Trick to extend lifetime of balls (plastic)

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At our club, different players are using the Xushaofa *** (seamless) plastic balls. They are very good except when we are hitting on the edge of the bat, balls break.

To prevent that, we made tests using ''SPONGE RUBBER TAPE'' (self adhesive) and it's working great. No more broken balls when you hit on the edge, the black sponge is protecting. (this tape is mostly used to seal windows)
There are different sizes available but thickness of 0.125 inches (1/8'' or 3mm) and width of 0.375 inches (3/8'' or 9mm) is fine. Easy to install, just remove the white paper backing and press it on the edge of your bat. Moreover, you can remove it and put it back many times as the glue is staying on the black sponge.

It will add about 1 gram if you put it all around your bat. (you can put it only at one part of your bat)

It's protecting your blade much more than the conventional edge tape if you hit the table. (no black scratch on the table too)

It seems that there is no ITTF rule indicating that it is not legal. (if there is, just remove it for the tournament and put it back after)

It's not expensive and it's available at any home maintenance retailer. For example, $8.00 for 17 feet (5.2 meters) long (nearly 13 bats) at Home hardware.

Here is this ''SPONGE RUBBER TAPE'' at Home hardware:

http://www.homehardware.ca/en/rec/index.htm/Hardware/Builders/Weatherstrip/Foam-Tapes/1-8-x-3-8-x-17-Black-Rubber-Sponge-Weatherstripping-Tape/_/N-2pqfZ67l/Ne-67n/Ntk-All_EN/R-I2395429?Ntt=Sponge+Rubber+Tape

Edited by Pete73 - 06/07/2015 at 4:43am

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Pete73 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Silver Member Joined: 06/06/2015 Location: canada Status: Offline Points: 602	Post Options Post Reply Quote Pete73 Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Topic: Trick to extend lifetime of balls (plastic) Posted: 06/07/2015 at 4:39am
	At our club, different players are using the Xushaofa *** (seamless) plastic balls. They are very good except when we are hitting on the edge of the bat, balls break. To prevent that, we made tests using ''SPONGE RUBBER TAPE'' (self adhesive) and it's working great. No more broken balls when you hit on the edge, the black sponge is protecting. (this tape is mostly used to seal windows) There are different sizes available but thickness of 0.125 inches (1/8'' or 3mm) and width of 0.375 inches (3/8'' or 9mm) is fine. Easy to install, just remove the white paper backing and press it on the edge of your bat. Moreover, you can remove it and put it back many times as the glue is staying on the black sponge. It will add about 1 gram if you put it all around your bat. (you can put it only at one part of your bat) It's protecting your blade much more than the conventional edge tape if you hit the table. (no black scratch on the table too) It seems that there is no ITTF rule indicating that it is not legal. (if there is, just remove it for the tournament and put it back after) It's not expensive and it's available at any home maintenance retailer. For example, $8.00 for 17 feet (5.2 meters) long (nearly 13 bats) at Home hardware. Here is this ''SPONGE RUBBER TAPE'' at Home hardware: http://www.homehardware.ca/en/rec/index.htm/Hardware/Builders/Weatherstrip/Foam-Tapes/1-8-x-3-8-x-17-Black-Rubber-Sponge-Weatherstripping-Tape/_/N-2pqfZ67l/Ne-67n/Ntk-All_EN/R-I2395429?Ntt=Sponge+Rubber+Tape Edited by Pete73 - 06/07/2015 at 4:43am

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kolevtt Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Platinum Member Joined: 06/13/2011 Location: European Union Status: Offline Points: 2578	Post Options Post Reply Quote kolevtt Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06/07/2015 at 5:31am
	Thanks for your advice! What's the weight of these tapes for just a paddle? P.S. Not sure it is OK for competitions, but for trainings could be useful. If that item you have described is heavy - you could use just a sponge 0.5mm glued with double adhesive tape. Edited by kolevtt - 06/07/2015 at 5:34am

Tinykin Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Platinum Member Joined: 10/30/2003 Location: England Status: Offline Points: 2336	Post Options Post Reply Quote Tinykin Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06/07/2015 at 5:32am
	TTNP do some nice branded, Stiga and Butterfly, spongy edge tapes. http://ttnpp.com/store/edge-tape/294-spongy-edge-tape-88.html You can also put it on when replacing the rubber. Then remove the tape. The slight rubber overhang will also protect the ball and bat. Some players say that that overhang affects performance. Maybe I lack the skill,, but I've never noticed any difference.
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GMan4911 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Silver Member Joined: 08/31/2012 Location: Earth Status: Offline Points: 830	Post Options Post Reply Quote GMan4911 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06/07/2015 at 11:35am
	I'm using these foam edge tapes from ebay. $13 for 20 pieces and they're about 10mm wide and 1.6mm thick. http://www.ebay.com/itm/20x-Eacheng-10mm-wide-edge-tape-/251639906969 Same vendor also has 8mm wide tapes for the same price: http://www.ebay.com/itm/20x-Reach-8mm-wide-edge-tape-10-red-and-10-black-/310926624669
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asifgunz Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Gold Member Joined: 09/15/2013 Location: Queens NY Status: Offline Points: 1448	Post Options Post Reply Quote asifgunz Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06/07/2015 at 11:39am
	it protects the blade 10x better than those thin gooey yasaka tapes
	"I do not have any idols. I am my own idol." - Zhang Jike Feedback: http://mytabletennis.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=71761&PN=1#905629

jrscatman Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Premier Member Joined: 10/19/2008 Status: Offline Points: 4585	Post Options Post Reply Quote jrscatman Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06/08/2015 at 9:52am
	Thanks for the tip. Good idea - I have broken a few balls hitting the edge.
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FlatHitter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Super Member Joined: 10/14/2014 Location: modesto ca. Status: Offline Points: 173	Post Options Post Reply Quote FlatHitter Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06/08/2015 at 11:38am
	JOOLA has padded edge tape, red/blk. 10mm and 12mm it's all you need!
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