This just happened a few hours ago from a mishit smash. That's 7 broken rackets in 4 months. I seriously need to find another sport to play. :crying:

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/818/at700crackjd4.jpg

poor racquet ... i mean dan ... :p
i thought you mentioned that you had a source that will give you an unlimited warranty?
what's the worry then?

also, i thought you said it was the at700 with the yellow strings and loose cap that was most likely to break first ...
i think you should try a lower string tension, hehe, although it seems petelsd doesn't seem to have this problem ...

i thought you mentioned that you had a source that will give you an unlimited warranty?
what's the worry then?

Yes, but it's just a hassle. It's just frustrating. :(

also, i thought you said it was the at700 with the yellow strings and loose cap that was most likely to break first ...
i think you should try a lower string tension, hehe, although it seems petelsd doesn't seem to have this problem ...

The loose cap racket is still alive, I haven't hit it much. since The lowest tension I'm comfortable with is 26lbs. I prefer 28-29lbs. The racket that broke was strung at 27lbs. If 32/35lbs...forget it, that's a scary thought! :eek:

have you analysed whether your racquets tend to break quicker with higher tensions?
time to pick up squash, i hear it's great! :rolleyes:
plus, if you can't find a partner, you can always play with yourself.
no, that's not right, i mean, by yourself, hmmmm ... sounds pretty bad either way .... :p

have you analysed whether your racquets tend to break quicker with higher tensions?

Higher tension, 29-31lbs., the string breaks quicker. At lower tensions, 26-28lbs. the racket breaks quicker.

Maybe I should go back to 30+lbs. string tension; breaking string's a lot cheaper than rackets. :rolleyes:

oefff...that's not good...you shoudl seriously look into lower tensions, this is getting expensive...

OR: stop mishitting;)

Dan, how do you manage it? I've never known anyone to be so destructive.

There must be something really weird in your technique. Either that or you have consistently bought dodgy rackets.

:p you can always just play with sqaush racquets.

wow...badminton is an expensive sport.. but you just proved that it could be way much more expensive that what I thought...

:p you can always just play with sqaush racquets.

Ultimate arm training :D

(Or a great way to get injured.)

Dan, how do you manage it? I've never known anyone to be so destructive.

There must be something really weird in your technique. Either that or you have consistently bought dodgy rackets.
combine High tensions with hard hitting and , no offense, mishitting...

You need to Dink more Dan:D

Dan, how do you manage it? I've never known anyone to be so destructive.

There must be something really weird in your technique. Either that or you have consistently bought dodgy rackets.

Well, the people that I play against say I dink hard and see me break the rackets. They say it's not my technique nor is it the equipment. For instance, I get my Yonex stuff, straight from Yonex.

Ultimate arm training :D

(Or a great way to get injured.)

Yeah, got injured doing cross-court backhand clears with a squash racket, my arm and mostly important, psychology, never the same. :(

oefff...that's not good...you shoudl seriously look into lower tensions, this is getting expensive...

OR: stop mishitting;)

When I play with more advanced players, they try their hardest to make me mishit. Make sense no? :p

Poor racket RIP....:crying:

There's gotta be a racket out there for Dan that won't break. Dan may spend a life time searching for that true racket.:)

Lot of your miss hits are due to your hand-eye coordination technique. Your concentration drops when you're tired or rushed to a shot. You need to learn to control your choice of shots when your opponents sets a fast paced game. They are trying to rush you to make a poor decision, such as smashing while you are off balance, resulting in a miss-hit. When in situations such as that, tell yourself to drop or clear, don't be tempted to crush that shuttle and break your favorite racket. Hope this advise helps.:)

i propose the following yonex racquet for dan.
if he breaks this then it's off to squash ...

http://www.badmintoncentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=24019&stc=1&d=1156931203

Hmm, Dan, you should give that 8100 "Blacky" racket a try, might as well..who knows??worst come to worst, it'll break also..BTW, isn't that the same Blacken racket which you wielded before??...:p;):)
P.S. Dan, have you tried one of those older model Yonex racket, the ones still with the T-Joint(ie. Yonex 9)??..they're oval & a bit heavier though..:)

i propose the following yonex racquet for dan.
if he breaks this then it's off to squash ...

http://www.badmintoncentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=24019&stc=1&d=1156931203

Yep, the Blacken 8100. I had one. Sold it. :p

Hmm, Dan, you should give that 8100 "Blacky" racket a try, might as well..who knows??worst come to worst, it'll break also..BTW, isn't that the same Blacken racket which you wielded before??...:p;):)
P.S. Dan, have you tried one of those older model Yonex racket, the ones still with the T-Joint(ie. Yonex 9)??..they're oval & a bit heavier though..:)

Blacky is the same as the Blacken. The other racket you are referring to is the Cab 9. I had both...thanks but...skip compared to the current rackets.

it'll save you a bundle, think about the smashing power as well!

it'll save you a bundle, think about the smashing power as well!

But absolutely no defense. :p

Yes, you must find another sport, tray with boxing :)

he killed 7 racquets in 4 months, now you want him to kill people too?
:eek:

Boxing is too violent. :D

Yes, you must find another sport, tray with boxing :)

Yes, you must find another sport, tray with boxing :)

I do have a punching bag. :p

he killed 7 racquets in 4 months, now you want him to kill people too? :eek:

What are you talking about? Please choose your words carefully, I never said nor hinted any thing of the sort. I have broken 7 rackets.

What are you talking about? Please choose your words carefully, I never said nor hinted any thing of the sort. I have broken 7 rackets.

heh, steady now, all i meant was the power you put into breaking those racquets could be lethal if you applied that to boxing.

heh, steady now, all i meant was the power you put into breaking those racquets could be lethal if you applied that to boxing.

Then that's what you should have said, agree? :)

Kill is not a good word, unless it's killing the shuttle. :p

Dink mast change nick in RacketEliminator for exemple

Then that's what you should have said, agree? :)

Kill is not a good word, unless it's killing the shuttle. :p

haha, ok, apologies ...
we know you're a gentle giant, except with racquets and shuttles.

haha, ok, apologies ...
we know you're a gentle giant, except with racquets and shuttles.

No worries. :) Yes, I'm a gentle panda. :p :D

do even pros break rackets as frequent as you do?

seriously, there must be something not right with your hand/arm :D

try no-smash-badminton.

try no-smash-badminton.

Bully! :p :p :p :D :D :D

I can't believe your still buying Yonex ....

why don't u try a different brand .... sotx perhaps?

I can't believe your still buying Yonex ....

why don't u try a different brand .... sotx perhaps?

Hello Sir! Where have you been? I've been using SOTX for the last 8+ months. I broke 3 Woven 11s and 1 D-600 (in the last 4 months) prior to breaking this AT700.

I went back to Yonex because of the warranty. And a great warranty it is. :)

you could try playing with no strings.....How about reducing tension?
Consider using a 2U racquet?

How about thinner string with lower tension?

(1st one is a joke:p)

Sir Dink did and broken racquets went up the roof :D.

you could try playing with no strings.....How about reducing tension?
Consider using a 2U racquet?

How about thinner string with lower tension?

(1st one is a joke:p)

Get a steel racquet.
Lower tension on the strings as you might be swinging it a bit slower

I suggest you join up with Yonex. Be part of their testing division, I mean getting paid to break rackets =)

I suggest you join up with Yonex. Be part of their testing division, I mean getting paid to break rackets =)

I'd love to do that, if they were offering. :p

Just wondering
If you can take a vido and let us see how do you play?
Sire, I admire thy power:p

I always use yonex almost 20 years ago ... and never broken until now. Only once the stringer wasnt carefull.... SO ANGRYYYY.

Just wondering
If you can take a vido and let us see how do you play?
Sire, I admire thy power:p

I may, on Tuesday but I'm sure you'll all laugh. :p

Update: I thought the racket could last a game or two; I thought wrong. :p

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/6530/at700crack1si6.jpg

Update: I thought the racket could last a game or two; I thought wrong. :p

Oh, the racket collapsed from a dink...smash (surprise!). One opponent said, "Oh my God! What did you hit? The net pole?!" I replied, "No, the shuttle, but it was already cracked." He replied, "Oh $hit!" :p

Hey Dink, have you broken any racket with lower tension, lets say 22lbs or even 24lbs. Maybe you are not meant to play with high tension.

I suppose it's possible that Dink's raw power is simply too great :D Yet I think even the pros don't break rackets like this, so he must have one helluva smash and be hitting the frame an awful lot.

We can assume the racket quality is not to blame, since he gets them straight from Yonex. But there might be some other factors:

Where do you get your strings from?
Who strings your racket?
What is the condition of your grommets like after a restring?
Where is your racket stored when not in use? (In a cold environment?)
Do you hit off-centre a lot when you smash?

Hey Dink, have you broken any racket with lower tension, lets say 22lbs or even 24lbs. Maybe you are not meant to play with high tension.

I like a medium to higher tension. 22lbs.-24lbs. is a bit too low for me. The lowest I prefer is 26lbs., ideally 29-30lbs. but I usually play at around 28lbs.

The said racket broke at 25-26lbs.

You know, I'm really intrigued -- better make a video of yourself while playing. Might we see the infamous *dink* that we're talking about here. :D

But seriously, breaking that too many rackets will kill my wallet, AND my loan collector. :(

Have you considered bowls? You get to wear a nice white coat and spend time outdoors!

Hi Gollum,

First off, I just talked to one of my coaches late yesterday night about me and my racket breaking and he said it has been and is going to be a normal occurrence, so don't worry. :p

Here are your answers:

1) I get Ashaway strings direct from Ashaway. I purchase Yonex strings from an authorized Yonex Dealer and other miscellaneous string from all over, but usually reputable shops in Asian.

2) I string my own rackets and have been doing so for a while now. I've contacted many stringers over the internet about stringing techniques (most notably PeteLSD; I figure if he regularly strings at 32-35lbs. and doesn't break rackets, he must be good; or lucky :p), met a variety of professional stringers and met two Yonex certified stringers as well. All the stringers I have met in person said my stringing is just fine. :)

3) All my rackets are in very good to like-new condition because I, well, break rackets. None of my rackets get old enough to warranty replacing grommets. If you look at the pictures of all my broken rackets, you'll see they are quite new, no more than 6 months old. I currently do not have a racket that's more than 2 months old in my bag! :eek:

4) All my rackets are stored in my racket bag which is placed in my office, which is in a 24 hour monitored, air conditioned room of about 78F and 40% relative humidity. :D

5) Mishits are all relative but no, I do not mishit my smashes a lot. The only time I mishit is against advanced opponents who can run me and get me off balance. :p

A couple of notes:

+When I do mishit, it's usually not even a complete, full swing; it's usually a 2/3 to 3/4 swing with my body shifting from right to left, I'm off balance and arching to get a shot the opponent hit.

+Prior, I did not break as many rackets when I was stringing at 29-30lbs. with 0.68mm string. However, I broke many more strings, 5-6 strings a month. In the last 6 months or so, I've dropped the tension to 26-28lbs. and increased the string thickness to 0.70mm. The result, much less string breakage, in fact the rackets break more than the strings, 7 in 4 months. 4 broke at the shaft or handle, 3 from smash mishits.

I'm going to try 0.68mm string again at 26-28lbs. and see what happens...

I suppose it's possible that Dink's raw power is simply too great :D Yet I think even the pros don't break rackets like this, so he must have one helluva smash and be hitting the frame an awful lot.

We can assume the racket quality is not to blame, since he gets them straight from Yonex. But there might be some other factors:

Where do you get your strings from?
Who strings your racket?
What is the condition of your grommets like after a restring?
Where is your racket stored when not in use? (In a cold environment?)
Do you hit off-centre a lot when you smash?

You know, I'm really intrigued -- better make a video of yourself while playing. Might we see the infamous *dink* that we're talking about here. :D

But seriously, breaking that too many rackets will kill my wallet, AND my loan collector. :(

I could just make you guys all laugh and video tape myself dinking drops all day. You'll be like, "Hey! How can me break a racket hitting like that?!" :p

Have you considered bowls? You get to wear a nice white coat and spend time outdoors!

Bowls? As in what we Americans call "lawn bowling"? Never tried, a bit too slow for me. And white, it's not my color. :p Oh wait, I do like nice, cut green grass. Shiny! :D

Well, I guess it's none of the things I thought of, then.

The mystery continues!

Well, I guess it's none of the things I thought of, then.

The mystery continues!

I believe it's no mystery, everyone just says I'm too hard on rackets. I think above average arm strength has to do with it. Prior to dislocating my shoulder, I could bench press over 330lbs. and could swing a softball bat over 110mph. I also played tennis back in the day, so switching to badminton, I was all arm. Now I'm discovering the intracacies of wrist power so...who knows. :p

I dunno Dink, I can almost match you on strength (my bench is only about 275) and I can really crank the shuttle, but I don't go through raquets like you do.

Two things come to mind

1) I don't string as tight

2) I use older racquets ( the Forza Sp-9000 haven't been made in about six years)

I feel a lot of the new raquets have a design flaw - going to the new nano technology does create lighter, "more playable" racquets, but, like with thinner, more explosive string, the durability takes a nosedive.

The other aspect is string tension - it does play a significant factor. The high tension puts increased stress on the frame. So when you have mishits, the flex on that point can cause it to suddenly reach failure.

dink instead of worrying about yr rackets life expectancy
u need to change the way u think..
stop looking for the in-destructable racket, u know they will never make
a racket that even u can't break, if they do then nobody will ever need
to buy another racket cos the old one broke..
it'd probaly be more realistic to find a job that pays sooo well with sooo little working hours that makes killing rackets moments of joy and pleasure
U know it, we all enjoy seeing you breaking rackets one after another..
Your legendary record of racket extermination shall continue.

Vining: 275 is a lot. :eek: I haven't tried the bench in over 10 years. I doubt I can even do 200 now, my shoulder starts twitching everytime I think of it.:p

I'm sure you can hit harder and better than I can as you have better technique and more experience. I still have a lot to learn. :)

I agree with you that in general, the newer rackets are not as durable as the older ones that are just simple HMG or UHMG.

Absolutely on the string tension too, going from (say) 22lbs. to 26lbs. is a significant increase in stress on the racket frame. I wonder, has anyone done any research on this?

I wonder what the percentage is; for example (rough guesstimate) on racket frame stress to difference in tension ratio:

22 vs. 26lbs.: 75% more stress?
26 vs. 28lbs.: 25% more stress?
28 vs. 30lbs.: 30% more stress?
30 vs. 32lbs.: 35% more stress?

dink instead of worrying about yr rackets life expectancy u need to change the way u think..

Easy for you to say. You're not the one breaking rackets. :p

U know it, we all enjoy seeing you breaking rackets one after another.. Your legendary record of racket extermination shall continue.

You may enjoy me breaking rackets but I don't want to be known for that. I'd rather be know for me a nice guy, you know the Gentle Panda. :p :D

i just dun think 4u and 3u rackets are meant for dinkalot:D There just no room for error given the power and tension imposed on these rackets. With so much power, why the need of 4u and 3u rackets? Go try cab 8/9 or some other 2U rackets. Don't underestimate the performance of the oldies. The new rackets seem powerful because they are lighter and u swing faster. The racket itself isnt more powerful but only more fragile. U r swapping weight for speed but if u can bench press 330lbs, then using 2u shouldn't change your swing speed much at all. Changing brands of 3u or 4u rackets won't solve your problems. If ur sporty celica keep breaking down on your daily off road riding, time to buy a off road car:p Changing car brands or tire pressure won't do it.

Cooler: Errrr, most of the rackets I have broken are 2U Woven 11s and a Cab 9. You bring up a good point though, whether it's a 4U or 2U, I feel all the rackets swing a like. They are all light. :p

No more benching for me, I'm just the Gentle Panda now. :D

I'm sure stress loads would have to be calculated at some point. The pinpoint stress would be a factors given that we're talking about 40 plus strings exactly an overall increased stress of 4-8 pounds.

Based on a simple multiplier, that is a 160 - 320 the stress factors that can now be transfered towards a single point on the frame - i.e the impact site of shuttle ( though, granted not all the strings will enact 100% force on that point)

I only string around 21-23 pounds, depending on string type and time of year.

Cooler: Errrr, most of the rackets I have broken are 2U Woven 11s and a Cab 9. You bring up a good point though, whether it's a 4U or 2U, I feel all the rackets swing a like. They are all light. :p

No more benching for me, I'm just the Gentle Panda now. :D
where did u broke the cab 9?

where did u broke the cab 9?

In San Gabriel of course. HAR-HAR! :D

-dave

where did u broke the cab 9?

Over a year ago, it was an old Cab 9, I bought from someone local. Broke at the handle.

In San Gabriel of course. HAR-HAR! :D

-dave

LOL! Dave, you sooooo smart. :p

You may enjoy me breaking rackets but I don't want to be known for that. I'd rather be know for me a nice guy, you know the Gentle Panda. :p :D
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/bb/KungFuPanda_TeaserPoster.jpg/180px-KungFuPanda_TeaserPoster.jpg (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:KungFuPanda_TeaserPoster.jpg) a picture is worth a million words

Over a year ago, it was an old Cab 9, I bought from someone local. Broke at the handle.
u mean the shaft near the cone area?

In San Gabriel of course. HAR-HAR! :D

-davewoodchuck, i heard this winter will be a cold one:p

u mean the shaft near the cone area?

Nope, the actual wood handle broke, split into a few pieces.

Nope, the actual wood handle broke, split into a few pieces.
haha, whoah, even the handle broke into pieces?!?!:eek: ckckckck, now that's what i call a powerful-grip..:p ..
hmm, on that note, maybe you can do a custom job:use older Carbonex shaft and frame but use newer MP, AT or Nano handles...hehe:p :)

i think yonex should bring back metal frame design with today's better technology. I mean for head heavy models.

:eek:

I'm really impressed by what i read !!! Haven't broke any racquets for all my badminton carreer (4 full years now) but, unfortunately, i have broken over 50 strings now :p)

I cannot help you much, Dan, cos i don't have much ideas since Gollum asked you many questions and didn't find any solutions. However, I have an idea.

How do you string your racquet ???

You have to reduce the tension at the edge of the frame !!!
For example, string 5 mains from your at-700 at 30 lbs, then you go to the other side and string 5 mains at 30 lbs again .
My next suggestion is to string 3 mains at 28 lbs and then string at 28 lbs on the other side.
To finish, String the 3 last mains on each side at 26 lbs.

This way, the racquet doesn't disform or crack. Always the string :D but the racquet shouldn't.

As for the crosses, string from the middle !!! Use 30 lbs to string the 5 up crosses, then the five bottom, next 28 lbs for up and 28 for bottom, and you finally end on 26 lbs for the 3 last up crosses remaining and 26 lbs for the 4 last bottom crosses remaining ...

Hope my explanations are easy to understand ...

I suppose you have already tried this method, but, never know, If you didn't try ... :) you should !

It's all i can do for you :o I apologize for all the racquets you have broken so far, Rest-In-Peace to all of them :(

Chilefu, answers:

I assure you there is nothing wrong with my stringing. In fact, I've been asked twice to be the official stringer at two local tournaments. I declined because I only string for myself and close friends. In fact, I would rather have other people string my racket, I'm sick of stringing rackets. :p

With my current stringing machine, I do the same tension all the way around because it holds the shape of the racket very well. When I tie off, it's going to drop a couple pounds anyway.

I've strung many other rackets for other people and they have not broken their rackets. Case and point, my double's partner, I string all his racket at 30-32lbs. Not one break or any problems.

the real way to prove that is true is to use one of your partner's racquets for a couple of weeks, and see if that breaks. of course, use one with a warranty!

the real way to prove that is true is to use one of your partner's racquets for a couple of weeks, and see if that breaks. of course, use one with a warranty!

No, I'm through trying to figure out what ifs. Bottomline, rackets break.

From what I read, I don't understand what fuss is all about! Just don't string your rackets at such a tension! There is no need! All you are doing is increasing the likelihood of snapping the frame! (Also, in the UK the AT 700 was originally discontinued due to persistent complaints about breakages due to high string tensions, hence Yonex then introduced "recommended stringing tensions" in their brochures....)

Regardless of strength or technique if you string an AT 700 to above 25lbs then you should not be surprised if it snaps. Moreover, I can't think of why any player, other than an international standard player, would ever even think of stringing their racket to such high tensions anyway! There is simply no point!

Regardless of strength or technique if you string an AT 700 to above 25lbs then you should not be surprised if it snaps. Moreover, I can't think of why any player, other than an international standard player, would ever even think of stringing their racket to such high tensions anyway! There is simply no point!

Completely disagree, some people need higher tension. I cannot play with lower tension (less than 25lbs.), it's too spongey. I need a more taut feel.

perhaps you should try getting your hands on the JP or CP versions, and test the myth of whether these are supposedly more durable for us.
it'll take the rest of us too long to determine whether JP/CP break less than SP/IP/HK/TH/TW.
TH in particular since they still appear to be the cheapest available in the market.

perhaps you should try getting your hands on the JP or CP versions, and test the myth of whether these are supposedly more durable for us. it'll take the rest of us too long to determine whether JP/CP break less than SP/IP/HK/TH/TW.
TH in particular since they still appear to be the cheapest available in the market.

I have US code rackets. I'm sure they are fine. It's not just Yonex, I break every racket. I'm an equal opportunity breaker. :p

I have US code rackets. I'm sure they are fine. It's not just Yonex, I break every racket. I'm an equal opportunity breaker. :p

hahaha, glad to see you don't discriminate!

Wow, I know exactly how you feel DinkALot.

The last 5 months, I manage to break 5 rackets.
I had 4 MP-88 and 2 Ashaway 8000
1st of the MP-88 strung at 27lbs broke through clashing
2nd of the MP-88 strung at 27lbs broke by mis-hitting the shuttle on the side
3rd of the MP-88 the actual handle broke while I was smashing
4th of the MP-88 the shaft cracked therefore I cannot use it anymore for fear of the racket head flying to someone’s head while playing
which of course happened to 1 of the ashaway racket – while in a tourney – the shaft broke suddenly and the head flew out of the court. Luckily no one was hit.

And yes, at $160 a pop, those MP 88 arent cheap!

I have never broken so many rackets in one year playing badminton, which is over 12 years.

So, I asked around which is the most durable racket that I can string at higher tension and can withstand the abuse. I found RSL brand to be good choice at relatively cheap price per racket. I have been playing so long that it really doesn’t matter what type of racket I play, just as long as it has the same isometric shape, can hold higher tensions and the weight is approximately the same as the Yonex brands. I just recently got me an RSL 3180 that you can string up 28lbs or more at $40 a racket (string included). I have been playing with the RSL for about 2 months and I have abused it. I mean I did everything to it that I wouldn’t do with my MP88s (god rest their souls) and it is still ok except for the chip paint that I get clashing with other players or dragging it to the gym floor for those hard to get shots. So, I was so impressed I ordered 3 more and they just arrived yesterday, already strung at 28lbs. The cool thing about it is that I have now 4 rackets I can abuse and break, if the case maybe (I HOPE NOT), and I still would not mind cuz 4 of these rackets just equals to 1 MP88 J

And no it’s not the swing or the way we smash either – it’s just the Badminton Gods are against DinkAlot and I at the moment.

Keep on dinking and smashing!!

:o Basing on what I've read, mayhap I'd have to agree with Gollum's raw arm power idea.

dink, have you ever thought that every single racket that you have broken so far has somekind of defect on the frame and every single of them would break faster than the rest (but of course, even faster speeded up by your abuse) and you were just a nice gentle yet very very very unlucky panda all along?

:D

dink, have you ever thought that every single racket that you have broken so far has somekind of defect on the frame and every single of them would break faster than the rest (but of course, even faster speeded up by your abuse) and you were just a nice gentle yet very very very unlucky panda all along?

:D

But I'm a nice gentle, gentle, very gentle panda! :p

Hi Dan,

Is Yonex going to replace your broken AT700??? Since you strung them way beyond the recommended tension.....

Sorry.... just curious.....

Best regards,
Albert

So, I asked around which is the most durable racket that I can string at higher tension and can withstand the abuse. I found RSL brand to be good choice at relatively cheap price per racket. I have been playing so long that it really doesn’t matter what type of racket I play, just as long as it has the same isometric shape, can hold higher tensions and the weight is approximately the same as the Yonex brands. I just recently got me an RSL 3180 that you can string up 28lbs or more at $40 a racket (string included). I have been playing with the RSL for about 2 months and I have abused it. I mean I did everything to it that I wouldn’t do with my MP88s (god rest their souls) and it is still ok except for the chip paint that I get clashing with other players or dragging it to the gym floor for those hard to get shots. So, I was so impressed I ordered 3 more and they just arrived yesterday, already strung at 28lbs. The cool thing about it is that I have now 4 rackets I can abuse and break, if the case maybe (I HOPE NOT), and I still would not mind cuz 4 of these rackets just equals to 1 MP88
Speaking of this, i remember Paul(Viper2005) mentioned in another thread something abt 'if you can get 4 non-Yonex for the price of 1 Yonex racket, why not'. Dan, i would consider trying RSL racquets, for what its worth..I mean any racquet models will do now & i would consider trying..Personally, I've tried an RSL racquet one time and as far as i remember, it felt pretty solid...I mean, you can't go wrong here, esp. after all those unfortunate breakage...:p:( ;)

Hi Dan,

Is Yonex going to replace your broken AT700??? Since you strung them way beyond the recommended tension.....

Sorry.... just curious.....

Best regards,
Albert

Yes Sir, they are. And the racket was not strung way beyond, just a little bit more. :)

Speaking of this, i remember Paul(Viper2005) mentioned in another thread something abt 'if you can get 4 non-Yonex for the price of 1 Yonex racket, why not'. Dan, i would consider trying RSL racquets, for what its worth..I mean any racquet models will do now & i would consider trying..Personally, I've tried an RSL racquet one time and as far as i remember, it felt pretty solid...I mean, you can't go wrong here, esp. after all those unfortunate breakage...:p:( ;)

I've already tried the RSL rackets. They are good but not for me. They are, in general, too light and the feel of the shuttle off the racket is different too. Again, not my preference.

Dude, you might wanna try using a "badminton racket frame guard" (don't know what it's actally called). It is sort of like a huge rubber band that you attach/wear around the racket frame as an extra protection from clashes and mis-hits. By the way, the one I saw is made by SOTX.

Yes Sir, they are. And the racket was not strung way beyond, just a little bit more. :)
I have a friend who strung 27lb and he would break them like in half a year..
In the end what was the solution?? Lower tension :p
Try 24! It aint too bad... I am sure you can do it hehe..
Just matter of mentality I guess? :rolleyes::)

Yes Sir, they are. And the racket was not strung way beyond, just a little bit more. :) Hi SirDink, I have a friend who strung 27lb and he would break them like in half a year..
In the end what was the solution?? Lower tension :p
Try 24! It aint too bad... I am sure you can do it hehe..
Just matter of mentality I guess? :rolleyes::)

ps.. another suggestion.. try warming up the racket with heat or watever before play.. maybe that might help to prolong the racket life?

ps.. another suggestion.. try warming up the racket with heat or watever before play.. maybe that might help to prolong the racket life?

Heat? It's 85-100F here right now, how much hotter do you want it? :eek: :p

Heat? It's 85-100F here right now, how much hotter do you want it? :eek: :p
lol thought its winter there hehe....:D

Wow. I'm so amazed! He's got power!

A video of Dan breaking racquets in a set would be a best seller in YouTube, imho.

lol thought its winter there hehe....:D

The winter is still 85F. :D

Update: I believe I've found out why I break so many rackets. Today, by chance, I met an old school Badminton Instructor. He's been watching me play for a little bit now and said the reason why I'm breaking rackets is because I'm using too much arm power and not enough wrist.

He said the current rackets are not designed to take such abuse because they are lighter and as a result, generate more racket speed than older, heavier rackets. The newer rackets can also flex more (store and release more potential energy) but have less maximum tolerances.

Anyway, he's teaching me how to maximize my wrist power... :D

Now while I'm at it, here's the latest victim from another mishit; and no, I did not string this one:

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/9827/bustedwoven7fv3.jpg

Last victim, huh. There goes our fun in reading your posts. :p All the best in your wrist training, Dink.

you broke it in 2 separate places!
i didn't think using the arm vs wrist made a difference to racquet damage ...

whats with this arm power thing?? Doesn't make sense dude...
I think you are just too buff thats why lol....
You should show us a clip of your smash man.... I bet its faster thans Fu's!:D

you broke it in 2 separate places!
i didn't think using the arm vs wrist made a difference to racquet damage ...

Edit: I originally wrote a long post but I decided to delete it because I'm not a physics expert and it's come to the point where I'm tired of analyzing, I just don't care any more. I'm just going to play (and enjoy) the game (isn't that the most important thing in the first place?) and work on wrist power instead of arm power. In the interim, if my rackets break, they break.

This is what "Coach Wrist" said, arm vs. wrist power does make a difference, arm power is much harder on rackets. The reasoning, assuming all other things being equal (shuttle, racket, string, max velocity of swing at contact point) with arm power, you need to use greater force for a longer period of time and distance to generate the same end result as wrist power. At any point (except impact) during that time/distance, there's greater force with arm power.

I know there are points some of you physics experts will bring up, the acceleration from wrist power is greater than arm power just before impact. Arm power acceleration is more constant. Back to rackets, with wrist power if you mishit, there's much less margin for error time-wise, whereas with arm power basically any time (except contact point and time) during the swing, there's going to be more force than wrist power. Result, more chance to break rackets with arm power.

Coach Wrist alluded, I have a bazooka arm when all I need is a sniper arm to get the same results (actually sniper arm is more effective, efficient and deceptive). The bazooka is arm power, the sniper is wrist power.

whats with this arm power thing?? Doesn't make sense dude...
I think you are just too buff thats why lol....
You should show us a clip of your smash man.... I bet its faster thans Fu's!:D

My smash is ugly, it's 90% arm power, 10% wrist. :p No way I can smash as hard as Fu. Once I get my timing down and maximize wrist, arm and body power, along with a jump...who knows. But that'll take 10+ years. Stay tuned. :p :D

10 years + and you'll be too old to hit those 300kph's.
so what's the coach's advice on how to improve wrist power?

10 years + and you'll be too old to hit those 300kph's.
so what's the coach's advice on how to improve wrist power?

Minimize arm movement and use only wrist.

Basically hit everything out in front with a flick of the wrist.

He wants me to only hit smashs with all wrist, just snap. I said, "But my smash will be so weak". Coach Wrist replied with a grin, "Initially. But once you get it down, bye-bye birdie, it'll be one smash, one kill." I sure hope so. :p

I tried the wrist smash with Coach and he replied, my wrist smash was already good enough to keep most clubs players at bay.

The key is, Coach wants me to keep using just wrist and once I get used to it, then incorporate the body and arm rotation, then add the jump.

sounds good...

:eek: jump? you'll be cracking floors;)

hahaha, so all the money currently spent on new racquets will be channelled into new shuttles.
oh well, at least then you don't have to bear the burden yourself!

Woah 7 racquets broke in 4 months... I think tennis is suitable for you. :p

Congrats on finding a possible solution to your troubles, Dink. :D

My smash is ugly, it's 90% arm power, 10% wrist. :p No way I can smash as hard as Fu. Once I get my timing down and maximize wrist, arm and body power, along with a jump...who knows. But that'll take 10+ years. Stay tuned. :p :D
lol I still insist to see!!! hehe...
How tall and heavy are u by the way? hehe

I was wondering Dink what strings are those? I like the colour and the pattern of the string..

lol I still insist to see!!! hehe...
How tall and heavy are u by the way? hehe

I'm 5'11", 225lbs. going on 220lbs. :p

I was wondering Dink what strings are those? I like the colour and the pattern of the string..

Ashaway MicroPower Blue. :)

If you need to watch someone with a wristy power, watch Trisna Gunadi.
He has the best wrist technique that I've seen, just watch him smash.
Trisna plays on Wednesday and Friday nights at SGVBC.


Ashaway MicroPower Blue. :)

If you need to watch someone with a wristy power, watch Trisna Gunadi. He has the best wrist technique that I've seen, just watch him smash. Trisna plays on Wednesday and Friday nights at SGVBC.

Yep, I'm familar with Trisna; in fact Don and I almost played against him tonight. :)

You break more racquets than me; my count in the last 10 years;
1 x Karkal (head loop)
1 x Prince (head loop
3 x Carltons (these broke in rapid sucsession 2 in a month (both shaft) 3rd lasted 3 months (head loop))
2 x Yonex (1 shaft, 1 head loop)

And I thought I was bad.

well, you've met your match.
good ol dan here will give anyone a good run for their money ...

Nope, the actual wood handle broke, split into a few pieces.

I don’t actually classify that as breaking a racquet, just take the bits and glue them back together around the shaft, wire it up and leave it for a week and then off with the wires and on with a new grip. Better than new in many cases.

I don’t actually classify that as breaking a racquet, just take the bits and glue them back together around the shaft, wire it up and leave it for a week and then off with the wires and on with a new grip. Better than new in many cases.

For me, anything that breaks on a racket and you cannot use it anymore is a broken racket.

Fixing the handle was not that easy. I took it to a couple of experts and they said it beyond fixing, the handle on my Cab 9, basically sheared off at an angle, in about 4-5 pieces, was not really fixable, nor do I want to fix it (myself).

Dinkalot I think you need more follow through if your actually snapping handles...

You definitely should try to get a game against Trisna, his defense is A+.

You may need a stronger partner than Don, get Chris or Ba Su or Alex.:D

I'm organizing the first ever GGBC POT this Saturday. Many of the A players from Bay Area will be playing. $20.00 per player. So exciting, finally some challenge.:D

Yep, I'm familar with Trisna; in fact Don and I almost played against him tonight. :)

You definitely should try to get a game against Trisna, his defense is A+.

You may need a stronger partner than Don, get Chris or Ba Su or Alex.:D


I don't know, yesterday Don and I beat Alex. I got lucky and defended well...enough. :p

I've beaten Alex the last 4 times I played him now. :eek: :eek: :eek: ...:p ...:D

My secret: don't hit it to Alex. When I do hit it to him...I lose. :p

Don is good enough, no complaints. Besides against Trisna, I'm not looking to win, I'm looking to learn, have fun and get run (the last I'm sure of). :p :p :p

I'm organizing the first ever GGBC POT this Saturday. Many of the A players from Bay Area will be playing. $20.00 per player. So exciting, finally some challenge.:D
..hehe, wah, is this a go, Paul??..If that's the case, then there'll be quite a lot of the A&B players from SGVBC who'll participate also??...whoah, it's gonna be like a "mini-tournament" then...:cool: when will you hold it?? morning or afternoon or night-time?? i might swing by just to see some actions..BTW, "A players from Bay Area", such as who??..:rolleyes: :)

Chris, you're going to swing by GGBC? :p

..hehe, wah, is this a go, Paul??..If that's the case, then there'll be quite a lot of the A&B players from SGVBC who'll participate also??...whoah, it's gonna be like a "mini-tournament" then...:cool: when will you hold it?? morning or afternoon or night-time?? i might swing by just to see some actions..BTW, "A players from Bay Area", such as who??..:rolleyes: :)

Chris, you're going to swing by GGBC? :p
:D haha..oooops...no, nevermind...i must've just read thru it & didn't pay close attention(only saw the 'GBC') & probably got a bit excited....:p :o :p ..in that case, kwun will probably visit you guys then..:D

So far, I got.....Chandra, Angie, Mona, Mike, Stanley, Daniel, Bao, Ben Lee, Kamal, Lili, Arnold, Jinsong, Yee, and me.
I have some maybe players from UBC, Ziwei, Hao Jin.

Hopefully more top players will come and participate.

:D haha..oooops...no, nevermind...i must've just read thru it & didn't pay close attention(only saw the 'GBC') & probably got a bit excited....:p :o :p ..in that case, kwun will probably visit you guys then..:D

Dan, can you imagine organizing a POT at SGVBC with Alex, James, Grace, Johanna, Trisna, Tony, Halim, Howard, Bob, Eric Go.
$100.00 /person......:eek:

We can only dream of such a POT.:D

Who was Alex playing with????:eek:

I don't know, yesterday Don and I beat Alex. I got lucky and defended well...enough. :p

I've beaten Alex the last 4 times I played him now. :eek: :eek: :eek: ...:p ...:D

My secret: don't hit it to Alex. When I do hit it to him...I lose. :p

Don is good enough, no complaints. Besides against Trisna, I'm not looking to win, I'm looking to learn, have fun and get run (the last I'm sure of). :p :p :p

Dan, can you imagine organizing a POT at SGVBC with Alex, James, Grace, Johanna, Trisna, Tony, Halim, Howard, Bob, Eric Go.
$100.00 /person......:eek:

We can only dream of such a POT.:D

That would be fun. :D

Who was Alex playing with????:eek:

A "C" player, one of his students.

So far, I got.....Chandra, Angie, Mona, Mike, Stanley, Daniel, Bao, Ben Lee, Kamal, Lili, Arnold, Jinsong, Yee, and me.
I have some maybe players from UBC, Ziwei, Hao Jin.

Hopefully more top players will come and participate.
wah, that looks like a pretty tantalizing lineup, esp. for a reg. pot gathering-$20/person x 14, that's already $280 in cash for the winner(s), not too shabby...;) ah, and maybe it's time for kwun to go back and bring out his "weapon" of choice...;) :D
Dan, can you imagine organizing a POT at SGVBC with Alex, James, Grace, Johanna, Trisna, Tony, Halim, Howard, Bob, Eric Go.
$100.00 /person......:eek:

We can only dream of such a POT.:D
man, they should have a N.Cal vs. S.Cal competition every yr...More like a World-Cup style, 10 vs. 10, but within the state of California & winner takes all...But then there's already the U.S. National tournament every yr..$100 a pop x 10 people, that's already $1000 for the winner(s)...:rolleyes: :cool: :D

ok, ok, enough, we're going way off topic now..sorry Dan..:p

ah, and maybe it's time for kwun to go back and bring out his "weapon" of choice...;) :D


i think his new weapon is the D200:D
somebody has to take some pics u know...

Since you seem to be adept at breaking things, how about http://www.ufc.com/ ?

:p

So far, I got.....Chandra, Angie, Mona, Mike, Stanley, Daniel, Bao, Ben Lee, Kamal, Lili, Arnold, Jinsong, Yee, and me.
I have some maybe players from UBC, Ziwei, Hao Jin.

Hopefully more top players will come and participate.


oh man! did stan played tonight? i hope he has enough energy for tommorrow, cuz we have a tournament at Bintang!

who won by the way?

good luck sir dink. *tries to sound like a mentor in old kung fu movies*
I hope you find the path to ultimate wrist power.:)