richar parnot knot vs. double half-hitch question

[nateng72]

hi, i'm new here and is my 1st post. i know that there is a threat about this knot but the last response was back on 3/2 and i'm afraid if i post this question in there that there would not be much responses.

i've strung about 30 racquets now and always used the dhh knot. that is until i read about the richar p. knot in this forum. when i use the dhh knot, i do use the tension head to help pull it tight. when i tried the richar p. knot, i love the knot but feel that i can't get rid of the slack between the clamp and the knot. the end result is i ended up with lost tension. i then tried to use the tension head to help pull it but the knot, itself, got tighten without tensioning the string. anyone else experience the same? if so, what do you do?

side question: i have a good idea of what "faning the string" means when stringing the cross but just to be absolutely certain, someone please clarify.

thank you.

[hvdb]

Nateng,

I think everyone experiences the same as you. You always loose a little tension when tying off a knot, there is no way around it. It is just possible to make sure that the problem is less severe by using some tricks.

Your trick of using the tension head is actually a bit dangerous. If you do this on soft strings (like gut) you have a big chance of breaking it :(

What is commenly done is to put 4kgs (8 lbs?) more tension on the last 2 strings before ty off. This way you cover for the loss in tension you create by tying a knot.

Another trick when you use the Richard P knot (or the pro knot) is to leave the second loop big enough so you use it to pull the slack through a little bit on the first half hitch. You can see Richard P doing this in the video on the GSS website. The link is pasted already in the previous postings.

After tying off (without using the tension head), you can try to spread the slack a little bit by pushing down the last string before ty off (in the middle of the string using your thumb), then on the second last string and then the third last string ,... this way the litlle loss that you had is spread towards the middle of the racket until it's mostly gone. By adding 4 kgs on the 2 last strings before ty off this should be minimal. And this way, there is no need to use your tension head, and you might be able to string gut without problem :D

Hans

[nateng72]

i read the piece about the adding 8lbs to the last two strings and have my concerns. basically, i'm using the head liquidmetal rad and is stringing it at its max tension of 64lbs (OS). my concern is what would it do to my frame and frankly, the 17ga string broke on me once when i tried to do 71lbs. for a customer? having said this, i did add 4lbs. to the last two strings (when i can remember to) since i'm getting ready to do the crosses anyways.

anything about "fanning the string" question?

thanks greatly.

[David Pavlich]

Fanning or as I like to call it, combing, is the act of keeping the cross string moving vertically as you pull the cross. This virtually eliminates the chance of a friction burn causing a notch in one or more of the mains.

David

[nateng72]

ok, it's what i thought it is. thanks david.

[Gaines Hillix]

Try adding 4 lbs. to the tie off strings when you tension them. Also clamp off as close to the frame as possible on tie off strings and hold the knot snug with your pliers while you release the clamp. Pulling tie off knots with your tension head is not recommended or is putting an awl in the grommet.

[Richard Parnell]

I have found that when you start to tighten the first knot pulling it inwards and then back against the frame gets rid of the slack.I pull the knot by hand and don-t have a problem with loose tie off strings.
All the best,
Richard