Nice David...I actually started using power pads the first time i strung my rackets out of curiosity (Federer) and I love them...Very informative, you wont have to go searching the forums anymore. Nice Job.
@zenopb Thanks. I've never tried them. I am not one to use vibration dampeners or rubberbands on my strings, so I'm not sure I'd like the dampened feel of power pads. Nevertheless, I am happy to install them for clients. Thanks again. Take care. DH
The initial reason for using power pads was to protect the string against sharp angles in older racquets. With the string patterns of modern racquests, this really isn't an issue. However, some people still prefer to use them - just because they like the feel. No... I don't think they add much power (I don't know how they got their name), but they do change the feel of the bed slightly - more dampening than anything. Removal... Yes, only when strings are cut out. Take care. DH
The power pads I use are brown leather - but that is because the leather strips I use are brown:) I suppose someone (Ron Yu - who is Fed's stringer) could make power pads out of brown leather - and maybe that is what Ron does for Fed. While I don't use them, I have also seen clear plastic power pads as well. Take care. DH
I used to buy the leather strips from Grand Slam Stringers, which is now IART. I don't think they sell them any longer, but here is the link to their contact page so you can ask them if you want... gssalliance.com/contact-us/ Or you might just need to check with a local leather repair/shoe repair shop to see if they have strips you can buy and then cut into power pads. Take care. DH
ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Sny-3i8GgW4.html Turn on the English subtitles... And hear in this German interview that Federer says he uses cork and not leather!? I'm literally thinking about how to cut up this cork bottle top in front of me... Any thoughts on how it should be done?? :)
@@18yearsoldnot I highly doubt it's cork. Maybe he casually said that or the translation isn't quite right. I spoke directly to the racket company that customizes his rackets and they said it was leather. That company sucks by the way; they offer no help unless you're some superstar pro player.
@@adamblister6005 it may be a mistranslation but as it turns out, cork can be processed into "vegan" leather and when I did a Google search of cork strips I noticed this material is cheap as hell and in many different shapes if you look into textiles on ebay... Then if you have a crafting knife and sandpaper, you can shape something pretty decent. I plan on putting half size pads along the outside 3 and 9 o'clock parts of the frame, like a sort of babolat woofer region added to my Wilson prostaff 90 so that I can get additional feel. Also I have a good feeling cork is superior to leather in terms of weight and vibration properties... Federer apparently used to be a vegetarian so I think I'll definitely go ahead with this experiment. Also Federer said cork twice and pretty assertively (in case you didn't watch). I can understand if priority one has priorities hahahahaaa - I reckon it's just a small bunch of folks who want to keep hiding the fact they make a lot of money out of some rich pros at not a very competitive prices. Was it 10000 bucks a year they want? Anyway I think I've seen power pads been sold as solid plastic so I reckon it can be any material you want as long as it prevents the kinking of the string. Cork, rubber and leather will let the string glide and snap better I think. It's like some of those ugly rackets that have massive eyelets for grommets so that the tension is distributed along each string better... If you try them you'll notice they feel very plush but lack directional control.
@@18yearsoldnot Interesting. Even though he says cork, it sure looks like leather to me. Who knows??? Anyway, I'm sure cork would work well, assuming you can cut it into tiny square or rectangular pieces. Good luck:) Take care. DH
Hey Henrique - Thanks for the message. Unfortunately, I am no longer stringing, and I do not remember the dimensions of the leather strips used for power pads. Sorry. DH
Surely using rubber power pads would be more effective for a dampening effect? Anyone know if rubber one's are available for sale? Even better if someone has tried leather and rubber and can give their opinion on the differences?
Well I actually do not feel the dampening in the power pads or use dampeners. The only reason why i use them is because a stringer told me it saves the life span of the mains (where i normally break string) and i use a very thin string gauge, so im just trying to keep a longer life span on my strings since i can't afford to get them restrung often. never the less you should just try them ^_^
