stringing hybrids on 18x20 pattern

[Dreamcastin]

i'd like to try a hybrid on my racquet, but am having a really tough time making 20ft work for the mains. Are there any tricks to making this easier.

[ReopeningWed]

Do you mean making 20ft work for your mains?

Which stringer do you have?

[Dreamcastin]

yes, and i have a sp swing

[ReopeningWed]

Is your problem getting the string over to the tensioning... clampy-grippy thing with the weight?

I barely get by with about 20 feet on my Gamma X-2, but that's because I can move the grip thing with the drop weight.

[Dreamcastin]

yea, i was able to pull the tension on the last one i did, but it was sketchy, and i just barely had the string to do it. Im wanting to use gut in the mains and im concerned its going to snap when i try to do the last pulls. guess im going to just have to suck it up and give it a shot.

[ReopeningWed]

If you're having trouble getting the tension-thingy to clamp down on the string, I like tying a knot at the end of the string. Just so it has something to chomp onto before the string settles in and gets clamped.

[Irvin]

I have never used a swing but I would think 20' on any 18x20 racket with a drop weight stringer would be difficult with a starting clamp. Most of the time it takes a little more string to reach the tension gripper with a drop weight than other types of tensioners. You may want to get yourself a starting clamp and bridge the string.

I guess you could mount the frame so the end you finish your mains on is closer to the pivot point of the turntable so the string would not need to be as long. If I have made a bad assumption and you have another type of trouble let me know.

Irvin

[Kevo]

Originally Posted by Irvin

I guess you could mount the frame so the end you finish your mains on is closer to the pivot point of the turntable so the string would not need to be as long.

That's a good idea Irvin. A lot of times a couple of extra inches is all you need.

On my Stringway I was very surprised how well the tension gripper works. I came up pretty short on one frame I was stringing and the string only just reached the gripper. I figured I'd try the pull anyway and just be ready if the string came loose and the weight fell. Luckily it worked. When I examined the string afterwards I could see the gripper only needed about a half inch of string to make the pull.

[Darkhors]

I second the starting clamp purchase If you've never used one, you don't know what you're missing. Aside from the fact that you can use it to make those last pulls that you're short on, it allows you to do around-the-world patterns easily and also works as an extra clamp on the outside of the frame if you need to make adjustments. Best $30 you can spend as a stringer.

DH

[Power Player]

Starting Clamp - consider it a must buy for multiple reasons.

[ReopeningWed]

Originally Posted by Power Player

Starting Clamp - consider it a must buy for multiple reasons.

Is a starting clamp just any old clamp you have that's dedicated to starting a racket?
I use an X-2 and it just came with two floating clamps.

[Irvin]

^^ Not quite any old clamp here is the economy version which costs $16 plus shipping



Irvin

[coachrick]

Originally Posted by Irvin

^^ Not quite any old clamp here is the economy version which costs $16 plus shipping



Irvin

Can't judge a book by its cover and all that; but, that's a nice looking clamp. BTW, my B*** are still in use after 25 years. I highly recommend at least one, especially if you use flying clamps.

Interesting, the BeeEmmDoubleWoo(s) abbreviation above was censored..wat up wid dat?

[Irvin]

Let me try to put in B M W s. What do you know it doesn't work.

Irvin

[tes]

Originally Posted by coachrick

Can't judge a book by its cover and all that; but, that's a nice looking clamp. BTW, my B*** are still in use after 25 years. I highly recommend at least one, especially if you use flying clamps.

Interesting, the BeeEmmDoubleWoo(s) abbreviation above was censored..wat up wid dat?

The newer version that Eagnas sells has 3 springs for greater holding power.
I have one and it works great. $15.95 + shipping.

[coachrick]

Originally Posted by tes

The newer version that Eagnas sells has 3 springs for greater holding power.
I have one and it works great. $15.95 + shipping.

Rounded edges and eyelets...excellent. I remember one at the club back in the '90s with fairly 'angular' sides and NO eyelets--yuck!

[Dreamcastin]

thanks for all the input, just had a chance to revisit this thread, i do have a starting clamp. Ive heard the bridge term thrown around but am not really sure what your talking about. By "bridge", are you talking about using an extra piece of string, with both the string your trying to tension and the xtra clamped in the starting clamp?

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by Dreamcastin

thanks for all the input, just had a chance to revisit this thread, i do have a starting clamp. Ive heard the bridge term thrown around but am not really sure what your talking about. By "bridge", are you talking about using an extra piece of string, with both the string your trying to tension and the xtra clamped in the starting clamp?

You can find some example videos of using a starting clamp as a bridge if you do a search on YouTube. I almost had to do it the first time this past weekend but I had just enough to reach the tensioner.

[Kevo]

Originally Posted by Dreamcastin

By "bridge", are you talking about using an extra piece of string, with both the string your trying to tension and the xtra clamped in the starting clamp?

You clamp the end of the string your tensioning in the starting clamp. Then you use a scrap piece of string strung through the holes on the clamp to pull tension with.