Will It Pallet?

[moon shot]

First canidate: Wilson Ultra Tour

Remove the buttcap and measure the end of the frame where it protrudes from the foam. 17.4mm x 25.4mm, slightly smaller than a Head hairpin

To remove the foam I cut a line using a box knife down two opposite diagonal bevels, they are the shallowest part of the foam. Be sure to wear glasses and gloves for safety.

After the first two cuts I made circumferential perforations to remove the foam.

Cuts become slightly harder to dislodge around the hot glue and weight

Top of the handle is one of the slowest sections as it can pull paint flakes

There is a channel which the foam fills takes further smoothing.

All Clean!

The weights in the foams were 14g in this one.

To bring the smaller hairpin up to size I used TW's double stick tape doubled up and wrapped like a overgrip.

With the tape TK82 pallets fits well. The edges are more rounded than a Head hairpin but it is stable in the pallet.

I mounted the pallet lower as the top of the hairpin has a bit of flare

Does it Pallet? YES!

I wanted to add weight to make it more headlight. I removed the double stick tape, wrapped 72 inches of 1/4inch lead on the handle, then replaced the double stick tape on top. This brought the total size up slightly bigger than a Head hairpin, but the pallet still fits. Once finished I can't feel a difference.

 

[moon shot]

.......

 

[moon shot]

My next candidate:

Wilson 6.1 Classic - anyone try this?

 

[moon shot]

I’ve got a kps88 and ps85 im tempted to investigate as well.

 

[TennisHound]

First canidate: Wilson Ultra Tour

Wow, cool. Did you wrap the lead around the hairpin to replace the 14g weights in the handle? Just curious.

 

[moon shot]

First I tried it without replacing the weight from the metal plates, the balance was nearly even and weighed 312g - terrible for me with full poly.

I tried it with 4.5g and then 7.5g which worked well but not with my usual strokes. At 343g 32cm 340sw it worked well but I felt that undershot what I liked so I took the other frame and put 18g or so on the handle plus leather and bit more on the hoop. That one is 352g 31.9cm 357sw.

I'll possibly come down from that but I know I liked the balance around 31.7-32cm and prefer the weight even on the grip, not just on the top of the handle.

 

[MRfStop]

My next candidate:

Wilson 6.1 Classic - anyone try this?

I look forward to seeing the experiment with the 6.1 Classic. I have a 6.1 Classic with a L5 grip that I would like to make smaller.

 

[moon shot]

This is a Dunny for comparison - alot messier with an uncommon size/shape:

@racket king this picture you posted of a pallet looks kind of octagonal.

The 6.1 classic, while rectangular for the bottom inch, is curved on the sides similar to the curve on the sides of the throat. I don’t see head pallets fitting well. I’ll post some pics later.

 

[Djokovicfan]

How do the manufacturers make foam pallets on the original frames in the factory? Are they like injection molded?

 

[vsbabolat]

How do the manufacturers make foam pallets on the original frames in the factory? Are they like injection molded?

Only HEAD, Pacific, Fischer, Tecnifibre Tfight 315 LTD, and Völkl have pallets. All others are molded handles. The manufacturer puts the hairpin in a mold and polyurethane is injected around the hairpin in the mold.

 

[Djokovicfan]

Only HEAD, Pacific, Fischer, Tecnifibre Tfight 315 LTD, and Völkl have pallets. All others are molded handles. The manufacturer puts the hairpin in a mold and polyurethane is injected around the hairpin in the mold.

So youre saying head et. al. use 2 plastic pieces glued together around the hairpin?
Which do you think is better?

 

[vsbabolat]

So youre saying head et. al. use 2 plastic pieces glued together around the hairpin?
Which do you think is better?

Yes

 

[NuBas]

Other than shape difference, does the changing from the foam to the pallets make the racquet feel or play different? Are the pallets plastic?

 

[Djokovicfan]

Yes

Do you prefer one type over the other? Are they both equally reliable?

 

[vsbabolat]

Do you prefer one type over the other? Are they both equally reliable?

They are both reliable. I like the pallet system because you can change the grip size very easily.

 

[Gee]

Only HEAD, Pacific, Fischer, Tecnifibre Tfight 315 LTD, and Völkl have pallets. All others are molded handles. The manufacturer puts the hairpin in a mold and polyurethane is injected around the hairpin in the mold.

You forgot Angell.

 

[leejayh]

You know, that shape of the hairpin looks like a Donnay hairpin -- meaning that Donnay Pallets might fit better.

 

[teachingprotx]

First canidate: Wilson Ultra Tour

Remove the buttcap and measure the end of the frame where it protrudes from the foam. 17.4mm x 25.4mm, slightly smaller than a Head hairpin

To remove the foam I cut a line using a box knife down two opposite diagonal bevels, they are the shallowest part of the foam. Be sure to wear glasses and gloves for safety.

After the first two cuts I made circumferential perforations to remove the foam.

Cuts become slightly harder to dislodge around the hot glue and weight

Top of the handle is one of the slowest sections as it can pull paint flakes

There is a channel which the foam fills takes further smoothing.

All Clean!

The weights in the foams were 14g in this one.

To bring the smaller hairpin up to size I used TW's double stick tape doubled up and wrapped like a overgrip.

With the tape TK82 pallets fits well. The edges are more rounded than a Head hairpin but it is stable in the pallet.

I mounted the pallet lower as the top of the hairpin has a bit of flare

Does it Pallet? YES!

I wanted to add weight to make it more headlight. I removed the double stick tape, wrapped 72 inches of 1/4inch lead on the handle, then replaced the double stick tape on top. This brought the total size up slightly bigger than a Head hairpin, but the pallet still fits. Once finished I can't feel a difference.

Whoa! I’m even impressed by this and I thought I was daring by sanding graphite off to lose weight and gain flex but this has me beat no question for what I refer to as “FEARLESS MODDING”.
I am impressed and inspired . This changes some things in my mind and I like it! Very cool and I’m duly impressed seriously.great job moon

 

[moon shot]

You know, that shape of the hairpin looks like a Donnay hairpin -- meaning that Donnay Pallets might fit better.

I’ve heard that somewhere before, thanks.

I’d love to hear more of what frames are confirmed to fit volkl, Donnay, or other pallets.

 

[moon shot]

Whoa! I’m even impressed by this and I thought I was daring by sanding graphite off to lose weight and gain flex but this has me beat no question for what I refer to as “FEARLESS MODDING”.
I am impressed and inspired . This changes some things in my mind and I like it! Very cool and I’m duly impressed seriously.great job moon

Hah, thanks. It only appear fearless because I had pretty good info that it would fit and measurements in the trap door backed it up. It you would like to hit with it we can try and make it work.

 

[jacob22]

I didn't even know pallet was a verb

 

[moon shot]

I didn't even know pallet was a verb

Eh, it was a bad riff on www.willitblend.com

 

[Zoolander]

I’ve heard that somewhere before, thanks.

I’d love to hear more of what frames are confirmed to fit volkl, Donnay, or other pallets.

Here are some pallet inside dimensions I wrote down, as accurate as my eye would manage....
Head tk82 17.5x26mm
Mantis pt283/289 18x25.5mm
Volkl bio 20.5x26mm

Have tried putting pallets on a lot of frames, problem is with molded handle racquets the hairpin underneath often gets fatter towards the top of the handle........ before I start removing foam now I use a hacksaw blade and very gently cut a channel through the foam down to the hairpin at the top of the handle, hold it up to the light so I can measure the hairpin in the gap to see if it’s too fat for the pallets........

 

[moon shot]

Here are some pallet inside dimensions I wrote down, as accurate as my eye would manage....
Head tk82 17.5x26mm
Mantis pt283/289 18x25.5mm
Volkl bio 20.5x26mm

Have tried putting pallets on a lot of frames, problem is with molded handle racquets the hairpin underneath often gets fatter towards the top of the handle........ before I start removing foam now I use a hacksaw blade and very gently cut a channel through the foam down to the hairpin at the top of the handle, hold it up to the light so I can measure the hairpin in the gap to see if it’s too fat for the pallets........

Thanks! That’s a great tip. I did it once and saved me from ruining a frame. Did you have any successful fittings?

 

[Zoolander]

Some successful, some not. Usually thinner beam racquets are more likely to work, but I don’t like thin beams. Sometimes you can sand the inside of the pallets to make them a little larger, but it’s very hit and miss. Now if I want a racquet who’s gripshape I don’t like eg prince, Yonex I try to buy a size smaller and change the shape with tape under the grip.

Thanks! That’s a great tip. I did it once and saved me from ruining a frame. Did you have any successful fittings?

 

[BounceHitBounceHit]

@racket king this picture you posted of a pallet looks kind of octagonal.

The 6.1 classic, while rectangular for the bottom inch, is curved on the sides similar to the curve on the sides of the throat. I don’t see head pallets fitting well. I’ll post some pics later.

Angell pallets fit the Dunlop pretty closely. [emoji41]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[BounceHitBounceHit]

Whoa! I’m even impressed by this and I thought I was daring by sanding graphite off to lose weight and gain flex but this has me beat no question for what I refer to as “FEARLESS MODDING”.
I am impressed and inspired . This changes some things in my mind and I like it! Very cool and I’m duly impressed seriously.great job moon

You can also go with TK82S pallets and retain the Wilson grip shape [emoji106][emoji41][emoji106]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[moon shot]

You can also go with TK82S pallets and retain the Wilson grip shape [emoji106][emoji41][emoji106]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

The S feel a little more princely to me

 

[Dakota60]

I’ve got a kps88 and ps85 im tempted to investigate as well.

Yes it does! with some slight modifications. The Wilson hairpin on this was actually very close to head hairpins +- 0.2mm

Not sure what that hole in the hairpin is for though.

Sharper edges on these than on Head hairpins

The rounded inner edges of the pallet were preventing the pallet to sit flush on the hairpin. Decided to sand it down a little.

Pasted sandpaper the width of the hairpin and placed the pallet over it to sand it down.

Over-sanded the edge of the bottom pallet but doesn't matter - the butt cap covers this anyway.

Fits better overall

Adding lead tape over the pallets soon. The Wilson mould weighed 30g while the pallets are at 20g.

 

[Simplicius]

.

Glad to see a GR BQ racquet!

This could be endorsed by Tsitsipas!
lol

 

[moon shot]

Yes it does! with some slight modifications. The Wilson hairpin on this was actually very close to head hairpins +- 0.2mm

Not sure what that hole in the hairpin is for though.

Sharper edges on these than on Head hairpins

The rounded inner edges of the pallet were preventing the pallet to sit flush on the hairpin. Decided to sand it down a little.

Pasted sandpaper the width of the hairpin and placed the pallet over it to sand it down.

Over-sanded the edge of the bottom pallet but doesn't matter - the butt cap covers this anyway.

Fits better overall

Adding lead tape over the pallets soon. The Wilson mould weighed 30g while the pallets are at 20g.

that is a fantastic hack!

 

[Dakota60]

that is a fantastic hack!
[/QUOT

Thanks! You got the ball rolling. Just adding on to the list of Wilsons that are possible. Next one on my list is my nCode tour 90. Hairpin cross section seems consistent with the K88 and probably for those in the same era.

 

[lelopez]

Thanks! You got the ball rolling. Just adding on to the list of Wilsons that are possible. Next one on my list is my nCode tour 90. Hairpin cross section seems consistent with the K88 and probably for those in the same era.

It would be cool to trim the replacement pallet length a little to expose the racquet throat a little more on this one, like Fed's n90s. Although may need to do some red painting as I see some of the red paint flaked off during original pallet removal.

 

[PaulC]

Thanks! You got the ball rolling. Just adding on to the list of Wilsons that are possible. Next one on my list is my nCode tour 90. Hairpin cross section seems consistent with the K88 and probably for those in the same era.

Good for you!

But there is another version of Wilson hairpin that is octagonal.

(Similar to Babolat and Donnay's, and even those recent Wilson Ultra Pro 97 v3 16X19s got BOTH flat and octagonal hairpin versions that a fellow poster shown here earlier by taking off the butt caps)

I got one Asian nCode Tour 90 (early version) that is octagonal, which Head pallets won't fit.

 

[Dakota60]

It would be cool to trim the replacement pallet length a little to expose the racquet throat a little more on this one, like Fed's n90s. Although may need to do some red painting as I see some of the red paint flaked off during original pallet removal.

I have a feeling that Fed's n90s were prostock with ncode PJ's of earlier pro staffs like the pro staff tour 90 or even the hyper pro staffs that had the elongated throat area. I noticed that retail n90s didn't have those. Could be wrong, but just my observation.

Besides, the top of the pallet was placed where the notch in the throat begins. Probably looks long cause I haven't cut and installed these yet. Stock length for the pallets.

 

[Dakota60]

Good for you!

But there is another version of Wilson hairpin that is octagonal.

(Similar to Babolat and Donnay's, and even those recent Wilson Ultra Pro 97 v3 16X19s got BOTH flat and octagonal hairpin versions that a fellow poster shown here earlier by taking off the butt caps)

I got one Asian nCode Tour 90 (early version) that is octagonal, which Head pallets won't fit.

I suppose my Asian version is from the newer batch. I got a local contact that does 3D printed pallets with flares that are cheaper than others in the market (but more expensive than Head pallets of course). Goes over octagonal hairpins or whatever shapes you got on your frames. Just gotta give him with your racquet or provide detailed measurements. Drop me a DM if you'd like more info.

 

[TNT34]

What a great thread. Thanks to Moon Shot for starting it, and thanks to Dakota60 for reviving it.

 

[Hankenstein]

My next candidate:

Wilson 6.1 Classic - anyone try this?

@moon shot Did you ever try this one? I have a prostock 6.1 16/18 that has L5 that i´m tempted to try. I removed about 3-4 cm at the bottom and it seems the pallet will fit perfect, but i then found your thread about the 6.1 not beeing good for pallets due to strange shape of the hairpin?

 

[jangotango]

First canidate: Wilson Ultra Tour

Remove the buttcap and measure the end of the frame where it protrudes from the foam. 17.4mm x 25.4mm, slightly smaller than a Head hairpin

To remove the foam I cut a line using a box knife down two opposite diagonal bevels, they are the shallowest part of the foam. Be sure to wear glasses and gloves for safety.

After the first two cuts I made circumferential perforations to remove the foam.

Cuts become slightly harder to dislodge around the hot glue and weight

Top of the handle is one of the slowest sections as it can pull paint flakes

There is a channel which the foam fills takes further smoothing.

All Clean!

The weights in the foams were 14g in this one.

To bring the smaller hairpin up to size I used TW's double stick tape doubled up and wrapped like a overgrip.

With the tape TK82 pallets fits well. The edges are more rounded than a Head hairpin but it is stable in the pallet.

I mounted the pallet lower as the top of the hairpin has a bit of flare

Does it Pallet? YES!

I wanted to add weight to make it more headlight. I removed the double stick tape, wrapped 72 inches of 1/4inch lead on the handle, then replaced the double stick tape on top. This brought the total size up slightly bigger than a Head hairpin, but the pallet still fits. Once finished I can't feel a difference.

Liked for the SNK809

 

[moon shot]

@moon shot Did you ever try this one? I have a prostock 6.1 16/18 that has L5 that i´m tempted to try. I removed about 3-4 cm at the bottom and it seems the pallet will fit perfect, but i then found your thread about the 6.1 not beeing good for pallets due to strange shape of the hairpin?

the 6.1 is not linear as it goes up toward the throat. If you were very creative with sanding it may work with head pallets but I had no concept of that when I tried.

I read somewhere a Donnay pallet will work but haven’t seen photos of such.

 

[djNEiGht]

oooweeee. i like this thread!

Thanks @moon shot

It might be a tall task for me on this one. I was gifted a fairly used/beat up RF97A in an L5. I used to play with this grip size but now just feels awkward. I put on a leather grip that I pulled very taught. This has an octagonal hair pin so my TK82/Angell pallets wouldn't work. I wonder if I put silicone to fill the gaps if it would work but it prob would add too much weight. As noted, Donnay pallet might be better but I don't have any of those.

 

[moon shot]

oooweeee. i like this thread!

Thanks @moon shot

It might be a tall task for me on this one. I was gifted a fairly used/beat up RF97A in an L5. I used to play with this grip size but now just feels awkward. I put on a leather grip that I pulled very taught. This has an octagonal hair pin so my TK82/Angell pallets wouldn't work. I wonder if I put silicone to fill the gaps if it would work but it prob would add too much weight. As noted, Donnay pallet might be better but I don't have any of those.

If you did go this way I would think there are better structural filling products than silicone, something like wood putty or perhaps products similar to the foam of a handle.

Depending on how much reduction you are looking for and how particular about feel you are I may have another alternative. Using a single overgrip wrapped with 50% overlap so for the length of the handle covered with the overgrip it entirely is covered with two layers. I do this in conjunction with a heat shrink sleeve these days.

 

[djNEiGht]

Thank you. The heat shrink sleeve should address the weight issue of no leather on it. I think have some sleeves around.

 

[moon shot]

Thank you. The heat shrink sleeve should address the weight issue of no leather on it. I think have some sleeves around.

if you do the sleeve and over grip you won’t lose as much size, but it would be worth trying both ways. I first did this without the heat shrink on 6.1 stretch classics which were already massively headlight and 5/8.
good luck!

 

[welle]

Hi,

I am looking to put TK82s (Head Speed) pallets on my Wilson Blade 98 V7.0. I checked the hairpin and they look very different... anyone has an idea how/if this could be done?

Greetz W

 

[moon shot]

Hi,

I am looking to put TK82s (Head Speed) pallets on my Wilson Blade 98 V7.0. I checked the hairpin and they look very different... anyone has an idea how/if this could be done?

Greetz W

I would think Your best course of action is to use professionals who remold handles. Perhaps someone else has experience with the blade I do not.

 

[moon shot]

@moon shot Did you ever try this one? I have a prostock 6.1 16/18 that has L5 that i´m tempted to try. I removed about 3-4 cm at the bottom and it seems the pallet will fit perfect, but i then found your thread about the 6.1 not beeing good for pallets due to strange shape of the hairpin?

I happened to come across the 6.1 I began removing the foam from in the garage and the situation is a little different than I described. The lower hairpin is very similar to the rectangle of a head hairpin, and like @Dakota60 ran into it is a bit too tall. The top of the hairpin is more rounded but seems like it'd fit within the area of the pallets when they are sanded a bit.

 

[Dakota60]

I happened to come across the 6.1 I began removing the foam from in the garage and the situation is a little different than I described. The lower hairpin is very similar to the rectangle of a head hairpin, and like @Dakota60 ran into it is a bit too tall. The top of the hairpin is more rounded but seems like it'd fit within the area of the pallets when they are sanded a bit.

A friend offered an alternative solution to fix this, instead of sanding - use a heat gun/hair dryer to warm the insides of the pallets and press it down firmly so that the inner rounded edges of the pallets take in the sharper edge shape of the hairpin. Worth a shot since the pallets are pretty soft to begin with.

 

[Dakota60]

I would think Your best course of action is to use professionals who remold handles. Perhaps someone else has experience with the blade I do not.

It will take some finesse but you could sand it down carefully until it takes the shape of a rectangular hairpin, leaving some foam on the diagonals. I'm considering keeping a babolat pure storm ltd that has an octagonal hairpin to attempt this. It will take some time and skill, but not impossible. Will post some pics if I decide to proceed with this.

 

[Dakota60]

I happened to come across the 6.1 I began removing the foam from in the garage and the situation is a little different than I described. The lower hairpin is very similar to the rectangle of a head hairpin, and like @Dakota60 ran into it is a bit too tall. The top of the hairpin is more rounded but seems like it'd fit within the area of the pallets when they are sanded a bit.

And why the hell does Wilson need to come up with so many different damn hairpin shapes?!?