Head racquet pallet removal... HOW TO DO IT!

dak95_00

Hall of Fame
I’ve seen many videos and tried using a hair dryer and heat gun. It’s very difficult and frustrating to use those methods. It takes a bit of patience....

The EASY METHOD is to boil water and then pour the water into a water thermos or jug. I use the same half gallon one I take to the courts. After removing the grip, butt cap, and the tape that’s over the pallet, submerge the racquet with the pallet into the hot water. Let sit for two minutes and begin to peel back the pallet. Be careful not to rip it. It’ll be stuck to the two sided tape so you might also use a flat head screwdriver to slide along and help with the removal. If it gets stuck, just resubmerge in the water and try again after 30 seconds. This is by far the easiest method.

So you’ve got it off and it’s changed it’s shape. Just dip the pallet into the hot water for 10 seconds and then reshape it on the racquet. It’ll quickly find its shape again and still come off. I hold one side of the pallet and then flip and hold the other.

Good luck. I’m done for a small period of time but if I do it again, I might just make a video. I hope this helps you.
 

Zoolander

Hall of Fame
Nice story. But its crap!

Everybody says do the boiled water way, but the EASY way is to use a little bit of turps in an eyedropper and a long thin screwdriver. No boiling water, no burney hands with hairdryers, just the delicious fragrance of fresh turpentine everywhere.

Mmmm......... turps.
 

mrravioli

Semi-Pro
would boiled water melt silicon if there’s any in the handle? Also how do you remove/reapply staples? I did this once and used duck tape for the new buttcap. It felt loose afterwards.
 

mad dog1

G.O.A.T.
would boiled water melt silicon if there’s any in the handle? Also how do you remove/reapply staples? I did this once and used duck tape for the new buttcap. It felt loose afterwards.
Hot water does not melt silicone.

You need an electric or pneumatic staple gun to go through the pallet into the hairpin.
 

dak95_00

Hall of Fame
would boiled water melt silicon if there’s any in the handle? Also how do you remove/reapply staples? I did this once and used duck tape for the new buttcap. It felt loose afterwards.

I’ve not stapled and never had on every come loose. I use the buttcap that fits the pallet so it’s still a tight fit. Then I wrap the grip on very tight. I’ve never used a staple to start a grip either.

Nice story. But its crap!

Everybody says do the boiled water way, but the EASY way is to use a little bit of turps in an eyedropper and a long thin screwdriver. No boiling water, no burney hands with hairdryers, just the delicious fragrance of fresh turpentine everywhere.

Mmmm......... turps.

I’ve never tried a solvent such as turpentine but I also don’t have any just lying around the house so....not as easy.

The wife didn’t like me using her hairdryer either. I purchased a heat gun for golf club work years ago. We used to remove golf club grips by injecting solvent and then twisting them off. It was easier to do with an air compressor though and no solvent.

The water isn’t at boiling after a couple of minutes at room temperature. I’ll let someone else use Newton’ Law of Cooling to give the actual temperature. I’ve not burned myself yet. I don’t trust myself with the heat gun though. 30 years ago I worked at a restaurant so I’m still used to hot ovens and such.
 

teekaywhy

Professional
Ill be posting a video on removing pallets in a few days. heat gun and pneumatic stapler style. I've replaced probably 20-25 pallets and thus is the method that produces the most consistent results. I'll post link once video up.
 

dak95_00

Hall of Fame
Ill be posting a video on removing pallets in a few days. heat gun and pneumatic stapler style. I've replaced probably 20-25 pallets and thus is the method that produces the most consistent results. I'll post link once video up.

Please make it a new racquet that’s never had the pallet swapped. I hope you choose a Graphene Touch racquet to show its ease.
(Note: I’m rolling my eyes as I type since I’ve tried with great frustration the other methods. There are videos out there already. Racquets that have been previously swapped are so much easier than first timers.)
 

mad dog1

G.O.A.T.
Please make it a new racquet that’s never had the pallet swapped. I hope you choose a Graphene Touch racquet to show its ease.
(Note: I’m rolling my eyes as I type since I’ve tried with great frustration the other methods. There are videos out there already. Racquets that have been previously swapped are so much easier than first timers.)
He never said easy. He said it was the method that he found to produce the most consistent results
 

dak95_00

Hall of Fame
If you don't have a pneumatic stapler you can use tape.

Great work!

I know you meant 4 1/2 and not 3 1/2. I’ll have to show the hot water version.

I’ve got an air compressor. I’ll have to invest in a stapler. I’ll likely go cheap and get something from Harbor Freight.
 

hurworld

Hall of Fame
It's interesting racquet brands still don't have a modular system for swapping pallets in this day and age. Head has the ASP system for changing string patterns but not pallets. I would have thought having an easy modular pallet changing system would reduce inventory costs drastically.
 

teekaywhy

Professional
It's interesting racquet brands still don't have a modular system for swapping pallets in this day and age. Head has the ASP system for changing string patterns but not pallets. I would have thought having an easy modular pallet changing system would reduce inventory costs drastically.
The pallet system is a modular system. Molded handles are not modular.
From a "one piece flow" manufacturing standpoint, making the same hairpin for any model and slapping on a pallet to suit grip sizes makes total sense, particularly if the intent is to not have the pallet easily swappable by the normal tennis playing population.
As you can see from the level of questions/ approaches/ issues, swapping pallets isn't something a normal person would want to do.
 

JeffG

Rookie
If you look at Head’s adapatable system as an example, though, the grip and pallet come off and go back on the hairpin much more easily. They could just do that without the grommet switching portion. Pallet changes might eventually be more “normal” if such a system were common.
 

teekaywhy

Professional
If you look at Head’s adapatable system as an example, though, the grip and pallet come off and go back on the hairpin much more easily. They could just do that without the grommet switching portion. Pallet changes might eventually be more “normal” if such a system were common.
I think the reason why you don't see Head or any manufacturer selling pallets separately is the liability with a racquet that goes flying and hitting someone. Europe seems to be a different jurisdictional venue in regard to this.
 

JeffG

Rookie
I think the reason why you don't see Head or any manufacturer selling pallets separately is the liability with a racquet that goes flying and hitting someone. Europe seems to be a different jurisdictional venue in regard to this.
You’re correct about liability concerning the pallet system in your video. I was referring to the system on Head’s recent adaptable ASP racquets which are sold in the U.S.. If they or other manufacturers sold similar pallet kits in different shapes and sizes, the process of switching grips would be much easier.
 

McLovin

Legend
The EASY METHOD is to boil water and then pour the water into a water thermos or jug. I use the same half gallon one I take to the courts. After removing the grip, butt cap, and the tape that’s over the pallet, submerge the racquet with the pallet into the hot water. Let sit for two minutes and begin to peel back the pallet. Be careful not to rip it. It’ll be stuck to the two sided tape so you might also use a flat head screwdriver to slide along and help with the removal. If it gets stuck, just resubmerge in the water and try again after 30 seconds. This is by far the easiest method.
I realize this thread is a year & a half old, but I just did the above on an old Ti Radical, and it literally took less than 10 minutes start to finish.

I boiled ~ 16 oz of water in the microwave (5 minutes tops), poured it into my 20 oz Hydroflask, dipped the handle into it for ~ 2 minutes, pulled it out, took a flathead screwdriver along the crease, and the pallet popped right off.

Now, if the damn USPS would get around to delivering my order, I'd be ready to go...
 

erikm

New User
The low tech methods that I've used are to leave the unwrapped racquet handle in the sun (assuming you live within 50 degrees either side of the equator), wait 5-10 minutes, then pry the palettes off. To restaple, first make sure that you remove the staples by pulling then straight out with needle nosed pliers, after loosening them with a screwdriver, if necessary. Use a hammer to drive them back in. A minimum of 2 are needed to ensure that the butt cap stays in place, but for more security, put double stick tape between the butt cap and the palettes before re-nailing. Instead of staples, short nails with flat heads should also work, but I've never tried them.
 

zipplock

Hall of Fame
I just did a pallet switch for the first time. I used an embossing heat gun (stole it from my wife's craft room) and a butter knife. Super fast and easy. Less than 5 minutes per racquet. Heated the opening at the butt, pallets started peaking on their own. Wedged in the butter knife, applied a little more heat and so on. Easy peasy.

I was originally going to try the boiling method, but thought I'd give the heat gun a quick try. It worked so easy I never got to the boiling method.
 

dak95_00

Hall of Fame
I always use the boiling method. It works great for newer racquets.

I just picked up an old Head Tour Xtra Long which is the Pro Tour 280/630 but at 28” instead of 27”. The pallet literally just peeled off with finger pressure.

Let’s all face facts. Not all pallet removals are equal. I’ve tried the heat gun and been frustrated. The boiling method is the easiest method I’ve ever used for a factory new frame.
 

zipplock

Hall of Fame
I always use the boiling method. It works great for newer racquets.

I just picked up an old Head Tour Xtra Long which is the Pro Tour 280/630 but at 28” instead of 27”. The pallet literally just peeled off with finger pressure.

Let’s all face facts. Not all pallet removals are equal. I’ve tried the heat gun and been frustrated. The boiling method is the easiest method I’ve ever used for a factory new frame.
If I ever have to switch a pallet, and the heat gun doesn't work fast and easy, I'm definately trying the boiling method.
 

jason n

Rookie
@McLovin
-question,, where do you get more pallets?
-**** is $30!!?? on their site, is this the going rate ??
Tennis warehouse Europe has them at a good price. The only problem is the roughly $20 shipping fee. But I’m just placing one big order for everything I want or might need in the future so I only pay shipping once. Plus they have some items on sale over there that we have as full price.
 

Steve Huff

G.O.A.T.
I like the old Fischer system where the pallet and butt cap are a single piece, and all you do is use some 2-sided tape and those overly fragile plastic screws.
 

Blakefan17

Rookie
I swapped out a 4-1/4 TK82S for a 4-3/8 on my graphene 360 mid today and had a couple of questions for you TT folk.

1.) How important are the pneumatic staples. I don't have access to a staple gun but don't want this pallet coming off.

2.) When I removed the original pallet I left the gunk on the hairpin because it was still sticky. Also added some double sided tape and the fit was pretty snug. Do you think I should have removed the glue?

Thanks all
 

Zoolander

Hall of Fame
I swapped out a 4-1/4 TK82S for a 4-3/8 on my graphene 360 mid today and had a couple of questions for you TT folk.

1.) How important are the pneumatic staples. I don't have access to a staple gun but don't want this pallet coming off.

2.) When I removed the original pallet I left the gunk on the hairpin because it was still sticky. Also added some double sided tape and the fit was pretty snug. Do you think I should have removed the glue?

Thanks all

Often the sticky glue residue is enough to keep the new pallets on, without even needing more tape. Dont bother with staples man, i use just a little dab of 5 min epoxy araldite glue at the top of the pallets to help them stick with whats left of the sticky double sided tape, and a little dab of epoxy glue on either side of the buttcap to keep it stuck on. Never had one come off on me. Dont use too much if you may want to remove the pallets or buttcap in future as its strong stuff.
 

JustTennis76

Hall of Fame
The easiest way I find is ship it to the place in New York and let the professionals take care of it. It’s like $20 for a racket plus you pay shipping both ways. It’s a fun project to try at home but I would be dar than sorry for screwing up the pallets or the racket.
 
Wanted to revive this thread. Looking for a good, thin double-sided tape that's not insanely expensive (to me, $50 is pretty expensive for a roll of tape). Ideally, under $20, so if anyone has suggestions -- since this is what I'd be using it for, that would be greatly appreciated.
 

travlerajm

Talk Tennis Guru
On my Angell racquet, pallets come off easily. Makes it easy to extend the racquet by shifting the pallets. No extra double sided tape is required, as the adhesive remains sticky. I wrap thin transparent stretchy packing tape around the outside to add some constriction.
 
I’m looking for an option for double sided tape since some that I will be working on do not have adhesive on the hairpins.
 

joah310

Professional
I assure you, if I found one that was both heavy-duty and thin for $6-10 on Amazon, I wouldn’t have posted here. Feel free to link one that you’ve used..
Ive just used the cheapest stuff and it worked fine. just make sure there's plenty of the hairpin
 
Does anybody know if it is possible to remove these pallets? Looks like some sort of custom foamy pallets. My first time trying to remove a pallet and want to seek some advice so I don't destroy the racket.

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joah310

Professional
Does anybody know if it is possible to remove these pallets? Looks like some sort of custom foamy pallets. My first time trying to remove a pallet and want to seek some advice so I don't destroy the racket.

MBU56dz.png

SILAicR.png

Poa2s2j.png
Ive never seen head pallets like that, but seeing how the foam goes around and between the pallets, id probably say you couldn't remove it that cleanly. that being said, if you have regular pallets you wanna fit on afterwards, i think they'll fit fine.
 
Ive never seen head pallets like that, but seeing how the foam goes around and between the pallets, id probably say you couldn't remove it that cleanly. that being said, if you have regular pallets you wanna fit on afterwards, i think they'll fit fine.

Thanks, joah310! Yeah the moment I bought the racket (second hand) and held it, I knew it instantly the pallet was changed. I ordered some TK82 but fingers crossed that I can remove this cleanly. Any other tips would be greatly appreciated.
 

joah310

Professional
Thanks, joah310! Yeah the moment I bought the racket (second hand) and held it, I knew it instantly the pallet was changed. I ordered some TK82 but fingers crossed that I can remove this cleanly. Any other tips would be greatly appreciated.
if its just a molded on pallet with foam, it should be pretty easy to just use a box cutter or exacto knife to cut it off. Hopefully there's nothing else and no strange glues underneath it. and make sure you have enough and strong enough double sided tape for the new pallets lol.
 

WYK

Hall of Fame
I use a chisel to remove foam pallets. They come off very easily. No need even to score it. You just have to be careful with the angle(and with yourself).

As for pallets, just a very quick dip in boiled water makes the glue soft. Like seconds. Or even very hot tap water.
Having said it - pallets are like 4 bucks here, so I don't bother saving them. I just use the water to make it easier to rip them off.
In any case, I usually use pallets to replace a foam grip I have removed.

As for staples. I do suggest you use them. It's easy even if you do not have a gun. Just use a thin nail to make a couple of guide holes, then push the staple in with some flat nosed pliers and tap it home.
Removing them is fairly easy if you have a storage/removable butt cap. Get a ribbed flat screwdriver and the aforementioned pliers. Use the pliers as a fulcrum as you sneak the driver inside the handle over it and simply lever the staples out. They come out very easily and quickly. A ribbed screwdriver catches the tip of the staples so there's no slippage.

 
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graycrait

Legend
Idk if anyone has said it but I just hold the racquet in an oven til its easy to take off.
Just put the handle in a deep pot of water at 164 +/- 2 degrees Fahrenheit. I am sort of kidding, but somewhere in that temp range for 10 minutes will allow you easily peel off a standard Head TK pallet. What is on @t-pain1991 's racket handle is another thing. I am both amused and curious about the "final solution" and the results.
 

vsbabolat

G.O.A.T.
Does anybody know if it is possible to remove these pallets? Looks like some sort of custom foamy pallets. My first time trying to remove a pallet and want to seek some advice so I don't destroy the racket.

MBU56dz.png

SILAicR.png

Poa2s2j.png
Looks like epoxy. I wouldn’t mess with it.
 

joah310

Professional
I took a chisel and scraped off some of the foam and it looks like it is white on the inside :unsure: which is odd because should it be blackish because of the hairpin

2P2paXo.png
You'll prob have to scrape further. That is likely glue or whatever is holding it together
 
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