Unusual stringing pattern

[carlo1956]

Hi there,

recently I saw a racquet being strung this way: mains, beginning at the midde as usual, then completing all of a half side, knot, then completing the other half side and then proceeding with the crosses as usual. This practice looks attractive to me, as I have a fixed clamp and a flying clamp and would allow to do the job using the flying only once at the very beginning. I argued to the operator, this would produce unbalanced and possibly detrimental stress on the frame, he replied that was not a matter of concern with modern frames and its machine with 6 fixing points. In my case I use synthetic string and the tension is 23 kg.

Any comment on the above would of great interest. Cheers
Carlo, Rome, Italy

[Jens]

I think regardless of the material and technology that is used to make a modern racquet, deformation is never any good for any racquet. And by stringing one half of the mains first and then the other half you will definitely put some major stress on the frame. You won't probably see the effect in the near term, but on the long term I would claim that the material gets damaged if you use this method over and over again. Just my thoughts. To really find out you would have to do a long term study comparing two identical racquets, one always strung with this method, the other strung using the "balanced" method.

[Hawkeye2]

Hi there,

I would agree with Joe.

The stress on the racket frame during stringing is really huge.

When stringing "light" rackets with this method it is even possible that the racket frame breaks.

And on all rackets this method can destroy the material in the long term.


Bye

[Jay Cee]

Hi y'all,

I am also in total agreement with Joe and Hawkeye 2.

I have been fighting with stringers and players for years to try to convince them to stop stringing racquets in this way.

In France the first stringing machines had one fixed clamp and a flying clamp was used to block the two central main strings, as you have explained, they would string the left side (called the small side, and would need about 3.20 metres of string) then the right and then go onto the crosses (about 8,30 metres).
With relatively strong frames and a good machine with solid 6 point mountings (indispensable), a good stringer can use this method without risk for the frame, even if re-strung often.

The real problem is with light profiled frames which are extremely stiff, the slightest distortion creates micro fractures which weaken the frame and can lead to frame breakage during play. With a home stringing machine, (which may not support the frame sufficiently) and an inexperienced stringer the risk is very high. Imagine 8 main strings on one half of the racquet strung at 60 lbs, that makes 480 lbs of tension on one side and nothing on the other side, think about it. . .

Please stick with the method of stringing from the center of the frame and applying the tension alternatively to one string left side of center, then one to the right, then one left, then right, etc. etc. so that there is equal tension on both sides of the frame whilst you are stringing. If you tie-off the mains on both sides and use a seperate string for the crosses, then you will do an even better string job.

[carlo1956]

Hi all, FYI I dropped a visit at the stand near the courts where restringing service is offered for Pros at the current master series tournament in Rome (labour cost 20 EUR - no money, no racquet). Much to my surprise, all the stringers start from the center of the frame and instead of alternating one string left then one to the right, they weave half frame then the other. Maybe this is because Pros do not care at all about long term durability of the frame. Or because these kind of concerns belong to the past. They looked busy enough, couldn' t have a chance to talk to them.

[Jens]

@carlo1965
Did the stringers just thread the mains or did they actually tension them?

[carlo1956]

They actually tension them.

[Jay Cee]

Hi all, FYI I dropped a visit at the stand near the courts where restringing service is offered for Pros at the current master series tournament in Rome (labour cost 20 EUR - no money, no racquet). Much to my surprise, all the stringers start from the center of the frame and instead of alternating one string left then one to the right, they weave half frame then the other. Maybe this is because Pros do not care at all about long term durability of the frame. Or because these kind of concerns belong to the past. They looked busy enough, couldn' t have a chance to talk to them.

Hi Carlos,
The stringing service was probably using Babolat Sensor or Star stringing machines with a single fixed clamp. Pro stringers on the Tour often use these machines because they are probably capable of stringing racquets faster on these machines. With the real player racquets (heavy, strong and relatively soft frames) there is no risk for the frame when using this method of stringing on top quality machines by an experienced stringer. ;)

I would like to quote to you what I wrote last year on this subject :

With relatively strong frames and a good machine with solid 6 point mountings (indispensable), a good stringer can use this method without risk for the frame, even if re-strung often.

The real problem is with light profiled frames which are extremely stiff, the slightest distortion creates micro fractures which weaken the frame and can lead to frame breakage during play. With a home stringing machine, (which may not support the frame sufficiently) and an inexperienced stringer the risk is very high. Imagine 8 main strings on one half of the racquet strung at 60 lbs, that makes 480 lbs of tension on one side and nothing on the other side, think about it. . .

So what is fine for the "Pros" is not really applicable to the occasional stringer, or any stringer when using a hobby machine. :p
Cheers,
JC :cool:

[squashguy]

When stringing "light" rackets with this method it is even possible that the racket frame breaks.

Bye



This is definitely true for squash rackets. I didn't alternate mains the first time stringing a squash racket, and there wasn't any damage until the next day when the head had cracked at the throat and tilted to the side slightly. This was stringing at only 25 lbs or so. I always alternate mains now. BTW i have the same fixed clamp,flying clamp setup, and I don't mind using the flying clamp. Just be glad you don't have 2 flying clamps!

[Grinder]

Funnily enough the reason i am getting into stringing is partly because I am fed up with getting my squash racquets restrung - and then the racquet cracking before the strings need replacing.

I've just got the guy who has been stringing the squash racquets to show me how it's done and surprise, surprise - he tensions from one side of the racquet to the other other.

No wonder!

[squashguy]

Funnily enough the reason i am getting into stringing is partly because I am fed up with getting my squash racquets restrung - and then the racquet cracking before the strings need replacing.

I've just got the guy who has been stringing the squash racquets to show me how it's done and surprise, surprise - he tensions from one side of the racquet to the other other.

No wonder!

Ugh, nothin' funny about it. Sorry to hear that, but very astute of you to pick up the possibility of the stringer being at fault. I string racquets for several of my friends, and I feel bad when they break their racquets before the strings break. I have to believe it's due to their hitting walls and such because for every 10 racquets I string, this happens to maybe 1 or 2. Good luck. :)

[Tim Strawn]

I would concur 100% with Jay Cee on this topic. It's advisable to remember that what is done at the pro level is not what the average recreational stringer, especially in this particular comparison, should do.

Another comment referring to this topic stresses the importance of consistency. It's advisable for a racquet stringer to develop a sound method that allows for consistency from string job to string job. This, in and of itself, will end up being the mark of that stringers true capabilities and will ultimately lend confidence to his patrons. The stringer takes into consideration all sound techniques he learns from others as well as his own ideas, incorporates them to develop his/her own style over time, and proceeds to offer quality and consistency in the work they produce.

Many of us have heard of this method you mention (stringing one complete side, tieing off, and then doing the other side) but if you ask yourself one basic question it helps in understanding why this is done. The question? What is gained by this method of stringing for the average stringer (not the tour level stringer)? Let's say you decide that this is what you want to do but can you do it on every single racquet your string with complete confidence that your customers frame will not suffer for it? The answer is obviously no since some frames are softer than others and some frames are more "fatigued" after several restrings. Do you, as the stringer, know which frames will stand this method and which will not?

Alternating stress while installing the main strings leaves nothing to question--there is no guesswork involved. Plus, by developing a style and staying with it you not only deveolp consistency but over time your accuracy and speed will improve as well. All benefits that demand consideration ;)