string slipping at high tension at start

[abiriax]

Hi, i play with a very heavy racket and there fore i string at a very high tension (it can be over 70lbs when i am using gut). My problem is that when i am using delicate strings and begin to pull the first main, the string almost always slides from the fixed clamp that i clamp it to. Is a starting clamp the only way round this or is there another way? Please help, it's starting to get very frustrating.

[David Pavlich]

I always start my mains using a starting clamp to avoid the stress on my machine clamps. However, if you want to use the machine clamp, back it up with a starting clamp. That should stop the slipping.

One question: Do you clean your clamps regularly? After a time, you will get a residue build up on the clamping surface which will diminish the clamping ability of your clamps. I use a toothbrush and alcohol and clean my clamps every day if the stringing load has been heavy. I also clean the clamps before every gut job. Hope this helps.

David

[Hawkeye2]

Hi,

you could try to tension two mains at once, this will reduce the stress on the string.

Some decent stringers use this method (mostly to save time...).

Bye

[Gaines Hillix]

I also use a starting clamp on the outside of the frame on the first main, but backing up your fixed clamp with a starting clamp or extra floating clamp will also work.