corbind
Professional
How should I create a contoured grip like shown at the end of my thread?
About a month ago I was in a Big Box sports store and they had five Babolats sticks on clearance for $80. I would not have given the sticks much more than a glance but, as I walked by, I noticed the handles looked WEIRD! Weird enough for me to stop, pick up the racquet, and swing some FH/BH.
It felt incredible! Not the stick – the handle! The handle was designed to contour to the hand exactly. So instead of your usual straight handle it had a “bump” that fit perfectly in the palm of your hand. I laughed when noticing it had another bump for those who use 2HBH.
Intrigued, I purchased it. Took it out to the garage, shot some pictures, and measured the right hand bump contour:
I want to build one that has one bump since I’m only 1HBH but I’m stumped on how to do it. I don’t want to add 17 lbs and I want to be able to mimic the aforementioned dimensions closely since it felt SO comfortable! I have a junk racquet in my garage that I can mess with using different methodologies. Just brain-storming I’ve thought of using:
WALL SPACKLE
Used to fill holes, tiny cracks in walls. It’s extremely light and can easily be sanded. Not sure how well it would adhere to the handle. If I were to get it contoured right after sanding I’d have to put a shrink wrap over it to keep moisture out
JOINT COMPOUND
It’s very heavy because it has so much water in it. It’s way more stable than sparkle and is easily sanded. Likely would add a lot of weight.
ELECTRICAL TAPE
I could wrap it around and around until I got the general shape I wanted then use a palm sander to soften the edges. Would likely be a damn mess sanding it but guessing it’s not as heavy as some things.
HEAT SHRINK TUBES
The have them at the Menards and at TW for like $2 but they add ½ size or a whole size up. I’d prefer to have an even thinner version so I could add many layers. It could be sanded but will have some abrupt edges. Adds 15-20g per wrap?
WOOD FILLER
I use it for projects and it is decent to work with. Thicker than spackle and sands well. Might be heavy.
PLASTER
Never worked with the stuff know old buildings have tons of plaster walls. Likely a very hard material now know the weight
CLEAR SILICON
The usual $5 tube of clear 100% silicon. Could likely see how thick the goo is when dried and sand it but guessing it will add 40 grams?
LIQUID RUBBER
They use to coat tool handles and it’s at Menards too. Last time I used the stuff was 1996 coating some tools. Guessing it’s similar to the heat sleeve in texture when dried.
I have a lot of free time this winter so looking forward to having some fun with this project. If it works out well I’ll end up doing it to all my sticks. So you have any ideas on how I should proceed in my prototype?
About a month ago I was in a Big Box sports store and they had five Babolats sticks on clearance for $80. I would not have given the sticks much more than a glance but, as I walked by, I noticed the handles looked WEIRD! Weird enough for me to stop, pick up the racquet, and swing some FH/BH.
It felt incredible! Not the stick – the handle! The handle was designed to contour to the hand exactly. So instead of your usual straight handle it had a “bump” that fit perfectly in the palm of your hand. I laughed when noticing it had another bump for those who use 2HBH.
Intrigued, I purchased it. Took it out to the garage, shot some pictures, and measured the right hand bump contour:
Distance curvature begins from butt edge: 1 1/8”
Apex of bump: 2 5/8”
End of bump: 4 ¼”
Apex of bump compared to a normal racquet: 1/16” on each side
Apex of bump: 2 5/8”
End of bump: 4 ¼”
Apex of bump compared to a normal racquet: 1/16” on each side
I want to build one that has one bump since I’m only 1HBH but I’m stumped on how to do it. I don’t want to add 17 lbs and I want to be able to mimic the aforementioned dimensions closely since it felt SO comfortable! I have a junk racquet in my garage that I can mess with using different methodologies. Just brain-storming I’ve thought of using:
WALL SPACKLE
Used to fill holes, tiny cracks in walls. It’s extremely light and can easily be sanded. Not sure how well it would adhere to the handle. If I were to get it contoured right after sanding I’d have to put a shrink wrap over it to keep moisture out
JOINT COMPOUND
It’s very heavy because it has so much water in it. It’s way more stable than sparkle and is easily sanded. Likely would add a lot of weight.
ELECTRICAL TAPE
I could wrap it around and around until I got the general shape I wanted then use a palm sander to soften the edges. Would likely be a damn mess sanding it but guessing it’s not as heavy as some things.
HEAT SHRINK TUBES
The have them at the Menards and at TW for like $2 but they add ½ size or a whole size up. I’d prefer to have an even thinner version so I could add many layers. It could be sanded but will have some abrupt edges. Adds 15-20g per wrap?
WOOD FILLER
I use it for projects and it is decent to work with. Thicker than spackle and sands well. Might be heavy.
PLASTER
Never worked with the stuff know old buildings have tons of plaster walls. Likely a very hard material now know the weight
CLEAR SILICON
The usual $5 tube of clear 100% silicon. Could likely see how thick the goo is when dried and sand it but guessing it will add 40 grams?
LIQUID RUBBER
They use to coat tool handles and it’s at Menards too. Last time I used the stuff was 1996 coating some tools. Guessing it’s similar to the heat sleeve in texture when dried.
I have a lot of free time this winter so looking forward to having some fun with this project. If it works out well I’ll end up doing it to all my sticks. So you have any ideas on how I should proceed in my prototype?
