Speed Glue Banned At Last
Officially on the 1st September the use of speed glue was banned by the ITTF. I’m actually quite excited by the ruling and wish they had done it long ago. I am looking forward to not worrying about gluing up each time I play. It really is a time consuming task that I won’t miss. And for health reasons it is obviously a big plus.
As for the effect of the new rule on Table Tennis, I don’t think anyone will actually notice a difference. For those of you who aren’t using speed glue, there is in effect no change. For those using speed glue you will need to change to the new breed of rubbers. Manufacturers have developed a range of “High Tension” rubbers which act like a permanently glued up rubber. I think that if speed glue had been banned earlier, the manufacturers would have been quicker in developing these advanced rubbers. In fact I had often wondered why there wasn’t a rubber that made to have the effect of speed glue built in. Well now there is.
I have just bought a pair of Butterfly Tenergy 05 rubbers. I’ve heard some excellent reports about Tenergy and once I’ve had a few hits and some matches with these rubbers, I’ll let you know my thoughts on how good they are. If you have tried some of these new generation rubbers then let me know what you have tried and how good you think it was.
random player
commented on September 4th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
You should check the facts : the solvents used in speedglues since the 90’s (hexane, cyclo-hexane, heptane) are harmless. Unless you drink them, of course, but that’s beside the point.
If you did not wish to glue, you were free to do so. Rejoicing because no one will be able to glue is a bit weird. I don’t like to train, I prefer playing matchs. Training is such a time consuming task. Should the ITTF ban that, too ? (Just a rhetoric question, no need to answer)
Jeff Plumb
commented on September 4th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
As for the facts, I am not a scientist but if you take a quick look on the internet there are many many reports like the following:
“Many glues contain harmful volatile compounds and should be used in a well-ventilated area. Long-term use may have adverse health effects.”
I was free not to glue up but I would have been at a massive disadvantage so I was more than prepared to do it. However now there is no need so I am rejoicing and I don’t really find it weird???? Funny huh?
random player
commented on September 4th, 2008 at 10:06 pm
Well, is a pharmacological (is that the right word ?) thesis scientific enough ? What is implied by “long-term use” describes use at least 12 hours a day for several years at concentrations you would never even dream of. And still, the rats being tested on are doing well, thank you.
This is the kind of warning you’ll find on every chemical product. It doesn’t mean much besides : don’t sniff, don’t drink, don’t bathe in it ! Use it like you’re supposed to and everything will be fine.
Anyway, that was just to point out the decision wasn’t about health. Just a whim of that crazy Sharara.
Have a nice day.
Jeff Plumb
commented on September 4th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
Fair enough. Were you a speed glue user yourself? If so I’d be interested to know what you are going to be using now the ban is in place.
Cheers,
Jeff.
random player
commented on September 5th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
I used to be a speedgluer, starting with the 40mm ball - I had no need to with the 38mm.
As there are loopholes in my federation rules, I may use booster. When it’s finally banned, I will probably revert to classics (Sriver or such things), Tensor being a no-no.
Jeff Plumb
commented on September 5th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
I’ve always used Sriver but with glue. I don’t really like the idea of using it without so as I mentioned above, I’m going to try out Tenergy 05.
Why is tensor a no-no for you?
random player
commented on September 6th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
I’m unwilling to change costly rubbers at an alarming rate.
I tried Donic F3 several years ago. Although glue was far better, feeling wasn’t bad. But whereas speedglued rubbers would last 6 months, those lasted only one or two before losing all of its grip - kind of antispin on steroids.
Jeff Plumb
commented on September 6th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
Interesting. I have never tried these new rubbers before. But as I mentioned, I know have a pair of Butterfly Tenergy 05 rubbers to try and I’ll let you know what I think of them. And after I’ve used them for a while I’ll let you know how long they last.
HELMY
commented on September 18th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
guys i just got a pair of TENERGY05 but i dont know how to glue them or what to use should i use an optmizer with the other glue or what anyone have an idea
Jeff Plumb
commented on September 18th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Hi Helmy,
You shouldn’t use an optimizer or speed glue with the new Tenergy 05 rubbers. You should use a water based glue such as Butterfly FIT Chack.
oosasports
commented on October 5th, 2008 at 11:04 pm
Try some eucalyptus oil. Double D is the best so far. And then use any normal glue to stick. You will be surprised.
Boz
commented on November 27th, 2009 at 9:36 pm
As soon as it was officially banned all the shops stocking it halved the price or more, I went and tried all the water glues. They are rubbish. All good if you put a rubber on once and don’t remove it for the life of the rubber. But I am an experimenter and like to move different sheets around on different blades.
Water glue time and again sticks half on the rubber and half on the blade when replaceing, not just me but everyone around me. I have seen tons of ruined bats and rubbers. I bought 3 cans of speed glue not to use before playing, just to use to move rubbers around. Tenergy 05 works well with it this way. It’s perfect without glue.
tenergy 05
commented on November 27th, 2009 at 9:37 pm
I would just like to also say love your videos guys. (sorry if this the wrong place)