first and foremost i'd like to apologise for perhaps asking a stupid question as I'm really quite new to the wonderful sport of badminton...

It puzzles me all the time when I go to restring my racquet at different shops and always the shop dudes tell me different values of the max tension I can get out of a particular racquet without it going out of shape... for instance my ashaway full carbon shaft with duralumin titanium head is said to have a max tension of 24lbs at one shop and only 18-20lbs at another... and this goes on for all my other racquets...

so my question is how can i decide and tell for myself the safe max tension a racquet head can take by judging on maybe the head shape and material construction....?

Thanks... :(

The maximum tension on a racket depends on the design of the racket frame, as well as the age and history of the racket. Generally, a 2U racket can take higher tensions than a 3U racket, and a brand new racket can take higher tensions than an old racket which has seen many restrings and racket clashes.

Even with the same model and specification, say two 3U Yonex AT700's, the maximum tension you can string to will be different for both, because no two rackets are identical.

In any case, most manufacturers have a design-safe max tension for the purpose of warranty. It is usually okay to go beyond that, but if the racket breaks, don't expect the warranty to be honored.

Some new racquet manufacturers have a logo on the racquet shaft "30T" which means it exceeds the highest specification for compressive load of 30 tons. I am not sure how this is tested. On such racquets, the tension that can be used is 30lb. Certain high spec combinations of nickel, titanium and high modulus graphite in mesh or woven form meet this spec. :D

ok so now its not only the racquet head or material its also the age of the racquet which plays a part in determining the max tension a racquet head can take...

So then say can someone say put a probable gauge standard based on head shape and material... coz most racquets here dont really have a warranty or paste any tension spec label on their racquets...

like say titanium = __ lbs
full body carbon = __ lbs
steel alloy = __ lbs

Coz i really dont get how the stringer can actually take a look at my racquets then recommend the max tension... and their opinions always differ... how can i develop that knowledge for myself?

ok so now its not only the racquet head or material its also the age of the racquet which plays a part in determining the max tension a racquet head can take...

So then say can someone say put a probable gauge standard based on head shape and material... coz most racquets here dont really have a warranty or paste any tension spec label on their racquets...

like say titanium = __ lbs
full body carbon = __ lbs
steel alloy = __ lbs

Coz i really dont get how the stringer can actually take a look at my racquets then recommend the max tension... and their opinions always differ... how can i develop that knowledge for myself?

It's really depend on the stringer him/herself.

Many stringers tend to be "safe", therefore, they will refuse to do the job beyond the max recommand tension, regardless the condition. Some agree to put higher tension, if the condition is acceptable (no obvious scratches, cracks, etc).

Therefore, it's almost impossible to convience a stringer to listen to you if u want higher tension than his willingness (unless he knows u well, and know u won't give him trouble in case of breakage). It's always down to the stringer to make the final call, but if you don't like it, u can go to another stringer.

Get a good stringer and hopefully a electronic tensioner... just like the shop i always go... Usually my stringer will give me the maximum tension... like for example i asked him to tension my MP27 at 24lbs.. he will advise me not to as i hve knocked it accidentally on ground... but if the impact is high it might have cracks... so he said can try but cannot guarantee its ok with it... so i got a 23lbs instead...