"O" ring issues

[jaybear1909]

I need to string my GF's racquet before her match tonight, and have never strung a racquet that has "O" rings. The racquet I'm stringing is the Prince Exo3 Team Tour 16x18. Once I figure out how to do the mains I'm solid. Problem is starting them has me so confused.

Any good videos out there for this particular racquet? Or articles even. Google search has done me no good.

[jaybear1909]

O port, sorry.

Confused with an A/C term.

[Irvin]

Most start at the head. With the P on the butt cap up most rackets are strung with the short side on the left side of the racket.

When you start stringing the crosses if you start on the wrong side it will not work. Also the string want to naturally pull into the top of the O port when you tension it. You must have a boomerange or some spacer to hold the string down in the bottom of the O port.

[Topspin101]

Originally Posted by Irvin

Most start at the head. With the P on the butt cap up most rackets are strung with the short side on the left side of the racket.

When you start stringing the crosses if you start on the wrong side it will not work. Also the string want to naturally pull into the top of the O port when you tension it. You must have a boomerange or some spacer to hold the string down in the bottom of the O port.

I own and string several O ports and always start my mains with the short side on the right with the P facing down. Am I missing something here like maybe you are talking about 1 pc stringing?

[Irvin]

Originally Posted by Topspin101

I own and string several O ports and always start my mains with the short side on the right with the P facing down. Am I missing something here like maybe you are talking about 1 pc stringing?

You do just what I do when stringing 1 piece. I put logo up and SS is on left (most of the time - not always.) I string all rackets with the logos up.

EDIT: I take that back I had one guy that always the wanted the points of his pitchfork (Wilson W) facing his opponent when hitting a forehand, and the tails on the knots point toward his opponent. Had to wrap the grip a certain way so it was also comfortable to hold that way. When he had a grip changed once he said they put it on backwards. That way he say he could really stick his forehand. Those are the only rakckets I mounted upside down.

[Lakers4Life]

I hope this helps: http://www.princetennis.com/tennis/f...ourTeam100.pdf

[Lakers4Life]

Prince stringing instructions always show the SS on the left. It's standard practice to put the SS on the left side, but as long as you know which side is the SS, I see no problem. You will know right away if you are stringing crosses on the wrong side.

[tennis_ocd]

Originally Posted by Lakers4Life

Prince stringing instructions always show the SS on the left. It's standard practice to put the SS on the left side, but as long as you know which side is the SS, I see no problem. You will know right away if you are stringing crosses on the wrong side.

if you're doing one piece the mains will all be in before you run into a cross issue. keep the long side on the side with the cross starting/finishing knot holes.

[Lakers4Life]

Worst case scenario, the OP strings it two piece instead of a one piece.

[jaybear1909]

Thanks for the responses guys. I ended up taking it to the tennis shop since her match was only a few hours away. The pro there taught me a good bit firsthand.

I never would have thought it would be so confusing!

[Lakers4Life]

I did not think starting mains was so hard, unless you are using floating clamps and a drop wieght.

[jaybear1909]

Originally Posted by Lakers4Life

I did not think starting mains was so hard, unless you are using floating clamps and a drop wieght.

I am using floating clamps and a drop weight.

*The main reason I was confused about the mains is because I thought I was supposed to start at the throat. I only counted 6 holes on the throat, but there's actually 8 because 2 larger holes are on the side.

[Irvin]

Originally Posted by jaybear1909

I am using floating clamps and a drop weight.

*The main reason I was confused about the mains is because I thought I was supposed to start at the throat. I only counted 6 holes on the throat, but there's actually 8 because 2 larger holes are on the side.

Ouch! You will rip the grommet out of the throat like that is there is one. The string loop always has to be on a bridge between two ports.

[jaybear1909]

Originally Posted by Irvin

Ouch! You will rip the grommet out of the throat like that is there is one. The string loop always has to be on a bridge between two ports.

Yep, that's why I didn't bother trying because I knew I wasn't doing it right. I never actually tensioned, I just ran the string through a few times and saw that it looked very weird. Now I know why :P.

[Lakers4Life]

Originally Posted by jaybear1909

Yep, that's why I didn't bother trying because I knew I wasn't doing it right. I never actually tensioned, I just ran the string through a few times and saw that it looked very weird. Now I know why :P.

Did you even look at the PDF I posted?

Most prince O-port rackets have 8 mains at the throat. The middle is at the top like the stringing pattern I posted. I recently strung an O3 White, O3 Red and EXO3 Black. The boomerang sure came in handy.

[fortun8son]

Most Prince O-Port racquets have the tie off and starting knot holes as well as short side clearly marked on the frame.
They also have two dots at the holes meant for mains.
I just use the brake, but not all machines have them, of course.

[Irvin]

If anyone has any doubt about which method is best to use to string Prince rackets I suggest you call Prince their number is 1 800 2TENNIS. The boomerang (or alternative,) brake, and 2 piece 50/50 methods all work.