Flying clamps

Not sure what the concerns are regarding stringing badminton racquets using flying clamps. Been doing so myself for over a decade.

The following are some examples of the flying clamps available in the market today.

Example - Yonex aluminium clamp

Example - Gamma composite clamp

Example - Generic floating clamp

I believe the concerns apply more to stringing tennis (or above 33lbs for squash) racquets, as the tensions in-use are much higher.

Suggest the following if you want to be sure your flying clamps are adequate for the tension you are stringing at.

- Take note when you are clamping near any logo or print on the string. If the area of the string with the logo slips a lot after you release the tensioner, your clamps are inadequate for the tension inuse
     - Work around (till you can obtain replacements) is to use 2 such clamps in-series

- If you retry the tensioner after securing a string and the tensioner does moves quite a bit... OOPS
    - Work around as per before

- Purchase a tension meter - an analogue unit will do. For verification purposes after completion


There's even a YOUTUBE of someone stringing a Panda badminton racquet at 40lbs tension using 2 flying clamps in-series without issues.

"Smart drop weight" vs Electronic tensioning

A couple months after the Stringway ML-100 purchase, I came across an article on BadmintonCentral regarding resulting tension.

The following is a CUT&PASTE from the PDF in one of those discussions.

My clients feedback the tensioning is consistent across the stringbed. Maybe there is something to the graphs after all.

Gravity (in a proprietary drop weight design) vs electronic motor controlled by a programmed firmware ...

Stringway ML-100

Please note the Stringway is designed differently than the standard drop weights and/or the drop weights with a ratchet mechanism. Hence it is not impacted by those issues.

The Stringway ML-100  is my 2nd and current stringing machine.

The ML-100 could be use as a portable unit, and/or, as a standard mounted stringing machine with the optional stand.

 

All stringing tools are not included unless you wish to purchase the Stringway clamps for non-badminton stringing ,or, substitutes clamps for badminton (Yonex).

I am using floating clamps vs those attached to the machine. Purchased the Yonex and Gamma clamps for badminton string.

An optional badminton racquet mounting kit is required for the machine - red coloured items in following pix

I am a customer and no way affiliated with Stringway in any commercial manner

I purchased the machine in 3Q2013 (with the optional stand) as the local stringing service was getting expensive with inconsistent quality eg you know the difference upon the first few hits.

Checking the internet, noticed there were now many choices of low cost electronic stringing machines compared to over 10 years ago. Was very tempted to buy a low cost model with a electronic tensioner ... VERY VERY tempted!

Nevertheless I decided against the low cost machine with a electronic tensioner at the 11th hour and ordered the Stringway instead.

Reason?

I required a machine which could provide a consistent result across the stringbed, simple to operate, reliable, and had to be maintenance free for years. Read many good reviews/feedback for the Stringway. In addition, my old flatmate in NZ had previously owned a Stringway and spoke volumes for their machines as well - nothing like word of mouth!!

Summary of my experience with the ML-100 to date:-

Pro(s):

My clients feedback the tension is quite consistent across the stringbed and the results provide nice feedback upon usage

Independent of power supply or electronic issues

Reliable and maintenance free after setup

Solid build quality which provides confidence during usage

Badminton mounting kit provides solid mounting of the racquet

Good ROI for high quality but low volume usage

Good support from factory for post sale enqueries 

Con(s):

Structure holding the racquet could be located closer to the tensioner to lessen string usage (only applicable when using reels)

Tension settings not engraved onto tensioner bar - need to use special ruler provided to set the tension

Need to add your padding(s) to the grippers (some racquets nowadays uses decals instead of the real stuff to decorate the racquet frame)

Need to purchase your own tools eg awl, clamps, hex-keys, etc

Mounting kit required for stringing badminton racquets

Post regarding tensions on the internet - feedback??? (***Updated***)

Came across the following post on the internet @ http://badminton-coach.co.uk/272/why-egos-and-incorrect-information-about-string-tensions-in-badminton-could-be-doing-more-harm-than-good/ and was referred to http://www.victorsport.com/coach_detail_7439.html?cid=475&utm_source=official+Social+Media&utm_medium=Facebook&utm_campaign=String+Poundage#.U9RsLFy0wOc.facebook by a friend.

Any one with feedback?

A coach once used the following analogy to explain why it was harder to hit a shuttle to the same distance vs using lower tension - imagine the stringbed like a trampoline, the tighter the trampoline, the harder you need to push it to reach the same height as per before.

The article mentions a smaller sweet spot with a higher tension, maybe that explains why we did not hear the "proper boom" much nowdays when a player hits the shuttle using a racquet strung at higher tensions?

Tension calibrator for the stringing machine

A tension calibrator is used to ensure your stringing machine is applying the correct tension when in-used.

There are 2 types of tension calibrators in the market - analog (aka "ruler"-type) scale and digital.

If you check online, you would discovered the analog tension devices cost a bomb! Hence I bought a digital tension calibrator instead. 

Please refer to my previous article to reference how a Japanese stringer used the device.

Do shop around before you buy as even the digital version (similar to the below) can be as expensive (USD$30 not inclusive of shipping)! I purchase my unit for about SGD$8 from eBay (inc shipping) and works like a charm. Yes, pretty cute as well!

Simple but functional.

Powered by 2xAAA batteries, it has a maximum capacity of 40lbs - more than adequate for my purposes (at current point in-time) as it is seldom for badminton racquets to be strung above 30lbs. Upon reaching a stable pulling tension (or weight), you will hear a beep and the information will be displayed either in kg or lb. Other functions include a HOLD and CLEAR/RESET and the ON/OFF button (aka "smile bar")

Useful tool - Starting clamp

When I started stringing in 1989, the starting clamp was not available to the Joe Public.

It is a useful tool to have though not essential for stringing a racquet.

One example is best explained by the author at the following website.

I find it more useful as a finishing clamp rather than a starting clamp. I use it to tighten the knot rather than using a plier. Reason? It's less abrasive on the string than using a pair of pliers.

Please do note - never remove a starting clamp which is holding a tension-ed string as you can damage the area of the string held by the starting clamp eg break outer jacket of string.

Summary of stringing patterns from internet - Haribito style (***Updated again***)

Sorry no translation but the pix(s) illustrates the methodology.

And apologies - I have removed past paragraph(s) as was confused with another stringing style whereby the sides was loop-back (not top&bottom) and tension-ed a few columns before the sides. Hear-say regarding racquets not lasting as long was with this just mentioned loop-back method which supposely provided better tenstions on the sides and was not Haribito. Personally I do not see the advantage of having better tensions at the sides as the goal or the ideal is to hit the shuttle within the sweet spot to provide optimum transfer of energy from the frame to the shuttle