Narrowed frame

[NB1700]

Is it true that when a racquet got strung, to a certain extent the frame MUST become narrower (horizontally)? My Cab21 was strung at 21lbs and when compared it to a same unstrung racquet I found out that the length across the frame has been reduced by 5mm. Is it normal?:confused:

[taneepak]

Is it true that when a racquet got strung, to a certain extent the frame MUST become narrower (horizontally)? My Cab21 was strung at 21lbs and when compared it to a same unstrung racquet I found out that the length across the frame has been reduced by 5mm. Is it normal?:confused:

A strung racquet should maintain a similar shape to the same racquet's unstrung shape. A slight deviation is okay, but to have a 5mm narrower cross frame, which is caused by excessive stretching of the frame top and throat, is too much. It is the stringer's fault. I suggest you use a magnifying glass and have a close look at the inner side of the frame top for stress signs. If I were you I would cut the strings and get another stringer. :D

[NB1700]

Thanks taneepak. I don't have a magnifying glass but with naked eyes I don't see something abnormal on the frame.:D Also measured the widest part across the frame.....which is just 18.4cm (excluding the frame but including the grommets).

My another question: will the racquet hurt if I continue to use the racquet until the string breaks (which I think will take 2-3 months according to my usage)?

I called the shop yesterday about this and they told me to take the racquet back for them to have a look.....I think I will have the frame restrung by another shop. Any recommendation, tannepak? I don't want to waste money looking for a decent stringer. Maybe you can PM me.:o

[taneepak]

Thanks taneepak. I don't have a magnifying glass but with naked eyes I don't see something abnormal on the frame.:D Also measured the widest part across the frame.....which is just 18.4cm (excluding the frame but including the grommets).

My another question: will the racquet hurt if I continue to use the racquet until the string breaks (which I think will take 2-3 months according to my usage)?

I called the shop yesterday about this and they told me to take the racquet back for them to have a look.....I think I will have the frame restrung by another shop. Any recommendation, tannepak? I don't want to waste money looking for a decent stringer. Maybe you can PM me.:o

I tried to pm you but got cut off. I suggest you take your racquet to Inskysport at Mongkok and ask them to have a look at it. Call Ah Tung at 97879118 for directions to go to his place. Both Ah Tung and his uncle Mr Yeung are decent stringers, and they follow Yonex's stringing patterns and mains/cross strings tension differential religiously. :D

[taneepak]

Thanks taneepak. I don't have a magnifying glass but with naked eyes I don't see something abnormal on the frame.:D Also measured the widest part across the frame.....which is just 18.4cm (excluding the frame but including the grommets).

My another question: will the racquet hurt if I continue to use the racquet until the string breaks (which I think will take 2-3 months according to my usage)?

I called the shop yesterday about this and they told me to take the racquet back for them to have a look.....I think I will have the frame restrung by another shop. Any recommendation, tannepak? I don't want to waste money looking for a decent stringer. Maybe you can PM me.:o

I have pmed you re above.

[Sealman]

Used to have a newly bought Cab21 which was strung at 22lbs. After playing one game with the Cab21, I noticed that the frame was "twisted" slightly. I went back to the racket shop and had the racket replaced with another model.

Til now, I still wonder whether it was the stringer's fault or the problem lies with the Cab21 frame.

[kwiki]

Is it true that when a racquet got strung, to a certain extent the frame MUST become narrower (horizontally)? My Cab21 was strung at 21lbs and when compared it to a same unstrung racquet I found out that the length across the frame has been reduced by 5mm. Is it normal?:confused:

my cab21 got the same condition,but i think it's o'right

[taneepak]

A strung racquet that deviates from its unstrung state shape is always under stress. The fact that it doesn't show any signs of distress like micro cracks, whether visibly on the outside of the frame or invisibly on the inside of the frame beam, doesn't mean it is stress-free. However, modern badminton racquets can be squeezed 5-10mm with both hands from the sides of the frame without damage. It will rebound back to its original shape.

[Mr. Anderson]

Hmm, when I took a close look at my newly strung Cab 30MS (which was picked from the trashcan), it seems that one side of the cross frame was bent 1mm inwards than the other.

I had the racket strung 21 pounds mains and 23 pounds cross. The stringing job was done by Ah Tung.

I don't know if this is the "stress" you're talking about, but I do see some wrinkles at the 3 (or 9) o'clock position.

Should I take the racket back for a look?

[Mr. Anderson]

Alright, after some careful measurment, the racket is indeed deformed a little.

I measured the racket at the 18th grommet hole from the T joint (inclusive), the Cab 30MS measured 19.7mm, the Ti-7 Light measured 19.9mm.

Now either one side is bent in 2mm or each side is bent in by 1mm (I'd rather it was the latter, but from my observations, it seems that it is more likely to be the former :( :crying:)

One might argue you cannot compare an oval racket to an isometric racket, but according to my observations (not saying my eyes are as sharp as an eagle's), the racket shape remains the same for 60% of the frame starting from the T joint and doesn't change until after passing the 25th grommet hole for something.

[taneepak]

Alright, after some careful measurment, the racket is indeed deformed a little.

I measured the racket at the 18th grommet hole from the T joint (inclusive), the Cab 30MS measured 19.7mm, the Ti-7 Light measured 19.9mm.

Now either one side is bent in 2mm or each side is bent in by 1mm (I'd rather it was the latter, but from my observations, it seems that it is more likely to be the former :( :crying:)

One might argue you cannot compare an oval racket to an isometric racket, but according to my observations (not saying my eyes are as sharp as an eagle's), the racket shape remains the same for 60% of the frame starting from the T joint and doesn't change until after passing the 25th grommet hole for something.

This is not the best method to check if a strung racquet has deviated from an unstrung racquet of the same brand and model. The best way to check is for you to compare your strung Cab 30MS with an unstrung Cab 30MS. If you do not have an unstrung Cab 30MS, please go back to your stringer and ask or insist on a comparison with a new unstrung Cab 30MS, which presumably he should have. If it deviates to a degree that you consider unacceptable, you have every right to ask him to re-do the stringing job again properly.
FYI, you really cannot compare an Iso shape with an Oval shape, simply because of the Iso's more squarish frame and its much larger stringbed area. Almost all Iso heads are larger than Oval heads, and their width across the 9 o'clock/3 o'clock is generally also wider. It is like comparing apples with oranges. To check if the frame has been distorted, place the racquet frame on a flat surface but with the part of the racquet from the throat to the handle hanging in free space. Press the stringbed and see if the frame sits squarly and firmly on the flat surface. It should. If it doesn' then your racquet has been warped. :D

[Mr. Anderson]

Yeah, but the problem is I've already used it for one day and I'm afraid the stringer might claim that it deformed due to clashes, mis-use and so on.

But given Mr. Tung's reputation, I don't think that should pose any problems, should it? Also I noticed some dents in the MP bump at the 2 o'clock position, could it be due to the clamps?

[taneepak]

Yeah, but the problem is I've already used it for one day and I'm afraid the stringer might claim that it deformed due to clashes, mis-use and so on.

But given Mr. Tung's reputation, I don't think that should pose any problems, should it? Also I noticed some dents in the MP bump at the 2 o'clock position, could it be due to the clamps?

I suggest you bring this up to Tung and discuss with him. The customer is King, and you shouldn't be shy about bringing anything that still bugs you.
The dents at the 2 o'clock position could be caused by anything, including machines that have supports at the 2 o'clock position. I don't think Tung uses a machine with side supports.
You still have not explained the nature of how your racquet is deformed. The type of measurement you mentioned earlier doesn't measure anything. The only way is to overlay an unstrung Cab 30MS with your strung Cab 30MS. Have you done this? If not then go to Tung and ask him to do it. It is your right.
FYI, even Iso racquets of different models from the same manufacturer do not have the same shape, some have a larger stringbed than others. :D

[LazyBuddy]

Hmm, when I took a close look at my newly strung Cab 30MS (which was picked from the trashcan), it seems that one side of the cross frame was bent 1mm inwards than the other.



I wonder how u spot the difference of 1mm, w/o compare with a un-strung cab30ms. :confused:

Also, even 2 identical rackets, both un-strung, there might be very slim difference between dimensions. Also, the view angle might also play some tricks.

Also, once a racket is strung, no matter how good the stringer is, how accurate the machine is, there must be some "shape changes". Of course, as long as it's in the acceptable range, it should be fine. ;)

[Mr. Anderson]

Thanks for all the suggestions, the problem has been solved successfully. :)

Brought the racket to Tung for inspection today and after comparing it really was a bit deformed at the 9 o'clock position. Tung agreed to fix the problem free of charge and the racket will be ready by Monday.

BTW a lil' more info on the racket...

Serial: 4932081 190542SP
Condition: Let's just say if I didn't tell you this was picked from the trashcan, you'd think it's new (apart from the little dents, no paint chips at all).

As you can see, the racket was only about 6 months old when it was dumped, what a huge waste.

[taneepak]

Thanks for all the suggestions, the problem has been solved successfully. :)

Brought the racket to Tung for inspection today and after comparing it really was a bit deformed at the 9 o'clock position. Tung agreed to fix the problem free of charge and the racket will be ready by Monday.

BTW a lil' more info on the racket...

Serial: 4932081 190542SP
Condition: Let's just say if I didn't tell you this was picked from the trashcan, you'd think it's new (apart from the little dents, no paint chips at all).

As you can see, the racket was only about 6 months old when it was dumped, what a huge waste.

How is he going to fix it? Cut off the string and restring again? :confused:

[Mr. Anderson]

Well I wouldn't know but I have faith in him.