2nd attempt

[chasheek]

Hi all, i incorporated all the advice i could remember from here and YUlite’s sticky. Here’s what i learned from round 2:
-the “lock clamp first, then clamp strings” works. I still get a little backward pull when I release the tension, but not as much
-getting strings through tight holes using YUlite’s thumb-push-little by little with a sharp angled tip works. I used an awl only once (is it bad to use an awl?)
-for Irvin: why is tying the main at 7T better?

Questions:
-on crosses, I used YUlite’s method of using the starting clamp to hold tension. Is there a reason this is better than just tying off a knot at the head and finishing the crosses?
-crosses: does it matter what side you start from?
-crosses: does it matter starting over or under first?
-crosses: no matter how hard I try, some crosses frown. I corrected as I went along but some strings (with red arrows) stayed that way.
-crosses: some crosses lost tension, I have no idea how this happened.
-is there a way to check if the tension is accurate?

Lastly: when stringing mains, if you pluck the strings that correspond to the mirror side (2 center mains, mains 3/4, etc) should they have the same sound, meaning they have been strung at the same tension?

Thanks everyone for your advice and helping a newbie learn a new skill. I drank no beer this time and finished in under 45min!

https://imgur.com/a/f0tuLvl

 

[Agparj]

First off - awesome racquet! I have one just like it ("mid-size" 95 lol)

As for why the frowning crosses, can't see clearly in the picture but i immediately think of missed weaves when it happens like what you describe.

I'm sure more knowledgeable folks will chime in shortly.

Cheers!

Ps> what string are you using in the donnay?

Edit: typos and clarity

 

[chasheek]

First off - awesome racquet! I have one just like it ("mid-size" 95 lol)

As for why the frowning crosses, can't see clearly in the picture but i immediately think of missed weaves when it happens like what you describe.

I'm sure more knowledgeable folks will chime in shortly.

Cheers!

Ps> what string are you using in the donnay?

Edit: typos and clarity

it’s a warrior from my high school days, soon to be my wife’s 1st racquet.

You’re right, upon closer inspection, I missed a few weaves. That must be it.

I’m using the cheapest syn gut to practice with: topspin polytech eco/1.25mm

 

[esgee48]

You can use Racquet Tune if you have an iPhone. Converts pitch/vibrations to tension. You are looking for accuracy and consistency for the string bed, not single strings. Shorter string will have higher pitch. There are other devices but string meters are imo terrible.

You have a DW which is not the same as an eCP. With an eCP on slow pull etc I expect the pitch to be very close . I don’t expect with DW cuz you will have variance on when you clamp and error on horizontal ness. Anyway it’s the stringbed that matters. If you’re good, you will get the readings on 2-4 frames strung at the same time etc within 0.5#. More off, I would look at your technique.

If you have loose crosses, you could have clamped too quickly without waiting for lever to stay horizontal or forgot to remove main/cross friction or have a slipping clamp. My guess is 1 or 2.

Personal preference on using start knot. I only use a starting knot if I am stringing a hybrid with a different main and cross. If same string, I do a one piece and ATW if needed.

I pull from reels and I try to minimize waste. Easy to get 16-17 jobs per reel but I want at least 18-19.

You did misweave those two crosses.

I don’t care whether the first weave is over or under. Some prefer over but ??

 

[chasheek]

Thank you - when you’re talking about strong bed readings, what are using you to measure?

 

[esgee48]

Raquettune is an app. Put in the pattern, max main, max cross, string factor. String factor is grams/meter and should be the stretched factor for the string. Unstretch SF may be 1.74 but stretched SF may be 1.68. RT iOS version has option to derive SF. When you finish the string job, you bounce a hard object off the strings. RT will tell you what the ‘tension’ is based on the frequency it hears using your input data. Search the forum for Racquet Tune discussion. Developed by forum member. Every other device makes assumptions and guesses. You can use it to track tension loss. If thats all you want, then SF does not need to be accurate.

 

[chasheek]

Ok, 3rd attempt. Getting the hang of double knots. I’m wondering if I should clean my clamps (my 3rd racquet, after how many do you clean?)

https://imgur.com/a/Oa2xCsA

 

[Irvin]

why is tying the main at 7T better

My bad 8T, 7T is a skip hole be hard to tie with no anchor.

For clamping clamp string first base second. For unclamping release base first string second.

 

[Irvin]

You tied your mains at 6T double blocking the grommet hole on each side of the racket. If you can tie off the mains at 8T it would be easier.

why is tying the main at 7T better?

I didn’t say tie mains at 7T. Only time I talked about 7T was when I said you will have a double blocked hole @ 7T if you tie mains at 6T.

 

[Irvin]

I know a lot of stringers don’t like using awls but I use them all the time. Both a stringers awl and a pathfinder’s awl.

 

[Irvin]

crosses: does it matter starting over or under first?

My preference is to go over the outside main. But for some rackets I go under if there is a knot with little space to tie off. I want the anchor string on top of the intersecting string. If you go over the outside main you can get the string 2.5 mm deeper into the clamp.

crosses: no matter how hard I try, some crosses frown. I corrected as I went along but some strings (with red arrows) stayed that way.

If you don’t alternate your weave the string will bend no matter what. Check for miss weave bu looking diagonally at the string bed.

 

[ichaseballs]

I know a lot of stringers don’t like using awls but I use them all the time. Both a stringers awl and a pathfinder’s awl.

i like my pathfinder.
people complain about it being cheap quality and that it easily bends or breaks. they ain't wrong... i bought a 2nd one as a backup.

note: use the pathfinder only from the outside of the frame.

 

[Irvin]

use the pathfinder only from the outside of the frame

I use both my awls from the outside only. If the string is going inside out I use a pathfinder, if the string is going outside in I use a stringers awl.