stringing the last cross

looseswing · Jan 2, 2007

I was stringing up my redondo with prince lightening at 58 and the string has almost completely blocked the last hole for the cross, only a sliver is showing of the top of the hole. I tried moving them apart with a think stick but it didn't work because I thought the string would break. Any advice on how to avoid this and fix it?

dancraig · Jan 2, 2007

A blocked grommet? You might try cutting a very sharp tip on your string. You could insert an awl into the hole to help clear the way. As you withdraw the awl, quickly insert the string into the opened space. You may need to push it through with needle nosed pliers. Bent needle nosed pliers seem to work a little better for this. You might try moistening or lubricating the string tip with a little wax. Hope something here helps.
Some stringers like to insert a short piece of scrap string underneath the string that causes the blocked hole. This is done on the outside of the frame when the blocking string is pulled. When you get ready to string through the blocked hole, you pull the blocking string out of the way with the scrap piece of string. Then remove the scrap.

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/search.php?searchid=145313

looseswing · Jan 3, 2007

Great advice, thanks! I hope one of these tips works, but if one doesn't would it be harmful to the frame if I just left the last cross unstrung?

Deleted member 6835 · Jan 3, 2007

looseswing, how much string do you have left over for the last cross? like, after you put it through the grommet, before you tie it off.

snoflewis · Jan 3, 2007

tennis_nerd22 said:
looseswing, how much string do you have left over for the last cross? like, after you put it through the grommet, before you tie it off.

that depends on string composition, tension, and the length of string cut(if he's using a two piece)

when i string the cross on my redondo mp at 58 with stamina 16g cut to 19', i get about 1 - 1.5 feet left.

Deleted member 6835 · Jan 3, 2007

snoflewis said:
that depends on string composition, tension, and the length of string cut(if he's using a two piece)

when i string the cross on my redondo mp at 58 with stamina 16g cut to 19', i get about 1 - 1.5 feet left.

ok thanks snoflewis. i asked because i was wondering how much string you usually have left to make a tie off at the end..

looseswing · Jan 3, 2007

Yeah, I usually have about as much Snowflewis has, maybe a little less. I found a good trick to tighten the tie off- instead of pulling on the string to tighten the knot, put it in the tensioner and pull until the not comes together but don't tension too much.

jj300 · Jan 3, 2007

looseswing said:
Yeah, I usually have about as much Snowflewis has, maybe a little less. I found a good trick to tighten the tie off- instead of pulling on the string to tighten the knot, put it in the tensioner and pull until the not comes together but don't tension too much.

one of the biggest no no's in stringing. you do this on the wrong string and at the wrong tension and you will snap the string. if the knot is tied correctly you do no need to tension the knot using the tensioner on the machine, a pull with your hands or pliers is plenty of force and even that pull shouldn't be super tight

looseswing · Jan 3, 2007

jj300 said:
one of the biggest no no's in stringing. you do this on the wrong string and at the wrong tension and you will snap the string. if the knot is tied correctly you do no need to tension the knot using the tensioner on the machine, a pull with your hands or pliers is plenty of force and even that pull shouldn't be super tight

Oh wow, thanks for telling me before I snapped one! And here I thought I had come up with a novel way to tie knots. :-(

Deleted member 6835 · Jan 3, 2007

looseswing said:
Yeah, I usually have about as much Snowflewis has, maybe a little less. I found a good trick to tighten the tie off- instead of pulling on the string to tighten the knot, put it in the tensioner and pull until the not comes together but don't tension too much.

ok, thanks

dancraig · Jan 3, 2007

looseswing said:
Great advice, thanks! I hope one of these tips works, but if one doesn't would it be harmful to the frame if I just left the last cross unstrung?

You can get that string through that grommet. No matter how blocked it looks, you can do it. Carefully insert an awl into the hole from the inside of the frame and push the blocking string out of the way. Let the awl just sit in there for a minute or two. Place the sharpened tip of the string right up against the awl where it enters the grommet hole. As you slowly pull the awl out, push the string in at the same time. If you can get the slightest string tip to show through on the other side, you can grab it with your needle nosed pliers. If you can't get a hold on it, try pushing it through with your pliers. Grasp the string very close to frame and push. If you can move it just a few mm., you can grab it from the other side.
Sometimes when you are stringing, you will be making great time and something like this will come up and take several minutes to resolve.
NOTE: If you are using an awl with some delicate string, like gut, be very carefull not to damage the string when pushing the awl into the blocked hole.

I don't think leaving out one cross would damage the frame, but then again I'm not an engineer. In the "old days" people would do patch jobs. If you have already finished and tied off, you might be able to string that last cross with a single piece of string. I guess the problem would be finding two grommets to tie off on.

looseswing · Jan 3, 2007

Thanks again dan, I tried your tips on a second racquet and they worked perfectly, especially the one with the awl. I really appreciate your help!

rasajadad · Jan 4, 2007

dancraig said:
You can get that string through that grommet. No matter how blocked it looks, you can do it. Carefully insert an awl into the hole from the inside of the frame and push the blocking string out of the way. Let the awl just sit in there for a minute or two. Place the sharpened tip of the string right up against the awl where it enters the grommet hole. As you slowly pull the awl out, push the string in at the same time. If you can get the slightest string tip to show through on the other side, you can grab it with your needle nosed pliers. If you can't get a hold on it, try pushing it through with your pliers. Grasp the string very close to frame and push. If you can move it just a few mm., you can grab it from the other side.
Sometimes when you are stringing, you will be making great time and something like this will come up and take several minutes to resolve.
NOTE: If you are using an awl with some delicate string, like gut, be very carefull not to damage the string when pushing the awl into the blocked hole.

I don't think leaving out one cross would damage the frame, but then again I'm not an engineer. In the "old days" people would do patch jobs. If you have already finished and tied off, you might be able to string that last cross with a single piece of string. I guess the problem would be finding two grommets to tie off on.

I have used a "Pathfinder Awl" with good success.

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