Most common first time stringing mistakes?

[SFrazeur]

I am sure this has been discussed before, but I could not find a thread devoted to it. I am suppose to receive a Gamma X-2 latter this week, I am just tired of paying $16+ for a string job, that costs more than the NXT duo I have been using. I know, I know, Holly *bleep*!, where can you get a racquet strung for $16 dollars. But, that's still a good bit of change to me.

I was curious what the most common first time stringing mistakes are?

 

[jdeloach]

I am sure this has been discussed before, but I could not find a thread devoted to it. I am suppose to receive a Gamma X-2 latter this week, I am just tired of paying $16+ for a string job, that costs more than the NXT duo I have been using. I know, I know, Holly *bleep*!, where can you get a racquet strung for $16 dollars. But, that's still a good bit of change to me.

I was curious what the most common first time stringing mistakes are?

My first two mistakes with my X-2 were: Not tying the knots correctly, and setting the flying clamps too tight on the strings.

 

[chrisplchs]

weaving mistakes are the most common..

 

[SFrazeur]

My first two mistakes with my X-2 were: Not tying the knots correctly, and setting the flying clamps too tight on the strings.

How do you know if the claps are too tight?

 

[jdeloach]

How do you know if the claps are too tight?

It was leaving pretty noticeable marks on the strings. When I looked at them closely under a light, it looked pretty bad (can't be good for the strength)

 

[goober]

I suggest getting an old racquet and practicing on that.

Do not start out stringing poly or kevlar. Regular syn gut is the easiest.

Make sure you mount it right. I almost cracked one of my primary playing racquets one of my very early string jobs.

weaving errors are common but not too big of a deal, other than making you look like a noob stringer. You can pick out weaving errors pretty quickly once you start stringing alot.

 

[SFrazeur]

I am going to practice on a Hyper Hammer 5.3 95. I would not be upset if I broke it.

I have a strange question I always wondered: can you practice stringing with weed-whacker line?

 

[goober]

I would string with tournament nylon or cheap syn gut. Part of process of learning stringing with a dropweight is getting a feel for how hard you have to pull and how tight you need to wrap in the string gripper with different types of string. I think you would get a better idea with real string.

 

[Voltron]

I agree, use cheap nylon. The most common mistake is weaving, followed closely by screwing up the pattern.

 

[SFrazeur]

I was not actually planing on doing it. I have always been curious since I heard of a guy that would string his racquet with it. That was in the days before the popularity of modern polys.

 

[dowjones]

Get some basic info on stringing, weaving and tying knots. I've only done about 10 rackets but it gets easier. The first time is like anything new, more worry than anything.

Good luck, have fun, it adds alot to you tennis knowledge, DJ

 

[Voltron]

I can't believe that would be playable. If you want cheap strings to actually use, I can make you a hell of a list. I've used quite a few unknown and very cheap strings in my time. (I break strings every week )

 

[theace21]

Weaving and not knowing where/how to tie the knots...

 

[jdeloach]

I can't believe that would be playable. If you want cheap strings to actually use, I can make you a hell of a list. I've used quite a few unknown and very cheap strings in my time. (I break strings every week )

Voltron would you make me a list also? I am looking for some cheap (soft) strings.

 

[SFrazeur]

For a cheap usable value-reel how would "Gosen OG Micro 16 660" be? $30

I noticed some 660" in the under $20 range, are any worth it? It would just be for stringing practice.

 

[jdeloach]

For a cheap usable value-reel how would "Gosen OG Micro 16 660" be? $30

I noticed some 660" in the under $20 range, are any worth it? It would just be for stringing practice.

That is actually what I am thinking about getting. That or maybe Ashaway Liberty (24.99 for 720")
TonyB actually said the Liberty is a very nice feeling string.

 

[Voltron]

For a cheap usable value-reel how would "Gosen OG Micro 16 660" be? $30

I noticed some 660" in the under $20 range, are any worth it? It would just be for stringing practice.

Thats a good string, also the Klip Kicker in a 720' reel is a good choice.

 

[dancraig]

For a cheap usable value-reel how would "Gosen OG Micro 16 660" be? $30

I noticed some 660" in the under $20 range, are any worth it? It would just be for stringing practice.

I string for a couple of players that like the Forten Nylon. One is a 4.5 adult player and one is a high school player.

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/descpageACFORTEN-FNR16.html

 

[GokuQ]

one thing that helped me a ton is the usrsa stringing guide
all those numbers look like jibberish in the beginning, but knowing which end to start on, where to end mains, start crosses, tie off etc is really helpful

see if a buddy that has been a usrsa member for awhile has an old one you can have, most of the older frames have the same stringing pattern as the newer models, IE rds001 98 is the same as rds002

good luck, it gets easier after the 1st few......

 

[asintu]

another mistake is not measuring enough string should be fun on the last pull

 

[Doc Hollidae]

another mistake is not measuring enough string should be fun on the last pull

I found that with Poly I need to have the mains be a couple extra inches longer. Knots with poly isn't much fun either.

 

[drhopz]

My first mistake with stringing was with the crosses. I still have this issue if i'm not careful.

 

[SFrazeur]

My first mistake with stringing was with the crosses. I still have this issue if i'm not careful.

How so?

The more I ca learn beforehand the better.

 

[drhopz]

How so?

The more I ca learn beforehand the better.

Sometimes, when you're not paying attention. You tend to miss a cross string.

 

[lude popper]

stringing sober.

 

[SFrazeur]

^Is that your final answer?^

 

[Netgame]

Make sure you mount it right. I almost cracked one of my primary playing racquets one of my very early string jobs.

How did it almost crack? Did you mount it too tight or too loose?

 

[diredesire]

Clamping isn't going to make much sense to you the first time around. Misweaving is common, don't loop the string around a mounting post (shouldn't be a problem with the X-2).

As far as clamping too hard, you should have a firm response from the string, but you shouldn't have to muscle your clamps shut. Firm, solid response. Just keep that in mind, you'll get a feel for it quickly. Knots people don't typically make "mistakes" on, they're just not as tight, or the slack doesn't get quite as pulled out as one would like, you'll get a feel for knots, too.

 

[Bottle Rocket]

I string for a couple of players that like the Forten Nylon. One is a 4.5 adult player and one is a high school player.

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/descpageACFORTEN-FNR16.html

I just came across your post when I was doing a search for something... That is incredibly cheap! I somehow missed that when I was buying a reel of Gosen for $30.

Any comparison between the two? Are they so cheap that it just doesn't matter?

I can't believe that... I can't believe that Luxilon ALU costs 16 times more than that stuff.

 

[chrisplchs]

just remember that when doing crosses, if you start under, finish that cross over and vice versa. pay attention at first and then after a while, it'll be second nature

 

[Court_Jester]

Here are the mistakes that I made when I was just starting out stringing my racquets:

• forgetting to skip some of the grommets holes
• mis-weaving
• not clamping down the mounting post tightly enough (VERY BAD! )
• wrapping the string around parts of the stringer while weaving
• not adjusting the clamp tension properly
• not making sure that the string is free of knots before weaving

Yep, I sure made LOTS of mistakes at the start.

 

[barneco]

A mistake I made quite a bit early on(the damage is often not obvious so it took me a while to figure out i was screwing it up) is gouging/cutting the mains when pulling the slack out of the crosses(after threading).

 

[xtremerunnerars]

Whenever you finish the racquet, and are cutting the tails on the knots, BE CAREFUL! I used the cutter given to cut string one time, and pulled too hard. Went through the tail and gouged a cross string.


Needless to say, I nearly cried :'-(

 

[Andre AKA Nadal's Son]

I used to make lots of weaving mistakes but now i string in like 25 mins and i an a frequent string beaker so i get lots of practice

 

[Buckeye10s]

misweaves when you hit the holes you skipped for the mains. I have seen so many double overs and unders from first-timers there!

 

[meh]

Tightening knots with your needle-nosed pliers. Don't pull too hard, and don't pull towards your face...

 

[eagle]

A few more.

- Starting mains on the wrong end (throat vs. head or head vs. throat).
- Starting on the wrong hole.
- Kinking the string too much and consequently weakening it for premature breakage
- Not setting the tension correctly (esp. for 2 string)
- Not adjusting the tension for start, mid, and end
- Releasing the wrong clamp
- For fixed clamps, not securing the clamp body to the guide rail
- Incorrectly pulling the cross strings across the mains

r,
eagle

 

[shojun25]

My first mistake was skipping the wrong grommet holes (I was counting the grommet holes used by the mains only, not all holes).

My second mistake (same stringing job as the first mistake, it was my first time stringing a racquet) was when I just pulled the string from the rotational gripper. Forgot that I had to bring the drop weight up, then pull the string. The string didn't break though.

My third mistake was when I finished stringing the racquet, I was going to cut off the excess string on the starting knot and suddenly, *thwack*. I accidentally cut the main string along the excess string.


I have other mistakes, but these were my first mistake. Also, remember to adjust the clamps because they may be too tight or too loose. Also take your time mounting your racquet. A lot of people said that weaving was a common mistake, but I never misweaved, not even once. I just followed the pattern where I start at the same place where I finished my previous weave.

 

[mctennis]

First mistake- thinking you can string like a professional stringer
2nd mistake- thinking you will save money stringing your own racquets
3rd mistake- thinking the arm pain you have is going to go away soon since you really aren't a professiopnal stringer and using a cheap stringing machine
4th mistake- not going to the Dr. fast enough for the arm pain and having to sell your racquets, strings and stringer since you can't play anymore because of the arm injuries

 

[ssjkyle31]

Here is a video on the x2. http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?p=1378162 Xtremerunnerars did a really good job. The best way to avoid mistakes is to watch other people string. The Silent Partner website also has a good video on their website.

 

[AmericanTemplar]

The mistake that I made most frequently was burning the strings by either weaving the crosses through too many mains at a time and/or by pulling the string straight accross the mains. I've found that it's better to only weave through a few strings at a time, pull the crosses(the strings that you are weaving) straight upwards or at whichever angle minimizes friction between the mains, and straighten the crosses so that they are perpendicular to the mains each time you do so. I would also reccomend pulling the string all the way through the grommet before starting to weave, making sure that you are pulling them straight through the holes as to minimize friction with the grommets.

 

[MattHighHill]

misweaves when you hit the holes you skipped for the mains. I have seen so many double overs and unders from first-timers there!

Just happened to me

 

[esm]

Just happened to me

Lol. I kept my very first string job from the X-2... mis-weave was the biggest mistake I made. I think I counted about 15... on a 18x20.
I always had a giggle when I see that. Lol

 

[AceyMan]

Well,

first timers should look out when the first and last crosses come out starting on a different main.

also, at the end of the crosses when you have to "quilt" weave the last cross it's so easy to jump a main that you may do it *twice* and finish as "expected", be it under or over the main. Then you come around, tie-off, dismount the frame ... and see the double misweave. (D'oh).

/Acey

 

[2ndServe]

get an idea of how much to cut the strings. That's the whole point of a string machine is to save money and strings. I can string mine with 34 feet of string so I'm saving 6ft per string job on a reel vs packet but measure it correctly, I've cut it too short a number of times and couldn't tighten the last string.

Also when you tie the knots, tie it tight with the pliers but you don't have to pull it like the terminator. I know more that once I've pulled it too forcefully and snapped the string but if your face is too close to it you end up pulling the pliers close to your face/eyes when the string snaps which is very dangerous.

Try to set the support clamps if it has side clamps to not block the holes because you're going to need to weave in the holes

 

[Steve Huff]

I think the most common serious mistakes are: Pushing the weight bar down to horizontal with your hand, or letting it drop way too fast.

 

[TypeRx]

I think the majority of things are already mentioned above. This is what I'd say are the most common issues for a completely new stringer:

1. Mounting the racket properly. It is easy to mount just a little off-center and mess things up. Also, make sure to use the right plastic racket protectors when mounting -- have to figure out the right thickness for head and throat with your particular racket. When everything is straight, I like to tighten the throat area first, adjust the length to make sure things are perfect with the head, and then tighten that area down. Make sure things are nice and tight.
2. Knowing the stringing instructions/pattern. Best to find and print prior to stringing. It also changes on if you are doing a one-piece or two-piece stringing.
3. If a 2-piece string, measure out how much you need based on the stringing instructions. Best bet is to measure out the crosses first and add 8-12" to reach the tensioner and for buffer. The rest use for your mains (this is assuming you are using a standard 40'-42' pack). In general, mains require a greater string length than crosses.
4. Starting the mains -- with the X2 you should pre-weave 4 center mains and then place a clamp about 4-6" from the throat or head (depends on your racket) on the 2-center mains.
5. Adjusting the clamps properly -- you want them tight enough to not slip but not so tight that they dent/damage the string. You will figure this out over time.
6. Mains are easy otherwise, just make sure to follow the stringing instructions for holes you need to skip.
7. Tensioning -- make sure to let the bar come to a stop and it should be close to level before clamping. You can move other strings around a little with your hand or even see if the racket budget a little -- that will usually cause a slight tension drop that you can now account for by rotating the gear one more notch. Let gravity do the work, don't ever force or push anything.
8. On the crosses, take your time on the weaving. You will likely miss a weave at some point in your early stringing journey. Not end of the world, but something to look out for.
9. Awls -- don't overuse them as they tend to damage your grommets over time. But, they can be lifesavers as well, so get comfortable using them but don't rely on them.
10. Knots -- this will likely be where you mess up the most at first. Loose knots will lead to significant tension drops, especially on the neighboring string. When you pull the string through for the tie-off, make sure you give it a good yank and remove any slack. If you want, you can even push an awl in the grommet along with the 2 strings to keep things tight, although many will say this is a bad practice. Learn some basic knots including half-hitch, parnell, and starting. They will get better in time but just make sure the knots are nice and tight otherwise you will experience tension loss. Many like to tension the last 2 mains and last cross 3-5 lbs higher than the rest to try and avoid too much tension loss from the knot relative to the rest of the stringbed.
11. Leave the racket mounted until you are 100% done!
12. When you are done, unmount and then cut excess string from your knots. Leave a small tail (1/4-1/2"). When you are starting out, leave a longer tail rather than shorter.

In the end, I'd recommend you pickup some cheap syn gut and practice stringing your racket once or twice before switching to your preferred setup.

 

[thorcyar]

my first mistake, on my first frame : not planning ahead the stringing pattern. I read a lot and everyone says "stick to 2 pieces when starting stringing" ......... hell yeah ! ........ So I string the mains. And when comes the crosses, I realize that there is no larger hole left on the head of the racket .... so I had to enlarge a (cross) grommet to be able to start the crosses (and tie off the crosses on themselves). It was an old racquet with no online stringin instructions. Next time : look at the grommets and see where I will tie off the strings, it seems that NOT all raquets are 2 pieces compatible.

I am still searching some video to explain / show (hear) how to adjust the clamps properly... on 16g syn gut it went well, but on 16g multi I had a hell of ghosting (after having slippage because I did adjust klamps too loosely). I need help like you on this one.

 

[TypeRx]

my first mistake, on my first frame : not planning ahead the stringing pattern. I read a lot and everyone says "stick to 2 pieces when starting stringing" ......... hell yeah ! ........ So I string the mains. And when comes the crosses, I realize that there is no larger hole left on the head of the racket .... so I had to enlarge a (cross) grommet to be able to start the crosses (and tie off the crosses on themselves). It was an old racquet with no online stringin instructions. Next time : look at the grommets and see where I will tie off the strings, it seems that NOT all raquets are 2 pieces compatible.

I am still searching some video to explain / show (hear) how to adjust the clamps properly... on 16g syn gut it went well, but on 16g multi I had a hell of ghosting (after having slippage because I did adjust klamps too loosely). I need help like you on this one.

2-piece stringing seems easier to me as there is less string to manage at any given time. You just have to make sure to cut the correct lengths at the start.

Most rackets, when strung 2 piece, are recommended to have the starting cross tie-off anchored to a main. You shouldn't need to enlarge anything...chances are you were supposed place the initial cross knot at 5,6,7,8, or 9. Usually right next to the main tie off works fine.

 

[esgee48]

On old frames, ask for instructions in the Stringing Machines Forum. Odds are, we have it.