Lockout vs lockout

[lew750]

I know a racket strung with a constant pull machine has a different stringbed stiffness than one strung with a lockout, but what about lockout vs lockout? Does a NEOS 1000 produce a similar stringbed stiffness to a Gamma 6004?

I know what tension produces the stringbed stiffness I want with my P200, but if I ever have to replace it, it will probably be with a lockout; I don't string enough to spend a lot of money on a stringer. I know somebody with an Alpha upright lockout and I was thinking that if I strung one racket on my P200 and one on his lockout (I have 3 identical frames), I could compare and figure out the right tension to set on a lockout to produce the results I get with my P200. Then if I ever get a lockout and my P200 has crapped out, I wouldn't have to experiment. Good idea or wasting my time?

 

[jim e]

It should be in ballpark, but keep in mind, not all same type machines are identical , for example, some machines especially some of the cheaper ones I heard have some table flex which can effect result, also different type of clamp system, glide bar or swivel fixed clamps, as well as clamp drawback as some machines can have more drawback than others, so there will be some differences, but nothing very great of a difference that many should perceive. If you go to a floating clamp machine, then you can expect a greater discrepancy. Just like electronic machines, each brand can be different,not only with clamping, but with tension head as some have more overshoot than others, and after using machine, you get a feel for the results of that machine used.
Also if any modifications to machine is done, as at one time I saw a stringer use a Star 4 machine and use floating clamps instead of the machines fixed clamps, and that machine will give different result than another star 4 with original fixed clamps.

Bottom line each brand machine can give some variances, but should be in ballpark .

 

[Irvin]

The only differences would be in calibration, and clamp and gripper slippage and no one is that much better than another. SBS can also be adjusted for any one machine just by raising or lowering tension.

 

[lew750]

The only differences would be in calibration, and clamp and gripper slippage and no one is that much better than another. SBS can also be adjusted for any one machine just by raising or lowering tension.

Assuming most good lockouts achieve similar stringbed tension, comparing string jobs from my machine and a lockout now would help me determine how MUCH to raise or lower the tension. Then, if I go from my P200 to a lockout, I can hit the ground running without having to experiment.

 

[Irvin]

Assuming most good lockouts achieve similar stringbed tension, comparing string jobs from my machine and a lockout now would help me determine how MUCH to raise or lower the tension. Then, if I go from my P200 to a lockout, I can hit the ground running without having to experiment.

True but what do you compare it to? You don't have the LO you WILL BE USING. On a CP machine your string will be stretching over time from when you engage the tensioner to the time you disconnect the tensioner. On a LO it is a bit different because you are not tensioning as long on a LO as you would on a CP.

 

[lew750]

True but what do you compare it to? You don't have the LO you WILL BE USING. On a CP machine your string will be stretching over time from when you engage the tensioner to the time you disconnect the tensioner. On a LO it is a bit different because you are not tensioning as long on a LO as you would on a CP.

The reason for my question.

 

[Irvin]

Maybe this will help. String a racket with your P200 and measure the DT with RacquetTune, ERT, Stringmeter, or whatever device you have to measure SBS, tension, or whatever it is you want to measure right after you string it. While you're stringing you may want to measure the average time between when you engage the tensioner and when you clamp the string. That's the amount of time your P200 is tensioning. Then don't play with the racket but measure the value again 24 and 48 hours later.

When and if you get a LO machine do the same and compare tension. Because you recorded the average time the CP was pulling you can also if you want pull tension on the LO twice so the time matches the time your CP pulled.

 

[eelhc]

Have had 2 lockouts... As mentioned, there's table flex and other differences which may yield inconsistent results between the 2 lockouts but bulk of these can be calibrated out.

There's also the distance from the tensioner to the frame. Most mains and crosses get pulled/stretched twice...the section of string between the frame and the tension is stretched when tension is pulled on it and again after weaving (when it's inside the frame). The Neos 1000 does not have 360* rotation so on the center mains, this distance will be longer. Is the resulting difference significant? I don't think so...

 

[Irvin]

On some machines there is a stop pin on the crank arm. If that stop pin is used the distance from the crank to the center is pretty much the same every time so the difference in the lengths of string tensioned would be 1/2(longest main - shortest cross.) but when you get to the outermost mains and crosses because of the bend angle (unless you use a break) it is not even that much of a difference.