Lead Tape to Reduce Headlightness?

[TripleB]

About how much lead tape (at the 3 and 9 positions) would it take to move a racquet from 5 points headlight down to 4 points headlight?

The lead tape is Babolat and 1 inch = 1 gram.

Tried the Racquet Customization Tool and it never seemed to work correctly for what I was trying to figure out.

Thanks.

TripleB

 

[fuzz nation]

It actually depends on the weight of the racquet. If the frame is rather light, it will take less lead to alter its balance. In my noodlings with lead in the 3/9 o'clock spots, I'll start with only maybe 1 1/2" pieces at each position on the hoop. For me, a little can go a long way toward extra stability, etc.

 

[SteveI]

About how much lead tape (at the 3 and 9 positions) would it take to move a racquet from 5 points headlight down to 4 points headlight?

The lead tape is Babolat and 1 inch = 1 gram.

Tried the Racquet Customization Tool and it never seemed to work correctly for what I was trying to figure out.

Thanks.

TripleB

Hi BBB,

If you moved from a syn gut to a poly.. that would do it. A move of 1 point in either direction is so small.. most would not notice it. To make the frame more stable you would have to move a few more points than 1. If you are trying to make the frame more stable.. I would add lead at 3 and 9 and and then the same amount on the handle to get close to the same balance. BTW.. what is the frame you are working with? At one point you were using a POG...
Fuzz is right... on a light frame it only takes a bit to make a decent inpact on the frame.

Steve

 

[TripleB]

Head LM Radical Midplus 4 1/2" grip: currently 11.23 ounces, 5 points HL, sw=323

Had the racquet in 4 5/8" grip (think my hand is shrinking because that grip started feeling too large): 11.4 ounces, 4 points HL, sw=325

First time out with the 4 1/2" grip it seemed I lost a bit of the stability I had with the 4 5/8" grip so I was thinking of adding some lead tape at 3 and 9 to bring a bit of stability back. Got three of the racquets (although all strung with different strings) so I may add 3 different amounts to see what happens.

Thanks for the input.

TripleB

 

[TripleB]

Ended up leaving one as is, one with 4.5" of lead tape added, and the other with 3.5" of lead tape added.

I'll play with each tomorrow night and see if it made any difference or not. If it didn't I'll just some extra lead tape.

TripleB

 

[SteveI]

Head LM Radical Midplus 4 1/2" grip: currently 11.23 ounces, 5 points HL, sw=323

Had the racquet in 4 5/8" grip (think my hand is shrinking because that grip started feeling too large): 11.4 ounces, 4 points HL, sw=325

First time out with the 4 1/2" grip it seemed I lost a bit of the stability I had with the 4 5/8" grip so I was thinking of adding some lead tape at 3 and 9 to bring a bit of stability back. Got three of the racquets (although all strung with different strings) so I may add 3 different amounts to see what happens.

Thanks for the input.

TripleB

BBB,

Thanks for the info. It is also possible that the 4 5/8 feels more stable because it is the right gripsize. When I use a frame that is too small (gripsize) it always feels unstable to me. All the head frames I have used feel like they run small for my hands. I can play a Bab, Wilson, Volkl, Dunlop with a 4 1/2... no way with a Head.. feels like a 4 3/8 to me.

Keep us posted.. BTW.. I have hit with the LM Rad.. it is very stable for its low static weight. Adding too much to 3 and 9 might drive the SW too high.. so go slow.

Steve

 

[ArchEtech]

I would just play around until it felt right to you and not worry about the "points" of head lightness it is. Get it to a point that feels correct and comfortable and play with it.

Then later maybe have a racquet tech to all of the testing and balancing of what you're at. I say this because since every racquet is different even from its own stock listings because of manufacturing tolerances, who knows where you actually are starting at. Then in the end you'll know what feels right for that particular frame and be able to match it later.

 

[Bud]

About how much lead tape (at the 3 and 9 positions) would it take to move a racquet from 5 points headlight down to 4 points headlight?

The lead tape is Babolat and 1 inch = 1 gram.

Tried the Racquet Customization Tool and it never seemed to work correctly for what I was trying to figure out.

Thanks.

TripleB

Approximately 5 grams (or 4x 1.25" pieces)

 

[anirut]

I would just play around until it felt right to you and not worry about the "points" of head lightness it is. Get it to a point that feels correct and comfortable and play with it.

Then later maybe have a racquet tech to all of the testing and balancing of what you're at. I say this because since every racquet is different even from its own stock listings because of manufacturing tolerances, who knows where you actually are starting at. Then in the end you'll know what feels right for that particular frame and be able to match it later.

I second this as that's exactly what I do to my rackets. Keep adjusting until it feels and play "right", then only I'd measure things out. And most of the time a small adjustment goes a long way.

 

[TripleB]

I say this because since every racquet is different even from its own stock listings because of manufacturing tolerances, who knows where you actually are starting at.

Strung weight with exact same string: 11.23 ounces, 5 points headlight, swingweight of 323...per T-W when they matched the racquets.

TripleB

 

[TripleB]

Second round goes to the Kirschbaum combo although it feels a little 'slick' (hard to explain)...I still think I prefer my original combo of Lux BBALU and Yonex Tour Super 850...even though it's not as thin as these three string combos, I still think it offers the best combo of spin, touch, and power.

TripleB