Just a curious stringing question; What happens if you start stringing the crosses in the middle?

[s_p_a_c_e_m_a_n_]

Not a stringer myself, although I'm always very intrigued and hope to have my own machine someday

But I was wondering what would happen if you start stringing the crosses in the middle, like you do with the mains?

 

[esm]

you go up and then bottom - alternatively - similar to when you do the 50/50 for those Prince O3 ports.

 

[s_p_a_c_e_m_a_n_]

you go up and then bottom - alternatively - similar to when you do the 50/50 for those Prince O3 ports.

Yeah I have no idea about those Prince O ports

But you wouldnt go 2 up, 2 down, 2 up and so on? And would there be some kind of benefit to retaining tension and shape?

 

[Irvin]

Yeah I have no idea about those Prince O ports

But you wouldnt go 2 up, 2 down, 2 up and so on? And would there be some kind of benefit to retaining tension and shape?

The only racket I have strung using the 50/50 pattern was Prince. You should string 2 up then 2 down and repeat. Never get ahead on the bottom of the racket.

you run into issues using that method dependent on the type of stringing machine you have. Many machines have fixed swivel clamps But each clamp is dedicated to one side of the racket. When stringing from the top down (or bottom up) you use each clamp to hold the string on 1 side only. When you use the 50/50 pattern you’re using each clamp for the top and bottom. The only fixed clamp that work with is on a glide bar machine.

 

[struggle]

When i string 50/50 (prince Oports), i string the top half, then the bottom.
I do iKnot alternate back and forth as with mains.

That way the swivel clamps are a non issue as the clamp needed is always available.
Of course, a starting clamp is involved.

 

[esgee48]

I use the brake to make sure the string is on the correct side of the port. Also use a wooden dowel to gauge wether the angle is too acute. To me, it is not that different from a regular frame with grommets. Crosses get top down treatment.

 

[Rabbit]

@s_p_a_c_e_m_a_n_ to answer your question, it's all about pressure and stress. The reason you start the mains in the middle is because that is the strongest part of the hoop in that direction. You string the mains alternately left then right (or vice versa) by no more than 3 to keep equal pressure on the hoop. Once you have the mains done, you can start the crosses. The general rule of thumb, unless otherwise directed by the manufacturer, is to string top down. Why? The answer again is pressure. As you string, pressure builds in the direction you're stringing. The strongest area of the hoop is the portion which is supported by the shoulders of the frame. The upper hoop is the weakest. So you string to the strength.

Today, some manufacturers allow stringing bottom up and I know of plenty of stringers who do just that with no adverse effects. I've always gone top down and have been told that stringing bottom up is like smoking cigarettes, it may not get you at first, but it will eventually. Rackets today are made stronger and typically aren't kept long enough or strung enough to cause a failure. IMO, it's just good practice to string top down.

 

[s_p_a_c_e_m_a_n_]

@Rabbit Great! Thanks for your logical answer

 

[Rabbit]

@Rabbit Great! Thanks for your logical answer

YVW

 

[struggle]

Ask @Rabbit

@Rabbit........well, i'm unsure that he supports your "recollections".

Maybe someone recalls such?

These assumptions that you often present are getting very tiresome in that even
you cannot actually support them with any validity. Maybe stop doing that?

 

[am1899]

 

[hadoken]

I did this a bunch of times to my DR98's....nothing happened - frames played fine. I did it this way to try poly crosses so if I didn't like it I could cut them off and then put in synthetic crosses easily.

 

[Irvin]

If we are to string "top down" as a general rule, then when doing 50/50, logic says to string the top half first.
If anything, doing otherwise would exacerbate any problems associated, most thinking men would surmise.

That being the case, logic says you should string all the mains on one side first then the other.

 

[s_p_a_c_e_m_a_n_]

That being the case, logic says you should string all the mains on one side first then the other.

No nor really? if you start in the middle, and then left right left right, you keep the pressure on the middle, not destorting the hoop..

 

[Irvin]

No nor really? if you start in the middle, and then left right left right, you keep the pressure on the middle, not destorting the hoop..

Not really, the pressure and distortion builds up in direction you string. When you finish the mains the middle mains will have lower tension than any other strings. And if you start your crosses in the middle and string all the top crosses up before moving to the bottom section of crosses you will be putting a lot of pressure (and distortion) on the top of the racket. Rackets should be strung top down but there are exceptions. If I were stringing a ported racket on my DW with flying clamps I would use boomerangs, use 2 piece 50/50, or mount the racket as low on the machine as possible. If I used the 50/50 method I would not string all the crosses in the top half first.

 

[s_p_a_c_e_m_a_n_]

Not really, the pressure and distortion builds up in direction you string. When you finish the mains the middle mains will have lower tension than any other strings. And if you start your crosses in the middle and string all the top crosses up before moving to the bottom section of crosses you will be putting a lot of pressure (and distortion) on the top of the racket. Rackets should be strung top down but there are exceptions. If I were stringing a ported racket on my DW with flying clamps I would use boomerangs, use 2 piece 50/50, or mount the racket as low on the machine as possible. If I used the 50/50 method I would not string all the crosses in the top half first.

Ok, i am not a stringer so i wouldnt know.. I'll take your word for it

 

[Rabbit]

No nor really? if you start in the middle, and then left right left right, you keep the pressure on the middle, not destorting the hoop..

You're exactly right.

 

[struggle]

That being the case, logic says you should string all the mains on one side first then the other.

There is no correlation, otherwise it would be suggested that ALL racquets are strung 50/50 from the middle out.

 

[Irvin]

There is no correlation, otherwise it would be suggested that ALL racquets are strung 50/50 from the middle out.

I don’t know of any rackets where it is suggested any rackets should be strung with any 50/50 pattern. Prince specifically says all their rackets should be strung top down or the warranty is voided.

 

[Irvin]

if you start in the middle, and then left right left right, you keep the pressure on the middle, not destorting the hoop..

You're exactly right.

Mains are alternately strung inside out to equalize pressure and distortion not to keep the pressure in the middle.

 

[s_p_a_c_e_m_a_n_]

Mains are alternately strung inside out to equalize pressure and distortion not to keep the pressure in the middle.

I guess thats my bad.. I meant pressure on the hoop, not on the strings..

 

[Irvin]

I guess thats my bad.. I meant pressure on the hoop, not on the strings..

that is correct but the pressure that is built up is pulling the hoop out and you want equal pressure or distortion of both side at relatively the same time.

 

[Irvin]

Notice in this video at 1:10 why Richard Parnell says he alternates sides stringing the mains.

 

[Rabbit]

Mains are alternately strung inside out to equalize pressure and distortion not to keep the pressure in the middle.

What he said was correct. As with you, I take into account his ability in the English language. And @s_p_a_c_e_m_a_n_ , please correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems to me you were indicating that stress on the frame while stringing mains should be from the innermost outward which is 100% correct.

RIF

 

[s_p_a_c_e_m_a_n_]

What he said was correct. As with you, I take into account his ability in the English language. And @s_p_a_c_e_m_a_n_ , please correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems to me you were indicating that stress on the frame while stringing mains should be from the innermost outward which is 100% correct.

RIF

That is correct, and as you explained you will evenly distribute that pressure going top down (zig-zagging) will remain in the middle (Y-axis, top to throat), while doing the crosses (And thus not being smart to start in the middle and going down, as starting on the top and going will do a better job)

Pff this is hard to explain and understand when you're not a stringer

 

[esm]

Notice in this video at 1:10 why Richard Parnell says he alternates sides stringing the mains.

i LOVE that video - i must watch it again this week.