How To Start Mains

[kenshireen]

I am a beginner and have seen several ways to begin the mains. Assuming 2 piece..
When you thread the 2 center mains can you clamp one end and then pull the 2 mains with a single pull. In otherwords you'll be tightening the 2 center mains with pulling one end of the string... (I am using a flixed clamp machine) or will the string slide without a startup clamp.

I currently do not have a startup and don't know if I need one.. Any other suggestions as to how to start the 2 middle mains.

Thanks, Ken

 

[Doc Hollidae]

http://www.stage6.com/user/xtremerunnerars

Enjoy

 

[1012007]

So you have 2 mains.

On one of them, go down or up the racket (Depending on where you start) and thread it through the right hole. Tenison this string and clamp it to the one next to it.

Then the 1 string that isnt tentioned just tention it and clamp it onto the other middle main.

 

[GoochMoney]

yes, just make sure you leave room with the first clamp (on first main) for the second clamp to fit...some machines/clamps don't leave enough room for clamps to be side by side.

 

[kenshireen]

So you have 2 mains.

On one of them, go down or up the racket (Depending on where you start) and thread it through the right hole. Tenison this string and clamp it to the one next to it.

Then the 1 string that isnt tentioned just tention it and clamp it onto the other middle main.

Let me make sure I understand.
I have looped the 2 mains through the throat and both ends are now coming out through the head. I should clamp both strings by the throat with one clamp and tighten one of the ends.

I followed the video the DH referenced above... Is this the proper way to start the mains without a starting clamp. If I did have a starting clamp how would I used it


Ken

 

[Midlife crisis]

When I start the first main, I always clamp it just inside the frame, so that the portion of string to be tensioned exits the clamp, goes and becomes the next main. I tension that, so I'm only pulling one main. When I go back to tension the main that I initially clamped, I'm again only pulling one string. This gives me the most consistent tension in those two strings that should be hit directly the most often.

 

[psp2]

http://www.stage6.com/user/xtremerunnerars

Enjoy

That's one of the worst way to start the mains!! His initial pull tensions 1.5 mains across a grommet.... not good.

 

[kenshireen]

Another Method

I have a friend who has strung at the FO..
This is how he starts the mains..
He loops the string through the throat (assuming that is where it is to start) and then takes both ends which end and wraps BOTH of them around the pulley and tightens.. He claims this is OK.

I have another friend who clamps inside the head(and also uses a starting clamp) on the same string next to the clamp.. He then loops through the throat and comes back out at the head and tightens... He is in effect tightening the two center mains with one pull.

It seems that Doc holliday's way (and that presented in the video) is not good according to the last post).

My question is does it do damage to pull center mains with one pull. and my next question is... What is the BEST way to string the Mains

Thanks and sorry for the long post

 

[kenshireen]

When I start the first main, I always clamp it just inside the frame, so that the portion of string to be tensioned exits the clamp, goes and becomes the next main. I tension that, so I'm only pulling one main. When I go back to tension the main that I initially clamped, I'm again only pulling one string. This gives me the most consistent tension in those two strings that should be hit directly the most often.

I am confused by one comment.. You said that you tension inside and then pull and tighten and "when you go back to tension the main that you initially clamping.."

I thought that the string you originally clamped was already pulled... Why would you go back... Essentially you are only pully one main at a time.

Ken

 

[dancraig]

Here's how I do it.
Assuming the racquet has the center mains loop at the throat, I thread them that way and clamp one at the throat. There is now no tension on any string. Then I pull tension on the main that doesn't have a clamp on it and clamp at the head. Then I pull tension on that same piece of string going back to the throat and clamp.This eliminates any problem with two clamps being to close to each other.
Then I pull tension on the other side and clamp.
I think this is what Midlife crisis is saying also.

 

[YULitle]

Here's how I do it.
Assuming the racquet has the center mains loop at the throat, I thread them that way and clamp one at the throat. There is now no tension on any string. Then I pull tension on the main that doesn't have a clamp on it and clamp at the head. Then I pull tension on that same piece of string going back to the throat and clamp.This eliminates any problem with two clamps being to close to each other.
Then I pull tension on the other side and clamp.
I think this is what Midlife crisis is saying also.

This is the only way it should be done. Pulling both center mains at the same time, and then clamping them both at the head (in this case) is poor poor poor. You are getting about half actual tension on those two mains using this method. This is obviously crap, and should be avoided.

One add on, that I'm slightly hesitant to suggest, to the above quoted method is this: Before you set your anchor clamp at the throat, pull both center mains at the same time. Set your anchor clamp, and then release the tension. Then pick up with the above method by pulling the main opposite the one that is clamped. This addendum almost eliminates the scratching and sliding the string "inside" the anchor clamp when you release it after the third main tensioning. This slipping and scraping is due to the lack of tension "inside" the clamp. The string on both sides (into and around the throat AND towards the head) have tension on them, but the string "inside" the clamp does not have any tension on it. When you release the anchror clamp, the string re-settles very quickly and scrapes on the clamp teeth. My addendum helps eleviate this by pre-setting some tension "inside" the clamp.

To recap though, DO NOT DOUBLE PULL for tension. EVER.

 

[kenshireen]

One add on, that I'm slightly hesitant to suggest, to the above quoted method is this: Before you set your anchor clamp at the throat, pull both center mains at the same time. To recap though, DO NOT DOUBLE PULL for tension. EVER.[/QUOTE]


When you say pull both center mains at the same time... you mean to take both ends coming out the head and put them both onto the cam at the same time.. correct.
I have seen stringers pull both ends and then clamp both ends.
Please confirm that you mean pull both ends at the same time..

I am learning
Ken

 

[Gmedlo]

When you say pull both center mains at the same time... you mean to take both ends coming out the head and put them both onto the cam at the same time.. correct.
I have seen stringers pull both ends and then clamp both ends.
Please confirm that you mean pull both ends at the same time..

I am learning
Ken

If you tension both strings in the head at the same time, each string will have half of the desired tension, because they create twice as much resistance. Just do what dancraig does or ALL of what YULitle recommends and you'll be fine.

 

[Midlife crisis]

Here's how I do it.
Assuming the racquet has the center mains loop at the throat, I thread them that way and clamp one at the throat. There is now no tension on any string. Then I pull tension on the main that doesn't have a clamp on it and clamp at the head. Then I pull tension on that same piece of string going back to the throat and clamp.This eliminates any problem with two clamps being to close to each other.
Then I pull tension on the other side and clamp.
I think this is what Midlife crisis is saying also.

Yes, it is. Man, it is hard to describe something in words that is so simple when you see it!

 

[samtheman981]

how do you start the mains with floating clamps??

 

[YULitle]

how do you start the mains with floating clamps??

It's easiest with a staring clamp. I think you may HAVE to pull two at a time for tension. It's been a while since I've had to do this.


To re-iterate though. For Kenshireen: It is NOT ok to pull both center mains AT THE SAME TIME with the tension head and then clamp them both. As stated before, by myself and others, this effectively HALVES your actual tension resulting in an inconsistent stringbed.

 

[YULitle]

One add on, that I'm slightly hesitant to suggest, to the above quoted method is this: Before you set your anchor clamp at the throat, pull both center mains at the same time. To recap though, DO NOT DOUBLE PULL for tension. EVER.


When you say pull both center mains at the same time... you mean to take both ends coming out the head and put them both onto the cam at the same time.. correct.
I have seen stringers pull both ends and then clamp both ends.
Please confirm that you mean pull both ends at the same time..

I am learning
Ken

I had to point this out. Sorry. I see, now, why you truncated my quote. I said "DO NOT DOUBLE PULL for tension. EVER." The key part there is "for tension." In my addendum, the double pull is only to better set your anchor clamp. Once your anchor clamp is set, you release the two mains you pulled and THEN pull the main opposite the anchor clamp. If you need ANY further help, PM me. I'll send you some pictures of me doing it, or a video if you ask nicely.

 

[kenshireen]

One last Question

Is a "double pull" pulling two mains with one end... or pulling two strings by wrapping two ends around the pulley

 

[YULitle]

Is a "double pull" pulling two mains with one end... or pulling two strings by wrapping two ends around the pulley

Both. (10 characters)

 

[carguy]

Here's how I do it.
Assuming the racquet has the center mains loop at the throat, I thread them that way and clamp one at the throat. There is now no tension on any string. Then I pull tension on the main that doesn't have a clamp on it and clamp at the head. Then I pull tension on that same piece of string going back to the throat and clamp.This eliminates any problem with two clamps being to close to each other.
Then I pull tension on the other side and clamp.
I think this is what Midlife crisis is saying also.

thanks, i can't believe i've been done this wrong (on a fixed clamp) for a month now. no wonder the first mains feel so loose ... and i was scared of overstretching the mains on the first pull since you have to make more turns on the tensioner (gamma drop weight).

That's one of the worst way to start the mains!! His initial pull tensions 1.5 mains across a grommet.... not good.

omg, there are other "professional" sites tensioning 1.75 mains on the initial pull! http://www.sptennis.com/videos/eStringer38.html

 

[YULitle]

It appears to be the only way with flying clamps.

 

[dancraig]

The reason it wasn't addressed earlier is because the thread starter made it clear that he was working on a fixed clamp machine in the first post.

 

[Richie Rich]

there are a couple useful videos on youtube, especially if you are using a dropweight.

 

[kenshireen]

It's easiest with a staring clamp. I think you may HAVE to pull two at a time for tension. It's been a while since I've had to do this.


To re-iterate though. For Kenshireen: It is NOT ok to pull both center mains AT THE SAME TIME with the tension head and then clamp them both. As stated before, by myself and others, this effectively HALVES your actual tension resulting in an inconsistent stringbed.

YULittle
What difference does it make if the clamps are fixed or floating... It's still two clamps that you can use anywhere you want.. Am I missing something here.

K

 

[dancraig]

YULittle
What difference does it make if the clamps are fixed or floating... It's still two clamps that you can use anywhere you want.. Am I missing something here.

K

The floating clamps must clamp on two strings. The fixed clamps clamp on just one.

 

[kenshireen]

Why two strings with a floating clamp

A clamp is a clamp.... Why does the floating clamp need two strings. Besides after you start the 2 mains the clamp is only attached to one string...correct?

 

[dancraig]

A clamp is a clamp.... Why does the floating clamp need two strings. Besides after you start the 2 mains the clamp is only attached to one string...correct?

Floating clamps work by clamping one string to the string next to it. That's how they can hold tension without being attached to the machine. They are always attached to two strings, or a string and a starting pin on the Klippermate.

 

[almerickso]

fixed clamps clamp on one string and is anchored by a locking mechanism on the base of the turntable.

however, floating clamps do not have a base locking mechanism hence the name floating or flying. it uses an adjacent string to anchor on when clamping on a string.

as such you can only pull tension on one string using a fixed clamp machine and you need to pull tension on about 1 1/2 worth of string on a flying clamp machine.

 

[psp2]

A clamp is a clamp.... Why does the floating clamp need two strings. Besides after you start the 2 mains the clamp is only attached to one string...correct?

Geez... are you that clueless?

 

[Richie Rich]

Geez... are you that clueless?

now, now. be nice.