stringing Problem help!!!

[EastAngels2014]

So i am doing a hybrid with a gamma progression II and i cut the poly at 20 feet and went all the way though and ended on the last main but didn't have enough string to reach my crank so i couldn't tighten it. Is there a way to fix this? And if i measure out more than 20 feet do i just have to throw away the other half because it will be to short to do the mains on the next one stringing?

[Chotobaka]

If you have a starting clamp you can just use that as a bridge. Clamp the string that is on the racquet, and the string that you have looped onto the clamp will extend to your machine's tensioner.

[Lakers4Life]

You need a bridge clamp/starting clamp. If you don't have a starting clamp, you can use a floating clamp as a bridge or tie some scrap string as best you can to the end of the main. Next time cut 21' for the mains, or get a starting clamp.

[EastAngels2014]

but if i cut 21' i wont have enough cause the other half will be 19' so do i just not use that for main? and i don't have a starting clamp. so how do i use the floating clamp as a bridge?

[Andyroo10567]

20" is usually well over enough to string a cross/main.

Make sure you tied off one side of the mains first. With the string that you pulled through the grommet ( the side that couldn't reach the tensioner ) clamp that string on either side of the clamp. Then get scrap string and clamp it on the remaining side. Then pull tension like usual.
Did you make sure you had an even 10 ft on each side of the mains?
Did you use a stationary object and cut the string in half?
O.O

[gmatheis]

20' should be enough for a blx98, are you sure you are starting everything in the right place, skipping the right holes etc ?

[Lakers4Life]

Originally Posted by EastAngels2014

but if i cut 21' i wont have enough cause the other half will be 19' so do i just not use that for main? and i don't have a starting clamp. so how do i use the floating clamp as a bridge?

You can always use it for a cross.

Do yourself a favor and get a starting clamp. It will save you a lot of headaches like this.

To use a floating clamp as a bridge. Clamp the end you want to pull, and clamp the scrap string on the other side. You may want to put a knot on the end just in case it slips. Then just cut the knot afterwards.

Though I foresee another problem, you might not have a free floating clamp.

[EastAngels2014]

I was able to tie some extra string from the set up that broke and tension it. But i still have a question if all i need is 20' is that adding in what it takes to reach my crank or do i need to add some string to be able to reach?

[Lakers4Life]

Originally Posted by EastAngels2014

I was able to tie some extra string from the set up that broke and tension it. But i still have a question if all i need is 20' is that adding in what it takes to reach my crank or do i need to add some string to be able to reach?

Unless you add more length to your mains, you'll have to bridge each time. If you want to use the other half for another time.

Let me emphasize this once more, Get yourself a starting clamp!

[EastAngels2014]

ok i will get one

[diredesire]

Originally Posted by EastAngels2014

but if i cut 21' i wont have enough cause the other half will be 19' so do i just not use that for main? and i don't have a starting clamp. so how do i use the floating clamp as a bridge?

Normally crosses don't take up a ton of string. I always pull ~18 feet for crosses (unless I've found a reason not to for a particular frame). The only frames I even bother measuring out are 18x20 OS frames.

21/19 will be fine for almost all frames -- In fact, several string sets come with less than 40 feet. Additionally, you can string a one piece pattern so you aren't wasting/cutting off string after knot ties on both ends. You can make the short side 11' comfortably.

Originally Posted by Lakers4Life

Do yourself a favor and get a starting clamp. It will save you a lot of headaches like this.

To use a floating clamp as a bridge. Clamp the end you want to pull, and clamp the scrap string on the other side. You may want to put a knot on the end just in case it slips. Then just cut the knot afterwards.

Though I foresee another problem, you might not have a free floating clamp.

Agree, a starting clamp is very nice for this kind of issue. I don't like using floating clamps for bridging unless absolutely necessary, though. Unless you're using a 3 "jawed" floater (like the larger swingway clamp), this will put a lot of torque on the clamp.

I prefer putting a simple knot on both ends of the string (the string to tension, and your "extension" and then tying a square knot with both strings. The knots on the end will prevent catastrophic slippage. If this isn't clear I can get a picture for you. I'd just do my best to avoid the occurrence in the future.

Originally Posted by EastAngels2014

I was able to tie some extra string from the set up that broke and tension it. But i still have a question if all i need is 20' is that adding in what it takes to reach my crank or do i need to add some string to be able to reach?

The string pattern accounts for tensioning string. The issue here is that not all machines require the same amount of string to tension. A crank, for instance, requires only a very short amount of string, largely because the tension head is NOT fixed and (generally) has linear jaws, so there is no wrapping length required for a "drum" design. Since your stringer requires more string, you need to budget for more string.

Again, you should have no issues with a shorter length of string on the crosses. ESPECIALLY if you don't have a starting clamp, you should be using a starting knot. This implies that you don't have to "save" an extra length of string at the TOP of the frame (if you aren't familiar with a starting clamp starting method... just ignore this entire section, or look it up on youtube). This means you should have even MORE string left over on the crosses (often times to the tune of ~3-5 feet). Measure how much you have left over (after your tensioner) next time you do crosses on that frame. Chances are, you'll be surprised

[EastAngels2014]

Iam doing a hybrid and the cross i did fine with it was just the mains that were giving me this issue. But i will plan on buying a starting clamp.

[Irvin]

Most sets of string are not 40' but 40.5 to 42 feet long. If you are going to use 1 set of poly string for two racket's main don't cut the string before you start. Use a complete set with the short side as short as you need. When you finish and tie off the long side then cut it and you will have the longest possible string for your second racket.

Agassi had a similar problem when he used Kevlar that only came in 20' lengths and he was experimenting with a 20 main racket. He (his stringer) would string the center 18 mains with Kevlar and use the cross string for his outside mains.

[diredesire]

Originally Posted by Irvin

Most sets of string are not 40' but 40.5 to 42 feet long. If you are going to use 1 set of poly string for two racket's main don't cut the string before you start. Use a complete set with the short side as short as you need. When you finish and tie off the long side then cut it and you will have the longest possible string for your second racket.

Agassi had a similar problem when he used Kevlar that only came in 20' lengths and he was experimenting with a 20 main racket. He (his stringer) would string the center 18 mains with Kevlar and use the cross string for his outside mains.

Nice tip, Irvin. I'd go crazy with that long side, but it's a pretty simple solution to maximizing length if you have to split a pack of string for two frames' mains.