Should I try to keep the first glide clamp level with the racket?

[FlyingBoat]

Do I need to be concerned that when starting the stringing, on the first string the glide clamp will be pulling the string down, or should I try to keep it level while cranking the first string?

Of course after the first string there is tension on the string bed so the clamps stay up after clamping, but for the first string the clamp falls down and doesn't get pulled up when tensioning the first string.

When I think of it I try to hold this clamp up with one hand when tensioning the first string, but if I forget, is this an issue, since the string is longer and I would think it releases some tension when coming up to level with the racket.

Another simple question on technique. I too often find as I am pulling the string through that it gets wrapped around the tension head or the crank handle. When I think of it I turn the table a quarter turn or so to get the string away from the head so it won't wrap around. Just looking for what other people do as best technique, since I find myself in this position of getting the string caught on something more often than I should.

 

[yourserve]

as far as keeping the clamp level on starting a string job i have found
that if i use my starting clamp on the outside of the frame i can keep enough tension on the string
to keep it level.
the issue of keeping the string from getting caught up is something
that i still battle. i am a fairly new stringer.. only about 60 frames in
a year. but what i have found is that all the little things you learn
will naturally come to you, and make for a easier string job.
i hope my little bit of knowledge has proved helpful. maybe one
of the more experienced guys will chime in here soon.

 

[bridge]

hi, FlyingBoat
Just for clarification, are you talking about the flex 940 or another machine? I have usually heard the term "glide clamp" used in conjunction with a glide bar machine. Perhaps you are referring to the linear string gripper head mounted on your crank tensioner? If not, help me out.

 

[Steve Huff]

You're talking about a swivel clamp aren't you? The key is to tension just enough to take the slack out of the string, then pull the clamp up until it's level. After tension the first 2 mains on ones side, you have to tension the string that's clamped to the "barely level" clamp. It's best to tension the string, unclamp, retension without letting the drawback as you retension.

 

[FlyingBoat]

Right, this must be a swivel not a glide bar clamp. It is the 940.

Ah, good advice, these ideas makes sense and I will give them a try!

Thanks for all the help!