Set of Alu 1.25 coming up very short on an 18x20 (Head Speed Pro)

Polotechnics

Polotechnics

Semi-Pro
Anyone else find a set of Alu coming up very short on Head Speed Pro?

Measured properly, left one inch over gripper on Wilson Baiardo.

Left first cross deliberately short, for jumper.

Still only had 4 inches for bottom cross which then obvs needed jumper

Annoying for such an expensive string.

Cheers, Paul
 
Does not sound right. Did you use pack with 40’? I don’t cut until I finish the mains, tie off then cut. Use starting knot and I have at least 2’ left over. (I do SS to assure min needed to reach gripper on mains) If I do an ATW, I have more left over.
 
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@Polotechnics When you say you measured properly what does that mean? How much poly string do you thing a 100 si 18 x 20 frame requires for mains and crosses.
 
Most Speed Pro racquets I have done took 21'x19' for string length. Also, that is with my cross technique, where I go back and retension the first cross string, although I keep that end purposely short and use a bridge to tie that first cross . I never liked or used a starting knot.
Never had a problem yet, although I never used alu on those particular frames yet.
I guess there is a possibility that the packages were a little short of 40'. To be honest, I never measured a entire set before, as I cut the 1st length, the mains to the length I need as the only measure made, then just use the other for the crosses. I am more particular measuring sets than from reels, but I only measure the mains for the sets, and assume it is 40' set so there would be plenty for crosses.
 
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Polotechnics said:
1 set. 12m
Click to expand...
I was talking about how long the string was after measuring out 18 head lengths. If you were using a set of ALU that was 12 m long or 39’ 4” and you measured out >21’ to string the mains you’d have less than 18’ 4” left over for crosses. Good luck, you’re going to need it.

I would not have cut the string to begin with. I would have used 10’ 6” for the short side and string the mains. Then what was left over long the long side would have been more than enough for the crosses.

EDIT: 18’ 4” of poly doesn’t sound like enough string to do the crosses on a 20 cross mid+ racket. If it works it will be close. I would rather have too much string than not enough.
 
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Guess you receive a short set if it is only 12 meters. TW says it should be 12.2 meters. Live and learn. The reason I stopped cutting lengths for mains and crosses from packs is cuz I do not trust the manufacturers. Their stated length is guidance as far as I'm concerned. 99% of the time it will be more than 12.2 m. That 1% will create all types of problems when barely short or short by 12". Doesn't happen much if MP but could be a problem for me if OS. 2 pieces of string means you need 4 tails long enough to get to the gripper. 1 piece requires 2 tails. I pull mainly from reels which means I economize and know from notes what I need ± 3-4". I generally plan on 2-3' of wastage for each job from reels. But I always do 1 piece unless asked by the client for 2 piece or if hybrid. Crosses will start with starting knot.
 
I string Head Speed Pros with ALU Power/Gut hybrid pretty regularly where both strings come in sets from the player. The player used to put ALU Power in the mains and I pretty much always had to bridge the end of the string to the tension head when tying off both mains after cutting the ALU set in half. When I have tried measuring out of curiosity, the ALU Power sets were usually around 38.5' - 39' instead of 40'.

Stringing ALU Power all the way (non-hybrid) from a set on a Speed Pro, I would measure out cross string first, then use the rest for the mains. I think that's worked for me, but if I had to bridge anything, it wouldn't have phased me enough with this particular racquet to remember.
 
@Polotechnics . Next time, measure out the entire set. It should be 12.2 M, which is 40'. If you used 21' for mains there should be plenty for crosses irregardless of what Irvin says, but I'm sure you realize that.It would be interesting to see just how accurate the manufacturer has it. Fortunately I have not run into the issue you have. Now if I get a large frame with that string, I know I will be careful measuring out, and measure out the set first to see if it's accurate for length.
 
Irvin said:
......
I would not have cut the string to begin with. I would have used 10’ 6” for the short side and string the mains. Then what was left over long the long side would have been more than enough for the crosses.
......
Click to expand...
-this is a sure fire way to never run out of string on the crosses!
-on most 16/19s it is not really necessary, but the 18/20s do create the issue descrived above, specially with the european manufacturers that cut their strings at 6M and 12M length of string!

-btw, babolat VS (natural gut string) comes in 6M and/or 12M packs
 
jim e said:
Luxilon is supposed to be 12.2m or 40'.
Click to expand...
-this is provably a recent change by luxilon
-i remember running out of luxilon string when doing 18/20s in the past (10/15+ years ago!?)
-i eventually learned not to cut strings ,(as described above) when doing 18/20s
-but even now, when i deal with a pack of string from luxilon, i am a bit more careful before i cut,
-just cautious i guess!
 
@Polotechnics if you have a starting clamp you could cut off a set the string needed for the crosses and use the remaining string for the mains. If you have too much string for mains it’s not a bid deal but for crosses it is because you weaving more string through the mains. If you main string comes up short you could always bridge it.
 
Polotechnics said:
Anyone else find a set of Alu coming up very short on Head Speed Pro?

Measured properly, left one inch over gripper on Wilson Baiardo.

Left first cross deliberately short, for jumper.

Still only had 4 inches for bottom cross which then obvs needed jumper

Annoying for such an expensive string.

Cheers, Paul
Click to expand...
I measured another set of Alu today, I only have a couple, as I rarely offer it to customers - as it's not great value for most club players in my area.

This set was short also. Said 12.2m, wasn't.

Next time, I'll string as one piece, then cut for crosses.

Thanks as always for the help.

It's reassuring to know that others have had the same issue with Luxilon.
 
I can only assume some of the packs are cut at 12m, but advertised as 12.2 on certain websites.

It's really weird otherwise.

I thought I was going crazy when I had about 3 inches left for a bottom jumper
 
Looked at a few websites.

Some list it at 12m, some 12.2? Is that right?

Or just an error on the websites.
Makes a big difference on an 18x20 even an mp.
 
granted, you will have to run a lot more string though the grommets for the 9 "long side" strings, but the "don't cut until you tie off" is a pretty good idea unless you are running a discount volume business...
 
stapletonj said:
granted, you will have to run a lot more string though the grommets for the 9 "long side" strings, but the "don't cut until you tie off" is a pretty good idea unless you are running a discount volume business...
Click to expand...
Absolutely. That's the plan from now on. I think I've got to the route of the problem too. The client bought it from Decathlon sports. Which is based in Central Europe and then shipped to the UK. Their Alu sets appear to be 12m not 12.2 which I've not come across before.
 
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