help with stringing gut main/poly cross setup

donnygg

Rookie
I've just strung up my racquet with gut main/poly cross only to realise a few issues I didn't foresee. I hope to get some help resolving them for my next string job

1. Starting gut main
Is there a proper way to start tensioning the natural gut main to minimise damage, since there is so much pressure placed on the string when clamped? I think I read somewhere that using a starting clamp is not advisable for natural gut.

2. Tying off gut main
Since the knots should not be over tightened by pulling with the starting clamp, the tension loss is inevitably higher. Is there a proper way to tie off gut mains to minimise tension loss?

3. Tying off poly cross on gut main
I usually use a starting clamp to start off the cross and come back to tie off at the end of the string job. But again, since the poly knot should not be pull on the gut main, I ended up with a really loose knot that hardly bunched up against the grommet. Is using the starting knot the only way? What's the proper way to tighten the knot?

Thanks!
 

WisconsinPlayer

Professional
1. Prestretch your gut so that there is less chance it can kink. You shouldnt have any problem starting with the base clamp or a starting clamp.
2. You can string the end mains 3-5 pounds higher so that when the tension is lost, it is still near the tension you want.
3. Just be careful, but tie the knot you would any other way. They are more durable than you think
 

struggle

Legend
I use the cheapest gut available and other than making sure i don't kink it, everything else is pretty much the same.
I don't quite yank on the knots as much as with synthetic, but all else is about the same.

I do prestretch by pulling the (half set) on a door knob or newell post to rid the coil memory somewhat which lessens the kinking.
 

WisconsinPlayer

Professional
I use the cheapest gut available and other than making sure i don't kink it, everything else is pretty much the same.
I don't quite yank on the knots as much as with synthetic, but all else is about the same.

I do prestretch by pulling the (half set) on a door knob or newell post to rid the coil memory somewhat which lessens the kinking.
Id recommend prestretching the full set :) That way when you cut it in half, you'll be cutting where there may be a crease from the door handle
 

jim e

Legend
I typically increase the tension of tie offs by hitting that knot button, as that increases the tension 10% of the reference tension, but now saying that opens up a can of worms as many do not subscribe to that and many do.
Many do not increase and many do and there are reasons for both as they have been posted here many times over, just do a search.
Just for consistency it is best to always do the same with the method that you decide.
The USRSA messaged me and said that it is acceptable although not recommended, just to keep it consistent with the way it is done.
Many tour stringers increase the tie offs.
 

esgee48

G.O.A.T.
Increase tension for tie off or not? If it is a stretchy string like NG or a multi, the last pull is upped by 10-15% depending on how long that piece of string is between the 2 grommet holes. If it is something really stiff like BBO or 4G, then nope. SG? No. Sometimes I ask the client if they have a preference. Most don't since they do not plan to hit the ball anywhere near the outer mains or 1st/last crosses. When they don't care, then I do it by what I stated earlier.

FWIW, you do not want to handle the NG too much, so know what you plan to do and do it. You don't want to pull the NG around a grommet, then decide you meant to go thru a different hole. Same theory applies with doing crosses. Less handling the better.

For knots, use a starting clamp to pull the knot tight.
 

Irvin

Talk Tennis Guru
I just strung two racket with VS 17 mains and ALU ruff crosses.

I used a starting clamp to start the mains like I always do. I used a starting cling to tie my knots like I always do. And I used a starting knot on the Gut mains to start my crosses.

I did a manual prestretch to remove a little coil memory for the gut and a 10% machine prestretch on the mains only. Both mains and crosses at 58 lbs per customer request.
 

Chotobaka

Hall of Fame
First of all, those are good questions. Nice to see someone thinking ahead. Your hybrid is easy, with only natural gut mains, so no reason to get overwhelmed with the idea of stringing natural gut. If you decide to use natural gut crosses in the future, the only thing I would add is to make sure you pull enough string through before beginning weaving each cross.
 

MAX PLY

Hall of Fame
I agree with both esgee48 and Irvin and generally what they suggest will serve you well. That stated, here are a few additional suggestions that are even more conservative:

1-when starting the very first gut main, you can pad your string with a business card before clamping and back that clamp with your starting clamp--that will virtually ensure no slippage or damage on the first pull.

2-weave a couple of mains ahead to reduce kinking or the loose end catching on something.

3-you should be able to hand pull most knots--if not you can wrap the loose end around your awl handle or some other small cylindrical object (e.g., piece of pvc or piece of broom handle)--but really if you can grip a tennis racquet you should be able to hand pull a knot.

4-use a starting block between your frame and the starting clamp on the first of the crosses (you can buy one (e.g., from Kimony)) or make one from a small piece of wood or pvc).

These suggestions are pretty much "belt and suspenders" but will work. Good luck.
 
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donnygg

Rookie
Thank you all for the wonderful advice! I guess I need to have more faith in the strength of natural gut. Just measured the tension on racquettune after 1 day and it's only 46.9lb when the reference was 56lb :( Trying another racquet later this week. Wish me luck!
 

shug

Rookie
I resolved that issue by cleaning the string grippers with alcohol (sprayed on the brushes) ... I purchased "LabRat Supplies (LRS-1280) - 8 Inch Nylon Tube Brush Set, 12 Piece Variety Pack" on amazon.
After cleaning, gut will be held secure with very little pressure from all gripper surfaces... I normally clean prior to stringing gut (depending on how much string I've done). No marks or ghosting on the gut... No starting clamp needed...

FYI, I string Klip Pro Natural Gut (Legend) for people I string for... Never had a problem..
 
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jim e

Legend
A quality nat. gut has very good strength.
I had a customer that had his all gut set up strung at 70 lbs, and the string held up fine, as it was VS gut.
Most of my gut customers have their gut strung low to mid 60 lb range, as gut hits very well at relatively high tensions.
If you use a quality gut then you do not need to worry about its strength, as it will hold up nice, but the cheap-o guts listed on some sites may not tolerate those tensions and may give durability issues. Check some of the posts with a search and you will fine out.
Biggest issue with gut is to handle it nice without kinking it.Kink the string and its ruined.
The new Luxilon Gut is rather kink resistant with the way it is formulated.
 

Irvin

Talk Tennis Guru
A quality nat. gut has very good strength.
Except for the knot. If a good gut is going to break stringing it is probably going to be at the knot because of over tightening. A knot is nothing more than a bad kink. I still use a starting clamp but I'm careful not to pull hard.

EDIT: I'm not sure if it matters or not most of the time but when tying knots I also careful not to get the string twisted (kinked) in the middle of the knot.
 
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shug

Rookie
I don't change in tightening my knots. I tighten all knots tight. I've never had a problem with gut knots...
 

jim e

Legend
I cinch up all knots with fingers only.
If you learn a good knot and have decent technique you can tighten a knot with fingers only.
With the so called Parnell knot, once the 1st loop is pulled tight, pulling on the tail real tight serves no purpose other than to stress string.
 
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