The guide to DIY grip resizing

[Nanshiki]

Today I changed my Pro Staff Classic's grip size from 3/8ths to about 9/16ths so that I would be right at 5/8ths with an overgrip. You don't need to go and buy any heat shrink sleeves, you just need:

1. A roll of electrical tape

2. scissors

3. a measuring tape (the flexible kind)

4. a replacement grip (if yours needs to be regripped)

5. needle nosed pliers


First, remove your replacement grip (and overgrips too, obviously)... Pull out the staple that held your stock grip in.

Next, measure handle without the grip. Compare this to the measurement of the handle with the grip. Then subtract that difference from your desired grip size.

Then, wrap electrical tape on the handle like you would an overgrip. Do a 50% overlap all the way up to keep the thickness and shape as even as possible. This will give you a 16th of an inch, or half a grip size. Do this until you get to the ideal size, and alternate the way you wrap the tape, so you don't get confused about where you should overlap.

Then, test-fit your replacement grip, and measure it to see if it's at your ideal grip size yet, or if it's too big.

If it's good, wrap your replacement grip back on. If not, add another layer or take one off. If you're in between a size, you can add a layer that has zero overlap for an increment of 1/32nd. Or take off the original layer and do the same thing. Either way.

You might need to staple it into the butt cap if the adhesive on the grip has worn off, or you don't have any. Using a bit of tape actually works pretty well but it's less professional. A normal office stapler won't work for this... you'll need a staple gun with narrow staples.

Finish with a bit of finishing tape (you can use electrical tape that's been cut lengthwise), or just use the rubber band that goes over the tape on the stock grip to hold it in place. Or both.

Replace overgrip, if you use one.

Enjoy your custom-sized grip.

 

[bigmatt]

Didn't you lose some edge feel by wrapping the tape? Maybe you should've laid it vertically.

 

[Nanshiki]

Not really. The tape is very thin and hugs the edges well.

A lot better than using overgrips to change your size, at least.

I don't mind having a slightly rounded grip, though...

Obviously the fewer layers you use (I used two), the better. It also helps if you don't use thick grips.

Laying it vertically would have changed the grip shape too... even if it kept the edges.

 

[TheRealTruth]

Good idea it's less trouble than using heat shrink sleeves, you can alway take the tape off if not happy with the size. Heat sleeve can't be reused.

 

[JacKKyKung]

I used to do the same way, then i found a problem. Heat can cause of worn out of glue under the electrical tape, so i switch to masking tape which less thick, so you can adjust the size more easily.

 

[Nanshiki]

Note: You shouldn't do more than about one grip size or so (ideally one half size), because all that tape will get heavy and make your racquet both heavier and WAY head light.

 

[The Dampener]

One other thing...electrical tape is heavy. It'll add weight and affect your racquet balance. if that matters to you. I've had decent luck using lighter masking tape, however.

 

[Nanshiki]

I'm going to have to agree. It's worth a shot, although electrical tape will probably have less 'give' to it.

Also, it would be good for racquets that are close to even balance, when you want them to be more head light.

 

[pfchang]

i actually just put on electrical tape on one of my fischers.

they have that weird square shape, so i put some on vertically.

no loss in bevel feel whatsoever, although balance was compromised a bit.

 

[Nanshiki]

Hmm, I cut my 1/16th of an inch thick layer of tape off my handle and put an overgrip under (lol) my replacement grip, then another overgrip on, and now the whole racquet is quite a bit lighter, plus it's 11 points head light instead of ~15.

I think the tape weighed as much as about two packs of lead tape, which means... like 1.27 ounces. lol

(meaning my racquet weighed like 14.07 ounces... and then some... and I added about .7 ounces to that with weights, meaning it weighed damn near 15 ounces)

I need to just buy a scale, lol. And a balance board too...

(edit: actually it may have been closer to about .85 ounces, but I'd still be in the over 14 ounce range even without any lead)

 

[lwto]

I use drywall tape..It's almost 2.6 inches wide and is perforated so its pretty light. It has just enough stickiness to tack onto the handle with out being permanent. It's easily cut, It's easy to take off and it stays on tight so you do not lose any edging from your bevels.

What I have done is split it down the middle and attach it to the side of the handle, thereby giving just a nudge wider grip.

For a makeshift tool, it does really well.

I only found this by accident, since I needed to build up my grip, yet didn't want to add a tenth oz. with another overgrip.

Try it.. cost about $5.00 for a huge roll at local hardware store.