PROBLEMS WITH MT 400

[jescuderolopez]

Good morning

I just bought an electronic stringing machine and I'm new stringing rackets, model TOMCAT MT 400. The problem I have is that the stringing tension that comes out when stringing the racket is 5-6 kg higher than the tension I select. I have put a calibrator on the machine and with the calibrator the voltage you select matches that of the machine. I'm a little desperate as I can't string the racket to the selected tension.

Thanks a lot

 

[MathieuR]

The problem I have is that the stringing tension that comes out when stringing the racket is 5-6 kg higher than the tension I select.

How do you measure this?

 

[esm]

Also which device do you use and how do you calibrate against the tension head?

 

[Elrico]

I have put a calibrator on the machine and with the calibrator the voltage you select matches that of the machine.

Then the end result should be good too ....
Unless the calibration device is not working properly .....

 

[jescuderolopez]

How do you measure this?

From the sensations when playing with the racket I notice if it has more tension or less. I also look at it with a manual meter, this is not very reliable

 

[jescuderolopez]

Also which device do you use and how do you calibrate against the tension head?

To calibrate it I use a digital calibrator. I attach a photo.

 

[jescuderolopez]

To calibrate it I use a digital calibrator. I attach a photo.

Also which device do you use and how do you calibrate against the tension head?

 

[jescuderolopez]

Also which device do you use and how do you calibrate against the tension head?

I have put a calibrator on the machine and with the calibrator the voltage you select matches that of the machine.

 

[jim e]

How do you know that your calibrator is accurate?

 

[esm]

I have put a calibrator on the machine and with the calibrator the voltage you select matches that of the machine.

Okay and as @MathieuR asked, which device and how do you measure the tension when the racquet comes off the machine?

 

[LOBALOT]

He is referencing some voltage device which makes me wonder if he is testing 220/110 setting (i.e. Europe/US setting) vs. actual tension but it could be just language confusion between Voltage (pressure) and tension.

 

[esgee48]

I assume when you select 23 Kg as tension, your calibration device shows 23 Kg (as example). This would indicate that the tension head is calibrated correctly. When you string your frame, if you feel that the resulting tension is too high by 5 Kg, then restring it using a tension that is 5 Kg lower. You obviously like your old stringer snd his machine. When switching to a new stringer and machine, most need to find a new tension number. 2 stringers using same machine normally do not produce the same results with same tension, string and frame. I had complaints that my stringbeds were too tight. I told them that my tensions were as requested. If too tight, give me a lower number. Then I find out their old stringing machine was a LO. And mine was an eCP.

 

[jescuderolopez]

He is referencing some voltage device which makes me wonder if he is testing 220/110 setting (i.e. Europe/US setting) vs. actual tension but it could be just language confusion between Voltage (pressure) and tension.

I am referring to tension. I am from Europe.

 

[jescuderolopez]

Okay and as @MathieuR asked, which device and how do you measure the tension when the racquet comes off the machine?

I measure the tension of the racket with an unreliable manual device. But when playing with the racket I notice that it does not have the right tension, the ball comes out much less and because of the sensations they are 2/3 kg more.

 

[jescuderolopez]

How do you know that your calibrator is accurate?

I have tested the calibrator to calibrate the machine by putting a weight on it and it measures correctly. To see the tension of the string I use a manual one not very reliable, but playing I notice that it has more tension, 2/3 kg more.

 

[Elrico]

I have put a calibrator on the machine and with the calibrator the voltage you select matches that of the machine.

Then the end result should be good too ....
Unless the calibration device is not working properly .....

 

[LOBALOT]

I am referring to tension. I am from Europe.

So per the others play with the racquet. If you like it then you are golden. If the tension is too tight then next time lower the tension and restring it.

Whatever that final number you like that is the number.

 

[10shoe]

I am in complete agreement with post #12 by @esgee48. What I found when I switched to my first electronic machine was that I needed to string about 2 kilos lower than I had been with my old machine (Ektelon H).

 

[jescuderolopez]

I am in complete agreement with post #12 by @esgee48. What I found when I switched to my first electronic machine was that I needed to string about 2 kilos lower than I had been with my old machine (Ektelon H).

The rackets used to be strung with an electronic machine, so I'm comparing how an electronic machine ropes with my new one.

 

[jescuderolopez]

So per the others play with the racquet. If you like it then you are golden. If the tension is too tight then next time lower the tension and restring it.

Whatever that final number you like that is the number.

It's an option, but I don't understand that being new the machine has to put less kg to give me the tension that I use with other electronic machines

 

[LOBALOT]

It's an option, but I don't understand that being new the machine has to put less kg to give me the tension that I use with other electronic machines

You gotta give us more to work on.

What machine you are measuring the tension with?

What parameters you are entering to measure the tension?

How you are calibrating your stringing machine (The term voltage is confusing to everyone here.)?

Otherwise I am not sure what you are expecting us to say.

 

[jim e]

The rackets used to be strung with an electronic machine, so I'm comparing how an electronic machine ropes with my new one.

Is it possible that the old electronic machine was not accurate, and new one is ?

 

[LOBALOT]

I am in complete agreement with post #12 by @esgee48. What I found when I switched to my first electronic machine was that I needed to string about 2 kilos lower than I had been with my old machine (Ektelon H).

This could also be it too. My only question on this is he is saying he is measuring the racquet after stringing and it is higher than on this new machine he is stringing it with.

If he were comparing the racquet to when it was strung on a different stringing machine that would make sense.

Again we are reaching into a bag trying to identify the elephant's tail or nose.

 

[esm]

I measure the tension of the racket with an unreliable manual device. But when playing with the racket I notice that it does not have the right tension, the ball comes out much less and because of the sensations they are 2/3 kg more.

Ahh…. It should be what @esgee48 described in post #12. The actual difference between a Lock-out and an Electric constant pull, and it is possible for someone to have to “adjust” to a new tension when moved to a new stringer and/or machine, even using the same racquet/string setup.
Sometime it can be difficult to get out of your head when you know “it is there”. Most of us have all been there, done that and got a t-shirt. Twice on Sundays. lol.

 

[jescuderolopez]

This could also be it too. My only question on this is he is saying he is measuring the racquet after stringing and it is higher than on this new machine he is stringing it with.

If he were comparing the racquet to when it was strung on a different stringing machine that would make sense.

Again we are reaching into a bag trying to identify the elephant's tail or nose.

The tension of the strings of the racket I am measuring with the "GAMMA STRING TENSION TESTER".
Th tension of the machine with a digital calibrator

 

[LOBALOT]

The tension of the strings of the racket I am measuring with the "GAMMA STRING TENSION TESTER".
Th tension of the machine with a digital calibrator

Thank you. So you have calibrated the Tomcat MT 400 with a digital calibrator and when you set the TOMCAT MT 400 to 24Kg (53 Lbs) and string the racquet and then test it with the Stringmeter you are getting 27 Kg (59.5 Lbs) is that correct.

Your question is in this case how can the Stringmeter record 27Kg if you string it at 24Kg. Correct?

 

[tjanev]

from the instructions i was given.
CALIBRATION-MT400
Device: one exact instrument (calibrator) for reference.
1\ Power OFF;
2\Turn ON while the "ENTER" pad is pressed;
2.1）When“Cal…”displayed，release “ENTER”; Then the MT-400 does self-test automatically; Then the MT-400 displays “45.0” automatically, means waiting for pulling 45.0 lbs;
3\ Hold the calibrator (exact instrument) and load the string in line, then click “PULL/RELEASE” (or the handle switch).
4\ Wait a moment, the changes on the calibrator (exact instrument) is slow down. Then press “+” or “-”, let the display on MT-400 is just equal to the reading on the calibrator (exact instrument), then press “ENTER”to confirm as soon as possible.
5\ Flash for 2 time automatically, then release the string automatically.
6\ Take out the string as soon as possible;
7\ wait a moment (2-3S), MT-400 does self-test automatically. The calibration is complete. It is recommended to TURN OFF first, THEN TURN ON to start the MT-400 again

 

[jescuderolopez]

Thank you. So you have calibrated the Tomcat MT 400 with a digital calibrator and when you set the TOMCAT MT 400 to 24Kg (53 Lbs) and string the racquet and then test it with the Stringmeter you are getting 27 Kg (59.5 Lbs) is that correct.

Your question is in this case how can the Stringmeter record 27Kg if you string it at 24Kg. Correct?

Yes, what you indicate is correct

 

[jescuderolopez]

from the instructions i was given.
CALIBRATION-MT400
Device: one exact instrument (calibrator) for reference.
1\ Power OFF;
2\Turn ON while the "ENTER" pad is pressed;
2.1）When“Cal…”displayed，release “ENTER”; Then the MT-400 does self-test automatically; Then the MT-400 displays “45.0” automatically, means waiting for pulling 45.0 lbs;
3\ Hold the calibrator (exact instrument) and load the string in line, then click “PULL/RELEASE” (or the handle switch).
4\ Wait a moment, the changes on the calibrator (exact instrument) is slow down. Then press “+” or “-”, let the display on MT-400 is just equal to the reading on the calibrator (exact instrument), then press “ENTER”to confirm as soon as possible.
5\ Flash for 2 time automatically, then release the string automatically.
6\ Take out the string as soon as possible;
7\ wait a moment (2-3S), MT-400 does self-test automatically. The calibration is complete. It is recommended to TURN OFF first, THEN TURN ON to start the MT-400 again

 

[jescuderolopez]

Thanks, that's what I did to calibrate the machine.

from the instructions i was given.
CALIBRATION-MT400
Device: one exact instrument (calibrator) for reference.
1\ Power OFF;
2\Turn ON while the "ENTER" pad is pressed;
2.1）When“Cal…”displayed，release “ENTER”; Then the MT-400 does self-test automatically; Then the MT-400 displays “45.0” automatically, means waiting for pulling 45.0 lbs;
3\ Hold the calibrator (exact instrument) and load the string in line, then click “PULL/RELEASE” (or the handle switch).
4\ Wait a moment, the changes on the calibrator (exact instrument) is slow down. Then press “+” or “-”, let the display on MT-400 is just equal to the reading on the calibrator (exact instrument), then press “ENTER”to confirm as soon as possible.
5\ Flash for 2 time automatically, then release the string automatically.
6\ Take out the string as soon as possible;
7\ wait a moment (2-3S), MT-400 does self-test automatically. The calibration is complete. It is recommended to TURN OFF first, THEN TURN ON to start the MT-400 again

Thanks, that's what I did to calibrate the machine.

 

[tjanev]

so, are you now good to go? machine calibration aligned with the calibration tool you used?

 

[jescuderolopez]

so, are you now good to go? machine calibration aligned with the calibration tool you used?

yes, the calibration is aligned with de calibration tool

 

[esgee48]

He is using a Stringmeter to say his string job is off. I do not believe that the Stringmeter is worth the €'s it costs. The only reliable tension estimate tool I use is Racquet Tune. Both 'apps' have been discussed ad nauseum.

 

[LOBALOT]

He is using a Stringmeter to say his string job is off. I do not believe that the Stringmeter is worth the €'s it costs. The only reliable tension estimate tool I use is Racquet Tune. Both 'apps' have been discussed ad nauseum.

I agree. One can also question the calibration as it is a bit flakey as far as the steps but the Stringmeter isn't worth the little money one spends to buy one.

If I were OP I would go back to what we started with which is ignore whatever the Stringmeter says and if he likes the tension than things are good.
If not then adjust lower or higher until he finds what he likes.

I would then dispose of the Stringmeter in the closest garbage can.

 

[am1899]

Ignore the string meter.

You’ve changed a huge variable - the machine. It’s not unexpected that you could feel a difference.

The important point to take away is reference tension isn’t the same across all machines. That is, let’s say you’d been stringing your racquets at 23kg on machine a. You like this setup. Then you string your racquet at 23kg on machine b. It’s too tight. What gives? You set it to 23kg! It should be the same as what you got on machine a, right? Wrong.

Reference tension is a reference, that’s all. When you change a variable (like the machine) you may have to recalibrate to a tighter or looser tension setting to get the result you like. Which is totally normal.

 

[Trinity110]

I think that as a new stinger, you may not know that what we set the tension to on the machine (reference tension) and what a device reads on the racquet is always different. And this is okay. Your gamma device is fine for comparing one string job to another, but it will not give the number that the machine is set to. (too many reasons to explain)

Now if your racquet does not feel right, the final tension might be different from your other sting jobs. (but you probably never used the Gamma tester on them, right?) It may be because of the other stringer, or a lockout versus a constant pull; it could be many things. But your machine is probably pulling tension correctly, and you just need to find a different reference tension to set it one when now you are using this machine, so that it feels like it used to feel.

I think I may have said nearly exactly what am1899 said, hey, it is early here!!

Good luck

 

[jescuderolopez]

thank you very much everyone

 

[am1899]

I think that as a new stinger, you may not know that what we set the tension to on the machine (reference tension) and what a device reads on the racquet is always different. And this is okay. Your gamma device is fine for comparing one string job to another, but it will not give the number that the machine is set to. (too many reasons to explain)

Now if your racquet does not feel right, the final tension might be different from your other sting jobs. (but you probably never used the Gamma tester on them, right?) It may be because of the other stringer, or a lockout versus a constant pull; it could be many things. But your machine is probably pulling tension correctly, and you just need to find a different reference tension to set it one when now you are using this machine, so that it feels like it used to feel.

I think I may have said nearly exactly what am1899 said, hey, it is early here!!

Good luck

Spot on @Trinity110, that’s what I was getting at.

 

[Polypower2010]

Bump!

One question, do you use pre-stretch?