2handsbothsides
Semi-Pro
Any racquet with a removable butt cap can be easily and professionally extended up to half an inch in length at home with minimal tools in about 15 minutes. This is especially relevant for those players who wish to try up to the 28” length as most long player’s racquets today are only available up to 27.5”.
Here’s how to do it. Remove the butt cap staples and take off the butt cap. Cut an 8 sided pallet extension from a low density wood, sized to fit inside the butt cap and for the desired extension length. I use balsa wood from my local hobby shop but pine will work. Layering the extension pieces in 1/8th or even 1/16th inch layers works well to achieve a variety of extension lengths. Use 5 minute set 2 part epoxy to lightly coat the extension pieces, the interior of the butt cap and all racquet surfaces that are to be in contact with the extension. Assemble and let dry. Stay clean by using cheap disposable plastic cloves.
You can also remove the extension when desired by using a small thin screw driver to free up the glue job and pry out the wood extension piece to return the racquet to the original length or try a different length. The epoxy works as well as staples to reattach the butt cap.
I have used many extension methods in my 30 years customizing racquets including laying up graphite shaft extensions and recasting pallets. The wood epoxy extension under a butt cap if used up to ½ inch works just as well with a minimum of effort.
Here’s how to do it. Remove the butt cap staples and take off the butt cap. Cut an 8 sided pallet extension from a low density wood, sized to fit inside the butt cap and for the desired extension length. I use balsa wood from my local hobby shop but pine will work. Layering the extension pieces in 1/8th or even 1/16th inch layers works well to achieve a variety of extension lengths. Use 5 minute set 2 part epoxy to lightly coat the extension pieces, the interior of the butt cap and all racquet surfaces that are to be in contact with the extension. Assemble and let dry. Stay clean by using cheap disposable plastic cloves.
You can also remove the extension when desired by using a small thin screw driver to free up the glue job and pry out the wood extension piece to return the racquet to the original length or try a different length. The epoxy works as well as staples to reattach the butt cap.
I have used many extension methods in my 30 years customizing racquets including laying up graphite shaft extensions and recasting pallets. The wood epoxy extension under a butt cap if used up to ½ inch works just as well with a minimum of effort.
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