Racket makes crackling noise while stringing

[Ballinbob]

As you guys know im pretty new to stringing

Anyway, I cracked the first frame i tried stringing (wilson triad 5). I am not sure why it cracked, i was stringing it at 55 lbs and the recommended tension is 55-65. It is a 5 year old racket, and because it was my first time stringing it, it took me 3 days to finish the mains and whatnot. I had the mains done and left them there for a couple days, which I read causes alot of stress on the frame

Anyways, while stringing I heard a loud " crack " noise and realized my frame had broken. I said " okay, no big deal, its an old racket and now i know not to leave my racket unfinished for that long "

So i go about stringing my main racket, a wilson ksix one 95" . I successfully string it no problem in around 35 mins, so it was quick by my standards (i use a dropweight gamma x-2). HOWEVER, on the last main, i heard the same type of crack that broke my other frame.

I checked to see if the frame was damaged, but it was not. I played with it fine that day as well. My other racket also cracked on the last mains.

What could this sound be ? Is it normal to hear a slight crack on the last mains ? Is the racket stressed most then ?

Help !

 

[bugeyed]

Look at the mounting posts.

Sounds like the machine is not holding the racquet securely enough to prevent it deforming under tension.

Cheers,
kev

 

[esgee48]

Cracking noises while stringing are not normal. Check the manner in which your racquet is mounted. It should be snug at 6 and 12 o'clock and should be supported at 10, 2, 4 and 8 o'clock if you have a 6 point mount. If you are using a DW, do not push down on the weight bar. Right now, it sounds like the noises are the result of 'user error.'

 

[Steve Huff]

That, or you hear that last grommet snapping out of the hole.

 

[Ballinbob]

sounds like a mounting issue then. I will double check that next time I string. Thanks everyone

And steve, I'm pretty sure its a mistake on my part

 

[Irvin]

sounds like a mounting issue then. I will double check that next time I string. Thanks everyone

And steve, I'm pretty sure its a mistake on my part

Not if it is the grommet snapping out of the whole. You need to hold that grommet in place while you are pulling down on the last couple outside mains. Check the racket to see if the racket holes where the grommets go through are enlarged or oval shapped.

Irvin

 

[rufusbgood]

That, or you hear that last grommet snapping out of the hole.

Good call.

 

[Rabbit]

Definitely not the norm.

 

[tennisfu]

Do you have the black retainers attached to the mounting plates? Are the mounting arms nice and tight? Is the machine used? If so, sometimes the rubber on the mounting plates get worn or dirty which can result in slipping and will sound like a creaking noise as the racquet is sliding a little along the rubber. Not a good thing if so but an easy fix.

 

[Ballinbob]

i will check the mounting guys, as well as the gromets. thanks everyone for the advice. hopefully ill get more proficient with stringing over time !

 

[LMW]

Have you actually read the instruction manual that came with your stringer?

 

[Radicalized]

I've never had it happen. In your video you made mistakes when assembling the machine with the mounting posts and the hold down plates, which you've previously noted you fixed, right? It is hard to describe a "feel," but you want the knobs screwed down snugly with your fingers, but not where you're cranking them with a lot of torque from your arm. The proper use of the support adapters has already been posted, with the link to photos. All of the basics like don't "DROP!" the weight and don't push it down has all been noted in detail before.

For safety's sake (of your valuable frames), you might want to call the "friend" over.

UPDATE : Link to video : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fw9HSQcxtn8

Please Watch and tell me whats up... and please excuse my sleepy voice haha I just woke up

and please be nice, this is my first time ever stringing a racket


Hey everyone

Sorry if I come off sounding like stupid but im having trouble stringing my racket still. I am not meant for this stringing business it seems

I have watched almerickso's vids on youtube and i have memorized them. I know what to do (i think so at least). But when im tensioning the first main string, as much as i use the clutch the drop weight doesnt move. Nothing. Doesnt budge. The string is getting tighter i can tell that, but the drop weight doesnt even come close to the horizontal position.

I have no idea why this is happening. My friend showed me how to do it, and strung some strings for me. So its not the machine thats broken, its me being dumb.
Please help ! this is getting really stressful. I know im over complicating it but oh well

And if you can't string a racquet (you care deeply about) in one sitting, don't do it.

 

[Ballinbob]

i called my friend over. the plastic spacers i put on werent fully touching the outside of the frame. wasnt secure.

thank god i called him over otherwise i woulda been screwed. setup is officially fixed !

 

[fortun8son]

Leaving a racquet partially strung for more than a hour or so is just asking for trouble.
If you haven't tied off just unstring what you did and start again later.
Even if you have to cut out the strings, better to lose a set than a frame!

 

[ATP100]

I have been telling you to have your friend watch you for a week.

 

[fortun8son]

Glad you got the mounting fixed.