Where to Buy Head Racket Handle Pallets?
- Thread starter snvplayer
- Start date
BounceHitBounceHit
Legend
**** and RaquetMaxx each have sold them historically
BounceHitBounceHit
Legend
R$N@
* A knife or a similar tool that can fit in between the pallet and the hairpin of the racquet and long enough for the length of the pallet.
* Hair dryer / Heat gun to loosen the glue that holds the pallets
* Flat micro screw driver & hammer to take the butt cap off
* Stapler that can put the butt cap back on.
* Double-sided tape or glue to install new pallets
* Lots of patience. If you use too much force, you will break the old pallets and the job can turn messy. Lots of heat, lots of time, lots of patience.
* You could probably still find a Youtube video of someone who demonstrates this. Be a bit more cautious than that guy so you don't cut your hand or finger. But you'll get the gist of how it's done.
Last edited:
Yes and yes, but the added weight is little and since it is on the handle, will not increase the swing weight much.
DonDiego
Hall of Fame
DonDiego
Hall of Fame
How little? I would suggest at least 4-5g to go from 4 1/8 to 4 1/2. I could always cancel it out by putting a lighter replacement grip.
I will weigh the two pallets later today and get back to you with numbers.
DonDiego
Hall of Fame
Thanks. Please quote me so I get a head's up.
racket king
Banned
Nah, not by that much. They actually vary in weight anyway due to manufacturing differences so you could easily have two Grip 3s that weigh different amounts, light G4s, heavy G4s, G4s that could be lighter than G3s etc. You can also mix and match the two halves as well if you want some scope for playing with the weight.
Last edited:
DonDiego
Hall of Fame
If you live in Europe TW Europe have them
Thanks guys, I need to find some in Canada. Otherwise shipping cost is ruining the deal.
There's a few IG Prestige MP selling for cheap in a store near my place, but they're 1/8 and I need at least 4 1/2.
What you can do, is pick up some really cheap old Head rackets and remove/reuse the pallets from these. Not sure if the supply is there in the Great White North - I live in Europe and can get my hands on an old racket for less than 10 Euros. And often enough, the condition will be decent, so that the pallets are basically as new. If you buy a set of pallets from TWE (or any other vendor), you'll have to pay even more than that...
It's worth reiterating this. Quality control on the pallets is very bad. I once bought four sets of the same size at the same time - they varied from 18g to 23g. They don't make matching racquets easy.
DonDiego
Hall of Fame
That is a good idea. Makes me regret throwing away my cracked Prestige MP, which was 4 5/8...
So basically, any Head model will fit on a Prestige?
DonDiego
Hall of Fame
Yeah, if it is a racket from the player's collection. So the cheapy stuff Head produces won't work, and the game-improvement rackets won't work, either. But there really is enough to choose from, and cracked rackets are a great idea for gutting
I have two used IG Radicals mp (4 1/2) at home, you think that would fit? I could still put it back if I change my mind one day.
DonDiego
Hall of Fame
Well thanks a lot, you just saved me a lot of trouble (and $$). I'll definitely try it.
EDIT: and I hope this can help the OP too
You're welcome
Just be patient, like scotus has already advised. Sometimes, the glue can be really slow to dissolve and then too much stress on the pallet will result in a crack.
I typically use a hair dryer to heat up the pallets and the glue underneath, then use my bare fingers to slowly detach the pallets from the hair pin. Lots of hair dryer usage
Just be patient, like scotus has already advised. Sometimes, the glue can be really slow to dissolve and then too much stress on the pallet will result in a crack.
I typically use a hair dryer to heat up the pallets and the glue underneath, then use my bare fingers to slowly detach the pallets from the hair pin. Lots of hair dryer usage
Ok, these are from brand-new TK82 pallets. Brand-new means these are extended-length, long enough for 27-3/4 or 28-inch length.
I have 3 pallets for L2. They weigh 18g, 20g, and 20g.
I only found 1 set of L4. Weight: 24g.
You also have to take into account the slightly different weights of the butt caps. I only have L2 and L3 Head butt caps, and the difference was unnoticeable on my scale, but the scale I used is probably not precise enough tell apart amounts less than 2g.
At any rate, you should expect a slight weight change but remember it is in the handle, so it will most likely not bother you.
*** And oh, before I get a flood of emails from forum members, I do not sell pallets.
Last edited:
DonDiego
Hall of Fame
Thanks! It's pretty much what I expected. In my case I can feel when there's too much weight in the handle, makes the racquet cumbersome. But like I said, there are replacement grips out there weighting 10-12g, compared to the 16-18g of most replacement grips, so it's possible to counter the added weight.
Good. You seem to know exactly what to do.
Check ChicagoJack's thread on grips. It may list thickness in addition to weight, which might be useful to you.
DonDiego
Hall of Fame
Thanks, I'll take a look. So far the best light+thick I've found is Wilson Comfort Hybrid. It weighs 11 grams and is pretty thick, although a bit too ''foamy'', or spongy.
DonDiego
Hall of Fame
1st step before byuing the IG Prestige will be to remove the pallets on my Radical. I'll try to do it tonight and post some pictures.
The unknown is: will the IG Radical pallets fit on IG Prestige Mp. Alex78 seems to think so, and I also do. But is there some kind of ''rule'' that says if I can remove the pallets on my Rad, it garantees that I'm ok? That they will fit on a Prestige? In other words: Do all removable pallets from Head fit on other Head racquets that have also removable pallets? Or is there another variable that could make it impossible?
The unknown is: will the IG Radical pallets fit on IG Prestige Mp. Alex78 seems to think so, and I also do. But is there some kind of ''rule'' that says if I can remove the pallets on my Rad, it garantees that I'm ok? That they will fit on a Prestige? In other words: Do all removable pallets from Head fit on other Head racquets that have also removable pallets? Or is there another variable that could make it impossible?
Very good question. I'd like to know this too.
The pallets have an imprint on them which indicates the size and the type.
Size runs from 1 to 5.
As for type, TK82 is for the traditional, rectangular pallets, and TK82S is for "Square"; older types were in use before (such as the greyish TK76, for instance, or back in the 80ies, when Head used pallets with a collar design). If your Head racket has such pallets (which obviously rules out the rackets using the "suspension grip" technology, which Head had during a period in the 90ies), regardless of the type, they can all be used interchangeably.
The only variable that could cause you trouble is the length of the pallets. They need to be cut down to fit the racket's handle length, and the handle length can in fact vary from model to model. However, you can still install pallets which are "too short" in the way they don't cover the whole hair pin because that will not affect the compatibility of the pallet shape and the hair pin, obviously. (If you use a 2handed backhand that could be uncomfortable for you, though). Easy check: Just place the two rackets in play on top of each other and inspect the handle length.
- Some very cheap Head rackets have foam handles (these are NOT the rackets from the player lines but rather the throw-away stuff they make for supermarkets etc.), and some of the game-improvement rackets may also have different handle systems, but I don't know about that in detail because I've never had such a racket in my hands.
Size runs from 1 to 5.
As for type, TK82 is for the traditional, rectangular pallets, and TK82S is for "Square"; older types were in use before (such as the greyish TK76, for instance, or back in the 80ies, when Head used pallets with a collar design). If your Head racket has such pallets (which obviously rules out the rackets using the "suspension grip" technology, which Head had during a period in the 90ies), regardless of the type, they can all be used interchangeably.
The only variable that could cause you trouble is the length of the pallets. They need to be cut down to fit the racket's handle length, and the handle length can in fact vary from model to model. However, you can still install pallets which are "too short" in the way they don't cover the whole hair pin because that will not affect the compatibility of the pallet shape and the hair pin, obviously. (If you use a 2handed backhand that could be uncomfortable for you, though). Easy check: Just place the two rackets in play on top of each other and inspect the handle length.
- Some very cheap Head rackets have foam handles (these are NOT the rackets from the player lines but rather the throw-away stuff they make for supermarkets etc.), and some of the game-improvement rackets may also have different handle systems, but I don't know about that in detail because I've never had such a racket in my hands.
Last edited:
Wilson and Babolat racquets have PU foam handles molded onto the hairpin, so you can't just pop off the handle and replace it. For Head racquets you can get TK82 and TK82S pallets by Head, and PU foam and soft pallets in Wilson and Head shapes from a well-known racquet customizer in New York.
zapvor
G.O.A.T.
oh man i have a cracked microgel prestigeYeah, if it is a racket from the player's collection. So the cheapy stuff Head produces won't work, and the game-improvement rackets won't work, either. But there really is enough to choose from, and cracked rackets are a great idea for gutting
BounceHitBounceHit
Legend
Or Geoff[emoji108]
movdqa
Talk Tennis Guru
I forgot that he does those now.
BounceHitBounceHit
Legend
And as with all his work they are incredibly consistent and of superb quality. I have watched the process and can also say his pricing is EXTREMELY reasonable given the time involved!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
DonDiego
Hall of Fame
Kinda forgot about that thread, but yes, I went through it and also ordered from England. It was relatively easy to do the replacement, but I had a harder time than I thought removing the old pallets. You really need that hairdryer and be patient. I actually cracked one, but it was a 4 5/8 anyway and I've now moved to 4 3/8 on my racquets.
Sorry for this old thread. If i understand, if i had an old Head racquet with plastic collar ( in my case - Head Lady Lite ), i need TK82S, correct? Thank you.
If you want to re-use the collar, you'll either have to cannibalize another Head frame sporting one or shorten a set of "modern" pallets so they fit relatively flush with the collar. Here, you can either use TK82 or TK82S, but note they will not fit perfectly. Also, they will not be held in place like the original pallets because you cannot insert them into the collar's ridges (I suppose if you're really handy you could try to find a solution for this in case it bothers you; personally, I've just used double-sided tape underneath the pallets and they stay in place well enough after the butt cap is stapled on.)
Good luck!
Edit: To hold the collar in place, the obvious thing is to use (enough) electrical tape to attach it to the pallets. Again, someone with better manual skills may find a better way.
Last edited:
Thank you very much! As i understand the collar is removable? Seems that it fit very strong. So i see the way to shorten the pallet to fit it just under the collar. You mean TK82 or TK82S will not fit perfectly only because of collar or smth else also?
Yes, you can remove it but first should remove the pallets. Some good old muscle power will do the trick with the collar
If you want to fit TK82 or 82S, be aware you need to shorten them from the top because they are sloped towards it. And the fit should be alright, probably better with the 82 (non-S).
Again, the collar has ridges the original pallets are stuck into. I suppose you can also fix the (position of the) collar with some glue if you like
haqq777
Legend
TWE sells them:
www.tenniswarehouse-europe.com
Head Replacement Grip Pallets (TK82/TK219) | Tennis Warehouse Europe
www.tenniswarehouse-europe.com
