Should i use two clamps on the crosses?
- Thread starter ricardo
- Start date
Peppershaker
Rookie
I'm still learning, but one reason to use two clamps and particularly w/flying clamps is the trailing clamp will serve as a backup. Should something happen (slipping or other accident) you do not have to start over, just go back to the trailing clamp.
I'm sure though that other more experienced stringers will add to this, or explain why it is I'm wrong.
I'm sure though that other more experienced stringers will add to this, or explain why it is I'm wrong.
Carolina Racquet
Professional
I believe 2 clamps won't make a difference. Sure, "just in case" it will help, but I haven't had a clamp release early.
Do not use two clamps on cross. If you going to use two clamps the final tension will be lower (a little bit) then with one clamp.
Remeber you are stringing mains with one clamp.
diredesire
Moderator
It's not required if you're using floating clamps, or glidebar clamps. I think it's pretty obvious why it's a good idea with swivel/DA clamps (it doesn't reach both sides!). Backup is theoretically "nice," but those with glidebars (NEOS 1K) only use one clamp by design (unless you have half-glide bars)
This is far and away the reason why you use two clamps for doing crosses..... screw up one string job and have to start crosses over and you'll be converted......
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SirGounder
Hall of Fame
For the most part, clamps don't fail so one clamp is fine. The second clamp is just a backup, in case something goes wrong. I think the guys who have strung thousands of racquets all say they have never had a clamp fail. Of course they also have really high quality equipment.
diredesire
Moderator
It really is just a case of "better safe than sorry," and some clamps are worse than others. I find myself catching strings on the Gamma clamps I work with, since they're a tiiiiiny bit angled out (for comfort, and maybe leverage??). I strung on a NEOS for a number of years, and only used one clamp (it's pretty difficult to use two without using the half sized bars), and didn't have any problems there. It's not necessarily more right one way or the other, it's personal preference. When you're using fixed clamps, you're generally going to see two clamps in use anyways, I don't see a floater popping open, especially if you clamp from the top of the string bed
It really is just a case of "better safe than sorry," and some clamps are worse than others. I find myself catching strings on the Gamma clamps I work with, since they're a tiiiiiny bit angled out (for comfort, and maybe leverage??). I strung on a NEOS for a number of years, and only used one clamp (it's pretty difficult to use two without using the half sized bars), and didn't have any problems there. It's not necessarily more right one way or the other, it's personal preference. When you're using fixed clamps, you're generally going to see two clamps in use anyways, I don't see a floater popping open, especially if you clamp from the top of the string bed
I don't look at it from the perspective of a clamp failing, etc.... I look at it from the perspective of protecting me from myself......
you get distracted by kids, the phone, etc, pull a bonehead move and you find yourself having to re-tension all the crosses....
it's cheap insurance..... kind of like wearing a seatbelt.... it's too easy to do (use two clamps on the crosses), to not do it......
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diredesire
Moderator
Ah, good point. I've had a clamp pop off while I'm pulling string through on the crosses, etc. That's my frame of reference. I'm typically distraction-less when I string, didn't think of it that way
I have the same question, if I'm not misunderstanding the OP's question. Please see the image below. When straightening the crosses under constant pull should you release both clamps or just one? To me, I would like to release both to be able to adjust all crosses, if needed, but I don't because I'm not certain if that's what you're actually supposed to do... I've seen instruction videos and in these they always have one clamp fixed to strings when straightening the crosses.
So again question is: when string is under constant pull should I release both the right clamp AND the left clamp or just the right and what happens if I release both?
So again question is: when string is under constant pull should I release both the right clamp AND the left clamp or just the right and what happens if I release both?
Thanks! Would you say it makes no sense to release both clamps then? Sometimes the crosstrings are slightly misaligned because of a fixed clamp and releasing both clamps would make it possible for me to straighten all crosses needed...@Merkaffe - the OP was using floating clamps on a drop weight (ten years ago
Exactly, @Merkaffe
Which, from looking at your photo above, you're doing perfectly.
If you continually release both string clamps, each and every time you tension a cross string, you're going to have a lot of (quite unnecessary) hand movements.
This will end up just slowing the process down.
To streamline things, try just "leap-frogging" each respective clamp.
From a previous post of mine...
You may even want to give that whole thread a read-through.
Why base release first at knot?
@Irvin @Herb Anyone else as well, why do we release the clamp before the base for all strings except the knot string, where we release base before the clamp? I mean, that's what I do because that's how I was taught, but I was never told the "why" behind it. Thanks.
tt.tennis-warehouse.com
Congrats on the new machine, and on doing good work!
Thanks. I have gravity release clamps, but still using the method of first release the base clamps (because of some Yonex recommendations). Are there any disadvantages of using the automatic gravity release function? Oh, sorry, I just read your linked post now. Never mind
Exactly, @Merkaffe
Which, from looking at your photo above, you're doing perfectly.
If you continually release both string clamps, each and every time you tension a cross string, you're going to have a lot of (quite unnecessary) hand movements.
This will end up just slowing the process down.
To streamline things, try just "leap-frogging" each respective clamp.
From a previous post of mine...
You may even want to give that whole thread a read-through.
Why base release first at knot?
@Irvin @Herb Anyone else as well, why do we release the clamp before the base for all strings except the knot string, where we release base before the clamp? I mean, that's what I do because that's how I was taught, but I was never told the "why" behind it. Thanks.
Congrats on the new machine, and on doing good work!
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I think that thread (linked above, in post #18) covered the reasons behind the guidelines/protocol fairly well.
After your read-through, hopefully it will be considerably more clear regarding the "whys" of it all.
fritzhimself
Hall of Fame
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I see it, but remember this was my first string jobWell - who can find the mistake on the picture?
. For picture perfect photo I would have had the racquet handle on the other side
geubes
Rookie
The only time I needed to use two clamps was for the first few pulls and needing to tie the cross onto itself and not the main. Typically when doing gut mains poly-cross.
Otherwise one clamp and move the crosses parallel as stringing, so you don't end up with a smiley low tension trampoline.
I am also of the opinion that the least amount of string that needs to be gripped/squeeze by the clamp, the less chance of premature breaking. Using two clamps, you are just introducing more damage to the surface of the string
Otherwise one clamp and move the crosses parallel as stringing, so you don't end up with a smiley low tension trampoline.
I am also of the opinion that the least amount of string that needs to be gripped/squeeze by the clamp, the less chance of premature breaking. Using two clamps, you are just introducing more damage to the surface of the string
fritzhimself
Hall of Fame
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Rabbit
G.O.A.T.
@fritzhimself - agreed. I think it's pointless to unclamp the previous string. I haven't seen other stringers with double action clamps do it ever.
Irvin
Talk Tennis Guru
I find it fast on my X-Stringer to us 2 clamps. Also by using 2 clamp you DW arm will drop less if at all.
Irvin
Talk Tennis Guru
Not very often but occasionally I see the clamp twist the string as the tensioner is released. I will release the clamp because I generally straighten the previously tensioned string before I straighten the string I’m tensioning. I believe @drakulie started releasing both clamps just before he went to the Cincinnati tournament with P1.
Irvin
Talk Tennis Guru
Releasing the trailing clamp?
In this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvx7_o7nClQ Drakulie releases the trailing clamp while he does the crosses. Is that a good practice? Is it risky where you could lose tension on the whole racquet, rather than just the current cross? Are there any other hazards, because it looks...
tt.tennis-warehouse.com
thats is different to what Ron did though. he releases the trailing clamp after he clamps the current cross, whereas Ron does the opposite.Releasing the trailing clamp?
In this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvx7_o7nClQ Drakulie releases the trailing clamp while he does the crosses. Is that a good practice? Is it risky where you could lose tension on the whole racquet, rather than just the current cross? Are there any other hazards, because it looks...
Irvin
Talk Tennis Guru
@esm I think drakulie just it for speed where Ron does it so he can get full tension on the previous string. I‘ve noticed that my eCP sometimes pull the trailing clamp a bit closer to the frame. Now I never try to get my clamps as close to the frame as possible because if the clamp hits the frame or grommet it will stop it from moving farther.
Yeah. I am sure @Wes will disagree about speeding up by releasing the trail clamp after clamping the current cross. (Let’s count the hand movements!)
Irvin
Talk Tennis Guru
It doesn’t matter what others think. Drakulie did it because he thought it saved him time.
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Really? So what do you really think? Genuine question. Am keen to understand your opinions, as you like to give yours most times (not that there is anything wrong with it…) - is this way really as speedier way?
Irvin
Talk Tennis Guru
He’s weaving through natural gut mains which actually makes it much easier Even though he is using poly mains.He sure weaves awful slow...somebody wake me up when he's done!
Rabbit
G.O.A.T.
This is confusing. Federer uses natural gut mains, true. The rest of the sentence from Even though.... makes no sense.
ah... maybe it is a hybrid of a hybrid mains setup - just an opinion and thats what i was "thinking"... lol
As per usual.
