Starting Mains with a Starting Clamp

[jcbaviera]

Hello everybody,

Here's my way to start the mains :
- Using a starting clamp from outside the frame (at the head on the picture),
- I pull tension from the opposite end (throat on the picture),
- Clamp at the throat using the same side's fixed clamp,
- Proceed as usual for the next 2 mains.
- Then I pull tension on the first main, on the starting clamp end,
- Remove the starting clamp,
- Clamp the head end of the string with the opposite side's fixed clamp,
- Proceed as usual for the rest of the mains.



I've run this procedure for some time now and never had a string slippage nor any difference in tension on the two central mains (they "ping" the same).

Starting the mains this way is quite straightforward and fast as well.

As I've never heard of this technique (maybe it's described somewhere on the web but I couldn't find where), I would appreciate any comments, pros & cons from you guys.

Thanks very much and happy stringing

[Irvin]

I don't see a lot wrong with that method but I have heard you should not start the mains that way. You starting clamp is going to damage some delicate string that way and the point where is located is dead center on the string. Could cause problem through it may not. Some people don't start crosses that way for the same reason damage to the string right at the bed of the string.

[Faithfulfather]

I pull both mains then clamp 1 main the same way you have there. Nice machine.

[jcbaviera]

Hello Irvin,
Thanks for your reply.
That's exactly was I was told by a Babolat Pro Stringer at the French Open. But the same guy started its crosses the same way a couple of minutes after so...
Anyway, I've been checking the string just under the starting clamp and never detected any kind of damage.

[jcbaviera]

Hello FaithFulfather,
The machine is a Pro's Pro P100, color customized by myself.

[mikeler]

Originally Posted by jcbaviera

Hello Irvin,
Thanks for your reply.
That's exactly was I was told by a Babolat Pro Stringer at the French Open. But the same guy started its crosses the same way a couple of minutes after so...
Anyway, I've been checking the string just under the starting clamp and never detected any kind of damage.

Yes, but the cross string was up in the upper corner of the racket where the strings are much less likely to come in contact with the ball versus the middle mains.

[jcbaviera]

You're probably right.
Never had any breakage in that area though

[Irvin]

I now use a modified Yusuki method to start my crosses. I don't place my fixed clamp as close to the racket so I can get the clamp on the second main adjacent to it next to the frame. Some time when the fixed clamp is to close to the frame (on dense patterns) on 1RM it is difficult to clamp 2LM right beside it.

I pull both center mains then place my fixed clamp then the starting clamp. The starting clamp will only be holding half the reference tension so I do not place the string all the way down in the jaws of the clamp just enough to hold it. I start my crosses using the same method so I never crush the string or have one clamp holding all the pulling force applied.

Really though for most strings I doubt it makes a difference. But I would hate to guess what strings it is bad for if any.

[drakulie]

Nothing wrong with the way you start the mains.

Interesting that you run the string under the diablo rather than over it. It looks as though the string is cutting into the top of the center post.

[SwankPeRFection]

No thanks. That mars up the racquet an it's a useless way to start anyway.

[drakulie]

Originally Posted by SwankPeRFection

No thanks. That mars up the racquet an it's a useless way to start anyway.

please elaborate.

[jcbaviera]

Originally Posted by SwankPeRFection

No thanks. That mars up the racquet an it's a useless way to start anyway.

Your frame won't get mared if you use a piece of leather like this one :

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/41279997/P1050416.JPG

Before pulling tension on the string, insert it between the starting clamp and the frame, this way :

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/41279997/P1050418.JPG

[jcbaviera]

Originally Posted by drakulie

Nothing wrong with the way you start the mains.

Interesting that you run the string under the diablo rather than over it. It looks as though the string is cutting into the top of the center post.

Sorry I run the string the wrong way when setting up for the picture.

Of course I normally run it over the diablo a full turn before going to the tensioning head.