Reducing the grip size

[Tennis Man]

I know it's been discussed here many time before but he's my situation.

I recently found out that I'm more comfortable with smaller grip sizes b/c I get better control and spin. So, I'm moving from 3/8-1/2 to 1/4-3/8 range.

Normaly I use thin leather grips wheneve possible with Wilson overgrip. I have a few frames in 1/2-5/8 sizes that I use without a grip (only with overgrip). It works for now but I 'd like to get some opinions about whether or not I should/could reduce the grip size by sanding them down, changing the pallets, etc.

What is the best way of doing it if I'm unable to trade my frames for smaller sizes (most of them are Wilso PS 85, ATP Pro Stock 200 and Yonex Super RD)?

Thanks.

 

[Tennis Man]

any suggestions? or it's a forbidden topic?

 

[Tour 90]

sand the pallets, risky with those nice collector frames though.

 

[TennezSport]

USRSA Tech

Tennis Man,

You should take it to a trained USRSA tech to make sure it's done correctly. Making this sort of change can really mess the racquet balance and feel, if not done right. You can look up the closest tech on the USRSA web site. Good luck with your quest.

TennezSport

 

[Tennis Man]

I guess I should just exchange them then.

Luckily I got just a few in "wrong" sizes.

 

[anirut]

Tennis Man,

Shrinking the grip size is no rocket science. If you're brave enough and "really" know what you're doing, you can do it. I did it with my Redondo.

May be you can check how I did it on my redondo thread. I posted this a couple of days ago.

 

[Steve Huff]

I don't think you can change the pallets on those. Sanding them down is really tough to get the original shape. See if you can trade them or send them to a professional service that can modify them. Do a search for "changing grip shapes" or something like that and someone will give you a company that does it.

 

[dr_punk]

call TW and ask... i'm sure they've been requested that before

 

[Tennis Man]

To be honest, I tried to do it on one of my cheaper Heads. I did it with a box cutter, carefully stripping layers of foam and then sanded them down. It actually worked fine but I wouldn't want to do it on an expensive PS 85 St Vincent in mint condition.

To do it properly though the butt cap needs to be removed and handle measured correctly. Still, I'm afraid the balance can be messed up.

Actually size 1/2 is not too bad but after I tried playing with my newly acquired Boron Ace in 1/4 (usual leather with Wilson overgrip), I can hardly go back to 1/2 now.

 

[Jack & Coke]

..I did it with a box cutter, carefully stripping layers of foam and then sanded them down.

It actually worked fine but I wouldn't want to do it on an expensive PS 85 St Vincent in mint condition.

To do it properly though the butt cap needs to be removed and handle measured correctly. Still, I'm afraid the balance can be messed up.

lol

kinda funny..

I just recently purchased a PS85 SV in great condition that was a 4 1/2.

I'm used to a 4 1/4 - 4 3/8 size grip. The 4 1/2 is just a tad big for my comfort level.

Anyway, I also have a PS 85 (Taiwan) in 4 1/4, so I removed both grips to compare the dimensions of the pallets.

The goal.. sand down the pallet of the 4 1/2 frame down to (or as close to) the same pallet dimensions of the 4 1/4 frame.

But like Tennis Man said.. a St. Vincent ?? Kinda made me nervous! haha

So anyways, I took to it..

I cut a sheet of paper (letter size) length-wise to create a measure tape. I took the slim paper and marked it with measurement ticks using a ruler.

Next I wrapped this piece of measuring paper around the pallet of the 4 1/4 frame.. measuring the overall circumference of the handle. This is the goal or target size I'm aiming for. It measured aorund 3 7/8".

I did the same for the pallet of the St. Vincent 4 1/2 frame. This measured 4 1/4".

Next, I used a digital micrometer to measure the thickness of the pallets from all sides. I did the same for measuring the width of each surface plane.

ok.. now that I had the "goal" dimensions down.. I broke out my trusty D&B mouse sander:

I sat down at my work bench in the garage, put on my respirator

, and got to sanding!

The most important thing I did was - take my time!

I'd sand a little on all 8 sides.. then check my measurements... sand a little more.. etc.

I feared the sanding may come out crooked or something, but not at all. By going slow and constantly checking my measurements, I was able to correctly and cleanly reduce the pallet size of my new St. Vincent.
Hope this helps.. I say go for it! But TAKE YOUR TIME.


(I thought about the box cutter idea, but the pallet was not soft foam anymore... just 20 year old hard aged stuff.. I felt this may lead to accidental gouges, ruts, or big divits in the pallet. ouch!)

 

[Lambsscroll]

Do a google search for ****. They sell leather grips that are made so thin as to accommodate a over grip. Many pros use their services.

 

[little_e]

Racquetmaxx

 

[Tennis Man]

lol

kinda funny..

I just recently purchased a PS85 SV in great condition that was a 4 1/2.

I'm used to a 4 1/4 - 4 3/8 size grip. The 4 1/2 is just a tad big for my comfort level.

Anyway, I also have a PS 85 (Taiwan) in 4 1/4, so I removed both grips to compare the dimensions of the pallets.

The goal.. sand down the pallet of the 4 1/2 frame down to (or as close to) the same pallet dimensions of the 4 1/4 frame.

But like Tennis Man said.. a St. Vincent ?? Kinda made me nervous! haha

So anyways, I took to it..

I cut a sheet of paper (letter size) length-wise to create a measure tape. I took the slim paper and marked it with measurement ticks using a ruler.

Next I wrapped this piece of measuring paper around the pallet of the 4 1/4 frame.. measuring the overall circumference of the handle. This is the goal or target size I'm aiming for. It measured aorund 3 7/8".

I did the same for the pallet of the St. Vincent 4 1/2 frame. This measured 4 1/4".

Next, I used a digital micrometer to measure the thickness of the pallets from all sides. I did the same for measuring the width of each surface plane.

ok.. now that I had the "goal" dimensions down.. I broke out my trusty D&B mouse sander:

I sat down at my work bench in the garage, put on my respirator, and got to sanding!

The most important thing I did was - take my time!

I'd sand a little on all 8 sides.. then check my measurements... sand a little more.. etc.

I feared the sanding may come out crooked or something, but not at all. By going slow and constantly checking my measurements, I was able to correctly and cleanly reduce the pallet size of my new St. Vincent.

Hope this helps.. I say go for it! But TAKE YOUR TIME.


(I thought about the box cutter idea, but the pallet was not soft foam anymore... just 20 year old hard aged stuff.. I felt this may lead to accidental gouges, ruts, or big divits in the pallet. ouch!)

WOW, I'm definitely not that technical. Thanks for all the trouble. .

BTW, what are the old pallets made of. It's really hard but it's still feels like foam soaked into some resin.

 

[Jack & Coke]

yeah.. who knows, maybe back in the 80's it was softer, and over time the foam got a little harder?

Or maybe it's a special secret "St. Vincent" formula ?

 

[Tennis Man]

yeah.. who knows, maybe back in the 80's it was softer, and over time the foam got a little harder?

Or maybe it's a special secret "St. Vincent" formula ?

Well, you definitely inspired me to go into racquet customization business. I will start with borrowing the "mouse" sander somewhere.