1 piece converting from last main to cross

[taylorhorton4]

After stringing numerous two piece stringjobs i decided to string a one piece for the first time. I have a question about converting from last main to the first cross. I finished and tied off the short side of the mains and when i got to the last main on the long side wasn't sure whether or not to pull tension on the last one and clamp off or to string last main and the first cross and pull the first cross, thus pulling tension on last main also. If you guys could help me out it would be well appreciated.

 

[jim e]

After stringing numerous two piece stringjobs i decided to string a one piece for the first time. I have a question about converting from last main to the first cross. I finished and tied off the short side of the mains and when i got to the last main on the long side wasn't sure whether or not to pull tension on the last one and clamp off or to string last main and the first cross and pull the first cross, thus pulling tension on last main also. If you guys could help me out it would be well appreciated.

You pull tension on each string separately, so you would have tensioned the last main, clamped, then weaved the cross string, tensioned and clamped.
BTW, were you stringing an ATW pattern, or do the mains end at the head of racquet. What racquet are you stringing?

 

[Irvin]

'jim e' is correct but how you do it depends on what type racket you have and what type clamps you have. What is the racket any clamp types?

Irvin

 

[taylorhorton4]

Okay understand thanks guys and I'm stringing a blx blade 98 with flying clamps and yes the mains end at the throat of the racquet so i have to start crosses at throat which i understand is not desired when stringing a racquet but didn't completely understand the ATW method at the time and strining two piece would have been difficult due to lack of string(40 feet) which has been tough in the tight 18x20 pattern of the blade 98 and don't own a starting clamp but deffinately am looking to purchase one soon.

 

[Irvin]

Since you are stringing with flying clamps when you clamp that bottom cross what will you clamp to? My suggestion would be to make the short side just a bit longer if you had a starting clamp. Use the short side to run the second to bottom cross and clamp it outside the frame with your starting clamp. Then use the long side to run the bottom cross and clamp the bottom cross to the second to bottom. Then continue to string up the racket until all crosses are in and the top cross is tied off. Then come back down and tie off the second to bottom cross.

If you do not have a starting clamp you will know soon enough why you need one. In the mean time I would string the racket two piece. Use the least amount of string you can to string the short side and leave the rest of the string on the long side. Run all your mains and tie them both off then cut off the remainder of the long side to string your crosses. If you use a starting knot you should have plenty of string to complete the racket.

Irvin

 

[jim e]

Okay understand thanks guys and I'm stringing a blx blade 98 with flying clamps and yes the mains end at the throat of the racquet so i have to start crosses at throat which i understand is not desired when stringing a racquet but didn't completely understand the ATW method at the time and strining two piece would have been difficult due to lack of string(40 feet) which has been tough in the tight 18x20 pattern of the blade 98 and don't own a starting clamp but deffinately am looking to purchase one soon.

You are fine to string that one up with crosses bottom up, as Wilson allows that , you can start the crosses at 8T and continue up. Stringing 2 piece even Wilson recommends top down stringing of cross strings, which is what I do on most racquets.
Other racquets like Head, Prince, Yonex you have to string as 2 piece top to bottom, or ATW stringing top to bottom.
You would be best to obtain a starting clamp, as there arre plenty of uses for it, and they are cheap enough.

 

[Irvin]

^^ 'jim e' is right on there. The four tools I use for stringing ( in order of most used) are:

1 Starting clamp
2 Starting clamp (I have two)
3 Side cutters
4 bent nose pliers

Irvin

 

[taylorhorton4]

thanks alot for the involvement and responses in this thread. Anyways i guess i'll be getting a starting clamp very shortly and guess i can attempt a two piece string job. The reason i thought i wouldn't have enough is because i usually leave enough to tie the knots and pull in the tension head but i guess i can sacrifice doing this if necessary unless there is an alternative.

 

[Carolina Racquet]

My suggestion mirrors Irvin's if you're concerned with string length. String the short side and string the other side keeping the string intact.

Cut off after you tie off and you'll maximize your length for the strings needed for the crosses.

 

[Irvin]

I have been thinking of what you could do since you do not have a starting clamp. Use enough string on the short side to run the bottom cross with the short side. After tensioning the last main on the short side and clamping finish all the mains on the long side. Use the long side and pre weave the 19th and 18th crosses. Now use the short side to run the bottom (20th) cross. Use the clamp from the short side mains on the outside of the frame to hold the bottom cross. You should use a short piece of string in the clamp opposite the cross string to equalize pressure since you only have one string to clamp. You could also double the string over and place it in both sides. No matter how you do it you must have the clamp flush against the racket frame and clamped on the tensioned string.

Now tension the 19th cross and use the clamp from the long side to clamp the bottom two crosses (19th and 20th.) You can not pull tension on the bottom cross again and tie it off to free up your clamp or use one clamp to walk all the way up the crosses.

Good luck

Irvin

 

[GlenK]

I am a new stringer and have been following the manufacturer guidelines on one v two piece. I read somewhere that it would void the warranty if the mfg stringing guidelines are not followed.. Is that not true??

 

[Irvin]

^^It could void your warranty yes but we are talking about a Wilson racket and Wilson allows one piece and two piece.

Irvin

 

[GlenK]

OK, thanks.. will keep doing what I'm doing then.. When given both options I do the 2 piece option.

 

[taylorhorton4]

alright thanks alot Irvin and others. I will try that until i get a starting clamp.

 

[taylorhorton4]

Also can anyone comment on the starting clamp sold by eagnas. I understand it is a little cheaper than the gamma sold elsewhere but is the quality good enough to last for a while of stringing?