Step-by-step on how to string a badminton racket
The tightening process
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Required tools
When you bought a stringing machine, be it portable or with stands, the required tools would come together. Thus, I would just go through a little on what tools to be use. For cutting strings and the knot that binds the roll of badminton string, you probably need a diagonal cutter [1 & 2] though I would prefer to use fingernails cutter. For tying and tightening the knot you need an awl [3] or a pathfinder awl [4] or perhaps you can try using my way of doing it, using the spring tensioner. You can also retract such an awl's point within an outer sheath, so you can insert a string into the sheath, enabling you to thread strings through grommets that are blocked by another string but I would prefer to use a hook for that purpose.
Create and tighten a knot
After you have completed the free stringing, one side of your racket should have an extra string of about 2 feet. We needed to use this 2 feet of string to tie a knot. Push the tip of the string into grommet 7B and tie a knot as shown in the diagram. Make a circle over the main string on grommet 7B as shown in diagram 2. Then over wrap the string within the circle as shown in diagram 3. As the pictures are too small, I would suggest you to view another method on the last two pictures by Joe, an expert in stringing. Visiting Joe's string forum is a must if you are serious in stringing business as it contains a lot of clear illustration of how to waive strings, cramping strings, tieing knots and other important information.
Remember, when dealing with a thin string, you need to turn an extra over wrap to make it 5 turns and for thicker string, 4 turns will do. After tying a knot, you will have to tighten the knot and by doing so, you need to hold the tips of the string (diagram 3) and pulled the string from the outside and you will see the circle turned into a knot. That’s is! Now you have a beautiful knot nicely tied and are ready to tighten your racket on your stringing machine.
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Mounting your frame
After placing your racket into your stringing machine, make sure the top of your racket frame and the t-joint lie nicely on the plastic attached (You can choose the right plastic to support your racket) as shown in the diagram.
A small piece of iron bar with cushion should lie on top of your frame and on the t-joint before a screw is tightened on both tops. Applied even pressure while tightening the screw because your racket frame is exposed to immense force during stringing process and is not supposed to move during stringing.
To ensure your racket would not move while stringing, after tightening the screw on the top of your frame, you will have to adjust the racket frame and tightened the adjusting screw located at the front and back of your machine. Again, not too tight on the frame adjusting screw or your racket will become too long once strung.
To prevent the frame from damaging due to unequal stresses while stringing, these machines are equipped with 2 points, 4 points and 6 points mount to hold the racket in position and to prevent the racket from moving. When mounting the racket frame, make sure to fix it in a balanced way. I personally didn’t use any of these mounts for support and thanks god I have not broken any racket so far after stringing for 20 years.
Adjusting the tension required
If you have read the previous article of Tension related to Power and Control, then you already have in mind what are the suitable tensions needed or recommended to your clients. And please apply some common sense as old racket and those rackets with a lot of cracked mark and peeled off paint are not eligible to string with too high tension. You can adjust the required weight by rotating the screw located on the spring tensioner
Started tightening the main string
After adjusting the spring tensioner to your require weight, you will now started to pull the first main string to the grip head located above the spring tensioner as shown in diagram 1. After gripping the first main string, crank the spring tensioner handle clockwise and a slim Iron rod would jump up and stop automatically, indicating the desire weight had reached. (Diagram1)
Now, locked the tightened string with a clamp as shown in diagram 2. Make sure your clamp holds the string well and in an even force. You can adjust its hold by either tightening or loosening the screw attached in the clamp. Take note, if the hold is too tight, the strings might snap and if it is too loose, the string might slip off and caused uneven in tension. Thus, it is important to apply even force, tight enough to hold the string and not snapped it.
And after you have locked the string with the clamp, released the string on the grip head by holding the rotating handle with your right hand and pushed the slim Iron rod with your right thumb to release. Proceed with the next string.
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And make sure the rod where you fixed your clamp is free from oil, as it will cause the clamp to move, resulting in uneven tension. Follow the same method for the rest of the main strings, which is pull the second main string to the grip head located above the spring tensioner. After gripping the second main string in the grip head, crank the spring tensioner handle clockwise, the slim Iron rod will jump and it will stop automatically when you have reached the desire weight. Now, released the clamp from the first main string and locked the second tightened string, then release the grip head before proceed with the third string etc as shown in diagram 2, 3 and 4. Proceed with the same pattern on third, forth and fifth etc main string. Soon as you have reached the last row of main string with the short end of the string tighten and nicely hold with your clamp, proceed with the pulling of cross string as shown in diagram 4.
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