Help with leading up Maxply

[need2paint]

I have never used lead tape on a racquet before but I'd like to experiment with my Dunlop Maxply. I don't know what the current weight is, but I'd like to get it up to about 12 ounces even. I'm thinking of using a little tape at 2 and 10 o'clock to raise the sweetspot a little and adding more weight inside the handle.

How much weight should I add at 10 & 2? What's the minimum that would get the job done?

What's the technique for adding lead tape inside the handle?

Also, how does this work? Do I buy the lead tape at the shop or can I simply give them instructions and have them do it?

TIA

 

[Punisha]

Ok you can buy your own or pay a ridiculous fee to get someone to do it and if you dont like it youve wasted alot of money. Its not rocket surgery or brain science and easy to do. 1 inch of 1/2 in wide tape = .5 grams... 1 inch of 1/4 in wide tape = .25 gram. Any amount will change how the racquet the power so just see how you go. I recomend starting with 5 grams and keep adding etc fomr there.

 

[loubapache]

I am not sure if this racquet needs lead at the 10 and 2 because the swing weight is already there.

The racquet is only slightly headlight so some lead inside the handle or under the grip is a good idea. I have under the grip so the total weight is 12 oz and about 5 points headlight.

The butt cap door can be opened with a small screw driver and you can stuff some cotton and lead weights there. Or if the grip is not too big right now, you can take the grip off and wrap some lead there. I got a quantity of 2" wide lead tape and it is perfect for this purpose. Th lead won't really increase he grip size much.

 

[stormholloway]

I own one and put weight in the handle. This racquet is too head heavy. I love the retro look, but I thought this racquet was too stiff and boardy. I may have strung too tight but this stick just wasn't for me.

 

[6ft6]

trap door

I measured out a length of lead tape, 1 oz.
I folded the tape into a roughly 1 inch chunk so that the adhesive stuck the layers togethor. I then bent it in half like a U and stuck it in the butt under the trap door. Once the width of the fold was set, I squished the legs of the U to be as thick as would fit tightly in either side of the handle. Jammed the trap door back in. Solid. final result, about 8pts hl and 12.5 oz. With gut at 58#, perfecto.

 

[tempura_MAKI]

add 4 grams at 3 o'clock and 4 at 9 o'clock. Try that out, its a very common taping technique.

 

[Coach Reed]

I do this for a living...

I do this for a living and I agree with 6ft6. Go to the Tennis Warehouse Learning Center; customize a racquet. Cotton added to the handle of a racquet weighs about .5 oz. Get two 1/4 oz lead bullet weights (from a fish & tackle store) and put one in each tube nearest the trap door. Make sure you pack it in tight to prevent rattling. Then you can use 4 strips of 1/4" lead tape at the 2:00 & 10:00 positions to raise up the sweet spot. I would recommend 1 or 2 inch strips depending on the optimal ACHIEVEABLE swingweight. What many people don't realize is that adding 1 oz. of weight to the handle (inside or outside) WILL increase the swingweight. The miniscule amout of weight added to the upper hoop will SLIGHTLY increase the "static weight" (about .1 oz. or .2 oz.). It WILL dramatically increase the swingweight. I think 8-9 points headlight is a good target to shoot for (unless you have access to an RDC machine to measure the swingweight). Also racquets that come from the manufacturer vary in specs. Today I measured the swingweight of a racquet posted on the TW website as 330, and it was actually 321. So, it is hard to say exactly what the actual swingweight of your racquet is based on current industry standard of margin for error. If it is not terribly unmaneuverable in it's current state, I would give it a try. The VOLKL DNX10 Midplus I play with is 12.4 oz >>>327 >>> 9 points headlight. Although the balance point remained the same, I found that 12.6 oz. at 329 was too unmaneuverable for me and 12.3 oz. and 325 felt too whippy. The optimal specs for me just plain feel like an extension of my arm.

 

[sigep1967]

I hade my Maxplys at 353 grms sw 343 right at 8 pts hl. while it was stable and deadly at the net I could not serve worth a damn with it and had trouble keeping groundstrokes inside the court. It was just me because the guy I sold them to hits great with them. My redondos ar leaded up at 3-9 with just over 8 grms and I assume because of the flex I can serve much better and keep my strokes in the court now. Static weight is almost identical to the Maxply I think 2 grams less.

 

[Coach Reed]

Redondo mid or midplus?

They both (Redondo mid & midplus) have a lower initial swingweight than the maxply. As swingweight increases, racquet head maneuverability decreases. Adding string to a frame adds about .6 oz. or 16 grams and effects the swingweight (increasing it) approximately 25-30 points. Since you put half that amount at 3:00 & 9:00 we would have to assume your swingweight increased about 15 points. If you play with the Redondo Mid, the swingweight was probably increased from roughly 320 to approximately 335. Although the static weight is about the same as the maxply (353 grams/12.45 oz.), the Redondo's lower swingweight (maxply @ 343) makes it more maneuverable. Racquet head acceleration is crucial to the timing of a player's serve. That is probably why you had problems with the maxply and the Redondo works out quite well. It is pretty difficult to tell the difference in swingweight variance within 1 to 3 points, but once you get up around 5 to 10 points (and up) it is very noticeable. The Reduction in racquet head maneuverability can really mess with your timing. Especially on the serve...

 

[sigep1967]

Yeah the maxply was great for vollys and you could hit rocket forehands I just couldn't keep them in. I think all the weight i put in the handle really increased the serving swingweight. I think travlrjm had a formula that showed adding weight right in the butt made it harder to serve with. I calculated my swing weight on the Redondo to be 336-337 pretty close to what you did. One huge difference I found between the two was spin the redondo put a lot more spin on the ball with alot less effort.

 

[need2paint]

Update

Thanks for all the advice. I took the racquet to the shop today and had them replace the leather with a Wilson Micro Dry Comfort. He also wrapped enough lead tape around the handle to make the racquet weigh 12 ounces. I took loubapache's advice not to add lead to the head.

I didn't have to pay any outrageous fee, just the cost of the new grip. I haven't played with it yet, but I'm happy with the feel. The lead tape and cushy grip have not rounded out the handle.

I'm going to play tomorrow and I'll report back on the performance of this set-up. I have no idea what the new swingweight or balance are.

 

[need2paint]

Great set-up. The added weight and cushioned grip combine to give a more comfortable feel without sacrificing anything. Even shots hit near the fram are not jarring. My shots are a touch heavier and the only adjustment I had to make was on my serve, but that just took 5 or 6 serves to get used to. I'm very happy with the decision to customize my racquet this way and I thank everyone for their input.

 

[Coach Reed]

Great set-up. The added weight and cushioned grip combine to give a more comfortable feel without sacrificing anything. Even shots hit near the frame are not jarring. My shots are a touch heavier and the only adjustment I had to make was on my serve, but that just took 5 or 6 serves to get used to. I'm very happy with the decision to customize my racquet this way and I thank everyone for their input.

I'm glad it worked out for you and that the increase in swingweight is not so much that it messed up your serve.

________________
USPTA, USRSA MRT
Volkl DNX 10 Midplus
Klip X-plosive 17 @ mid + 2 (M: Poly/X: Natty)