on Wednesday after picking up the Prestiges :)

No and yes. Only make sure that you put the cotton deep inside the handle. Any Montageschaum. Search for, say,

1-48 Dosen 500 ml Bauschaum Montageschaum Aussprührohr Schaum + Aussprühadapter
 

Irvin

Talk Tennis Guru
@SpinToWin I have a #2 TH82 I took off a racket that’s 7” long. I have a new #4 TK82 I’m going to replace it with that 8 3/16” long. Be careful how much you cut off. Also be aware the butt cap adds length to your racket, so make sure you measure the length with the butt cap firmly in place. The ends of the new pallets are not always square. I would sand them flush and square before measuring. I also cut my pallets off a little long (past the hairpin) then sand them flush before installing the butt cap.

Building up the length by 1” with a pallet? The point when the hairpin end now will be right at the top of the butt cap. Seems to me like that makes for a very weak point at the top of the butt cap. I would put wood dowels up in the hairpin extending out to the tip of the butt cap, then install your foam to hold the dowels in place. Good luck.
 

treo

Semi-Pro
I extended a couple of 27" racquets to 29" using aluminum tubing and/or aluminum channel about 2" inches long. Cut off handle of old racquet, shaped two pieces of aluminum to fit into cavities for tight fit, and glued with clear epoxy in clamps.
 

Irvin

Talk Tennis Guru
I wish Head would sell us the hairpins so we could build XL frames without having to redo the XL.
Make a 6” mold of the hairpin, slide the mold down on the hairpin down, and use fiberglass to expend into the hairpin a couple of inches out and into the mold to extend the hairpin as much as you wanted. Cut off the hollow hairpin extension to the desired length and install your pallet.
 
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