One piece stringing

I am new to stringing and I string mostly with packages to find out which strings I like, however I always come up short in strings. I use a 2 piece string job. Is it recommended to string a one piece string job or not. And what would be extra details that determine if I should string one piece? I mostly string poly btw
 

Irvin

Talk Tennis Guru
You should string 2 piece. There is no reason to come up short using a set of string using a set of string unless you’re string something like a Weed racket. I’m guessing you’re Cutting the set in half then trying to string an 18 main racket. Don’t do that the piece for the mains needs to be a little longer. Cut the string 6” / 15 cm from the center and use the longer section for the mains. Or oue the method I used in the video below.

 

PRS

Professional
I am new to stringing and I string mostly with packages to find out which strings I like, however I always come up short in strings. I use a 2 piece string job. Is it recommended to string a one piece string job or not. And what would be extra details that determine if I should string one piece? I mostly string poly btw
Stringing 2-piece should be fine. If you're stringing with poly and an 18x20 racquet there's barely enough string in a normal set, and you need a little over half for the mains. If you're stringing an oversized racquet using poly, that's when you might actually be short on string with a normal set of string.

What racquet are you stringing? What's the head size and pattern? Where are you running out of string, on the mains or crosses? Are you cutting the string in half, or using a long and short pieces, and what's the length difference?

I generally only string 1-piece when the racquet is setup to do it easily, meaning the mains end at the head so I don't have to do an around the world pattern. I can and have done ATW, but it's just a little easier to screw something up doing that, so I don't unless it's requested.
 
Stringing 2-piece should be fine. If you're stringing with poly and an 18x20 racquet there's barely enough string in a normal set, and you need a little over half for the mains. If you're stringing an oversized racquet using poly, that's when you might actually be short on string with a normal set of string.

What racquet are you stringing? What's the head size and pattern? Where are you running out of string, on the mains or crosses? Are you cutting the string in half, or using a long and short pieces, and what's the length difference?

I generally only string 1-piece when the racquet is setup to do it easily, meaning the mains end at the head so I don't have to do an around the world pattern. I can and have done ATW, but it's just a little easier to screw something up doing that, so I don't unless it's requested.
I mostly string my Dunlop FX500 Tour, 98SQ inch, 16x19. Mostly just a few CM short on the mains when I use the method were you go over how many times you need mains + 1 or 2 more
 

tjanev

Rookie
if you're not using a reel, then don't cut the string. if it's 16x19 1 piece job. what i do is measure 8 racquet mains across, use a marker to mark the end, run that through the first main till the mark, then run the rest through the other main ( the 2 longest mains in the center ). now you can go ahead and clamp, and start pulling as normal.
if using a reel, you do the same 8, mark it, then measure the other 8 + 19 more on the crosses, then cut.

this is what i do, but i haven't done many 1 pieces so i'm a bit more careful when measuring.
 

tjanev

Rookie
just to clarify, the mark on the string will be at the throat of the racquet in between the 2 main center holes.
 

LOBALOT

Legend
In a 98^2 16x19 I can usually get by with at most (19+18) 37 feet. Typically I need less. If I am stringing from a packet I typically just do what Irvin does and measure out say an additional 1/2 a foot from Center and cut. I use the longer for the mains and the shorter for the crosses and end up with way too much string for both.
 

PRS

Professional
I mostly string my Dunlop FX500 Tour, 98SQ inch, 16x19. Mostly just a few CM short on the mains when I use the method were you go over how many times you need mains + 1 or 2 more
Just measure a little more and you should be fine. With a 16x19 I usually just cut the string in the middle if I'm stringing from an individual set, I only do measuring like you mentioned when stringing from a reel. If anything, like Irvin said, give an extra 6" (roughly) to the mains and you should be fine, even with an 18x20.
 

kkm

Hall of Fame
I am new to stringing and I string mostly with packages to find out which strings I like, however I always come up short in strings. I use a 2 piece string job. Is it recommended to string a one piece string job or not. And what would be extra details that determine if I should string one piece? I mostly string poly btw
If it is not a hybrid I prefer 1 piece.
With 1 piece if the mains end at the top you have a natural top down.
With 1 piece if the mains end at the bottom you would do ATW. I would say do the “universal” ATW.
Do not be afraid to try 1 piece.
 

struggle

Legend
Like said above. Split set 6” from center using “40 foot” set. it essentially makes half of it a foot longer than the other (mains).

I also suggest two piece, it’s easier on the person and the string, IMO.

Some folks like 1 piece for reasons that don’t outweigh the others, IMO. It’s somewhat esoteric, but whatever blows your dress up!!
 

Alcawrath

Professional
I'm also new to stringing and have found whenever I string my Dunlop 300g os 18x20 (105sq in) I run out of string on my drop weight. I have to use a starting clamp to use a single set regardless of how I measure or I'll be short for my last pull.
 

Steve Huff

G.O.A.T.
On a 16x19 string pattern, I can usually get by with 34' when I do a 1 piece. Even with a 2 piece, you should have 4-5' left over. If you do string that racket 1 piece, it should be strung with an around-the-world pattern. For that racket, I would probably string the top 3 crosses with the short side. It's pretty straight forward.
 

esgee48

G.O.A.T.
I'm also new to stringing and have found whenever I string my Dunlop 300g os 18x20 (105sq in) I run out of string on my drop weight. I have to use a starting clamp to use a single set regardless of how I measure or I'll be short for my last pull.
Don’t cut specific lengths for mains and crosses. If using KM, just cut their total as one piece. Preinstall the SS mains and make sure you can reach your gripper. Then install and tension all your mains. Tie off and now cut the rest of the string. You should have plenty left over for crosses. Or don’t cut and do an ATW with the LS. FWIW I need less than 36’ for a one piece using poly for this frame.
 
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Alcawrath

Professional
Doesn't matter how I cut it. At the end after using a starting clamp and finishing the job I had maybe 4" of string left. There's no way to cut it and have enough without using a starting clamp on a drop weight machine. With my 16x19s or 16x20s and frames under 100" I've had no problem with lengths, but on that 18x20 105sq in head it's pretty darn close to using all 40'.
 

esgee48

G.O.A.T.
That’s cuz you are doing 2 piece. You’re probably using at least 3 feet total to reach your gripper to tension the last mains and crosses. If you go 1 piece ATW, you’ll have at least 2’ extra.
 

Irvin

Talk Tennis Guru
Doesn't matter how I cut it. At the end after using a starting clamp and finishing the job I had maybe 4" of string left. There's no way to cut it and have enough without using a starting clamp on a drop weight machine. With my 16x19s or 16x20s and frames under 100" I've had no problem with lengths, but on that 18x20 105sq in head it's pretty darn close to using all 40'.
Trust me there is a way. You could string the racket‘s mains with the whole set using a 10 short side. After you cut off the long side the left over string is more than enough to string the crosses especially if you use a starting knot. This method will save you 2 feet of string. That’s the method I was trying to show you in post #2.
 

Alcawrath

Professional
Irvin, I consider you to be the preeminent source on racquet stringing on theses boards, but my racquet on a klippermate cannot be done without a starting clamp. 4-6" extra (which is all I have with all my clippings combined) simply does not reach to the jaws of my machine for the last pull. With starting clamp I can finish the job, but not without. Now, with all of my other racquets I have no problem running out of string, but the Dunlop 300g OS 18x20 is another story.
 

Alcawrath

Professional
That’s cuz you are doing 2 piece. You’re probably using at least 3 feet total to reach your gripper to tension the last mains and crosses. If you go 1 piece ATW, you’ll have at least 2’ extra.
Yeah you're not wrong but I'm not comfortable stringing ATW yet
 

Irvin

Talk Tennis Guru
Irvin, I consider you to be the preeminent source on racquet stringing on theses boards, but my racquet on a klippermate cannot be done without a starting clamp. 4-6" extra (which is all I have with all my clippings combined) simply does not reach to the jaws of my machine for the last pull. With starting clamp I can finish the job, but not without. Now, with all of my other racquets I have no problem running out of string, but the Dunlop 300g OS 18x20 is another story.
You’re using 2 piece stringing, right? How much string do you have left over on the mains and the top cross? It’s hard to believe you have only 4-6” combined unless the set of string is short.

EDIT: I just strung a PA 16x20 and had over 6 feet of scrap string Using RPM Blast.
 
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Irvin

Talk Tennis Guru
@Alcawrath have you tried mounting your racket so the racket’s throat is as far from the turntable / bar pivot as possible? Every inch you move the throat away from the pivot saves 3” of string needed.
 

Alcawrath

Professional
Next time I string it I will check, but yeah I think I adjusted the racquet mount to give myself as short a distance as possible to the gripper. I think your suggestion of not cutting the string before I finish the mains is worth a try, but it's really ok. Using a starting clamp has worked just fine. It might just be time to take the plunge and try ATW on this frame too.
 

Irvin

Talk Tennis Guru
Next time I string it I will check, but yeah I think I adjusted the racquet mount to give myself as short a distance as possible to the gripper. I think your suggestion of not cutting the string before I finish the mains is worth a try, but it's really ok. Using a starting clamp has worked just fine. It might just be time to take the plunge and try ATW on this frame too.
Not cutting the string before you start requires only about 2” more string than an ATW pattern. But if you have a total 4-6” of string left over from a set, nothing is going to help Other than to start using reels instead of sets.

EDIT: It really does not matter what stringing machine you use. If a racket takes a set of string - 6” of string that’s what it takes.
 
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WYK

Hall of Fame
As an aside, to all you string manufacturers, hybrid stringing is more popular day on day. Give us enough so we can simply cut a set in half and use it for two 18X20 mains, please.
 

kkm

Hall of Fame
As an aside, to all you string manufacturers, hybrid stringing is more popular day on day. Give us enough so we can simply cut a set in half and use it for two 18X20 mains, please.
I agree with you. In these situations I always cut string sets in half ‘cause I don’t know if I’ll have to use the leftover half sets for mains or crosses. I often have to end up using a bridge on the last mains of an 18x20 hybrid.
 

Irvin

Talk Tennis Guru
I agree with you. In these situations I always cut string sets in half ‘cause I don’t know if I’ll have to use the leftover half sets for mains or crosses. I often have to end up using a bridge on the last mains of an 18x20 hybrid.
I disagree with always cutting string set in half. I just strung a 16 main PA with gut / poly. For me the poly cones from a reel so I’ve always have enough, but the VS gut string comes in 39.5’ sets. If I had cut the gut in half, I‘d have 19‘ 9” for the 16 main and 19’ 9” leftover. If the next racket is an 18 main racket I may have issues dependent on head size and tension. So I cut 18’ 4” from the set of gut because I knew it was enough for the mains for the racket in hand. That leaves 21’ 2” for my next racket.
 
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esgee48

G.O.A.T.
OP you’ve been given advice as to how to avoid having to bridge when doing your Dunlop. It’s useable advice. It will work if given one pack of string for mains and another different pack of string for hybriding 2 racquets that are 100 in^2 18x20. It’s purely your choice whether you want to follow the advice or not. If you don’t like the advice, just say so.
 

kkm

Hall of Fame
I disagree with always cutting string set in half. I just strung a 16 main PA with gut / poly. For me the poly cones from a reel so I’ve always have enough, but the VS gut string comes in 39.5’ sets. If I had cut the gut in half, I‘d have 19‘ 9” for the 16 main and 19’ 9” leftover. If the next racket is an 18 main racket I may have issues dependent on head size and tension. So I cut 18’ 4” from the set of gut because I knew it was enough for the mains for the racket in hand. That leaves 21’ 2” for my next racket.
I’m talking about situations in which the mains and the crosses come from sets, not reels. Anyway, you do you.
 

WYK

Hall of Fame
I disagree with always cutting string set in half. I just strung a 16 main PA with gut / poly. For me the poly cones from a reel so I’ve always have enough, but the VS gut string comes in 39.5’ sets. If I had cut the gut in half, I‘d have 19‘ 9” for the 16 main and 19’ 9” leftover. If the next racket is an 18 main racket I may have issues dependent on head size and tension. So I cut 18’ 4” from the set of gut because I knew it was enough for the mains for the racket in hand. That leaves 21’ 2” for my next racket.

And had they simply given us enough string from the get go, all of that would be unnecessary.
 

PRS

Professional
Prince Diablo Prism helps with this issue. It's very colorful, but comes in 2 half sets (each half set is 2 colors), each of which are 21' long, while a standard set is 40'. This gives you the ability to not worry about cutting the right length for the mains on an 18x20. I agree though, I wish more manufacturers would make poly sets 42' so you have a little room to breathe/room for error. Not a big deal on stretchy multis, but with poly, especially ones on the stiffer side, it would be very useful.
 
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