Is there really no way to save & re-install the same grommets?

[ryohazuki222]

Someone has got to have figured this out and can school my feeble brain.

I’m tired of the yonex grommet supply chain issues. And I’m trying to convince myself I don’t want or need a new ezone this weekend.

I play custom ezones and I need to remove the head guard (which means at least partially removing the side grommets also) to add weight under the bumper. But because yonex flares grommets OEM, they are trash after removing.

1) it’s wasteful in terms of a perfectly good grommet
2) it’s wasteful in terms of money
3) it’s annoying
4) I don’t want to burn one of my extra grommets on a racket I don’t even need
5) actually getting grommets these days has become irritating due to supply chain issues

So I open this thread up to talk tennis for any ideas you might have.

I think if I could inflate the brand new grommets I could probably reuse them. And maybe I could do that with a heat gun or hair dryer. But how would/could I shape then in a standard, unflared shape.

Any ideas or success stories out there?

 

[Irvin]

You can use a heat gun and return them to the original size, but be careful not to melt the grommet and close them completely. You may be able to slip lead tape under the grommet without removing with the string out. I would just put the lead tape inside the frame.

 

[Lukhas]

Someone has got to have figured this out and can school my feeble brain.

I’m tired of the yonex grommet supply chain issues. And I’m trying to convince myself I don’t want or need a new ezone this weekend.

I play custom ezones and I need to remove the head guard (which means at least partially removing the side grommets also) to add weight under the bumper. But because yonex flares grommets OEM, they are trash after removing.

1) it’s wasteful in terms of a perfectly good grommet
2) it’s wasteful in terms of money
3) it’s annoying
4) I don’t want to burn one of my extra grommets on a racket I don’t even need
5) actually getting grommets these days has become irritating due to supply chain issues

So I open this thread up to talk tennis for any ideas you might have.

I think if I could inflate the brand new grommets I could probably reuse them. And maybe I could do that with a heat gun or hair dryer. But how would/could I shape then in a standard, unflared shape.

Any ideas or success stories out there?

I remember having that issue with the VCore 95SV. There's the Safin method of adding weight : inside the hoop and split in the middle to allow the racket to be strung. In his case, that probably was because there already so much tape under the bumper. Turns out, if you don't shank too much, you don't have to hide the tape under the guard... which eliminates me from being able to try since I like to hit everywhere but the sweetspot. I've done it on demo rackets, if you don't have thick layers of lead, like a couple of strips, it's fine and you don't run in too much risk of removing the tape even on a mishit.

 

[ryohazuki222]

return them to the original size,

can you elaborate? I’m not very familiar on working with plastic and reshaping it.

 

[ryohazuki222]

Appreciate the other responses but this thread is about how to save the grommet and remove. I’d prefer it doesn’t get clogged up with posts about moving the weight elsewhere. That’s not the point here.

The weight was just one example to add color. But also:

How much swingweight to grommets add? Would love to do that without killing a set of grommets.

Basically, just trying to figure out if it’s possible (and if so how) to save grommets for a variety of reasons)

 

[Irvin]

can you elaborate? I’m not very familiar on working with plastic and reshaping it.

When the grommets are put into the frame they are not flared. After installation some are flared.if you heat a grommet it will return to its original size. If you leave the heat on too long it will melt into a glob of plastic. That’s why I would not remove the grommets unless I had a new set to replace them with. The new set will not be flared.

 

[dak95_00]

Appreciate the other responses but this thread is about how to save the grommet and remove. I’d prefer it doesn’t get clogged up with posts about moving the weight elsewhere. That’s not the point here.

The weight was just one example to add color. But also:

How much swingweight to grommets add? Would love to do that without killing a set of grommets.

Basically, just trying to figure out if it’s possible (and if so how) to save grommets for a variety of reasons)

It's difficult because when knots have been tied, grommet ends flare or fatten and widen. When they're new, they are perfectly fit to go through the frame holes. After they've been used, they become misshaped and unusual; or anything from perfect.

Here's the simple deal. Do you have the patience to play around and put them back in? Imagine fitting a square peg into a round hole. Or would you rather just pay the $10 to have a new set that fits?

If the racquet grommets aren't readily available, expect to pay more for a set. I was quoted $100+ from a well known menace whose business model is to buy up grommets and hope they become rare and wanted. I can't complain. I've sold sets for between $40-100 on a handful of occasions.

If you have replaced grommets before, you should know it's not a fun thing to do. It can be frustrating. I've installed old grommets before and when I have, I used needle-nose pliers to attempt to reshape them as best I could so they fit into the hole. I've never used heat. GOOD LUCK! Just do whatever you are willing to do to make them work. There's really not going to be a magical solution to this dilemma.

 

[Irvin]

I’ve taken head guards off to put lead under the bumper and the a lot more grommet distortion that just the flared grommets. I wouldn’t do it again. You have bent grommets where they’ve been pulled around the frame, then when you get everything straight (if you can) the grommet strip if stiffer.

EDIT: If knots weren’t tied properly you will also have split grommets. The flaring was meant to prevent the grommet from pulling out or splitting but they can still split.

 

[ryohazuki222]

When the grommets are put into the frame they are not flared. After installation some are flared.if you heat a grommet it will return to its original size. If you leave the heat on too long it will melt into a glob of plastic. That’s why I would not remove the grommets unless I had a new set to replace them with. The new set will not be flared.

Yes but the original installed grommets on a brand new ezone IS flared by default. This is the problem I’m trying to solve for. I don’t think there is a real solution…. But per the thread title…. Really?!

 

[ryohazuki222]

It's difficult because when knots have been tied, grommet ends flare or fatten and widen. When they're new, they are perfectly fit to go through the frame holes. After they've been used, they become misshaped and unusual; or anything from perfect.

Here's the simple deal. Do you have the patience to play around and put them back in? Imagine fitting a square peg into a round hole. Or would you rather just pay the $10 to have a new set that fits?

If the racquet grommets aren't readily available, expect to pay more for a set. I was quoted $100+ from a well known menace whose business model is to buy up grommets and hope they become rare and wanted. I can't complain. I've sold sets for between $40-100 on a handful of occasions.

If you have replaced grommets before, you should know it's not a fun thing to do. It can be frustrating. I've installed old grommets before and when I have, I used needle-nose pliers to attempt to reshape them as best I could so they fit into the hole. I've never used heat. GOOD LUCK! Just do whatever you are willing to do to make them work. There's really not going to be a magical solution to this dilemma.

This all aligns with my experience.

And yes— all else equal “just pay the $10”. But reason for this thread is holding out hope someone has figured this out by now.

Why? Just because of availability. I’ve been around the block enough to buy grommets as part of the new racket purchase. I have a couple extras. But these things are so hard to come by now (forget the price, just think availability); that my number 1 reason not to buy a new, third stick… is because I don’t want to use up one of my grommets.

I looked at TW stock and they have no expected availability anytime soon. And yonex in particular has been pretty bad about meeting TWs predictions on ETA.

It’s fine. Is what it is. Just super annoying .

And for the record — I hate messing with grommets even more than I hate squeegeeing.

 

[Irvin]

Yes but the original installed grommets on a brand new ezone IS flared by default. This is the problem I’m trying to solve for. I don’t think there is a real solution…. But per the thread title…. Really?!

When the grommet was put in the frame it was NOT flared. after grommet installation it was heated and flared. It similar to a heat shrink tube. Orininally the heat shrink tube was smaller, then heated and stretched. When you apply heat it reverts back to its original size unless otherwise constricted. All the heating also makes the material stiffer and brittle.

 

[ryohazuki222]

When the grommet was put in the frame it was NOT flared. after grommet installation it was heated and flared. It similar to a heat shrink tube. Orininally the heat shrink tube was smaller, then heated and stretched. When you apply heat it reverts back to its original size unless otherwise constricted. All the heating also makes the material stiffer and brittle.

Oh. I see what you’re saying. Didn’t think that needed to be said? Obviously it’s flared after install. But you’re right.

By default the installed grommets in the ezone are flared — which causes the mess and “need” to “unflare” to even TRY to see if I can take it out and reuse. It’s just the bumper so I think that might be possible to do the re install. This is a brand now set without being strung ever.

So @Irvin — you’re saying that by applying an appropriate amount of heat to those grommets in this instance that might just revert to their original shape of being unflared?

 

[Irvin]

Oh. I see what you’re saying. Didn’t think that needed to be said? Obviously it’s flared after install. But you’re right.

By default the installed grommets in the ezone are flared — which causes the mess and “need” to “unflare” to even TRY to see if I can take it out and reuse. It’s just the bumper so I think that might be possible to do the re install. This is a brand now set without being strung ever.

So @Irvin — you’re saying that by applying an appropriate amount of heat to those grommets in this instance that might just revert to their original shape of being unflared?

I often run into issues removing old grommets when the knot flare the grommets. Usually if you just pull them they come out in pieces. I just heat them with a heat gun now for a few seconds and they come right out. But reusing them I don’t do.

 

[jxs653]

There's the Safin method of adding weight : inside the hoop and split in the middle to allow the racket to be strung.

Interesting that you called it Safin method.

 

[Soundbyte]

Theres a trick on using a drill and brass tubing to undo the flare. I did it and it worked great. Gotta try to find the link on this forum though.

Edit: https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/help-for-tired-grommets.370677/

 

[ryohazuki222]

Theres a trick on using a drill and brass tubing to undo the flare. I did it and it worked great. Gotta try to find the link on this forum though.

Edit: https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/help-for-tired-grommets.370677/

Bookmarked. Exactly the sort of thing I was looking for. Thanks!

 

[esgee48]

Last option is to remove the flared tube and replace with FITTEX tube, which is what I do for tie off grommets that are ruined.

 

[Dakota60]

Theres a trick on using a drill and brass tubing to undo the flare. I did it and it worked great. Gotta try to find the link on this forum though.

Edit: https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/help-for-tired-grommets.370677/

I wish I saw this earlier but the heat method works just fine. Though, in my experience on Head's CAP grommets, they don't regain it's shape upon heat application but merely softens enough for you to reshape it by pinching and manipulating the shape back as straight as possible with a nose plier.

 

[Dakota60]

Also, since the main concern is to apply lead tape under the head guard, why not try pushing the head guard out just enough that you can slide your lead tape in between? The trick is not to slide it in with the adhesive side already peeled out completely. I've tried the following in the past when I had similar issues with flared grommet pins to the impossible-to-find green CAP grommets on my Prestige 600 and didn't want to risk not being able to fit it back in without tearing the pin completely.

1) Push out the head guard until the ends of the grommet pins sits flush with the inside of the frame (there should be enough room for you to slide the lead tape in).
2) Important* - peel off just a bit of the adhesive strip cover on the lead tape and fold that portion out, exposing a little of the adhesive side.
3) Since the majority of the adhesive side is still covered, you should be able to slide it in with ease. Press the exposed adhesive part down to secure the location of the lead tape.
4) Now that the tape is already in place, use the exposed folded tab to peel off the rest of the lead tape.
5) Secure the head guard back in.

Done.

 

[struggle]

Unless they are out of production, it's not worth it.

Grommets wear/get thinner over time. The graphite/string will eventually cut through the plastic
and into the graphite, rendering them useless. The graphite will cut into the string at the "90 degree"
angles.

Also, just getting them out without damage is almost impossible.

Don't waste your time unless they are not obtainable any longer.

Just put the lead on the inside of the frame.......the way that the pros' normally do it (have it done).

 

[esgee48]

If I mod a frame to a client's frame, I will leave lead tape inside the frame. I will not put any under a bumper guard. If they want it moved, I tell them to do it themselves. Lead tape should not be disturbed but I have had clients try to move the tape under and screw up the bumper cuz I stack my lead tape in 1” or 2” lengths. I absolutely refuse to put lead tape under grommet strips on any frame.

 

[Soundbyte]

If I mod a frame to a client's frame, I will leave lead tape inside the frame. I will not put any under a bumper guard. If they want it moved, I tell them to do it themselves. Lead tape should not be disturbed but I have had clients try to move the tape under and screw up the bumper cuz I stack my lead tape in 1” or 2” lengths. I absolutely refuse to put lead tape under grommet strips on any frame.

I only do it for matching frames, and typically only for my personal frames

 

[Rally]

Reviving this thread. I want to put lead under the bumper guard of my pair of never strung N90 rereleases. Obviously the grommets are not available for purchase, so the only way I could achieve my goal is by removing the bumper guard and reusing it. With this limitation can I still apply the lead under the bumper guard and reuse the bumper guard, or will the bumper guard get damaged even though the racquets have never been strung? I really don't want to put lead on the inside of the hoop because I want to see that pretty yellow PS at 12 o'clock whenever I pick it up, but I also don't want to risk damaging the bumper guard since they are not in production and are unobtanium.

 

[BenC]

Reviving this thread. I want to put lead under the bumper guard of my pair of never strung N90 rereleases. Obviously the grommets are not available for purchase, so the only way I could achieve my goal is by removing the bumper guard and reusing it. With this limitation can I still apply the lead under the bumper guard and reuse the bumper guard, or will the bumper guard get damaged even though the racquets have never been strung? I really don't want to put lead on the inside of the hoop because I want to see that pretty yellow PS at 12 o'clock whenever I pick it up, but I also don't want to risk damaging the bumper guard since they are not in production and are unobtanium.

In my experience it's not too difficult to remove and reinstall grommets on new unstrung racquets. It's the strings that deform the grommets to the point where they can't easily be removed and reinstalled.

Try it and you'll know pretty much right away - if you get to an individual grommet that resists coming out, it'll give you hell going back in.

 

[Rally]

In my experience it's not too difficult to remove and reinstall grommets on new unstrung racquets. It's the strings that deform the grommets to the point where they can't easily be removed and reinstalled.

Try it and you'll know pretty much right away - if you get to an individual grommet that resists coming out, it'll give you hell going back in.

Thanks, I'll try that right now.

 

[ryohazuki222]

But are any grommets flared? If any grommets are flared you don’t even have to try. That is my issue with yonex grommets.

Never got around to trying that method I learned.

But also regardless need to be careful on how they are removed.

 

[Rally]

But are any grommets flared? If any grommets are flared you don’t even have to try. That is my issue with yonex grommets.

Never got around to trying that method I learned.

But also regardless need to be careful on how they are removed.

Luckily Wilson didn't flare these grommets.

 

[Dakota60]

Reviving this thread. I want to put lead under the bumper guard of my pair of never strung N90 rereleases. Obviously the grommets are not available for purchase, so the only way I could achieve my goal is by removing the bumper guard and reusing it. With this limitation can I still apply the lead under the bumper guard and reuse the bumper guard, or will the bumper guard get damaged even though the racquets have never been strung? I really don't want to put lead on the inside of the hoop because I want to see that pretty yellow PS at 12 o'clock whenever I pick it up, but I also don't want to risk damaging the bumper guard since they are not in production and are unobtanium.

New grommets aren't hard to put back in at all. But having the right tools is essential. Use an awl to guide the grommet pins back instead of just pushing it in with your hands. If there are any flared grommets down the road, I usually heat up that grommet pin, briefly, with a lighter and use a pointed plyer to shape it as straight as possible. Thereafter, important to use an awl to guide it in too.