Double-Pulling Crosses?

[bladepdb]

Is this an efficient method for starting crosses without a starting knot? I was reading in the other thread about how some people do double pull and others just prefer a good thick starting knot. Any opinions on double-pulling though?

The starting knots I've used are thick and hold the string well in place but the grommets have become extremely flared and I want to avoid that as much as possible.

Oh and although I don't know what double-pulling crosses is, I imagine it's the same as double-pulling mains where you clamp down the strings without tension first, then start tensioning the adjacent string. Hopefully I'm not off

 

[bladepdb]

Bring Up My Post

Seriously is double-pulling crosses that bad that it's tabooed?

 

[Zach]

Just use a starting clamp.

 

[bladepdb]

Just use a starting clamp.

I'm just a recreational stringer at the moment, when I move up to stringing more racquets sure I'll buy a starting clamp.

The question is still open =(

 

[ARNICOLINI]

Yes double pulling is what you describe and is unavoidable if you use floating clamps.

However based on Yulitle (and others) suggestion here is a method to try:

1 - get a starting clamp - Its a fairly cheap addition that you will use for a long time. From Yulitle advice I use mine to tighten up my knots.

2 - use the starting clamp on the outside of the frame when starting the crosses - in place of a starting knot. Double pull the first 2 crosses like normal.

3 - With the drop weight about 3 inches above horizontal - I now work the crosses back and forth (toward the head and throat) from the starting clamp working my way in the direction of the string until it exits the frame and onto the string jaws. This helps ease the friction in much the same way fanning does when pulling the crosses accross the mains.

4 - repull / retension string so the drop weight is horizontal.

5 - continue with the remainder of the crosses.

6 - Since I use the starting clamp to tension my knots I leave the last cross with a floating clamp on it and take my other floating clamp and move it up to the top. Position it so you can now pull that very first cross string as a single pull.

7 - Pull the first cross and remove the starting clamp from the out side of the frame once tension is applied to the first string.

8 - Now you do not need a starting knot and can use whatever knot you prefer. I am a double half hitch guy myself.

9 - tie the last knot at the throat now that the starting clamp is free.

Hope this helps.

I am a recreational stringer too but I am always looking for ways to improve my technique.