DIY Grommet Inserts

Note the 3 string overlap at the bottom insert.

Before tensioning but the plastic is still too soft. 

Aaron has a Protech Tangerine which suffered a collapsed in the frame between the 8th & 9th hole both sides of the racket. This is the highest stress point in any racket because of the shared strings between the mains and the cross. Sometimes, depends on the weave pattern, both holes have to withstand the tension of 3 overlap strings. Wish racket manufacturers can design rackets with stronger material on these points. I have carved out simple plastic grommet supports inserts to help stiffen the bridge between hole 8 & 9 made from shuttle tube plastic cover because it is soft and easy to cut into shape with a sissors. However this plastic material is still not strong enough to hold the string tension. I may have to source for alternative materials around the house. Maybe a CD cover? Any suggestions from the readers?

Protech Racket Repair

This grommetless racket has 5 strings and 10 knots strung at 18 to 21 Lbs proportionate tension.

Protech Legendary Grand - has seen better days. Its duties now relegated from competition to recreational use by my 6 year old daughter.

The frame cracked right through a string hole.

Close up on the inside after the DIY glue job.

DIY the logo stencil for a good measure.

Hi. I'm back after a 6 months hiatus due to outstation work commitments. Secondly, my pc was infected by ransomware which resulted in all my data being encrypted. I had to recover and update all lost data from my backup. Im still updating as I write. 

Anyway in my absence here, I have acquired a used stringing machine. This has occupied part of my time learning how to string the boys rackets. There will be another post for this.

One of the rackets which I bought last year, a Protech Legendary Grand, developed a crack on the frame at 10 o'clock. I love the feel of Protech rackets. Although it is light headed but with the longer and slimmer shaft, it gives a whippy feel about it. Unfortunately these rackets are fragile and need lots of care playing with it.

So Aaron clashed this new racket during his doubles sparring and what a waste to toss it away. So I decided to repair it using industrial '2 in 1' epoxy glue. Then I strung it using 5 offrun strings at proportional tension between 18 to 21 Lbs. Yes you heard that right. Thats 10 knots.The result are as in the pictorials above.

I dont expect this battle weary racket to last long anyway. It will be for Aaron to hone his stringing  skills and knotting techniques.