What Other Co. (Besides Head, Volkl) Have Replaceable Paletts, and What Length?

[ChicagoJack]

Hey All,

1. I'm wondering which companies (besides Head and Volkl) have replaceable palettes. By replaceable I mean... not only do they come off, but there is also a source to obtain new ones.

2. I'm interested also, in the length of the pallets if you don't cut them down. The spare Head palettes I have are 8 3/8". I'm able to create my 28.0 inch Head frames from the 27.3" factory length by replacing the palettes and then not cutting them down. I'm open to trying new frames, but when you fall in love with extended length frames as I have, the pool of available choices shrinks considerably. Hoping to add a few more options using a similar method.

3. I understand you can add 1/2 an inch by sliding the buttcap down, but it kinda gets into shaky territory to add any more length using that method.

Thanks, Jack

 

[scotus]

1. It's pretty much Volkls/BB and Heads. Their pallets are available from TWE. There are other racquets that use removable pallets, such as Vantage, Fischer/Pacific, some ProKennex, Donnay, etc., but pallets are not available for purchase. But if the pallets come off, you can use the available Volkl & Head pallets on racquets from some of these other manufacturers. Some pallets can also be slid down.

2. Volkl pallets are longer than Head pallets, but both will get you to 28 inches. I think it's because Head handles are shorter (relative to the entire racquet length) than the Volkl handles.

3. I have not been able to do a secure 1/2 inch extension by that method, and it is because most butt caps are simply not long enough for this. Even on the longer ones (like Prince and Head), the upper most part (opposite direction of the butt) is so flimsy, you don't want to use that part for extension. But you can certainly do a 1/4 inch extension or 0.3 inch extension securely in most places. I tend to grab the racquet with my palm over the butt cap, so a flimsy extension would not do the job for me. But if you tend to grip higher up the handle, then yes, the 1/2 inch extension is possible.

 

[arnoldr]

Donnay pallets are available for purchase directly from Donnay USA. Just received my order today which I placed on Monday afternoon.

arnoldr

 

[scotus]

Donnay pallets are available for purchase directly from Donnay USA. Just received my order today which I placed on Monday afternoon.

arnoldr

How much does it cost? And is it long enough to turn a standard length to a 28-inch racquet?

Also, do they require that you show a proof of purchase for their racquets?

 

[ChicagoJack]

1. It's pretty much Volkls/BB and Heads. Their pallets are available from TWE. There are other racquets that use removable pallets, such as Vantage, Fischer/Pacific, some ProKennex, Donnay, etc., but pallets are not available for purchase. But if the pallets come off, you can use the available Volkl & Head pallets on racquets from some of these other manufacturers. Some pallets can also be slid down.

2. Volkl pallets are longer than Head pallets, but both will get you to 28 inches. I think it's because Head handles are shorter (relative to the entire racquet length) than the Volkl handles.

3. I have not been able to do a secure 1/2 inch extension by that method, and it is because most butt caps are simply not long enough for this. Even on the longer ones (like Prince and Head), the upper most part (opposite direction of the butt) is so flimsy, you don't want to use that part for extension. But you can certainly do a 1/4 inch extension or 0.3 inch extension securely in most places. I tend to grab the racquet with my palm over the butt cap, so a flimsy extension would not do the job for me. But if you tend to grip higher up the handle, then yes, the 1/2 inch extension is possible.

Scotus -

Thanks for the reply, much appreciated. I've actually done 3 racquets successfully with the slide the buttcap down 1/2 an inch method. I even had 50 grams of lead tape folded over and mashed into the buttcap as my spacer. That's how I stumbled into the extended length thing. Just kept adding more lead in there until it got out to 27.8" from 27.3". After many unsuccessful attempts with staples and super glue, I found that 1/2 inch electrical tape is the secret. Its super stretchy, (The stretch factor is why it works) and super thin. Tried the 1" wide tape but it wrinkles to easily. You might give that a try.

 

[ChicagoJack]

How much does it cost? And is it long enough to turn a standard length to a 28-inch racquet?

Also, do they require that you show a proof of purchase for their racquets?

Arnoldr - Thanks for the info on Donnay palettes, and same ^^^ questions here.

 

[scotus]

Scotus -

Thanks for the reply, much appreciated. I've actually done 3 racquets successfully with the slide the buttcap down 1/2 an inch method. I even had 50 grams of lead tape folded over and mashed into the buttcap as my spacer. That's how I stumbled into the extended length thing. Just kept adding more lead in there until it got out to 27.8" from 27.3". After many unsuccessful attempts with staples and super glue, I found that 1/2 inch electrical tape is the secret. Its super stretchy, (The stretch factor is why it works) and super thin. Tried the 1" wide tape but it wrinkles to easily. You might give that a try.

I have tried. But since I grip the racquet much lower than most people do, the 1/2 inch extension doesn't survive the torque I put on it, even when I put solid plastic extension into the graphite hairpin.

What I need to make this sort of extension successful (as shown by 2handsbothsides) is a longer butt cap.

Or I could shave off the foam handle, do the graphite extension and then put these other pallets over the hairpin.

 

[mmk]

I have tried. But since I grip the racquet much lower than most people do, the 1/2 inch extension doesn't survive the torque I put on it, even when I put solid plastic extension into the graphite hairpin.

What I need to make this sort of extension successful (as shown by 2handsbothsides) is a longer butt cap.

Or I could shave off the foam handle, do the graphite extension and then put these other pallets over the hairpin.

Try Sugru from sugru dot com. It is an air-hardening, adhesive rubber. Pretty cool stuff.

 

[scotus]

Try Sugru from sugru dot com. It is an air-hardening, adhesive rubber. Pretty cool stuff.

Thanks. Looks almost like d3O. It probably has some shock-absorbing quality to it that would come in handy on some parts of racquet customization.

But for the butt cap, I need something that is rigid, strong, and in 1 solid piece with the butt cap.

Basically, I will one of these days make a mold and start making my own extended-length butt caps.

 

[drakulie]

How much does it cost? And is it long enough to turn a standard length to a 28-inch racquet?

Also, do they require that you show a proof of purchase for their racquets?

not sure how much they cost, but the ones our shop received have to be trimmed in order to fit a 27 inch. by about 2 inches.

 

[scotus]

not sure how much they cost, but the ones our shop received have to be trimmed in order to fit a 27 inch. by about 2 inches.

Thanks! It's nice to know that Donnays can be extended with ease.

 

[arnoldr]

Scotus/ChicagoJack,

Cost is $5 per pallet which includes the matching buttcap and +0g cap (plus shipping of course). They are longer than the grip lenght on the XP Duals so they can be used for the Plus versions (accdg to Donnay rep if I rmember the conversation correctly).

arnoldr

 

[Racquet-Priority]

Vantage has changeable pallets to, you can change their pallets in every wanted shape.

 

[scotus]

Vantage has changeable pallets to, you can change their pallets in every wanted shape.

But Vantage doesn't sell pallets, at least not in the US.

They want you to ship your racquet in and pay for pallet changing service.

 

[Player#1]

Do the pallets from donnay or volkl fit the hairpin for head racquets?

...Also, what is a good material to put in the space between the butt cap and hairpin when extending the racquet by 1" with pallets?

 

[scotus]

Do the pallets from donnay or volkl fit the hairpin for head racquets?

Donnay pallets do not fit Head, because Donnay hairpin is octagonal, whereas the Head hairpin is rectangular.

Volkl pallets are too large for Head, but if you thicken up the Head hairpin by adding layers of tape or whatever other material, then yes, you can use them.