Recommended tension for SPPP?

[jamauss]

I was just stringing a Yonex RDS001 Mid with SPPP (1.18mm) in the mains @ 60 lbs - then doing the crosses with some Gosen OG Sheep Micro 16 @ 58 lbs. I strung up the mains...no problems.

As I was on about the 12th cross about to clamp it, ....SNAP!!

TWO of the SPPP mains broke(on the side I was about to clamp). I didn't think I was overdoing the tension (I like my racquets strung pretty tight but..).

I know the old "string poly 10% less" rule but I pretty much was. I usually string my mains @ 65 so I dropped it to 60.

Anyone have this happen before? The SPPP hasn't ever been in extreme heat or anything (though I do live in AZ). Anyone ever have problems stringing SPPP at around 60 lbs?

 

[jamauss]

Nobody huh? I can't find the recommended tension for this string anywhere.

 

[Lindros13]

Jam: I remember reading threads that a few others have had SPPP snap on them while stringing, so you're definitely not alone.

I think the actual packaging on the SPPP gives the 10% recommendation.

I strung up SPPP twice before, and luckily it didn't snap on me.....once on my racquet (Volkl BB10), and once most recently on my brother's racquet (Head LM2). I did my crosses with SPPP at 50 lbs (paired with VS mains at 55 lbs). When I did my brothers racquet, I did his crosses with SPPP at 52 lbs (paired with VS mains at 57 lbs). I realize that these tensions are much less than yours.

BTW, I also used 17L like you.

I just thought I'd post for you my experiences but I really don't know what the max tension is for this string. I do think you can search and find others that have had problems with snapped strings during stringing. Perhaps they can mention the tension they were using. Good luck.

 

[Midlife crisis]

I've strung both the 1.23 and 1.28 and 67 pounds without having the string snap, but have found that neither of these gauges seem to work as well as when they are strung at lower tensions. They seem to lose their elasticity in about half the time as when strung lower (my son uses the 1.23 at 46 pounds in a PDR+).

I read that these strings are very sensitive to overly high clamping pressures, so I make sure the clamps are clean and apply only just enough pressure to hold the string. I have a Gamma X-ST with metal clamps and the amount of pressure that is actually require is amazingly low. I figured out exactly how much was required by taking a section of string, clamping it, and then pulling tension on it, reducing the tension until the string started slipping.

The only other thing I do is to make sure that the string isn't twisted as it goes around the grommets. I usually do this by pulling the entire length of string straight after threading each hole. This adds maybe ten minutes or so to the stringing time and requires a fair amount of room if you string one piece, but the twisting also creates a shear on the string that can cause it to break from tensioning.

 

[rooski]

I was just stringing a Yonex RDS001 Mid with SPPP (1.18mm) in the mains @ 60 lbs - then doing the crosses with some Gosen OG Sheep Micro 16 @ 58 lbs. I strung up the mains...no problems.

As I was on about the 12th cross about to clamp it, ....SNAP!!

TWO of the SPPP mains broke(on the side I was about to clamp). I didn't think I was overdoing the tension (I like my racquets strung pretty tight but..).

I know the old "string poly 10% less" rule but I pretty much was. I usually string my mains @ 65 so I dropped it to 60.

Anyone have this happen before? The SPPP hasn't ever been in extreme heat or anything (though I do live in AZ). Anyone ever have problems stringing SPPP at around 60 lbs?

What type of stringing machine do you have? Constant pull or lock out? I'm fairly new to SPPP too but I went with the 1.28 in my n61's at 52 on a constant pull machine and it feels great. This would come out to probably 57 on a lock out stringer.

I think if you pull some of the new co-polys tight (like 60+lbs), you remove what little elasticity there was to begin with and get a stiff stringbed that won't really loosen up not to mention snapping strings while you're stringing.

 

[jamauss]

It's a constant pull machine (SP Aria).

I think Midlife crisis is on to something - I strung another racquet up again, same string, same tension (no strings broke this time). But I did notice that the tensioner head on my stringer seems to clamp a little too tight - leaving a slight impression on the string after it's pulled it tight. I think I need to figure out how to adjust the clamp pressure.

 

[Midlife crisis]

It's a constant pull machine (SP Aria).

I think Midlife crisis is on to something - I strung another racquet up again, same string, same tension (no strings broke this time). But I did notice that the tensioner head on my stringer seems to clamp a little too tight - leaving a slight impression on the string after it's pulled it tight. I think I need to figure out how to adjust the clamp pressure.

Yeah, when I string, there's no visible indentation and I have to run the string through my fingers to feel the indentation from the clamps.

You should have a spare couple of feet section of new poly somewhere. What I did was to put one end of it in the clamp, leaving about six inches of it hanging loose. The other end I attached to the tensioning device and pulled the tension I wanted. If it didn't slip, I loosened the clamp a little bit and moved the string so it was clamping a part of the six inch section that was hanging loose (when you pull tension, the string will "neck" down and become a bit skinnier, so you have to have a fresh section every time). The six inch section will let you pull tension four or five times, and in that time you should reach a time when the string slips. Just go back to the previous level plus a little bit tighter to accommodate string manufacturing tolerances and you should be good.

Good luck.

 

[Steve Huff]

I had a couple of sets of the SPPP 1.23 snap on me. I ordered a reel of 1.28 and so far, no problems.

As for tension, the SPPP has a soft feel, but that doesn't mean it's not stiff. I think the soft feel somewhat disguises the fact that it's still a poly, and the end of its elasticity comes pretty quickly. It can still cause elbow problems if strung too tight. I'd err on going to low over going to high on the tension, then increase as you feel you need to.