Reduce thickness of wooden handle to use an extra replacement grip

**DuckFeet** · 02-12-2013, 06:59 AM

Has anyone done this? I like the cushiony feel of my 5ug2 (I think) with 2x replacement grip on it and the roundness is easier to spin in my hand. I think the extra cushioning is kinder to my elbow too* My other racket has a thicker handle, only one grip (so same thickness overvall) and the bevells more pronounced make it tend to sit wrong in my hand. I think I'll have to go easy with the plane after removing the cap on the end then sand? I could just take the bevells off but that won't result in as much cushioning. *Old injury, on and off, mostly off

**DuckFeet** · 02-12-2013, 07:02 AM

Sorry about the formatting.

**Mendell** · 02-25-2013, 02:15 PM

have you tried it? I know some specialized shops offer the service but I have never tried. I'm pretty sure it will void the manufacturer's warranty if it is still valid.

**DuckFeet** · 02-26-2013, 03:44 PM

Originally Posted by Mendell

have you tried it? I know some specialized shops offer the service but I have never tried. I'm pretty sure it will void the manufacturer's warranty if it is still valid.

Not done this as yet but I plan to sandpaper the grip (like 240 grit) until I've shaved off about a gram of weight. No warranty to worry about

I will report back! I have 3 identical raquets to experiment with.

**Mendell** · 02-26-2013, 04:08 PM

Cool! Would be nice with pics of your hard work

**Mark A** · 02-26-2013, 04:47 PM

The ideal tool is a thickness planer or jointer, if you can find either one (not a lot of people have them in their sheds, admittedly). I used the one at my old school to turn a G5 into a G6, but I had to add the lost weight back in to preserve the racket balance.

Sanding with paper will take ages, and may round the flat parts.

**DuckFeet** · 03-04-2013, 09:32 AM

Pictures - I hadn't thought of that (My garage is embarassingly messy...). I think balsa wood vs 240 or 400 grit won't be too bad. I don't have that tool but I suppose I could look one up. I am planning to use something flat to do one face at a time to preserve the shape. I'm happy to disturb the balance for a fraction more weight at the top.