Prestige Butt cap question

[tennisnoob1949]

Hello,

I was changing out pallets on 2 of my Head racquets (both from the TK82 to the TK82S), and used the DeWalt Heavy Duty stapler to try to secure the butt cap (currently available Head butt cap available from TW). I thought that the staples went through fine (they were sitting flush against the surface), but today, the butt caps of both of these racquets came off during play. Looking at the butt cap now, it seems like the staples did not really go through the pallet in some cases (they were too far out on the end).
I am not intending to invest in any kind of pneumatic stapler or things of that nature. Given that, what are my options? Specifically:
a. I've seen suggestions of using silicone, does this method work? I tend to hold the racquet towards the very end, so there is considerable pressure on the butt cap.
b. If that does not work I intend to go back to the Stapler idea. Will a Heavy duty stapler (like the Dewalt) work for this purpose, and with 1/2 inch T20 staples?

Appreciate any insight!

 

[Strawbewwy]

Do you have pictures?

I did this recently myself with a regular staple gun like you did and mine won't budge (although it took a few tries to get it right)

 

[tennisnoob1949]

Do you have pictures?

I did this recently myself with a regular staple gun like you did and mine won't budge (although it took a few tries to get it right)

While I get pics and figure out how to post them here - what staple gun did you use ? Was this for a Head racquet as well ?

 

[Strawbewwy]

It was just a regular t50 arrow staple gun, and I got a multi pack of staples and used the smallest size which was quarter inch 6mm.

I actually thought the regular duty wasn't quite getting it in deep, which is why I did it a few times until I got it in flush

I did it with an older i.prestige mid

 

[tennisnoob1949]

It was just a regular t50 arrow staple gun, and I got a multi pack of staples and used the smallest size which was quarter inch 6mm.

I actually thought the regular duty wasn't quite getting it in deep, which is why I did it a few times until I got it in flush

I did it with an older i.prestige mid

Got it, thank you. When the butt cap came off, I could see the staples were too close to the edge and hence, may not have gone through the pallet / hairpin at all, maybe that was the problem. How far up from the bottom edge did you staple it ?

 

[Strawbewwy]

I did it right in the meat in the middle, some of the butt caps I've come across have like pins (with gaps) between them which I thought wouldn't hold the staple... I'd certainly give it another try, the sizing of staple might affect it too, I noticed the oem Staples are much narrower and longer, but the smallest I found was still fairly wide, but I 5hink quarter inch was pretty doable. Good luck!

 

[tennisnoob1949]

Gotc

I did it right in the meat in the middle, some of the butt caps I've come across have like pins (with gaps) between them which I thought wouldn't hold the staple... I'd certainly give it another try, the sizing of staple might affect it too, I noticed the oem Staples are much narrower and longer, but the smallest I found was still fairly wide, but I 5hink quarter inch was pretty doable. Good luck!

Gotcha, thank you. Mine does have those gaps in the middle.

I’m a little worried about tearing the pallet if the butt cap comes off again but oh well, won’t know if I’m doing it right till I try I guess.

 

[tennisnoob1949]

I did it right in the meat in the middle, some of the butt caps I've come across have like pins (with gaps) between them which I thought wouldn't hold the staple... I'd certainly give it another try, the sizing of staple might affect it too, I noticed the oem Staples are much narrower and longer, but the smallest I found was still fairly wide, but I 5hink quarter inch was pretty doable. Good luck!

One other question: when you staple, do you make sure the staple goes through the hair pin as well? And to do that, are 1/4 inch staples enough?

 

[teekaywhy]

In cases like this, I have stapled right above the old holes. Granted, with a manual stapler, you'll have to push pretty hard to get it to penetrate the hairpin (and even then it may not) but that's what stapling right above the old hole does for you.
Good luck.

 

[Hmgraphite1]

I would pre drill smaller holes at correct width-smaller than staple. If you look in the end the staples are 1/2 inch at least and very narrow.

 

[PBODY99]

@tennisnoob1949
After you insert the staples use a small screw dive to push the top of the staple down a little more. A thin coat of epoxy to help set it also could help.
I have used carpet tacks instead of staples also.
Good luck

 

[tennisnoob1949]

In cases like this, I have stapled right above the old holes. Granted, with a manual stapler, you'll have to push pretty hard to get it to penetrate the hairpin (and even then it may not) but that's what stapling right above the old hole does for you.
Good luck.

Good suggestion; however, I put on new pallets, so I have no idea where the old holes were, that went into the hair pin.

 

[tennisnoob1949]

I would pre drill smaller holes at correct width-smaller than staple. If you look in the end the staples are 1/2 inch at least and very narrow.

Any ideas what the drill bit size would be, for them to be smaller than staples?

 

[tennisnoob1949]

@tennisnoob1949
After you insert the staples use a small screw dive to push the top of the staple down a little more. A thin coat of epoxy to help set it also could help.
I have used carpet tacks instead of staples also.
Good luck

How do you get the carpet tacks in, using a hammer ?

 

[Hmgraphite1]

Any ideas what the drill bit size would be, for them to be smaller than staples?

Pretty thin, probably need to buy special at hardware store. I bought before for like a $1.
You could also look at other options than staples there and hammer in and pre dip with some gorilla glue

 

[tennisnoob1949]

Pretty thin, probably need to buy special at hardware store. I bought before for like a $1.
You could also look at other options than staples there and hammer in and pre dip with some gorilla glue

Appreciate the info, will figure out the best option.

Any opinions on using silicone only (no other fasteners)? If that works, sounds like the least intensive method.

 

[djNEiGht]

I’ve used a very small gauge nail at times on butt caps. Just off set it a little to the left or right. This helps avoid going right through the middle which has more racquet material to go through.

 

[Hmgraphite1]

Appreciate the info, will figure out the best option.

Any opinions on using silicone only (no other fasteners)? If that works, sounds like the least intensive method.

Just from experience outside of racquets I wouldn't. Prob just end up redoing it when it starts prying off on a serve. I'll be putting on an 82s in a few weeks also so i'll find out too. If I were to just glue would use 2 part epoxy cold weld.

 

[PBODY99]

@tennisnoob1949

I have used a tack hammer, or lightly with what ever hammer is around, when the material is dense. Foam pallets the flat edge of a screw driver has been enough for me

 

[tennisnoob1949]

Thanks for your replies, all! For now - I've used the Arrow T50 stapler, had to use a hammer to tap in when the staple did not go in all the way. Will report back on how it holds up when I play next.

 

[scotus]

One other question: when you staple, do you make sure the staple goes through the hair pin as well? And to do that, are 1/4 inch staples enough?

Yes

 

[stingstang]

I use glue and 1 staple on each side - with a normal staple gun, nothing industrial, usually have to tap it in a tiny bit more with a hammer. Changed loads & never had one go loose.

 

[jakeroa]

Double sided tape around the end of the pallet and tape overlapping the but cap and pallet after installed has worked for me.

 

[tennisnoob1949]

Thanks for your replies, all! For now - I've used the Arrow T50 stapler, had to use a hammer to tap in when the staple did not go in all the way. Will report back on how it holds up when I play next.

Update: I've playeda few times with the two frames on which I did the pallet replacement (and used the staples above for the butt cap). They've held up fine, no movement or other issues as far as I can tell.