Mains vs cross tension in realtion to string

[Nicholas Noker]

Hey guys,
I know that typically you go a few pounds looser on the crosses to match the cross string to the longer length of the main. This is usually no issue as I have been stringing gut main and poly cross. But I have switched it up and am not quite sure anymore.

What do you do when your main string is stiffer than the cross?

I am using v square in the mains 18 or 19 gauge and wither revolve or cream in the cross both 17 gauge.

What would you suggest here?

 

[blai212]

V square is not stiffer than revolve, not sure where you got that idea. It’d be hard to know what tension would be right without knowing frame/string pattern and what you normally prefer.


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[Nicholas Noker]

V square is not stiffer than revolve, not sure where you got that idea. It’d be hard to know what tension would be right without knowing frame/string pattern and what you normally prefer.


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It is stiffer than cream.
I play head speed mp, 16x19 pattern. Its the most current model.

 

[beepee1972]

It is only a (questionable) rule of thumb to lower the tension a bit for cross strings. I know plenty of 16*19 racquets, where I actually increase cross strings tension, to prevent racquet head deformation. For example Head Radical, Extreme or Speed.

For 18*20 racquets, it is even the opposite advise: increase cross strings tension. And again: only advise. What you can do is always measure inside distances of the head for mains and crosses before and after stringing, and compare those. That can give you some idea of the forces in the racquet head resulting from your stringing!

 

[WilPro]

It is only a (questionable) rule of thumb to lower the tension a bit for cross strings. I know plenty of 16*19 racquets, where I actually increase cross strings tension, to prevent racquet head deformation. For example Head Radical, Extreme or Speed.

For 18*20 racquets, it is even the opposite advise: increase cross strings tension. And again: only advise. What you can do is always measure inside distances of the head for mains and crosses before and after stringing, and compare those. That can give you some idea of the forces in the racquet head resulting from your stringing!

In my experience, and I am playing 18x20, 95 sq. inch; strings get stuck, even polys, when you string crosses tighter.

Even when I string them equally, strings get stuck, including polys such as Luxilon Alu Power. It happened to me when I didn't string crosses loose enough.

 

[tennisBIEST]

Here’s my experience...the tighter the tension of the crosses in relationship to the mains the tighter the overall feel aka boardy, the lower the launch angle and better tension maintenance. I generally go minus 2 lbs with the crosses with full bed of same poly. This for me gives me better ball pocketing, better feel, higher launch angle at the expense of worst tension maintenance. I string for myself so I can string more often if the tension drops before the strings break.

 

[HelenCH]

Hey guys,
I know that typically you go a few pounds looser on the crosses to match the cross string to the longer length of the main. This is usually no issue as I have been stringing gut main and poly cross. But I have switched it up and am not quite sure anymore.

What do you do when your main string is stiffer than the cross?

I am using v square in the mains 18 or 19 gauge and wither revolve or cream in the cross both 17 gauge.

What would you suggest here?

I was recommended here to string multi/syn gut crosses tighter than poli mains. So far so good. I am currently playing Babolat RPM Blast Rough/Babolat Syn Gut in Yonex Ezone 98, strung @ 45/50.

 

[Happi]

This was an eye opener for me, there is a lot of tension loss stringing the crosses:

If you go to something like Sergetti stringing, cross strings are normally higher than main strings (center strings)

 

[esgee48]

You are in the wrong forum to discuss stringing techniques or related issues.

Stringing mains is relatively easy as there are only a few issues with getting ref tension correct when pulling. You want to make sure your gripper is not slipping nor your clamps. You want to have relatively straight pulls whenever possible. You want to clamp at a consistent timing. Stringing crosses add the element of interstring friction which a good stringer will remove by moving the cross string down/up while it is under tension. That's if you have a CP. If using a LO, you need to straighten the cross BEFORE pulling. If you mess up, your tension will not be anywhere near what you set on the machine. And the result is a deformed racquet.

You also do not do tension differentials without a clients' consent and OK. They may agree or disagree with what you say, so you do what they specify. If the frames are your own, then you can do anything you want to do.

I do not buy the argument that crosses should be lower than mains unless the clients asks for it. I have done all the flexible frames w/o issues using basically the same tension on crosses and mains. All I have to do is measure the length of the frame before and after. Basically they end up within 1 mm or less. I almost always grin at this idea when poly mains and some softer cross is bandied. Polyester strings generally lose the most tension, much more than their cross. If you go with theory, then you need to string the Polyester mains even higher to compensate for tension loss. Try selling this idea to a client and they will laugh at you.

 

[WilPro]

You also do not do tension differentials without a clients' consent and OK. They may agree or disagree with what you say, so you do what they specify. If the frames are your own, then you can do anything you want to do.

You are not saying anything new. If you are a stringer, customer comes there and specifies tension and you string accordingly. That's it. What is to debate about that?

 

[WilPro]

This was an eye opener for me, there is a lot of tension loss stringing the crosses:

If you go to something like Sergetti stringing, cross strings are normally higher than main strings (center strings)

That's totally stupid. Tension is not meant to give you the exact tension it is a reference so that you get the same result every time you are restringing.

If you string for someone and he asks you for tension X and you manage somehow to give them the exact tension in the string, they will come back and ask what you did, and they won't like it.
They want the feeling they had last time when they strung and were happy. So all these exact measurement are totally idiotic.

There is a thread here about a guy who is unhappy with his stringer since the stringer changed his stringing machine. He doesn't feel the tension the same.
As I said player wants repeatability, nobody cares about exact measurements and exact numbers. Those are for reference only. That's it.

 

[Happi]

That's totally stupid.

I on the other hand find it quite interesting

 

[Happi]

You are in the wrong forum to discuss stringing techniques or related issues.

I did not start this thread