ATW help

[aussie]

Guys - I've strung about 10 racquets successfully on my drop weight portable, but always with 2 pieces. I'd like to try 1 piece, but on the sticks I generally string, the 16/19 string pattern with 6 in the throat, means the mains tie off in the throat. Therefore, the first cross if I string standard one piece would commence in the throat and finish at the head, which is a no-no.

I am aware that ATW stringing is the technique to use to avoid stringing the crosses in one piece from the throat up. I believe that the technique is to finish on the 7th main on the long side at the top of the stick, then commence the crosses from the top down and then finally, string that missed main.

I understand the principle behind this, but the problem is that the last cross finishes on the wrong side (the short side) which means that I can't finish that 8th missed main on the long side.

I know I've got this wrong somehow and would be grateful if someone could straighten me out on this.

 

[dancraig]

If the racquet has an even number of crosses, you start the crosses on the first cross. If the racquet has an odd number of crosses, as in your case, you start the crosses on the second cross. When you get to the bottom you weave that last main, back up to the top. Then weave the last cross, at the very top. This is the cross that you skipped over when you started the crosses.

Note:
There are several different ATW patterns, each with it's pros and cons. This is the one that I use.

 

[Radical Shot]

Aussie, aussie aussie!

Here's what I do for my Pro Staff (which is a 16x19). String 7 mains on the short side and tie off the 7th main at the head (make sure you can do this...some racquets you cannot tie off if you only string 7 mains.)

Then, string the other side (long bit of string) with the full 8 mains, finishing at the bottom. Now, weave the first cross across the bottom of the frame, then continue up the frame, stringing the missing main, then string the first of the top crosses and continue down the frame, stringing crosses top-to-bottom.

Notice the around the world pattern here? You've just strung a main (the last main), a cross (last along the bottom), a main (the missing main) and a cross (1st along the top) - all with the same bit of string!

Continue the crosses down as usual down the frame, finishing at the bottom.

The only trick is to make sure when you string that first cross at the top of the racquet that you get the correct weave. ie. the opposite of the first cross that you strung at the bottom of the racquet.

You'll have a great string job with rock-solid 8th mains along each side.

Hope this helps.

Fellow aussie.

 

[diredesire]

Here's one that I put up, some people like it, some people don't. I think the outside mains are a PITA, but you do what you gotta

http://students.washington.edu/~jdeng/ATW/index.html

 

[jamauss]

I just tried an ATW stringing of a Head iRadical MP that has 18 mains and 20 crosses and I messed it up my first time. It also has 8 holes in the throat grommet, when I'm used to 6 - that contributed to some confusion as well.

So, with the ATW pattern, is it a general rule to just count the number of crosses like DanCraig mentioned and start on either the 1st or 2nd cross accordingly?

 

[dancraig]

I just tried an ATW stringing of a Head iRadical MP that has 18 mains and 20 crosses and I messed it up my first time. It also has 8 holes in the throat grommet, when I'm used to 6 - that contributed to some confusion as well.

So, with the ATW pattern, is it a general rule to just count the number of crosses like DanCraig mentioned and start on either the 1st or 2nd cross accordingly?

Yes, on the ATW pattern that I'm referring to. But it would differ with other patterns.

 

[aussie]

Thanks guys on your suggestions. Certainly clears up my confusion and I'm looking forward to my next string job.

In memory of Steve Irwin (been to Australia Zoo several times and met the man twice) CROC'S RULE!!!!!

 

[Lindros13]

If the racquet has an even number of crosses, you start the crosses on the first cross. If the racquet has an odd number of crosses, as in your case, you start the crosses on the second cross. When you get to the bottom you weave that last main, back up to the top. Then weave the last cross, at the very top. This is the cross that you skipped over when you started the crosses.

Note:
There are several different ATW patterns, each with it's pros and cons. This is the one that I use.

From doing some quick, basic research on AWT pattern techniques, it seems like dancraig's method above is the easiest for me to remember and easiest for me to do. Please read his method above and then read my question/comments below.

In his prescribed method, he is skipping the first cross when there are an odd number of crosses (as is the case with my brother's 16x19 Head LM2), and then filling-in that initial skipped cross at the end (after filling-in the skipped main). Isn't the whole point of the AWT method to avoid stringing the upper crosses at the end? I'd like to simply adopt dancraig's method when I need to do ATW, but I'm concerned that it's pitfall of skipping the upper most cross for 'odd-numbered cross racquets' defeats the purpose. Dancraig, did you follow my question? Can you or others agree that this is OK? Thanks a bunch!

 

[gjoc]

The only trick is to make sure when you string that first cross at the top of the racquet that you get the correct weave. ie. the opposite of the first cross that you strung at the bottom of the racquet.

Same weave, not “opposite,” no? (“1” and “19” both being odd).

Opposite if it’s 20 (“1” being odd and “20” being even), like a Radical MP.

Otherwise, that’s the way I do it.

 

[iplaybetter]

i am posting a video that will include atw or really box

 

[dancraig]

From doing some quick, basic research on AWT pattern techniques, it seems like dancraig's method above is the easiest for me to remember and easiest for me to do. Please read his method above and then read my question/comments below.

In his prescribed method, he is skipping the first cross when there are an odd number of crosses (as is the case with my brother's 16x19 Head LM2), and then filling-in that initial skipped cross at the end (after filling-in the skipped main). Isn't the whole point of the AWT method to avoid stringing the upper crosses at the end? I'd like to simply adopt dancraig's method when I need to do ATW, but I'm concerned that it's pitfall of skipping the upper most cross for 'odd-numbered cross racquets' defeats the purpose. Dancraig, did you follow my question? Can you or others agree that this is OK? Thanks a bunch!

The point of ATW is to avoid stringing crosses bottom up. Stringing crosses bottom up is thought to build the pressure and tension up toward the top of the frame, the weakest point on the racquet, cross by cross.
With the modified ATW method mentioned above, the string job has basically been completed before that top cross is pulled.
The tension and pressure have already been equalized.

 

[Steve Huff]

Aussie, drop me a line and I'll send you step-by-step instructions. Let me know the racket you want to string and the type of machine you have. stmt@comcast.net