How short of a length should I cut the new grommets of my racket to

Discussion in 'Badminton Stringing Techniques & Tools' started by kevindd992002, May 27, 2023.

  1. kevindd992002

    kevindd992002 Regular Member

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    So I have a TKFE racket that needed grommets replacement. I bought LiNing grommets and replaced all the single and shared grommets but I don't know how short of a length should I cut them to. Thia is my first time replacing the grommets and I heard from some people that it's bad to cut a grommet because the ends would be sharper if you cut them and this could damage the string. But their lengths now are really too long. I'm sure that if kept at this length, the shared grommets might split during stringing or something.

    Here is a pic of my racket with the new grommets. https://ibb.co/9VXbGB8
     
  2. thyrif

    thyrif Regular Member

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    This is indeed too long. With small side cutting pliers you can cut them to about 1 or 2 mm sticking out of the inside of the racket.

    They should indeed not split, but provide just enough protection between string and racket. If you have a normal modern racket you can see how long is usual.

    Good luck!
     
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  3. kevindd992002

    kevindd992002 Regular Member

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    What do you mean smlal side cutting pliers?

    Sent from my SM-S916B using Tapatalk
     
  4. thyrif

    thyrif Regular Member

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  5. kevindd992002

    kevindd992002 Regular Member

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    Yeah I know what a side cutting pliers are. I guess I was just confused when you added "small" in there.

    Should the shared grommets be longer than the single grommets?

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  6. s_mair

    s_mair Regular Member

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    Sorry for the shameless self promotion, but I think this would fit:


    I cut both single and shared grommets at the same length. You don't necessarily have to flare them but it looks a lot better and it prevents them from falling out before or during the stringing process.
     
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  7. thyrif

    thyrif Regular Member

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    Ha, sorry. Smaller is easier to handle in tight spaces. I'm actually a fan of Xurons micro shears, they cut so clean! But you can't do the flush-trick that s_mair's video demonstrates.

    Good luck!
     
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  8. kevindd992002

    kevindd992002 Regular Member

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    The video is unavailable when I try to click the URL. Can you check?

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  9. s_mair

    s_mair Regular Member

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    Hm, that’s weird. Here’s another try:



    Start with chapter 4 at 20:54.
     
  10. kevindd992002

    kevindd992002 Regular Member

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    Thanks for the vid! So using those pliers will produce around 2mm of length? Aren't the shared grommets better if they are a bit longer than the single grommets?

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  11. thyrif

    thyrif Regular Member

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    No, you want those as small as possible while still providing protection, then they don't split as easy.

    Here's another shameless plug that will show you some difference with longer and shorter shared grommets:
     
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  12. kevindd992002

    kevindd992002 Regular Member

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    Oh ok. But why are stock grommets usually longer than when used with the pliers in your video?

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  13. thyrif

    thyrif Regular Member

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    They were really short in my top end yonex rackets?
     
  14. kevindd992002

    kevindd992002 Regular Member

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    Oh ok. I guess it's different per racket. No problems with making the single and shared grommets at the same length?

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  15. s_mair

    s_mair Regular Member

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    What problems would that be?

    Mate, I think your questions have been answered. It's time to just go on, try for yourself and see where it takes you.
     
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  16. kevindd992002

    kevindd992002 Regular Member

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    They were, yes, but it's just that other people from a badminton discord server are recommending to generally make them a bit longer so that's why I'm confused.

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  17. Kaelhdris

    Kaelhdris Regular Member

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    The reason is that there really isn't much of a difference, though i tend to agree that the longer they are, the more they are prone to splitting.
    You should try different things and see what works for you or what you like best, there's not too much at stakes anyways.

    At some point i tried using the head of the grommet on both the inside and the outside (by cutting two grommets at about half the thickness of the racket) it just looks gorgeous, but is way too much of a pain to thread to be worth it on a regular basis
     
  18. kevindd992002

    kevindd992002 Regular Member

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    @s_mair

    I just had my racket strung with another stringer and had him changed grommets too but he didn't flare them. What is the disadvantage of using unflared grommets?
     
  19. s_mair

    s_mair Regular Member

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    It depends. Have the grommets split when they were stretched by the strings? Are they sitting flush to the frame on the outside?

    If they are not split and sittling properly, then it's not an issue imo. It just looks waaaay nicer when they are properly flared before stringing imo. :)
     

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