Is your butt cap squeaking?
In the last few weeks, we have had an unusually high number of squeaky butt caps come in for repair.
In a couple of cases, we received a text message asking if we could fix a squeaky butt cap. In most cases, the answer is yes, but we need to know which racquet is squeaking and which version it is.
What causes the butt cap to squeak?
Destroyed Butt Caps
In almost every case, the staples holding the butt cap in place are the cause.
Ruined grip pallet
This stapling method has been used for many years, but the staples seem to be becoming more aggressive and fracturing the foam molded on the pallet.
So how do we fix it?
Our method requires removing the shattered section of the pallet. In this case, we remove 18mm of the racquet pallet.
Printed Pallet Section
We design a model to fit the racquet and print it using a special filament that weighs the same as the removed foam.
Clearing the way for a new butt cap.
You can see the holes the staples created in the carbon fiber shaft.
We use a chemical bond to secure the printed section to the racquet shaft.
Although the chemical bond sets quickly, we like to let it “cure” overnight, if possible, before installing the butt cap and grip.
So, if your butt cap squeaks, we can fix it!
Time is Catching Up!
Most products that we are familiar with have a window of opportunity; we will call it that. The same holds true for tennis racquets as for cars, refrigerators, washing machines, et cetera.
What I want to talk about today is a racquet that was way ahead of its time, and now time is catching up. The racquet is the Head MXG series, specifically the 98 sq. in. player-style thin-beam racquet.
If you’re wondering why we are bringing it up now, after all these years, the answer is simple: the concept and execution are good and deserve recognition!
The important component, and the one that probably kept this racquet from being highly successful, is the Magnesium throat. That is the silver thing that connects the shaft to the head of the racquet. Most racquets have a similar component, typically carbon fiber, and normally not shiny.
However, the real performance component of this magnesium throat is the length of the ten (10) center main strings. These ten (10) strings are nearly the same length, adding consistency to every shot and a more uniform string bed stiffness.
We have a few of the MXG 98s if you have never seen one and are in the neighborhood; stop by. You can tell us what you think about it.
Strring Bed Stiffness + Effective Stiffness
Racquet Quest lives by numbers, and these are two (2) of the most important.
This short video will, we hope, help explain why they are important and how they can be used to enhance the player’s performance, and that is “consistency”!
Racquet Quest has several different stringing machine models, and we evaluate different setups on each. It is clear that a “reference” tension across different machines will produce different string-bed stiffnesses.
Take a look at the following video and let us know if you think SBS (string bed stiffness) needs to be the new “reference tension”.
Racquet Quest, LLC
