Is this a wrong way to start the crosses?

Jster

Professional
Assuming the knot area is on the left and it is a full polyester(1 type only) string job. So tying the cross on a main is okay.

1)Weave 1st and 2nd cross
2)Right fixed clamp locked on 2nd cross
3)Apply tension on the 1st cross, from the left side
4)Left fixed clamp locked in on the first cross
5)Tie the knot.
6)Release left fixed clamp
7) weave 3rd cross
8)Pull tension on the 2nd cross
9)Release right fixed clamp, lock the 2nd cross using left fixed clamp.

So... Is there something wrong?
 

cluckcluck

Hall of Fame
Get yourself a starting clamp. Use it to clamp #1 cross, pull tension on cross #2. Weave and tension remaining crosses. Last, pull tension on cross #1, clamp and tie off.
 

Jster

Professional
Get yourself a starting clamp. Use it to clamp #1 cross, pull tension on cross #2. Weave and tension remaining crosses. Last, pull tension on cross #1, clamp and tie off.

What makes you so sure that the first pull gives both crosses the same tension as the third?

The above method is not usually how I start the crosses. But is another method I thought of because I would not be pulling the 1st cross twice.

My usual method is very similar to yours but I pull the first cross and locked it with a starting clamp with my right clamp on the second cross but I tie the knot after the 3rd/5th cross is pulled, depending on the knot area.
 
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cluckcluck

Hall of Fame
What makes you so sure that the first pull gives both crosses the same tension as the third?

The above method is not usually how I start the crosses. But is another method I thought of because I would not be pulling the 1st cross twice.

My usual method is very similar to yours but I pull the first cross and locked it with a starting clamp with my right clamp on the second cross but I tie the knot after the 3rd/5th cross is pulled, depending on the knot area.
It’s the way the Yonex stringers do it for the various atp/WTA tournaments they string for; so something must be working with that method.

I just don’t like pulling direct tension on a clamp.
 

Stefanm

Rookie
It’s probably fine. To nitpick, you’re pulling direcly against a finishing knot, albeit through 2 crosses

I do something similar except

6). Weave 3 rd cross
7) Pull tension on 2nd cross
8) move left clamp from first cross to second
 

Jster

Professional
It’s the way the Yonex stringers do it for the various atp/WTA tournaments they string for; so something must be working with that method.

I just don’t like pulling direct tension on a clamp.

I heard about that. That's the thing that baffled me too. Hahah.
 

Jster

Professional
It’s probably fine. To nitpick, you’re pulling direcly against a finishing knot, albeit through 2 crosses

I do something similar except

6). Weave 3 rd cross
7) Pull tension on 2nd cross
8) move left clamp from first cross to second

Oh. I will release the right clamp before using the left. You will see the string will be further "tighten/pulled" after releasing.
 

Jster

Professional
So actually when I pull the first cross twice to due the use of a starting clamp, I am considering whether I should pull the last cross twice as well for consistency's sake.

Hence I came out with the question with this method aka "pulled once but NO starting knot involved"

Not so relevant fact on this thread : I used the starting clamp for the mains too, I clamp(inside of frame) the 2nd main from the center, pull tension for the 1st, clamp(fixed clamp), and pull tension for the 1st main on the other side... Blah blah blah.
 

Irvin

Talk Tennis Guru
If you tie the top cross with a finishing knot you will always loose tension from drawback. How much depends on your method and how well you tie your knots. You will end up clamping the second cross on both sides and all other crosses one time. The top two crosses will be tensioned with unstretched string and all other crosses will be stretched because the next cross uses the string between the from and the tensioner.

I use a starting knot which eliminates all that. Every string is clamped once, only the top cross uses an unstretched string, and there is never any drawback on the top cross when tying the knot.
 

Jster

Professional
If you tie the top cross with a finishing knot you will always loose tension from drawback. How much depends on your method and how well you tie your knots. You will end up clamping the second cross on both sides and all other crosses one time. The top two crosses will be tensioned with unstretched string and all other crosses will be stretched because the next cross uses the string between the from and the tensioner.

I use a starting knot which eliminates all that. Every string is clamped once, only the top cross uses an unstretched string, and there is never any drawback on the top cross when tying the knot.
good luck to the grommets.
 
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