Stick a scrap piece of string between the string and grommet when you pull tension. This way when you reach the cross with the blocked hole, you can pull up on the scrap string and unblock the hole.I strung for the first time the 93P 18x20 Prince Phantom. Played with it, it's excellent, might be my final choice for the next several years.
But really problems with stringing compared to my Volkl. Blocked holes tough to deal with.
Any tips?
This (though I use my cutters) and needle nose pliers to help push it through. Grip it as close to the end as possible. It’s easier with a stiff poly than with syn gut.Razor blade.
Put a point on the string with a diagonal cut.
Thank you, one mistake I made in that video is I said there were ridges on one end of the needle. Those ridges are actually just glue that are easily tromped with acetone, then you have a smooth tube with no ridges on one end.
This is the video i mentioned. Thanks @Irvin! It helped me a great deal.
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I still believe the easiest way to deal with blocked holes is to use an ATW pattern. There are many Wilson (and other manufacturers) 16 main rackets that skip 7&9 where the mains tie off at 6T. This create a problem where 7T is blocked by 2 strings. Use an ATW pattern and that problem simply does not exist.
Obviously but I never string my rackets with a hybrid anymore because there is usually a big tension maintenance. I always use same string in mains and crosses. Customers rackets are different.While I do agree, obviously the ATW solution only works if you aren’t stringing a hybrid.
With the Wilson frames you referenced...and in the case of a hybrid string job, I like tying the mains off at 7t, and tying the bottom cross off at 6t. I find that that strategy often works well on those Wilson frames (and sometimes on similar frames from other brands).
I assume you meant 8T and 6T for tie off locations not 7T.
Let's take a Blade 98 BLX for example using hybrid stringing. 18x20 mains skip 8&10 and tie at 7T. Crosses tie off at 6H and 12T. If you use the designed tie off locations hole 8T on both sides is blocked by 2 strings, if you use an STW problem does not even exist.
If you have an 18x20 racket the skips 8&10T (like the Blade 98) and you tie off the mains at 9T the string going from 11T to 9T will be held higher or lower than the string going from 7T to 9T depending on which string is above the other going through 9T unless you have fins on the grommet that keep the strings aligned. Now you have another issue as the cross string looping from the 19th to the 20th cross will come out of 10T and into 8T will be above and below the strings going into 9T. Nothing terribly wrong with that, but it just does not look right to me.I’d be inclined to tie the mains at 9T, and tie the bottom cross at 7T. Then the blocking situation you described doesn’t come up. But, if I had to enlarge holes to do it, I wouldn’t bother. I’d suffer through using the mfg tie offs. If the customer asked for the same string throughout, rejoice! I can use ATW!
If you have an 18x20 racket the skips 8&10T (like the Blade 98) and you tie off the mains at 9T the string going from 11T to 9T will be held higher or lower than the string going from 7T to 9T depending on which string is above the other going through 9T unless you have fins on the grommet that keep the strings aligned. Now you have another issue as the cross string looping from the 19th to the 20th cross will come out of 10T and into 8T will be above and below the strings going into 9T. Nothing terribly wrong with that, but it just does not look right to me.
This is what I’ve been doing for years now and I believe it was you who I learned about this technique from so thank you.I don't use needles just a scrap string on outside of racquet under string that blocks hole. Always able to lift up or push down on scrap string to get access. Don't need to do anything on racquets with the find on grommets.
Why not use a scrap string in the hole that will be blocked before you tension the string that will block the hole? After you finish tensioning the mains you can remove the scrap string and friction hold the string off. Works just like the awl but there’s less danger of damage.I deal with block grommet holes a lot more than I should. I usually use a straight awl into the grommet where the string is suppose to go; which give it leeway for the cross string to be inserted into.
What strings do you use?I strung the 93P 18x20 Prince Phantom ... problems with stringing ... Blocked holes tough to deal with.
EDIT: Does that racket have fins on the grommet around the skipped grommet holes. They will be hard to see with strings in the racket.