I was lucky enough to find a couple new Volkl C10 PTs, but not so lucky that they were in my grip size. Based on posts I had seen here, I decided to buy new pallets in the correct size.
The pallets were $12 each, but I was attracted by the thought that the result would be "factory" and would not upset the weight and balance, nor would it feel different from the one racuqet I got in the correct grip size. The pallet sets came with new butt caps, which was a relief.
On a lot of new racquets, when you take the grip off, you find the handle wrapped in a super-sticky clear plastic. As I was to learn later, that same material is what holds the pallets on the handle, except its tackiness is better preserved in the air tight space between the pallets and the handle.
My first surprise was that I was going to have to cut the pallets to the correct length. Apparently, one pallet type is used for standard and extra long racquets. I used an old wooden miter box to support the delicate pallet while sawing and to get a straight cut, but left an extra 1/8" "just in case." I had to cut off about an inch. I used a hacksaw and went very slowly. After cutting, 3 halves were 12g and one was 14g. I was going from 3/8 to 1/2 and the old pallet halves were 9.5g. The switch added 5-6 grams to the handle.
Perhaps the hardest part of the job was getting new staples out of the butt caps. I have taken staples out of old racquets, but the working back and forth over the years must loosen them up, because fresh staples are D-termined. I finally found a screwdriver just narrow enough to fit inside them and it got a lot easier. Nothing else worked. The little screwdrivers for watches and small machinery will fit, but they are not strong enough.
Going slowly and gently, I pryed in the separation between the pallet halves that goes along the shortest side of the handle 90 degrees from the racquet face. Still, the first pallet half was destroyed. These things are an ultra-light and brittle foam. I would not plan on reusing a pallet, although you might get lucky. The first one is easier, because you have the other one to pry against. On the second one you are operating in free space. Once more, the pallet was injured. These things do not tolerate much bending.
Inside the handle, a precisely shaped and very firm foam material covers the graphite/resin tubes coming from the throat. I got the double sticky tape off and cleaned the bare handle with rubbing alcohol. I put plain old double sticky Scotch (r) tape on the widest part of the grip and lined up the top of the pallet with the tape line from the old pallets. The taper at the top of the pallets rules out any chance of installing them upside down. I did the same on the other side. The tape held OK, but I put three bands of electrical tape around the pallets, to make sure they did not go anywhere.
There was an extra 1/8" sticking out and I ground this down with a file on my first try. That took about 15 minutes and was not satisfying. On the second one, I lay a piece of 75 grit sand paper on the floor of my garage and rubbed the end of the stick on it. That took less than 30 seconds and did a fine job.
Putting new butt caps on was routine, as was regripping. Total time - about 2 hours. Next time pro shop? When I was finished, I had the desired result: the new grips had exactly the same shape and size as the one I was able to find in the correct grip size. I found out, however, that the change added 5-g to my handle. This is like 10-12 inches of half inch lead tape. Oh, well. At least it did not change the swingweight measurably.
The pallets were $12 each, but I was attracted by the thought that the result would be "factory" and would not upset the weight and balance, nor would it feel different from the one racuqet I got in the correct grip size. The pallet sets came with new butt caps, which was a relief.
On a lot of new racquets, when you take the grip off, you find the handle wrapped in a super-sticky clear plastic. As I was to learn later, that same material is what holds the pallets on the handle, except its tackiness is better preserved in the air tight space between the pallets and the handle.
My first surprise was that I was going to have to cut the pallets to the correct length. Apparently, one pallet type is used for standard and extra long racquets. I used an old wooden miter box to support the delicate pallet while sawing and to get a straight cut, but left an extra 1/8" "just in case." I had to cut off about an inch. I used a hacksaw and went very slowly. After cutting, 3 halves were 12g and one was 14g. I was going from 3/8 to 1/2 and the old pallet halves were 9.5g. The switch added 5-6 grams to the handle.
Perhaps the hardest part of the job was getting new staples out of the butt caps. I have taken staples out of old racquets, but the working back and forth over the years must loosen them up, because fresh staples are D-termined. I finally found a screwdriver just narrow enough to fit inside them and it got a lot easier. Nothing else worked. The little screwdrivers for watches and small machinery will fit, but they are not strong enough.
Going slowly and gently, I pryed in the separation between the pallet halves that goes along the shortest side of the handle 90 degrees from the racquet face. Still, the first pallet half was destroyed. These things are an ultra-light and brittle foam. I would not plan on reusing a pallet, although you might get lucky. The first one is easier, because you have the other one to pry against. On the second one you are operating in free space. Once more, the pallet was injured. These things do not tolerate much bending.
Inside the handle, a precisely shaped and very firm foam material covers the graphite/resin tubes coming from the throat. I got the double sticky tape off and cleaned the bare handle with rubbing alcohol. I put plain old double sticky Scotch (r) tape on the widest part of the grip and lined up the top of the pallet with the tape line from the old pallets. The taper at the top of the pallets rules out any chance of installing them upside down. I did the same on the other side. The tape held OK, but I put three bands of electrical tape around the pallets, to make sure they did not go anywhere.
There was an extra 1/8" sticking out and I ground this down with a file on my first try. That took about 15 minutes and was not satisfying. On the second one, I lay a piece of 75 grit sand paper on the floor of my garage and rubbed the end of the stick on it. That took less than 30 seconds and did a fine job.
Putting new butt caps on was routine, as was regripping. Total time - about 2 hours. Next time pro shop? When I was finished, I had the desired result: the new grips had exactly the same shape and size as the one I was able to find in the correct grip size. I found out, however, that the change added 5-g to my handle. This is like 10-12 inches of half inch lead tape. Oh, well. At least it did not change the swingweight measurably.
