How Long Can You Safely Leave a Racquet on the stringer?

JackB1

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
How long can I leave the racquet sitting on the stringer without doing any damage?

I am just starting out and iot takes me 2 hours right now. It would be nice to be able to take a break after the mains are done, before starting the crosses. Would it be OK to leave the racquet sitting on the stringer with just the mains for 1/2 hour? one hour?

thanks
 
T

Tennis_Man

New User
You shouldn't leave it alone for that long. I wouldnt leave it alone for more than 20-30mins especially since you have not started the cross yet. It will definitely deform the racket. if this happens i would recommend cutting the strings to prevent further damage. Basically when you start you need to finish without any break longer than 20 mins.
 
Bud

Bud

Bionic Poster
JackB1 said:
How long can I leave the racquet sitting on the stringer without doing any damage?

I am just starting out and iot takes me 2 hours right now. It would be nice to be able to take a break after the mains are done, before starting the crosses. Would it be OK to leave the racquet sitting on the stringer with just the mains for 1/2 hour? one hour?

thanks
Click to expand...

Are you serious?

You can leave it on the stringer for as long as you need. There is little damaging force on the frame with all the braces and supports.

It's good to finish it as soon as possible,however, so the stringbed stiffness is somewhat consistent.

Tennis_Man said:
You shouldn't leave it alone for that long. I wouldnt leave it alone for more than 20-30mins especially since you have not started the cross yet. It will definitely deform the racket. if this happens i would recommend cutting the strings to prevent further damage. Basically when you start you need to finish without any break longer than 20 mins.
Click to expand...

Completely not true.
 
Ambivalent

Ambivalent

Hall of Fame
Bud said:
Are you serious?

You can leave it on the stringer for as long as you need. There is little damaging force on the frame with all the braces and supports.

It's good to finish it as soon as possible,however, so the stringbed stiffness is somewhat consistent.



Completely not true.
Click to expand...

Depends on the machine. On a 2pt mount klippermate there is basically no support. Even on a 6 pt mount, parts of the frame are still receiving unnecessary stress. I think the faster you take it off, the better.
 
JackB1

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
Ambivalent said:
Depends on the machine. On a 2pt mount klippermate there is basically no support. Even on a 6 pt mount, parts of the frame are still receiving unnecessary stress. I think the faster you take it off, the better.
Click to expand...

I am talking about a SP Swing, which is basically a 2 pt mount system. Since it would be "sitting" with just the mains intact, wouldn't those 2 end mounts keep the frame somewhat from any damage to the frame? You can see the way it mounts on page 6 of the manual: http://www.sptennis.com/manuals/Swing.pdf
 
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S

sstchur

Hall of Fame
JackB1 said:
I am talking about a SP Swing, which is basically a 2 pt mount system. Since it would be "sitting" with just the mains intact, wouldn't those 2 end mounts keep the frame somewhat from any damage to the frame?
Click to expand...

I am no expert on this issue, so take my words here with a grain of salt. I'm sure there will probably be many who refute what I say, but this is my take:

It's the pulling tension that REALLY puts stress on the frame. Merely mounting the frame shouldn't really be putting much (if any) stress on the frame. I think this is especially true of suspension mount systems. And If you watch yulitle's video on 6 point mounting, he indicates that the supports should be "just barely" touching the racquet, as the point is the keep the frame from going out, not to "push the frame in."

It seems to me that merely having a racquet mounted shouldn't put much stress on it at all. Maybe a little bit with some of the two point press down systems, but even then, if you aren't over-tightening, I don't think there is much stress on the frame just from mounting.

That said, there is tremendous stress being exerted on the frame during tensioning. That much is for sure. This is why the frame needs to be securely mounted.

If you've done the mains, then you've tensioned in one direction, and there is forced being applied to the frame for sure. At the point when the mains are done and the crosses haven't been started, the frame may have actually narrowed (or elongated) a bit. This is normal and once the crosses are done -- assuming you haven't changed the tension between M and X too much -- it should even out in the end.

Is it bad to leave the mains sitting for a long time before doing the crosses? Eh... it's probably not as bad as some might have you believe. But then again, I wouldn't recommend leaving it sit for an "extended" period of time that way. 30 minutes probably isn't the end of the world though.

But again, take my words with a grain of salt, because, to be brutally honest, I have no idea what the hell I'm talking about, and I'm basically just giving my best guess! ;-)
 
JackB1

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
sstchur said:
I am no expert on this issue, so take my words here with a grain of salt. I'm sure there will probably be many who refute what I say, but this is my take:

It's the pulling tension that REALLY puts stress on the frame. Merely mounting the frame shouldn't really be putting much (if any) stress on the frame. I think this is especially true of suspension mount systems. And If you watch yulitle's video on 6 point mounting, he indicates that the supports should be "just barely" touching the racquet, as the point is the keep the frame from going out, not to "push the frame in."

It seems to me that merely having a racquet mounted shouldn't put much stress on it at all. Maybe a little bit with some of the two point press down systems, but even then, if you aren't over-tightening, I don't think there is much stress on the frame just from mounting.

That said, there is tremendous stress being exerted on the frame during tensioning. That much is for sure. This is why the frame needs to be securely mounted.

If you've done the mains, then you've tensioned in one direction, and there is forced being applied to the frame for sure. At the point when the mains are done and the crosses haven't been started, the frame may have actually narrowed (or elongated) a bit. This is normal and once the crosses are done -- assuming you haven't changed the tension between M and X too much -- it should even out in the end.

Is it bad to leave the mains sitting for a long time before doing the crosses? Eh... it's probably not as bad as some might have you believe. But then again, I wouldn't recommend leaving it sit for an "extended" period of time that way. 30 minutes probably isn't the end of the world though.

But again, take my words with a grain of salt, because, to be brutally honest, I have no idea what the hell I'm talking about, and I'm basically just giving my best guess! ;-)
Click to expand...

I am just trying to make stringing a little less painful right now. It's taking me 2 hours and I think if I take a little break in between, it will make it more tolerable.
 
drakulie

drakulie

Talk Tennis Guru
With how well frames are made these days, and the better mounting systems, I don't think it's too big of a deal leaving the machine on there for a short period of time. However, I don't practice this. If you are going to string a frame, you should make sure you are going to have time to finish it.

As others have noted, a frame goes thru a lof of stress during the stringing process, and completing only the mains, regardless of the mounting or how well built frames are, it is still distorted.
 
R

ronninmaster

New User
It will not really ruin your racket as long it's in the stringer b/c of the mounts. However it will lead to inconsistent tension, which is why most stringers do it as quickly as possible not only because it is in high expectations when at tourneys, but also for tension consistency. A racket strung at 60lbs will lose tension little by little. I learned this first hand at the shop while stringing on a babolat sensor. I tensioned the string but forgot to clamp off when a customer asked me a question. I came back 5 mins later the tensioner reached the end where it couldn't pull anymore and the readout came went to 57 lbs. This would be the same for the clamps. Esp extruded polys, which have less tension stability, once the strings are clamped down they will still continue stretching until they are completely useless. This is why luxilon and other poly strings go dead faster than a multifilament or nat gut.
 
PimpMyGame

PimpMyGame

Hall of Fame
I only leave my racket on the machine long enough to grab myself another cold beer.

Seriously, I don't think there is one tennis shop in the world where a sales assistant won't greet a customer and help with a purchase just because he's in the middle of a string job. A 30 minute break would be fine IMO.
 
tennis005

tennis005

Hall of Fame
^^^ Thats why I'm getting a stringing machine. Our local stringer just leaves the racket half done and sitting on the machine. Then if you tell him a tension, he will just string it at whatever he feels like stringing it at.
 
R

ronninmaster

New User
tennis005 said:
^^^ Thats why I'm getting a stringing machine. Our local stringer just leaves the racket half done and sitting on the machine. Then if you tell him a tension, he will just string it at whatever he feels like stringing it at.
Click to expand...
hey I don't do that. I saw the tension fall I let go of the string and retension it. And after the first time I never leave the racket until its done. I finish a racket around 16 mins
 
TenniseaWilliams

TenniseaWilliams

Professional
Finish it!

3264394806_a9bd7e9a13.jpg
 
Ambivalent

Ambivalent

Hall of Fame
JackB1 said:
I am talking about a SP Swing, which is basically a 2 pt mount system. Since it would be "sitting" with just the mains intact, wouldn't those 2 end mounts keep the frame somewhat from any damage to the frame? You can see the way it mounts on page 6 of the manual: http://www.sptennis.com/manuals/Swing.pdf
Click to expand...

Yes but just because there is a support doesn't mean there isn't stress. Basically, the strings are pulling the frame inward, and the clamps are holding it from doing so, creating 2 way torsion.
 
zapvor

zapvor

G.O.A.T.
JackB1 said:
How long can I leave the racquet sitting on the stringer without doing any damage?

I am just starting out and iot takes me 2 hours right now. It would be nice to be able to take a break after the mains are done, before starting the crosses. Would it be OK to leave the racquet sitting on the stringer with just the mains for 1/2 hour? one hour?

thanks
Click to expand...

my first job took 3 hrs. just be patient and have fun with it. i am down to 45min now. regardless of time do NOT let it sit. dont take breaks.
 
Irvin

Irvin

Talk Tennis Guru
As long as the supports are not slipping I do not think you will have any problem. I do think it is best to complete the racket all in one session though but it olny takes me about 15 minutes to string the racket not counting removing string, mounting frame, etc...

Irvin
 
Irvin

Irvin

Talk Tennis Guru
My first stringer was a TR Stringer and I never strung a racket with that stringer in under 60 minutes. My next stringer was a Prince 100 which is a floor model with plenty of room under the racket to work with the string. The first time I strung a racket on the Prince machine it took me about 30 minutes. The money you saved buying the low price machine is costing you your time. If you are willing to do that there is nothing wrong with it. If you want to string rackets in under an hour now buy a more user friendly stringer.

Irvin
 
Ambivalent

Ambivalent

Hall of Fame
JackB1 said:
How long did it take you to get down from 2 hours to one?
Click to expand...

My first one took about 2.5 hours. From there the time drops rapidly. It also depends on strings. If you're doing polys, getting through blocked grommets isn't too bad. I've spent nearly 30 minutes on trying to get isospeed control through a blocked hole though...

I'd say after the 5th job i was doing consistent 1 hours on 18x20 rackets. This is with a 2 pt dropweight.
 
JackB1

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
Ambivalent said:
My first one took about 2.5 hours. From there the time drops rapidly. It also depends on strings. If you're doing polys, getting through blocked grommets isn't too bad. I've spent nearly 30 minutes on trying to get isospeed control through a blocked hole though...

I'd say after the 5th job i was doing consistent 1 hours on 18x20 rackets. This is with a 2 pt dropweight.
Click to expand...

I've done 3 so far and I am still at 2 hours :(

I might try another tonite. Hopefully my time will go down.
 
Pwned

Pwned

Hall of Fame
Took me quite a while to get my times down. First one was like 2.5 hours. But now I can do them in about 35 minutes (just the stringing) if I try and go fast with something like PSGD. I don't think I am going to do it much faster with my gamma x-2. I usually take my time and do a leisurely hour.
 
Irvin

Irvin

Talk Tennis Guru
JackB1 said:
I've done 3 so far and I am still at 2 hours :(

I might try another tonite. Hopefully my time will go down.
Click to expand...

This may not be what you want to hear but maybe it will be helpful for those looking for a stringer. The SP Swing has very little room under the racket to work the string. The bar the racket supports is on is only a couple of inches below the racket. A stringer like the X-2 would have been a better choice. This stringer has support bars that hold the racket higher so you have room to work above and below the racket. This allows you to speed weave.

gamma-x-2-stringing-machine.jpg


Irvin
 
zapvor

zapvor

G.O.A.T.
JackB1 said:
How long did it take you to get down from 2 hours to one?
Click to expand...

well it goes down pretty fast in the beginning. so like first one is 3hrs. 2nd time about 2.5, up to about 4 times. starting at the 5th job it went to like 2 hrs. then at 10jobs it goes down to about 1.5. by 20 i was doing 1hr, and now if i really need to rush 30min is doable, but i like to take my time and spend 45 per racket.
 
JackB1

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
Irvin said:
This may not be what you want to hear but maybe it will be helpful for those looking for a stringer. The SP Swing has very little room under the racket to work the string. The bar the racket supports is on is only a couple of inches below the racket. A stringer like the X-2 would have been a better choice. This stringer has support bars that hold the racket higher so you have room to work above and below the racket. This allows you to speed weave.

Irvin
Click to expand...

You know, you are right. The SP Swing has NO ROOM under the racquet and I am always struggling to get under there. I also hate the clamps. The adjustment is a screw, so you have no concept of how to adjust them. You just have to keep doing it by trial and error. I heard the X-2 clamps have a dial, so you can tell where they are adjusted to. It also makes having both clamps identical much easier.
 
zapvor

zapvor

G.O.A.T.
yea it helps if you have a nice machine. i have been lucky to use other people's machines which have been very nice.
 
B

BallsOfFire

New User
Irvin said:
This may not be what you want to hear but maybe it will be helpful for those looking for a stringer. The SP Swing has very little room under the racket to work the string. The bar the racket supports is on is only a couple of inches below the racket. A stringer like the X-2 would have been a better choice. This stringer has support bars that hold the racket higher so you have room to work above and below the racket. This allows you to speed weave.

gamma-x-2-stringing-machine.jpg


Irvin
Click to expand...
How can I learn to Speed weave? I see it on youtube, when they do it.... but I cant figure out the technique.
 
Irvin

Irvin

Talk Tennis Guru
BallsOfFire said:
How can I learn to Speed weave? I see it on youtube, when they do it.... but I cant figure out the technique.
Click to expand...
Practice. If you’re using a poly or a high friction string pull weave the string and always weave one ahead. When you pull weave use enough string to reach across the frame, oush the string down with the top hand and pull the end of the string under the sting with the lower hand. You are only w eating the end of the string not the complete loop.

EDIT: It may also help to not weave straight across the racket pendepdicular to the mains but at an angle. Weaving one ahead helps a lot too. Here is a video that may
 
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Irvin

Irvin

Talk Tennis Guru
Notice in the picture the weave looks like it is straight across the racket but the only portion of the string I’m pulling is the end portion and I'm pulling that up the racket not across.
 
Irvin

Irvin

Talk Tennis Guru
@BallsOfFire I was just stringing a racket with Lux 4G trying to pay attention to how I pull weave. It becomes second nature when you do it so often and difficult to describe when someone ask how it’s done. Think of stringing crosses as rolling a carpet across the floor. You push or pull only the top of the roll toward the direction in which you’re trying to cover the floor. same with pull weaving, you want to pull only the end but you’re really rolling the loop of string toward the far side.
 
B

BallsOfFire

New User
Irvin said:
@BallsOfFire I was just stringing a racket with Lux 4G trying to pay attention to how I pull weave. It becomes second nature when you do it so often and difficult to describe when someone ask how it’s done. Think of stringing crosses as rolling a carpet across the floor. You push or pull only the top of the roll toward the direction in which you’re trying to cover the floor. same with pull weaving, you want to pull only the end but you’re really rolling the loop of string toward the far side.
Click to expand...
Thank You!
 
B

BallsOfFire

New User
Irvin said:
@BallsOfFire I was just stringing a racket with Lux 4G trying to pay attention to how I pull weave. It becomes second nature when you do it so often and difficult to describe when someone ask how it’s done. Think of stringing crosses as rolling a carpet across the floor. You push or pull only the top of the roll toward the direction in which you’re trying to cover the floor. same with pull weaving, you want to pull only the end but you’re really rolling the loop of string toward the far side.
Click to expand...
can you recommend any good starting clamp? I bought one from Pros pro and it does not hold the string very well.
 
Irvin

Irvin

Talk Tennis Guru
BallsOfFire said:
can you recommend any good starting clamp? I bought one from Pros pro and it does not hold the string very well.
Click to expand...
I dont like the spring loaded type clamps and prefer the adjustable ones much better for starting mains and crosses. I pm you a link to a good one that is inexpensive. I use the spring type clamps now only for tying knots and bridging.

EDIT: I have 2 of the adjustable clamps. 1 Yonex ($250) and the Aliexpress clamp ($75.) The Yonex is better made but not worth >3x the price.
 
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Irvin

Irvin

Talk Tennis Guru
stapletonj said:
anything but pros pro..... others may disagree, but every single thing I have ever bought from them has proven to be crap.
Click to expand...
I think you’re exaggerating, they aren’t that good.

EDIT: Some spring type clamps work ok, and last a long time, but they not as good as adjustable clamps.
 
tlm

tlm

G.O.A.T.
My first few rackets were a nightmare and took forever. But after a few the time should shorten to an hour. If you have an old beater racket to practice on that would help. I would say by the time you have strung 10 rackets you should be much faster and by 20 it will be easy.
 
B

BallsOfFire

New User
Irvin said:
I think you’re exaggerating, they aren’t that good.

EDIT: Some spring type clamps work ok, and last a long time, but they not as good as adjustable clamps.
Click to expand...

stapletonj said:
anything but pros pro..... others may disagree, but every single thing I have ever bought from them has proven to be crap.
Click to expand...
I didn't mean to start a bashing on Pros Pro. I have bought a few other things from them which are quite fine and good and solid, just not the starting clamp.
I bought and owl, the large string cutter (garden rose cutter) and 2 very good dial in string clamps with diamond powder for the two holders. And I also bought reel of hexa spin, their syn gut and black out which are good priced and fine strings.
I bought their cheapest adult graphite rackets and that was cracking open in the throat at 23 kg tension.
I think all companies have good and bad things on the shelfes. its a jungle
 
S

stapletonj

Hall of Fame
I don't know if they still sell it or not, but their tension calibrator thingie was worthless.

Rest of the stuff you may be right about. Dont know what you paid, but I found a pair of industrial type shears at Lowe's for about $8 that work great
 
Shroud

Shroud

G.O.A.T.
Irvin said:
Practice. If you’re using a poly or a high friction string pull weave the string and always weave one ahead. When you pull weave use enough string to reach across the frame, oush the string down with the top hand and pull the end of the string under the sting with the lower hand. You are only w eating the end of the string not the complete loop.

EDIT: It may also help to not weave straight across the racket pendepdicular to the mains but at an angle. Weaving one ahead helps a lot too. Here is a video that may
Click to expand...
Reported to the kevlar police! Ruining kevlar's stiff feel with power pads is a class 1 crime. Shame Shame Shame!!
 
Irvin

Irvin

Talk Tennis Guru
Shroud said:
Reported to the kevlar police! Ruining kevlar's stiff feel with power pads is a class 1 crime. Shame Shame Shame!!
Click to expand...
FACT CHECKER: Power pads don’t do much to soften up the string bed they just damper the sound of the string bed slightly. IMO I don’t really know why people want them but for those that do I’ve got them.
 
Shroud

Shroud

G.O.A.T.
Irvin said:
FACT CHECKER: Power pads don’t do much to soften up the string bed they just damper the sound of the string bed slightly. IMO I don’t really know why people want them but for those that do I’ve got them.
Click to expand...
DOUBLE REVERSE FACT CHECKER: They allow the strings to give on contact as the leather compresses which gives a softer feel kind of like a power port. There were plastic versions whose name I forget that also give on contact. IMHO
 
Irvin

Irvin

Talk Tennis Guru
Shroud said:
DOUBLE REVERSE FACT CHECKER: They allow the strings to give on contact as the leather compresses which gives a softer feel kind of like a power port. There were plastic versions whose name I forget that also give on contact. IMHO
Click to expand...
I have some of the old clear plastic version I doubt they would give much If any. They are made like 2 half spheres put together.
 
Shroud

Shroud

G.O.A.T.
Irvin said:
I have some of the old clear plastic version I doubt they would give much If any. They are made like 2 half spheres put together.
Click to expand...
Maybe. Long story but all my stringing stuff are at a buddies house due to a recent brain tumor. I am slowly getting back into tennis and will get the stuff back and will have a look at the plastic ones...pjoli or something. Anyhow here is another poster talking about a softer feel and btw the kevlar police will get you :)

 
B

Bambooman

Hall of Fame
Shroud said:
DOUBLE REVERSE FACT CHECKER: They allow the strings to give on contact as the leather compresses which gives a softer feel kind of like a power port. There were plastic versions whose name I forget that also give on contact. IMHO
Click to expand...
You're overlooking the fact that leather compresses with stringing tension. It just keeps getting smashed down. It is not a spring.

After the racquet is strung it really has nothing left to give.
 
Shroud

Shroud

G.O.A.T.
Bambooman said:
You're overlooking the fact that leather compresses with stringing tension. It just keeps getting smashed down. It is not a spring.

After the racquet is strung it really has nothing left to give.
Click to expand...
Perhaps its a different mechanism. How do you account for it feeling softer?
 
B

Bambooman

Hall of Fame
Shroud said:
Perhaps its a different mechanism. How do you account for it feeling softer?
Click to expand...
Your imagination. Certainly if you feel the need to string kevlar at 80 pounds it wouldn't make sense to also want and expect some give too.

That's like saying you like punching granite boulders with a bit of leather behind them to soften the blow.
 
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