Was smashing my antique Carbonex 15 (T-joint version) hard , when I heard a sharp twack sound! Racquet looked ok but everytime I did a clear or hit the shuttle hard, the racquet did not feel right???
I later realised the frame must have loosen from the T-joint. Hence no choice but to cut the new-ish strings before any detail examinations could be conducted.
Tugging the frame outwards - you could feel some minute movement ... but not enough to remove the frame from the T-joint.
Finally have an excuse to buy a burner...
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| Burner from the local shops |
Apply heat to the T-joint area (only) on the sides - areas where the frame was inserted into the T-joint. You can stop applying the heat once you smell something different on each side of the T-joint eg "plastic-ky" burn smell. I then use a pair of pliers (CAUTION - HOT!) to separate the frame from the T-joint - see resultant below.
Note: Do remove the nearby grommets before using the burner - visible on the next pix(s). Please remember to reinsert them once done - some poking or drilling may be required as the epoxy may have spill-over into the holes.
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| After removal of frame from T-joint |
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| Inside the T-joint |
Bought a packet of the following A-B epoxy cement to reassemble the parts. Does say 3-ton ...
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| A-B epoxy used |
Applied a generous amount of the A-B epoxy into the T-joint
(after cleaning up the contact area) before re-inserting the frame ... plenty oozed out. After a quick cleanup, I used the stringing machine to hold the pieces in-place and left it overnight.
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| Left to cure after applying the A-B epoxy |
The following pix(s) show the resultant. You can gauge the "even-ness" of the re-assembled frame from the shadows.
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| Side-1 after curing |
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| Side-2 after curing |
Then cames the acid test. I restung the old reliable at 22lbs and have since been reusing it for my games for the past couple weeks.
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| Restrung at 22lbs after re-assembly |
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| When placed on the floor |
... as good as new (touch wood)!!!
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