[Q] How to dampen vibration in blade??

Perhaps you could try "Power" tape ?

http://www.butterflyonline.com/online_store_productcloseup.asp?page=glue_clean.asp&type=13&ID=16&pg=1&SortBy=b.NewProd&displayNum=20

I have used this before to increase the "power" (or speed (?) ) on some light blades and I feel that it helps. I also learnt from local TT shop dealer that one of Spore female international player also used it too

Are you using speed glue ?

Zhijie- I've never heard of PowerTape. I assume it is like weighted edge tape?

AL_in_MN & BH-Man- I've tried grip tape in the past. I liked the feeling when hitting the ball alot, but over time as the tape started to come loose the wrap became distracting. Also left the handle with sticky residue when I sold the blade. The harder  sponged rubber is a good point, BH-Man. When I used the W6 in the past, I played with PO tuned 729 Trans SP, which is most likely the reason I didn't notice any vibrations. I really don't want to go back to that rubber. However, I love the idea about pumping foam into the handle. I will do this tomorrow. The metal Yinhe emblem on the bottom of the handle will cover the hole nicely. Spray foam or sponge-like foam?

Pioneer- I wish speed glue was an option. :-)

Thank you all for the suggestions.

MindTrip wrote: Zhijie- I've never heard of PowerTape. I assume it is like weighted edge tape? AL_in_MN & BH-Man- I've tried grip tape in the past. I liked the feeling when hitting the ball alot, but over time as the tape started to come loose the wrap became distracting. Also left the handle with sticky residue when I sold the blade. The harder  sponged rubber is a good point, BH-Man. When I used the W6 in the past, I played with PO tuned 729 Trans SP, which is most likely the reason I didn't notice any vibrations. I really don't want to go back to that rubber. However, I love the idea about pumping foam into the handle. I will do this tomorrow. The metal Yinhe emblem on the bottom of the handle will cover the hole nicely. Spray foam or sponge-like foam? Pioneer- I wish speed glue was an option. :-) Thank you all for the suggestions.

Drilling and adding foam seems kind of drastic, IMO, (and really I can't imagine how this would help absorb vibration, being inside the handle), but let us know how the experiment works. I have never had a grip tape come loose since using it for the last 5 years, it seems you are probably not securing it properly at the top and/or putting enough tension on it when it is applied. You should use the tape that comes with it and secure it all the way around at the top; done right it should not come loose. To get rid of sticky residue you can wipe the handle with Goo-Gone and lightly sand it.

Firetack- did the foam dampen enough, as in, was there a big before/after difference? The expanding foam I've seen over the years set up pretty hard. -Almost like plastic. 

MindTrip wrote: Is there an easy and effective way to dampen vibrations felt in all wood blades?

 Why Dampen them? You like to feel what is going on less? Absdolutely Alien to me, You might do better feeling the ball MORE!!!! Feeling the ball on contact improves your game, not diminishes it. Try targeting as your improvement, Touch, feel, awarness, you will be a better player for it.

Sorry, actually yes............

AL_in_MN wrote: MindTrip wrote: Zhijie- I've never heard of PowerTape. I assume it is like weighted edge tape? AL_in_MN & BH-Man- I've tried grip tape in the past. I liked the feeling when hitting the ball alot, but over time as the tape started to come loose the wrap became distracting. Also left the handle with sticky residue when I sold the blade. The harder  sponged rubber is a good point, BH-Man. When I used the W6 in the past, I played with PO tuned 729 Trans SP, which is most likely the reason I didn't notice any vibrations. I really don't want to go back to that rubber. However, I love the idea about pumping foam into the handle. I will do this tomorrow. The metal Yinhe emblem on the bottom of the handle will cover the hole nicely. Spray foam or sponge-like foam? Pioneer- I wish speed glue was an option. :-) Thank you all for the suggestions. Drilling and adding foam seems kind of drastic, IMO, (and really I can't imagine how this would help absorb vibration, being inside the handle), but let us know how the experiment works. I have never had a grip tape come loose since using it for the last 5 years, it seems you are probably not securing it properly at the top and/or putting enough tension on it when it is applied. You should use the tape that comes with it and secure it all the way around at the top; done right it should not come loose. To get rid of sticky residue you can wipe the handle with Goo-Gone and lightly sand it.

I ended up drilling out a small hole on the middle of the handle, beneath the metal Yinhe logo and filled it with a dab of caulk - a bunch of fishing line weights - another dab of caulk and replaced the metal logo. I hit 10 balls on the robot with the W6 and Acuda combo and can tell that the vibration is not near as bad as before. The contact is much more solid throughout the blade when striking the ball.
However, the slight vibration is still bothersome, but the blade may not be the culprit at this point. I used to work for an automotive manufacturer back in the day, and the vibration of some of the low torque/high speed air guns bothered my elbow. I think the W6 vibration has upset that particular nerve, as now even if I shadow swing from the forehand side, it causes my wrist to twitch. I am going to let it rest for a couple of days and try again Sunday afternoon to see how the W6 feels with a few grams added to the handle.

Btw, I hit a few balls right after drilling a small hole in the handle and I don't see how people could like wrb or any other head heavy hollow handled blade. It reminded me of playing with the purple/green pips out premades that come with some of the low-end tables.

AL_in_MN wrote: Interesting experiment and hope you like the results. I would also suggest that you try some physical therapy to strengthen your wrist/elbow. I had some serious tennis elbow issues a few years ago and learned a simple exercise that really helped. Here is a brief description: Extend your arm fully in front of you with your palm facing down then make a fist. Clench and hold your fist tightly and slowly move your fist up and down about 5-10 times. Then rotate your fist so thumb is facing up and move it all the way back and forth 5-10 times. Repeat these exercises 5-10 times daily; a little discomfort is normal at first. Keep doing this daily and you should see significant improvement in 1 to 2 weeks. Hope it helps, really did the trick for me.

Thank you so much for the rehabilitative exercise suggestion. I hope it helps.