Using plug to restore stick length

[CTB 32]

So in a total bonehead move I got my Vapor APX (senior p14 87 flex) cut a little too short. I just ordered an APX composite plug in order to get it back to my preferred length ($20 all to add back an inch or so yay!).

My question is whether the plug will basically be like adding back the length to my stick in terms of feel and balance?

[Stryker 37]

If it's only an inch or so I don't think you'll have much of an issue

[TeamHonda401 54]

I bought an Apx used that was about an inch shorter than my preferred length, threw an Apx plug in it and it felt the same as an uncut one. You won't be able to tell the difference.

[sickwilly 37]

I've done the same thing and used both composite and wood plugs to get the length back. You're all set.

[kingfooj 1]

A lot of guys use a wood plug on purpose to balance out the blade weight

A lot of guys use a wood plug on purpose to balance out the blade weight

[anko 3]

If it's no more than 5 or so inches, a plug is 100% fine by me, and I'd take wood over composite every time. Absolutely no harm either way.

[CTB 32]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I was pretty psyched to get a stick in the Toews pattern and after trying it out at full length a few times I knew it needed to be cut down slightly. Unfortunately I forgot to bring my other sticks to my LHS to get it cut and guessed wrong where I usually mark it off.

[SirJW 207]

Use the opportunity to try a shorter length b4 you add the plug. You may be surprised.

[Bengerm77 11]

Use the opportunity to try a shorter length b4 you add the plug. You may be surprised.

100% seriously this. Somebody sat on my go to stick, and was forced to use my back which is 2" shorter. I was stick handling like a demon, and felt like I was playing a million times better. For my replacement go to stick, I'm going the inch in between.

Don't worry about how a stick looks next to a tape measurer, worry about how it plays in your hands.

[CTB 32]

Tried out the stick after it got cut down at a drop in game last night. I can't complain about how it performed in terms of handling and I didn't have to alter my shot mechanics all that much. I get to try it out in a competitive game later this week. Maybe I'll keep it at the length if things go well, at the very least I want the option to add back on that extra inch or so.

I have another APX, but it's a P92 lie 5 so obviously the optimal length of one pattern and lie can differ from the other but the comfort level of using a familiar stick length is somewhat lacking with my P14.

Funny is that I felt I had more whip on my shot with the shorter stick (despite them being the same flex) than the longer one. I have a feeling it might be because the shorter shaft might have me keeping the puck at a better distance from my body. I know at times I can leave the puck out a little too far from my body for some shots so it's possible the shorter length is forcing me to use better mechanics.

[flip12 717]

Funny is that I felt I had more whip on my shot with the shorter stick (despite them being the same flex) than the longer one. I have a feeling it might be because the shorter shaft might have me keeping the puck at a better distance from my body. I know at times I can leave the puck out a little too far from my body for some shots so it's possible the shorter length is forcing me to use better mechanics.

I had the same experience when I finally got my SE16 Leino to the length that felt right. It was about 1cm shorter than the next shortest height I tried it at, but my shot was much better. After thinking about it, I figured the physics model I had in my head didn't take into account the comfort factor--weather it's the position of the puck with respect to your body that's optimized and thus the increase in shaft stiffness is more than recovered in the produced shot. In my case, it could be something similar--the puck being in the right spot for my mechanics--but it just felt like suddenly the signal from my brain to my hands actually produced an effective shot, without any sort of diminished performance due to the interference of a mistimed firing or something. This length is great because I can still handle the puck really close to my body as well as pretty far from it (also thanks to long arms), but I'm not continually reaching for the puck beyond where I can actually grab it, as was the case before I extended the shaft a little. In the end, it was just fresh to think about getting more of the force you apply to the shaft, even though the effect of shortening the shaft can seem daunting--like your shot's going to go down the drain.

[CTB 32]

Plug arrived today, what's the best way to insert it into the stick? Back in the day I used a heat gun for composite shafts but I don't own one anymore. I remembered that you weren't supposed to use blow torches because they can compromise the material (and I don't own one either). What's the best common household solution?

[bunnyman666 445]

I use a heat gun, but I have used a hair dryer in the past; it only took FOREVER.

[strosedefence34 176]

probably going to catch some crap for posting this but I use the stove. I have used both gas and electric just make sure to keep the stick high enough so it doesn't burn and rotate it. Also don't burn the house down.

[flip12 717]

strosedefence34 beat me to it. Stove top too. Definitely rotate. Pretty quick though. Done in under a minute.

[n3gkiwi 1]

If you can use an electric/coil oven it'll be easier and less likely to burn the stick than gas

[quinton1 4]

For me I can definitely tell whenever I have a plug in, wherever it's composite or wood

[chippa13 1844]

Funny is that I felt I had more whip on my shot with the shorter stick (despite them being the same flex) than the longer one. I have a feeling it might be because the shorter shaft might have me keeping the puck at a better distance from my body. I know at times I can leave the puck out a little too far from my body for some shots so it's possible the shorter length is forcing me to use better mechanics.

A shorter stick will let you get more of your weight over the bottom hand and can help you flex the stick more.