lead tape question >>

[Kirko]

you know the "trap-door" on the butt of the frame is it possible to add lead tape there ? you know stick some against the side of the handle or does it need to be evenly applied like you do to the hoop. I've never added tape in or on the handle. I have my PDR at 12 oz. lead tape directly at 12 o'clock.

 

[paulorenzo]

you know the "trap-door" on the butt of the frame is it possible to add lead tape there ? you know stick some against the side of the handle or does it need to be evenly applied like you do to the hoop. I've never added tape in or on the handle. I have my PDR at 12 oz. lead tape directly at 12 o'clock.

try to make it as evenly distributed as possible, but it doesnt have to be perfect.

 

[tenniskid567]

I'd say just roll it up and put it in. Maybe throw in some toilet paper or paper towel or something to keep it from moving around inside the handle if its loose, cause that can be annoying haha. You'll be fine though.

 

[JackB1]

I read where some people add lead to the racquet "above the handle". Exactly where would this be? Would you just wrap it in a circle around the part just above the top of the grip? I want to add weight to my handle, but dont want to increase the grip size at all, so what are my alternatives to putting it on the pallet? Can you also tape the lead to the inside of the handle instead of just balling it up and throwing it in there?

Also, why don't more people just add lead to the lower hoop at 6 oclock? Isn't that a good place if u just want to increase overall weight but not effect balance?

 

[Meaghan]

I read where some people add lead to the racquet "above the handle". Exactly where would this be? Would you just wrap it in a circle around the part just above the top of the grip? I want to add weight to my handle, but dont want to increase the grip size at all, so what are my alternatives to putting it on the pallet? Can you also tape the lead to the inside of the handle instead of just balling it up and throwing it in there?

Also, why don't more people just add lead to the lower hoop at 6 oclock? Isn't that a good place if u just want to increase overall weight but not effect balance?

lead at the bottom of the hoop or in the throat lowers your sweetspot and as most players hit in the ctr or slightly higher this is not a good idea. Also if you think of polarisation( handle and hoop weghted) you can understand how that would enhance the swing ie like a pendulum. Whereas in the throat or the bottom of the hoop may not affect the balance as much but the racket when swung acts sluggish.

I think I mentioned in another thread about adding weight to the handle, just experiment with it. A good place to start is add a small amount (5-7g) on your ozone tour to the top of the butt cap and to top of hoop.
When I did this to my Pro version it made a huge difference. I added 7g to 12" and 15g to handle. It feels super stable and plow thro is amazing, SW has gone up a lot but it suits my swing style so Im not miss timing much.

 

[alidisperanza]

A good way to experiment a little is to add lead tape to the bevels of the racquet grip. Granted you can't add copious amounts this way but it will give you a bit of an idea. Once done you can replace the base grip (a bit more permanent) or you can put over-grips over it. Remember though, if you're adding to the bevels, you must add to opposite sides equally.

 

[alidisperanza]

Oh, sorry to double post but another more permanent solution would be to dismantle the grips and add silicate or lead balls in the appropriate weight inside the handle with some glue. (This also helps reduce some vibration) Unfortunately it can get messsy if you're not careful. That or you get a nice rattling in your racquet =]

 

[JackB1]

I think I mentioned in another thread about adding weight to the handle, just experiment with it. A good place to start is add a small amount (5-7g) on your ozone tour to the top of the butt cap and to top of hoop.

Meaghan,

Could u please explain EXACTLY what you mean by "top of the butt cap"???

You mean go around the bottom of the handle, under the grip? I am sorry, but I am still confused as to where to add lead near the handle to my Ozone.
Maybe a picture would help???

 

[120mphBodyServe]

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=3956692&postcount=10

 

[Meaghan]

Meaghan,

Could u please explain EXACTLY what you mean by "top of the butt cap"???

You mean go around the bottom of the handle, under the grip? I am sorry, but I am still confused as to where to add lead near the handle to my Ozone.
Maybe a picture would help???

If you take the grip off you can see the buttcap , obviously the bottom is the bottom and the top is the flatter bit that meets the handle, you put the lead there where it has least affect on the handle.

Anywhere there on the lower part of the handle is fine, sme people raise it a little a few cm to where the hand meets the handle. Personally I like the top of the handle, but on the Ozone I dont think it needs it, It just needs to be balanced as it deffo needs weight in the hoop, personally again I think it just needs weight at 12" as I think its stability is fine (I dont know what the standard version is like tho)

 

[JackB1]

If you take the grip off you can see the buttcap , obviously the bottom is the bottom and the top is the flatter bit that meets the handle, you put the lead there where it has least affect on the handle.

Anywhere there on the lower part of the handle is fine, sme people raise it a little a few cm to where the hand meets the handle. Personally I like the top of the handle, but on the Ozone I dont think it needs it, It just needs to be balanced as it deffo needs weight in the hoop, personally again I think it just needs weight at 12" as I think its stability is fine (I dont know what the standard version is like tho)

thanks for the detailed response! you must think I'm totally dense, but its sometimes hard to tell what you mean without seeing it in person or in pictures. one last thing....do you wrap the lead AROUND the lower part of the handle around and around until you have as much as you want? or do you go upwards like you do when adding an overgrip? I would think if you go around more than a few times, it will get quite thick and will flare out at the bottom of the grip? You know what I mean?

EDIT: I took off the grip and now I know what you mean. You wrap it around the flat part of the plastic buttcap where it has flat cutout tabs that are about 1/2" long each, just above (towards the hoop) the staples. Thats a great place to put it, because its on top of the plastic (not on the pallet) and it wont effect grip size because if anything, it will just reduce a touch of the "flare transition" towards the very end of the butt. Genious! Thanks again!

 

[Meaghan]

EDIT: I took off the grip and now I know what you mean. You wrap it around the flat part of the plastic buttcap where it has flat cutout tabs that are about 1/2" long each, just above (towards the hoop) the staples. Thats a great place to put it, because its on top of the plastic (not on the pallet) and it wont effect grip size because if anything, it will just reduce a touch of the "flare transition" towards the very end of the butt. Genious! Thanks again!

Hurrah haha!!

also the amount of lead your using is not much so it wont affect grip shape.
Looking forward to seeing what you make of the added weight.
Do try 12" as well as 10" & 2" too.
Cut up a few strips and take your lead out with you whilst you're playtesting so you can add some more in the hoop as I dont think 4g will make a huge difference. It be intersting if you raise it to about 7g with 10g in the handle???
Post the review on your Ozone thread....

 

[JackB1]

Hurrah haha!!

also the amount of lead your using is not much so it wont affect grip shape.
Looking forward to seeing what you make of the added weight.
Do try 12" as well as 10" & 2" too.
Cut up a few strips and take your lead out with you whilst you're playtesting so you can add some more in the hoop as I dont think 4g will make a huge difference. It be intersting if you raise it to about 7g with 10g in the handle???
Post the review on your Ozone thread....

I added 4 g's @ 12 oclock and 4 g's on the handle, above the grip just below the throat. I wanted to add it at the buttcap, like u suggested, but I added a new grip (gamma gel) which was about 7 g's heavier than the prev. grip, so I thought it might be too much. So I added 4gs just above the handle and next time I change the grip, I'll do it your way. It definitely feels a little heavier dry swinging and the total weight now is about 350 g's. Cant wait to try it on the courts!

Funny thing is my Pure Storm Tour is about the same weight and sw, but the Ozone feels lighter when swinging. The PST feels a bit "sluggish" to me, but not so for the Ozone Tour.

p.s there is no way I can work with lead tape while wearing rubber gloves! Too much of a pain. I just use my hands and then wash up afterwards.

also...how many inches = 8 points when measuring balance? I have 2 Ozones, and they defintely had different balance points, stock from the store.

 

[hoodjem]

"Counter weighting is, as the name implies, simply adding weight to the opposite end of the racquet where most of the weight already exists. On head-heavy racquets, this means adding weight to the handle area. Again, this is a fairly straightforward procedure but does require removing the grip and butt cap. We also suggest using lead fishing weights rather than lead tape. The fishing weights come in various sizes and these weights are denser than lead tape.

Once you’ve determined the amount of counter weight you want to apply, remove the grip and butt cap. If you are working with a polyurethane foam handle, it may be necessary to dig out some foam material to make room for the lead weights. Do this very carefully, using a long, narrow screwdriver. Hollow graphite handles won’t usually require much, if any, preparation for adding weight.

If you’re experimenting with counter-weighting, you’ll want to start with a reversible procedure that allows you to remove any added weight. For this procedure, you’ll need a roll of absorbent cotton, the kind used in bandaging wounds. Start by stuffing cotton down both openings and packing it in tightly until there is about 2 inches of space left. Wrap the desired amount of fishing weight(s) in enough cotton so as to keep it from rattling against the side walls and insert into the handle. It must be small enough, however, to still fit inside the opening.

Fill the remaining space with cotton, packing tightly and loosely replace the butt cap. Shake the racquet, hitting it against your hand to check for rattles. If the weights are hitting the side walls of the handle, remove and repack them in cotton and replace, being sure to fill in the top with cotton. Check again by tapping the racquet against your hand (fairly hard). If no rattles are apparent, secure the butt cap with a staple gun and rewrap the grip."

 

[Meaghan]

I added 4 g's @ 12 oclock and 4 g's on the handle, above the grip just below the throat. I wanted to add it at the buttcap, like u suggested, but I added a new grip (gamma gel) which was about 7 g's heavier than the prev. grip, so I thought it might be too much. So I added 4gs just above the handle and next time I change the grip, I'll do it your way. It definitely feels a little heavier dry swinging and the total weight now is about 350 g's. Cant wait to try it on the courts!

Funny thing is my Pure Storm Tour is about the same weight and sw, but the Ozone feels lighter when swinging. The PST feels a bit "sluggish" to me, but not so for the Ozone Tour.

p.s there is no way I can work with lead tape while wearing rubber gloves! Too much of a pain. I just use my hands and then wash up afterwards.

also...how many inches = 8 points when measuring balance? I have 2 Ozones, and they defintely had different balance points, stock from the store.

Hi Jack
8pts is 1 inch from ctr or 32cm from bottom of handle.
You can change the lead in handle and restore the grip, it doesnt have to be when ur grip needs changing.
I just wash my hands too!
Try a little more weight at 12 you'll feel real plow thro then.

 

[JackB1]

Hi Jack
8pts is 1 inch from ctr or 32cm from bottom of handle.
You can change the lead in handle and restore the grip, it doesnt have to be when ur grip needs changing.
I just wash my hands too!
Try a little more weight at 12 you'll feel real plow thro then.

Its OK. When you take off and rewrap the grip, sometimes you lose the sticky backing or it sticks to the handle and breaks off. I measured and its just a hair under 1 inch HL now, so thats perfect. Moving the weight from the top of the handle to the bottom would probably make it go from 7 to 8HL...no biggie. If I like how this feels after playtesting, I will do my other Ozone that way.