Changing tie-off holes OK?

BMC9670

Hall of Fame
Just got a Klippermate and did my first racket. It went great. My question is: is it OK to deviate from the tie-off holes recommended by the manufacturer? And what would be the implications of doing so?

The reason I ask is that I had my other racket, strung at my club, in hand to look at as I strung. I noticed that they had tied the cross start knot one hole over from the one listed in the manufacturers stringing guide. The only reason I can see for this is it was easier to get a second string through that hole to tie the knot, as I had a really hard time with the suggested hole and had to use the awl quite a bit. Would have been much quicker to use the next hole like they did.

So, would it make a difference if the cross starting knot is one hole over?
 

Irvin

Talk Tennis Guru
Personally I would never use an awl in a racket with string in it but many do. Just because a listing shows tie off does not mean that's correct. It is best to look and see. Tie off holes are larger than other holes which is the give away.

Opening up a small hole to use as a tie off weakens the grommet hole and could cause premature grommet failure and/or string breakage.

Irvin
 

BMC9670

Hall of Fame
Personally I would never use an awl in a racket with string in it but many do. Just because a listing shows tie off does not mean that's correct. It is best to look and see. Tie off holes are larger than other holes which is the give away.

Opening up a small hole to use as a tie off weakens the grommet hole and could cause premature grommet failure and/or string breakage.

Irvin

That's what I was after. Thanks. I did notice this, but thought it was just from the previous string job.
 

mikeler

Moderator
I just bought 3 PK 7Gs. The Klipper site indicates the 5G and 7G are to be strung exactly the same way. It is my belief that the tie off hole for the starting cross at the start of the racket is listed wrong on the Klipper site and that your stringer has it in the correct tie-off location. There is no way to put the tie-off in the hole indicated without seriously widening the tiny grommet holes (which you found out) whereas getting the string in the larger hole 1 over is no sweat especially if you weave the cross before you tension that 2nd to last main.
 

JavierLW

Hall of Fame
I just bought 3 PK 7Gs. The Klipper site indicates the 5G and 7G are to be strung exactly the same way. It is my belief that the tie off hole for the starting cross at the start of the racket is listed wrong on the Klipper site and that your stringer has it in the correct tie-off location. There is no way to put the tie-off in the hole indicated without seriously widening the tiny grommet holes (which you found out) whereas getting the string in the larger hole 1 over is no sweat especially if you weave the cross before you tension that 2nd to last main.

Ive seen a couple times where the Klipper site is wrong.

Ive been noticing that with the O3 original series lately, they have the wrong holes for the cross tieoffs (as compared to the prince site).

And they have strange string length suggestions. (like for the O3 Red, they suggest you need 21 feet for the mains, but you seem to only need 20)

It's making me think I should invest in USRSA membership to get the manual.

(otherwise since I bought my machine in October, Ive done around 50 racquets, and most of them I could use the klipper info)
 

BMC9670

Hall of Fame
Good to know, guys. I'll go by the manufacturer site as well as look for the physically larger holes from now on.
 

mikeler

Moderator
Ive seen a couple times where the Klipper site is wrong.

Ive been noticing that with the O3 original series lately, they have the wrong holes for the cross tieoffs (as compared to the prince site).

And they have strange string length suggestions. (like for the O3 Red, they suggest you need 21 feet for the mains, but you seem to only need 20)

It's making me think I should invest in USRSA membership to get the manual.

(otherwise since I bought my machine in October, Ive done around 50 racquets, and most of them I could use the klipper info)


Glad you brought up this point. The Klipper site lists 19' for the mains on our rackets. I used 20' last night and barely reached the tensioner when I pulled the last 2 mains.
 

BMC9670

Hall of Fame
Glad you brought up this point. The Klipper site lists 19' for the mains on our rackets. I used 20' last night and barely reached the tensioner when I pulled the last 2 mains.

I measured out 21' for the mains, which left 19' for cross and had plenty left on both.
 

BMC9670

Hall of Fame
BTW... how are you liking the 7G? I love the 5G / RIP Control combo for comfort, but could use a little more power. I find I have to work hard late in matches to keep the ball deep. I'm already stringing at the low end for tension so I may consider a higher powered string. Any suggestions?
 

mikeler

Moderator
BTW... how are you liking the 7G? I love the 5G / RIP Control combo for comfort, but could use a little more power. I find I have to work hard late in matches to keep the ball deep. I'm already stringing at the low end for tension so I may consider a higher powered string. Any suggestions?


Loving the 7G when I hit the strings. Still have a lot of mishits due to the lighter weight versus my PSTs. I'll get it down eventually.

RIP Control is very low powered for a multi. You might want to try a string with some more pop to it. What is your budget? Check out my multi reviews below if you have not already done so and check out how I rate strings in terms of power:

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=352048
 

fortun8son

Hall of Fame
The info that mfgs send to USRSA, etc are not always accurate. I have run across many frames that are waay off from the specs published and have informed USRSA about these discrepancies so they can update the Digest.
If it looks like an enlarged tie-off hole, it probably is.
Even if it means tying off at 12T instead of 9T! Or vice-versa.
 

BMC9670

Hall of Fame
Loving the 7G when I hit the strings. Still have a lot of mishits due to the lighter weight versus my PSTs. I'll get it down eventually.

RIP Control is very low powered for a multi. You might want to try a string with some more pop to it. What is your budget? Check out my multi reviews below if you have not already done so and check out how I rate strings in terms of power:

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=352048

OK, maybe I don't want more power. Played a flex match last night, my first "competitive" match in some time and was sending everything long. Very different than practice and hitting with guys I know. I think it was just nerves as by the second set I had found my range and still had plenty of power. Amazing how different match play and practice hitting can be! Since I string my own now, I may just string one up a bit tighter for those times I need the extra control.
 
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