Help for a First Self-made Blade

[lyh]

Hi! I am new to TTD and this is my first post.

I have some plywood lying around and thought about making a blade out of it. I know I am not supposed to, but I am just going to cut a blade out of it (it has some interesting properties...). I have a few questions:

1. The plywood is 6.7 mm thick, but is incredibly flexible. It will not bend by itself (unless it is big enough), but I can flex it noticeably with my hands, even a small piece! Also, it is very soft. Not quite as soft as balsa, but I can dent it easily with my nail. Bouncing a ball on it, the pitch is very low but it has a slight springy feel. Therefore, how do you think such a flexible and soft blade will play? Will I get insane spin and control? Anyone has experience with very slow, flexible and soft blades?

2. I can make it a little harder and stiffer but "sealing" it with Lepage wood glue (I don't have varnish). How about that?

3. Should I hollow out the blade at the handle? I have read somewhere that this produces better membrane effect, better bounce. Even blades that are not advertised to have hollow handles are hollowed out a little. What do you think?

Thanks

 

[darnner123]

1. if you are going to make a blade out of 1 ply of wood it is going to be very fast
blades are usually made up on 5 plies of wood where the center ply is the thickest and the outer 2 are thinner.
there could be other materials added in between like carbon fibres
2. yes sealing it or vanishing it does give it a bit more hardness n speed
3. only some blades are hollow at the handle
this is to reduce their heavy weight and it also shifts the balance more to the head of the bat (head heavy)

hope i answered some questions and have fun with tt !!

 

[lyh]

Thanks for the reply! I forgot to mention that the plywood is composed of 3 plie, center ply is more fragile and of different wood. I am going to pair it with an old Mark V and Sriver.

 

[Suga D]

Sounds great, but if you have no experience yet, you might want to take a look at this thread right here:
http://www.tabletennisdaily.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?11808-Create-your-own-blade
Bobpuls, Tokieboi and MDP might have some valuable Info for you.
Good luck!
[Emoji2]
Hope this helps...

 

[UpSideDownCarl]

That wood might make a great blade but it is hard to say and it might be the opposite. It is absolutely worth a try though.


Sent from Deep Space by Abacus

 

[lyh]

Yes I read that thread. Very interesting info there!