I've just bought myself a stringing machine and am about to go on a nationally recognised stringing course. In preparation, I've bought myself some cheap string to practice with. Is it ok to start on my decent rackets, or do people tend to practice on old raacket frames to start off? Or if I'm sensible and careful, is it ok to do my first string jobs on more expensive rackets?
New to stringing - do I need to practice on cheap older rackets?
- Thread starter mac-1210
- Start date
Thanks...sorry, might have sounded like a stupid question, but I haven't touched the stringing machine yet and was wondering if my lack of experience could end up damaging a racket like chewing up grommets etc. I'll be careful and follow instruction, so hopefully minimise that risk! Thanks for the confindence.
Irvin
Talk Tennis Guru
Don’t pull the strings too fast or at an angle through the grommets. Most of the damage from stringing is at the tie off grommets. Stringers rock the knot back and forth trying to get the knots as tight as they can. They continue to rock and pull the knot into the grommet. Just give the knot a firm pull down the anchor string then roll it back up against the frame. Pull the tail up to snug the knot If you’re using a Parnell. Hold the tail as you release the base and clamp then trim the tail. The purpose of holding the tail is to prevent the knot from being drawn into the grommet. I‘ve been using a Parnell knot as a starting knot. Just hold the fail up while to apply tension and I have had zero issues.
USMC-615
Hall of Fame
As long as you've got the racquet mounted correctly and know the min/max string poundage of the frame, start with any racquet you want.
Edit - as long as your first racquet isn't a T2000. You'll end up throwing racquet and machine in the nearest lake, pond, or river.
Edit - as long as your first racquet isn't a T2000. You'll end up throwing racquet and machine in the nearest lake, pond, or river.
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Irvin
Talk Tennis Guru
You’re more than likely right IMO. But if you’re stringing a racket you won’t play with it’s a waste of time and string. Your best option is to string your friends racket for the price of the string. If they don’t like it give them their money back. you’ll be surprised at the friends you will make. LOL
Bigmctennis
Rookie
Take your time and use your main racket. You may make mistakes along the way of stringing which is totally fine, but be patient and take the time to learn the right way instead of rushing. Will go exponentially faster that way
VS_Power
Rookie
I practiced on three old rackets before finally stringing my real racket. Of course that fourth job ended up being the worst, with multiple very costly mistakes that I was too lazy to fix (ex: forgot the last cross, accidentally left the "knot" tension on regular strings, etc)
That said I'm still glad I practiced first, so I at least felt somewhat competent. I also almost warped one of my rackets on a practice job. But net net I don't think my third string job was higher quality than my first.
That said I'm still glad I practiced first, so I at least felt somewhat competent. I also almost warped one of my rackets on a practice job. But net net I don't think my third string job was higher quality than my first.
LOBALOT
Legend
I just got a call from a buddy who asked to come over and learn to string a racquet. He was going to bring a 16x20 and I suggested perhaps we grab one of my son's old blade 16x19s. I asked him to look at the outside bottom of the hoop on his "practice racquet" and sure enough there was a rats nest where all the crosses and mains met. I note that as an example that I would take some care as far as what racquet/pattern you select for your first racquet to learn to string on.
Or.... You can start right out with the T-2000 as @USMC-615 suggests.
Or.... You can start right out with the T-2000 as @USMC-615 suggests.
T 2000's were not all that bad. Back in late 60's to mid 70's I strung a great deal of them. Many of those came my way to string had errors that previous stringers did. Same error on most of them , 6M to 5M to 7 M loop. Many stringers ignored that sequence.
To the OP , string your racquet that you hit with, and use the same string that you typically use. No sense using a racquet or string you do not like, and you will know how it hits, as it's your typical frame string set up.
I remember my first racquet, my wooden Tad Davis with Victor Imperial gut. It was my frame and my string I typically used back then.
To the OP , string your racquet that you hit with, and use the same string that you typically use. No sense using a racquet or string you do not like, and you will know how it hits, as it's your typical frame string set up.
I remember my first racquet, my wooden Tad Davis with Victor Imperial gut. It was my frame and my string I typically used back then.
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mixtape
Professional
Yes, on my very first string job, I started with my own racquets, but grabbed the one with more cosmetic wear on the frame. I also practiced using basic nylon. Good luck!
Steve Huff
G.O.A.T.
Personally, I think you should use an older racket for your 1st stringjob if for no other reason than to get a little rhythm to what you're doing. Following instructions is good, but it only tells you the NEXT step. It doesn't tell you little things that stringers become accustomed to dealing with, like blocked holes, stringing 1 ahead, rechecking your tension after tying off (if you up the tension on tie-offs), etc. The practice won't hurt you either.
Jerry Seinfeld
Professional
Improper mounting is really the only thing that could cause damage to your frame. Make sure towers are locked down if they are adjustable.
Hurting Elbow
Rookie
I got my uncle's hanging in my Wisconsin garage and my dad's much older Don Budge in my bag and both play fine. I bring this up when ppl say how stings go bad, both probably were never restrung.
USMC-615
Hall of Fame
Winner winner...ye ol' chicken dinner.
Having said this, nothing wrong with starting off with a cheaper string.
ie: If you play Natural Gut, maybe start with a cheaper syngut/nylon.
The plastic stuff is harder to mess up but getting consistency/tension maintenance might take some refinement all the same (no matter which string). If that’s your stuff, use some cheaper plastic if you feel the need.
Stringing is generally not at all difficult, just get after it.
You’ll either love it, or at least do it out of cost/necessity (my case). Otherwise you’ve got more money than time.
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You won’t damage the frame structure. But more commonly, you may scratch or chip the paint if not careful.
I would definitely suggest stringing your own racquets so you get a feel of how different strings and tensions play. If you ever string for a customer there’s a good chance you will need to recommend a string and tension if they‘ve never had a string job done before.
I would definitely suggest stringing your own racquets so you get a feel of how different strings and tensions play. If you ever string for a customer there’s a good chance you will need to recommend a string and tension if they‘ve never had a string job done before.
The seller included several sets of string when I purchased mine. I took one of the packs of pink syn-gut that he included to use as a test/practice run on my wife's old racquet. I then took that racquet and went to play with it.
Now, my daughter has laid claim to it. My next racquet was the one that I actually play with. I would highly recommend doing a practice racquet as your first....though I suspect the OP has already done so by now.
@mac-1210 , what did you end up doing? How did it go?
Now, my daughter has laid claim to it. My next racquet was the one that I actually play with. I would highly recommend doing a practice racquet as your first....though I suspect the OP has already done so by now.
@mac-1210 , what did you end up doing? How did it go?
ChrisJR3264
Hall of Fame
Just use YouTube to learn.
