Badminton Central Guide to Stringing Tools

s_mair said:
A small but important update on these. The ultra-small version with one spring only is too weak. I've just tried using it as an extension for the first time (BG80, 10.5 kg) and it was slipping. What a shame.

So if anyone decides to get one of them, make sure to order the version with two springs!
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Ah yes i found the same, mine came with two springs but only one inserted. Once i inserted the second it's been fine extending up to 32lb although still feels a bit scary.
 
s_mair said:
A small but important update on these. The ultra-small version with one spring only is too weak. I've just tried using it as an extension for the first time (BG80, 10.5 kg) and it was slipping. What a shame.
Click to expand...
Perharps you should try to change the spring (it seems to be the same as the ones used for gardening - pruning shears)...
 
Another small update. I've just seen and directly ordered (I'm weak and easy to impress...:)) the rubber padded side supports for machines with a 1.2 cm mouting hole pattern:
https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005...b!12000037951092696!im!!&gatewayAdapt=glo2deu

And while I was at it, I added this special awl for conquering a really nasty blocked shared grommet if necessary:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/100...il_item.5.5c036368wJ9fTb&gatewayAdapt=glo2deu

As always, I'll keep you updated about my findings.
 
s_mair said:
Yeah, same here. I had this one on my wish list forever - the concept looks great, I just wonder how safe it will be for the string to shove that needle into an already blocked grommet. We'll see.
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Yes, especially the thickness of the needle as it has to allow the string to go inside
 
s_mair said:
Yeah, same here. I had this one on my wish list forever - the concept looks great, I just wonder how safe it will be for the string to shove that needle into an already blocked grommet. We'll see.
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I've had this for a while. Initially i used it quite a lot for the shared holes at the top. It works as advertised and i haven't noticed any damage to the main string in the hole already. It is a bit of a pain to thread the cross string through it though so I've just gone back to using a string mover.
 
I have it. It works for thinner strings but the little hole doesn't allow anything thicker than bg66um. I only had to use it once with a stubborn case
 
The pathfinder awl has arrived, here are some detailed pictures:
IMG_7833 (Groß).JPG IMG_7834 (Groß).JPG IMG_7836 (Groß).JPG IMG_7837 (Groß).JPG

As with all products from this seller I've seen so far, the parts appear to be nicely done. Handle is full aluminum, the slider mechanics feel solid. As you can see, the tip is significantly thinner than that on a standard badminton awl which should make is fairly easy to thread even the most crowded shared holes. The diameter of string which the awl can handle is limited by the hole in the front. I could manage to squeeze in a BG80, but BG65 appear to be too thick. But this would be a real shame since it is exactly that wobbly BG65 which could make this awl useful.

Anyways, I'll test the functionality on the next jobs. But imo this is an emergency-only tool, I don't see this as a tool that anyone regularly use on a normal job.
 
s_mair said:
The pathfinder awl has arrived, here are some detailed pictures:
View attachment 203771 View attachment 203772 View attachment 203773 View attachment 203774

As with all products from this seller I've seen so far, the parts appear to be nicely done. Handle is full aluminum, the slider mechanics feel solid. As you can see, the tip is significantly thinner than that on a standard badminton awl which should make is fairly easy to thread even the most crowded shared holes. The diameter of string which the awl can handle is limited by the hole in the front. I could manage to squeeze in a BG80, but BG65 appear to be too thick. But this would be a real shame since it is exactly that wobbly BG65 which could make this awl useful.

Anyways, I'll test the functionality on the next jobs. But imo this is an emergency-only tool, I don't see this as a tool that anyone regularly use on a normal job.
Click to expand...
Just played around with it for a bit and in all honesty, I think it's a waste of money.

First, you can only really use it coming from the outside of the frame. If you want to use it from the inside, the other strings and the clamps are limiting the angles so much, it's in fact useless:

bca9ffed63a850b9330bc1404ab4ff22.jpg

c37a433d3337e6295b2db81b0e8ed32c.jpg



Second, I just don't have the guts to shove that sharp needle into an already crowded hole with the force needed. Couldn't do it, sorry.

So even if the general idea sounds promising, it doesn't prove to be doing the promised job in reality. So my advise: Spend your money on something else.
 
s_mair said:
Second, I just don't have the guts to shove that sharp needle into an already crowded hole with the force needed. Couldn't do it, sorry.

So even if the general idea sounds promising, it doesn't prove to be doing the promised job in reality. So my advise: Spend your money on something else.
Click to expand...

I recommend spending your money on waxed tooth floss =) https://www.badmintoncentral.com/fo...u-a-shared-grommet-tooth-floss-method.147404/
  • Use case 1: clean teeth
  • Use case 2: threading string through shared grommets.
credit to @Pete LSD for showing me the "ropes" and spending the time to teach me in person how to string when I first started..
 
So my 3 spring starting clamp from aliexpress was slipping on a 30lb string job on exbolt 63 when I was using it as an string extended. So I'm deciding to order the yonex look alike from Alpha but $125 :(

Or if its an option, would I just be able to buy this: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/100...6852e6369!12000028530848990!sh!CA!1800917746!

And then if I need to extend a string if I think its gonna slip, just use it in conjuction with my other starting clamps to extend? Kinda like having the starting clamp + fixed clamp when starting mains on the first pull?
 
I have the one in the link, no problem extending on its own. XB63 is a fragile string so the bit it grips does show signs of damage but no slipping.
 
aiexrlder said:
I have the one in the link, no problem extending on its own. XB63 is a fragile string so the bit it grips does show signs of damage but no slipping.
Click to expand...

The two spring one correct? Aliexpress listings are so confusing, the single spring says "upgraded" but I doubt it'll be as strong clamp force as the two spring one and its more expensive.
 
aiexrlder said:
I have the one in the link, no problem extending on its own. XB63 is a fragile string so the bit it grips does show signs of damage but no slipping.
Click to expand...
I have made a different experience with the one from the link (with one spring). It wasn’t able to hold pretty much any string above 24 lbs. and even started slipping when tying off knots with it.

I’d clearly recommend to do with the two-spring version to be on the safe side and have some margin left. Or bite the bullet and go with the Yonex-style one.
 
what07 said:
The two spring one correct? Aliexpress listings are so confusing, the single spring says "upgraded" but I doubt it'll be as strong clamp force as the two spring one and its more expensive.
Click to expand...
Yes two springs! Mine originally only had one inserted (second spring came separate in a bag) and it was slipping.
 
Do you think if I buy the 2 spring one, if it also slips, I just use it + the one I currently have at the same time to stop the slipping?

I'm going have a look at my clamp and give it a little scrub and clean, see maybe if that helps before tonights job.
 
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