reduce head weight? for NoBadMojo or others

[saf]

I've been playing with the DNX 10 pro (325). Love it, however, would like to see if it is possible to reduce the swing weight slightly by removing some weight from the head. If I recall correctly, I believe that NoBadMojo had commented before about trimming the head guard from the grommets to reduce weight???

I have heard about Pro's trimming the headguards off (just using the grommet) and using head tape to reduce the weight some. Maybe there are some other tricks?

If so, I was curious how many grams or tenths of an ounce can be reduced by doing some minor surgery???

It currently weighs 12.4 oz with 2 overwraps. I am playing with a frinds 4 3/8 demo. When I order my standard 5/8's, that will reduce a little weight from eliminating the extra overwrap. Do you think it is possible to get this frame down to around 12oz with some surgery?

I've considered the 295 gram version. My friend tells me that the two frames (295 and 325) are quite different.

Just curious what your experiences are in this area.

Thanks...

Young teaching pro who is eager to learn (SAF)

 

[NoBadMojo]

saf in my estimation, removing grommet material lowers the swingweight significantly but doesnt effect the static weight so much. i dont know the specs of the dnx10 specifically how headlight they are and how headlight you like. I can tell you that the T10MPVE's i did this to and added a leather grip went from a swingweight of approx 325 down to about 315 or maybe a little less (which is the target for my swing style) and they are significantly headlight. I setup my frames by feel and not by measurements, i did this to 4 frames and they all ended up precisely 12.0 oz's, with the same headlight balance point altho one feels slightly diff to me. maybe you extrapolate this somehow by looking up the stock specs. sorry, i cant help more but i go by feel thinking this is more art that science.

 

[vin]

If it's the same grommet as the T10 VE MP, it will remove about .2 oz of weight. It does noticably reduce the swingweight.

If you think you need more than just a minor adjustment in swingweight, it may not make enough difference. It didn't for me. I thought it did at first, but playing tougher opponents proved me wrong.

If you have easy access to the 295g version, why not give it a try either way?

 

[dingo]

I kind of faced the same thing today with T10 VE MP - it just felt balanced wrong after my older frames. So, instead of making the head lighter I just added some weight to the handle and it =feels= good even if a little heavier. Somehow weight has never been a problem for me, OK the arm gets tired faster until the muscle grows up, unlike the balance that I have found having major effect on the feel of a racket and my game as a result.

 

[saf]

Thanks for the advice guys. I appreciate it. I weighed the head guard itself and it's around .3 oz. I think trimming the guard and using tape might allow me to reduce by around .2, like Vin said.

I might try to get a hold of the lighter version and lead it up. The only problem is that they don't plan on marketing it in the US. Might be a little hard to get a hold of. Plus, if I go with the DNX 10's it will be under a teaching pro contract. Have to take advantage of what is free and available. It would be nice to have things customized like the pros, however, I don't make that much money and my wife would probably shoot me =-)!

At times I like the weight/balance, and at times it's a little difficult. I think if I were playing every other day, I would like it. However, with teaching and a family it is tuff to stay in top match shape. Sometimes I have a hard time swinging it. It is a tad bit sluggish on the volley in doubles too.

Has anyone ever tried trimming the tips of the grommets slightly to reduce a little bit of weight? Probably not going to reduce much.

Anyways, thanks for the advice. I love this frame, like I said I just wish it were a little bit lighter. They plan on releasing a DNX 9 soon. Maybe that's the one for me???

Thanks for all of the advice...

SAF

 

[NoBadMojo]

Saf, I havent heard of a DNX9 coming out...there is a DNX8 slated for the Spring. As to the grommet trimming, it makes a significant difference in the swingweight, so is a worthwhile thing to do if you like the frame and like headlight frames. if the entire bumper/grommet system weighs .3 oz, i dont see how trimming a bit of bumper material away would remove .2ozs from the system. I think we are dealing with the inaccuracies and rounding of scales which round up or down to the .10 oz. In any case, I trim mine leaving protection on the head from about 10 - 2...i am amazed at how much of a diff this makes...i got into details of how to do this and even posted a link to a picture if you are interested in doing this and doing a search of the forum

 

[dingo]

Just as an idea here. Instead of removing half of the bumper guard completely one can simply drill holes (rather large at that) in it all around. It would make it look like a mesh instead of a solid strip. It would also remove the same/or more weight off the frame and it would also leave its protective qualities virtually the same.

 

[kinsella]

The bumper on a PT280 is separate from the grommets and I took it off one of my racquets. It took 6g off the end of the racquet. This significantly reduced the swingweight and power, which allowed for greater head speed and, therefore, more spin. It also threw my timing off, but it has been an interesting experiment that is easily reversible.

You can do the same by ordering a grommet set for your stick and customizing the used one all you want, knowing you can return to "stock" by replacing the grommets.

Good luck.

 

[Steve Huff]

Don't plan on usind the head protection tape. I think it weighs as much, if not more, than the plastic bumper guard.

John--wow--I didn't know any of the bumper guards weighed that much.

 

[saf]

Thanks for the advice guys! I plan on experimenting a little once I am able to get some head guards for this racquet upon release. I am also going to try to play with a thinner 17 or 18 guage string and remove the shock absorber.

NoBadMojo, I plan on doing some searches to look back through some of the posts in regards to weight trimming. The racquet is real close, so I am hoping some minor changes can make the difference.

I had my hand on a prototype for the DNX 8 the other day. Did not get to hit with it, but it looks like a nice frame (even though the prototype is all black, just judging the frame's characteristics). My friend says it is a smooth ride and that many of the senior pros and tour players are really raving about the stability with the DNX frames. My buddy is a rep and he said that they are discussing the specs for a DNX 9 to be released sometime next year. He talked like it might integrate V-engine (a slight V) and DNX technology. I don't think they have decided for sure yet though, so it's all probably a lot of speculation.

Suposively Mats is now playing with the DNX 10, 28 in length. It's got a real hefty swing weight!

Anyways, thanks for your help guys!!!

Shawn

 

[NoBadMojo]

yw Shawn...good luck w. the racquet tweaking.