Few General Stringing Questions

[Sweet-Spot]

Been stringing on an electric for several months now and loving it. But I have a few questions that would be awesome to get some clarification on.

#1 How far up the teeth on the clamps should one clamp the string? I spoke with a friend and he actually does it right near the base, but I've always done it towards the bottom of the 'teeth' so it doesn't crush the string (know it depends on how tight the clamp is)

#2 When mounting the racket, how much pressure should be applied to the frame from the side arms? Again, watching my friend string he tightens it so tight that the racket visibly warps. I always have done very light pressure. How much pressure from the top and bottom and mounts?

#3 When stringing badminton and even some smaller tennis rackets, the side mounting supports are so large that I cannot clamp the outer strings anywhere near the frame. On my old crank machine I can turn them around to accomodate the smaller frame but with my Gamma it does not have that option, and its a real pain in the butt. Even floating clamps cant clamp close. How do I solve that one?

Any thoughts appreciated!

 

[Irvin]

Been stringing on an electric for several months now and loving it. But I have a few questions that would be awesome to get some clarification on.

#1 How far up the teeth on the clamps should one clamp the string? I spoke with a friend and he actually does it right near the base, but I've always done it towards the bottom of the 'teeth' so it doesn't crush the string (know it depends on how tight the clamp is)

#2 When mounting the racket, how much pressure should be applied to the frame from the side arms? Again, watching my friend string he tightens it so tight that the racket visibly warps. I always have done very light pressure. How much pressure from the top and bottom and mounts?

#3 When stringing badminton and even some smaller tennis rackets, the side mounting supports are so large that I cannot clamp the outer strings anywhere near the frame. On my old crank machine I can turn them around to accomodate the smaller frame but with my Gamma it does not have that option, and its a real pain in the butt. Even floating clamps cant clamp close. How do I solve that one?

Any thoughts appreciated!

1 the farther down in the clamp the more surface you have between the clamp and string and the less change of slipping. BUT you may have to adjust the clamp when starting the crosses.

2 finger tight

3 my Gamma came with floating Badminton clamps but I have never used them. I would say just get as close as you can.

 

[Tamiya]

Badminton is so low tension you can probably get away with 2pt
I had to move the side clamps to do crosses as they blocked the holes.

When adjusted correctly clamps should squish down in parallel?
Shouldn't be closing like they're hinged.

 

[Sweet-Spot]

Thanks Irvin, so ideally it should be right in the throat of the clamp and not in the teeth at all? U havent used the badminton clamps - is that because you dont string badminton or find the swivel clamps sufficient?

Tamiya - some of my clients ask me to string badminton up to 30 pounds. The rackets are really put under a heap of stress so although I would LOVE to string 2 point, it would probably pop a few frames lol.


Wonder if there is some gamma badminton add ons for the side supports, I'll have to ask them.

 

[Tamiya]

30lb?!? your clients are crazy & don't know what they're playing!
Are you using 1.0mm to survive that tight?

For beginners & casual swatters I wouldn't go more than 15-18lb
especially for anyone with chance of using plastic shuttles.
20lb for seasoned players and anyone over 24lb... I'd be expecting
him to be China National Team with a line of groupies following


I don't clamp too tight... 6 & 12 I'd snuck them up until hoop moves
maybe 2-3mm max on a soft frame. Don't crack the paintjob!
Snug up the side clamps equally until they just touch, fingertip tight.
Grab throat & give it a wiggletest, nothing moves = good to go.

 

[Tamiya]

Forgot to add afaik most badminton racquet makers' warranty
won't cover anything over 25lb... check company info perhaps.

Yeah recommended tension not written on badstick like tennis,
guess there's no room & sure makes it harder to argue
with pigheaded customers

 

[Irvin]

Thanks Irvin, so ideally it should be right in the throat of the clamp and not in the teeth at all? U havent used the badminton clamps - is that because you dont string badminton or find the swivel clamps sufficient?

Tamiya - some of my clients ask me to string badminton up to 30 pounds. The rackets are really put under a heap of stress so although I would LOVE to string 2 point, it would probably pop a few frames lol.


Wonder if there is some gamma badminton add ons for the side supports, I'll have to ask them.

I've never strung badminton frames since getting my stringer.

If Gamma does not have an add on (with low tensions of badminton) it seems like it would not be difficult to fabricate a V clamp to extend the side supports do they would be out of the way of the clamps.

 

[Sweet-Spot]

Thanks Irvin, thats a good idea we have a builder I could get him to come up with something....

Tamiya, yeah when a customer has his sights on a tension, its difficult to talk them out of it. I might tell them to go elsewhere as those tensions are very high indeed and I am not comfortable stringing that high.

Thanks for the tips.

couple more questions, I have this tool but not sure how its supposed to be used. I saw a guy using it in a speed stringing badminton video but he goes so fast I am nnot sure what he's actually doing! yes it can help take out strings when removing, but I find it quicker to do by hand. Is there any other specific purpose?

Also my machine has prestretch feature which is great - is there a string type that it particularly should be used for? ie nat gut? what about syn guts or polys?

 

[Tamiya]

you can pre stretch anything but just as easy to hoist it on a doorknob
20' away and lean on it, if mainly to straighten the loops before weaving

I've never strung badminton frames since getting my stringer.

don't, if you don't have to :twisted: in the old days we did woods by hand + awl

I just had a masochistic twitch when a broken Carlton landed and I found
some Yonex BG65 cheap. Took like 2hrs to reconfigure & tune machine
with the smaller clamps & weight.

Badminton hoop such a PITA to thread & weave, so many shared holes.
And the string I used was some super flexible Multi that couldn't poke thru
a custard even if you begged it... nearly went to raid wife's cross stitch box
for a hugeass needle.

last time I used a tool like that... I was manhandling gunny sacks! :-|

 

[Irvin]

That tool is a string mover / puller. I have seen it used to pull small loops of string from the outside of the frame. I use mine to pull stiff string through a hard weave under one main at a time.

 

[fuzz nation]

Wonder if there is some gamma badminton add ons for the side supports, I'll have to ask them.

My new machine just came on Monday - I scored a Gamma Progression II Els and it came with badminton shoulder support covers that look as though they slip right over the shoulder blocks on the mounting arms. They have a smaller "V" that looks like it could easily stabilize a badminton racquet without overlapping beyond the inside of the hoop.

This was supplied with my machine, but they also list a head frame support, mounting system upgrade, and floating clamp, which are all badminton specific options.

 

[fuzz nation]

#2 When mounting the racket, how much pressure should be applied to the frame from the side arms? Again, watching my friend string he tightens it so tight that the racket visibly warps. I always have done very light pressure. How much pressure from the top and bottom and mounts?
QUOTE]

That's gotta be too tight. I snug the arms down with a thumb and index finger so that the frame stays put if I hold it at either 3-and-9 o'clock or by the handle and gently try to wobble it.

 

[tennis_ocd]

My o-port string spacing tool.

 

[Imago]

1. There should be space to weave the crosses under the mains when needed.

2. If you tighten the holders only in the beginning you may end up with the racket totally loose when you finish, so check them every now and then.

 

[gebruikershaes]

That tool can be used to prestrech tightend cross strings