Topic: Sponge Hardness Readings (Read 1159 times)

pingpongrob · « **on:** April 24, 2009, 10:04:48 PM »

I have been testing the Hardness of Rubbers sheets (Sponge) just to see the difference between brands.
The attached Pdf may be helpful in comparing between brands.

<a href="http://affordablett.com.au/Sponge_Hardness_Sheet.pdf" target="_blank">http://affordablett.com.au/Sponge_Hardness_Sheet.pdf</a>

Feel free to comment:

http://affordablett.com.au/Sponge_Hardness_Sheet.pdf

Goldway 916 Red 2.0mm - 42 degree's
Andro Hexer Red 2.1mm - 30 degree's
Donic Barracuda Red Max - 33.7 degree's
Donic Barracuda Blk Max - 27.4 degree's (Strange)
Donic Barracuda Red & Black 2.0mm - 30 degree's
Donic Coppa Speed Red 2.1mm - 34.5 degree's
729 Higher III - Japanese Sponge Blk 2.2mm - 33.5 degree's
Donic Sonex JP Gold Blk 2.0mm - 32.9 Degree's
Butterfly Bryce Speed FX Blk 1.9mm - 29.0 degree's
LKT Red Diamond Red 2.1mm - 41.5 Degree's
LKT Black Diamond Blk 2.1mm - 44.5 Degree's
Gambler Six Shooter Pre-Tune Blk 2.2mm - 33.2 Degree's

Vinnie · « **Reply #1 on:** August 27, 2009, 04:53:53 PM »

Are you going to add more to this?

supachop · « **Reply #2 on:** August 27, 2009, 05:39:40 PM »

Rob updates this all the time. Soon as a new rubber comes out he tests it and puts the results here.

Vinnie · « **Reply #3 on:** August 27, 2009, 06:00:55 PM »

Similar to what Alex does as OOAK, Rob should ask for people to send him rubber offcuts to test to make the list grow larger.

supachop · « **Reply #4 on:** August 27, 2009, 07:35:04 PM »

You cant get a correct reading using offcuts.
You need to do it with a new sheet and average it across the sponge.
Otherwise the reading will not be accurate.

Vinnie · « **Reply #5 on:** August 27, 2009, 08:21:08 PM »

I can't see it growing very much quickly then. I'm sure that with the offcuts, that they would compare to each other well enough. At least well enough for your average person's purposes.

supachop · « **Reply #6 on:** August 27, 2009, 08:43:22 PM »

Its a pretty big list now. As new products become available, rob will test them.
Offcuts are not accurate enough. You need the whole rubber sheet.
Also, just say someone sends in a offcut of Inspirit 2mm. Which Inspirit? What Hardness? Which sponge type?
Without the origonal packaging all you are doing is guessing. Rob does not guess.

Vinnie · « **Reply #7 on:** August 27, 2009, 08:53:27 PM »

Isn't Rob losing money by opening new rubbers to test them then, though?
With the offcuts, the community can contribute to it, making it a huge list. I'm sure the accuracy would be close enough for most people.
With your thing about the Inspirit, I'm sure people would be able to identify any info needed for it to be added, and the hardness and sponge type isn't included in Rob's list anyway.

Obviously it is better to do to whole sheet, as you have said in all of your reasons, and I agree with you. I just believe that for a larger list, and a more economical way of doing it, the offcut idea is better. People usually throw away their offcuts; if they are saved and sent down, they can be used for a reason.

Sorry if this comes across offensive, by the way.

supachop · « **Reply #8 on:** August 27, 2009, 09:14:08 PM »

VincentB. What you are saying is not offensive.
Have a look at the table and see how many types of Inspirit Rob lists.
It actually doesnt cost rob any money to test sheets. He makes up so many bats for people that he checks them before hand.
And before any glue goes on them, which can change the readings. Offcuts arent accurate enough.
As you get better you will become much more fussy about your equipment you play with.
Rob often gets asked.. i want a rubber thats a little harder/softer than what they have now.
Because Robs list is correct he can give the correct answer. Not guess, which is what would happen do if done as you suggested.

Vinnie · « **Reply #9 on:** August 27, 2009, 09:44:33 PM »

Well, then, I see that Rob's idea is pretty good then.

pingpongrob · « **Reply #10 on:** August 27, 2009, 10:44:30 PM »

Thanks Supachop for clarifying the info with Vincent.

Vincent, the way I have the list at the moment, you are able to download it in a PDF Format File. See how easy I have made it.
As new rubbers are added, I update the list - its all seamless, you wouldnt even know its done.

shagga · « **Reply #11 on:** October 12, 2009, 09:46:30 AM »

What's the major difference between soft and hard rubbers?

pingpongrob · « **Reply #12 on:** October 12, 2009, 09:51:43 AM »

Quote from: shagga on October 12, 2009, 09:46:30 AM

What's the major difference between soft and hard rubbers?

Welcome Shagga, When asking the question about Hard or soft Rubbers do you actually mean Hard or Soft Sponges.

Top Players prefer Hard Sponges - because it gives them the most Topspin

Average Players prefer or should I say are suited to softer Sponges.

There is always the odd player that does not follow these rules.

speedplay · « **Reply #13 on:** October 13, 2009, 12:47:51 AM »

Hello Shagga, and welcome to the forum.

What Rob forgets to mention here is the advantage of softer sponge, a softer sponge is easier to generate spin with, as it doesn't take as much effort to penetrate the sponge and create spin. So, it is true as PPRob says, a harder sponge generates more spin, when it is used correctly.

I prefer the harder sponge, partially because I like to dig the ball in to the sponge really hard when I loop, but mostly because it is easier to block with a hard sponge.

pingpongrob · « **Reply #14 on:** October 14, 2009, 11:48:27 PM »

Quote from: speedplay on October 13, 2009, 12:47:51 AM

Hello Shagga, and welcome to the forum.

What Rob forgets to mention here is the advantage of softer sponge, a softer sponge is easier to generate spin with, as it doesn't take as much effort to penetrate the sponge and create spin. So, it is true as PPRob says, a harder sponge generates more spin, when it is used correctly.

I prefer the harder sponge, partially because I like to dig the ball in to the sponge really hard when I loop, but mostly because it is easier to block with a hard sponge.

Infact Shagga & Speedplay, a Harder Sponge produces more spin on faster stokes, and a softer sponge produces more topspin on slower strokes. A lower level player like me, feels more comfortable with softer sponges - but not butter soft.

Normally Harder sponge rubbers do block better, but in the case of Roxon 330 - it definetely block better than Roxon 450. So all the rules are thrown out the window once again. :-\

Der Echte · « **Reply #15 on:** October 15, 2009, 12:15:29 AM »

That's good. we like to break rules here.

priior · « **Reply #16 on:** October 15, 2009, 03:30:53 AM »

don't forget how far you play from the table and how stiff your blade is.. those are also factors in the sponge hardness equation.

playing with a soft sponge 5 feet from the table is really physically demanding... especially if your blade is flexible as well...

close to the table, good luck landing loops on the table with a high throw hard sponge... you practically have to be horizontal with the bat and it will still go beyond the table sometimes...

so yah.. a lot of variables in this hard/soft business...

the Hexer has a super hard sponge.. but it totally doesn't feel like it.. yet another variable.. the topsheet!

speedplay · « **Reply #17 on:** October 15, 2009, 04:45:21 AM »

Quote from: pingpongrob on October 14, 2009, 11:48:27 PM

Infact Shagga & Speedplay, a Harder Sponge produces more spin on faster stokes, and a softer sponge produces more topspin on slower strokes. A lower level player like me, feels more comfortable with softer sponges - but not butter soft.

I might be able to agree with this Rob, but! Notice how there is always a but when I agree ;) I still maintain that the harder sponge generates more top spin then the softer sponge, cause the fast stroke loop has more spin then the slow stroke loop have.

Vinnie · « **Reply #18 on:** November 07, 2009, 08:46:13 PM »

Do you think that the sponge hardness ratings are comparable between the different manufacturers when they give you their spiel on it?

pingpongrob · « **Reply #19 on:** November 07, 2009, 10:12:18 PM »

Quote from: VincentB on November 07, 2009, 08:46:13 PM

Do you think that the sponge hardness ratings are comparable between the different manufacturers when they give you their spiel on it?

They Definetely are not.

Der Echte · « **Reply #20 on:** November 08, 2009, 01:28:49 AM »

I still think we all enjoy breaking rules here.

Vinnie · « **Reply #21 on:** November 08, 2009, 06:31:21 AM »

Rob: That's why it would be good to get the biggest database around, so that we CAN compare them then.

So, manufacturer's hardness ratings are just as meaningless comparing to other manufactuerers' as speed and spin?

Der Echte · « **Reply #22 on:** November 08, 2009, 12:42:28 PM »

There are so many different shots that a rubber would perform different that it is practically impossible to make a speed spin rating. Even within the same manufactuer it is impossible to assign one rating that covers everything.

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Author Topic: Sponge Hardness Readings (Read 1159 times)