Differences in measured tension

[MoxMonkey]

I have been using a tourna string meter tension tester, and have noticed that every racquet I string has a substantial measured difference between the mains and crosses. Is this normal? The are initially strung to the same tension, and fiddle with the crosses to make sure their strait before clamping.

So the only conclusion I can come to is that the mains are getting bent/stretched by the crosses being weaved in after the tension on them has already been set, which would probably increase the tension of the mains past what they where initially set at.

As far as I can tell this is unavoidable.

Also the clamps seem to drift more on the crosses, no matter how tight they are locked in, which probably would somewhat lower tension as well.

The difference is pretty substantial, somewhere around an 8lb difference.

 

[Irvin]

I have been using a tourna string meter tension tester, and have noticed that every racquet I string has a substantial measured difference between the mains and crosses. Is this normal?

Yes

 

[Irvin]

the clamps seem to drift more on the crosses, no matter how tight they are locked in, which probably would somewhat lower tension as well.

What do you mean by the clamps drifting? What machine and clamps are you using?

 

[MoxMonkey]

What do you mean by the clamps drifting? What machine and clamps are you using?

Alpha pioneer dc+.

When clamped onto the crosses. It will 'pull' a few millimeters toward the tensioned side of the string. I might have not notice it that easily, but since the last(outside) main is in the clamp as well it goes along for the ride, and I can see the bend in it. It's not much, but the deviation is visible.

 

[Irvin]

Alpha pioneer dc+.

When clamped onto the crosses. It will 'pull' a few millimeters toward the tensioned side of the string. I might have not notice it that easily, but since the last(outside) main is in the clamp as well it goes along for the ride, and I can see the bend in it. It's not much, but the deviation is visible.

That’s called drawback. Normally the tension lost is recovered on the next pull but on the outer main when you tie there is no next pull. You could increase tension on the outer mains (aka knot tension) or preload the clamp but pushing the clamp base toward the tensioner before locking the base. Again it is normal.

 

[MoxMonkey]

That’s called drawback. Normally the tension lost is recovered on the next pull but on the outer main when you tie there is no next pull. You could increase tension on the outer mains (aka knot tension) or preload the clamp but pushing the clamp base toward the tensioner before locking the base. Again it is normal.

Thanks. I figured it gets recovered on the next pull. With the last mains I do increase tension, and that helps keep consistency with the other mains. The final cross sometimes I do that as well.

 

[Irvin]

Thanks. I figured it gets recovered on the next pull. With the last mains I do increase tension, and that helps keep consistency with the other mains. The final cross sometimes I do that as well.

If you increase tension on the last main you’ll have more drawback so you net result is the same IMO. If you‘re looking for a higher tension on the outer mains string 1 piece tying off the top and bottom crosses. Tying off a cross string gives you less drawback because the main to cross friction helps to reduce drawback and the clamp resting on a couple of mains also reduces the probability of drawback.

more often than not i string 2 piece consistently and apply slight pressure on the clamp base for tie off locations and use a starting knot on the top cross.