So aggravated - left off top cross

[HitItHarder]

I am so aggravated. I was stringing one of my racquets tonight in a rush -- I know that is a big mistake -- and I accidentally started the crosses at the second cross instead of the first. I used a starting clamp as I normally do, and didn't catch it until I went to tie off the top cross as I was finishing up.

Plus, I was stringing with my only set of WC Turbo Twist.

So here is my question. I strung it as a full bed, in a two piece job. Mains at 58lbs. Crosses at 56 lbs.

Do I just go hit with it as is -- so I can see if this is a string I want to look into using more. I don't think I will damage the racquet and I think I will get an idea of how the string plays regardless of the missing cross. But then again, I haven't ever done this before and it is a bit of uncharted waters for me here.

Or do I take the tail piece of string left over and patch in a top cross, essentially making this a three piece patch job? I don't really want to do that as I will likely have to widen one grommet for the extra tie off, but I would rather do this than cut out the strings and start over.

So is it ok as is to test out this string with the missing cross or do I need to patch it?

 

[dancraig]

I am so aggravated. I was stringing one of my racquets tonight in a rush -- I know that is a big mistake -- and I accidentally started the crosses at the second cross instead of the first. I used a starting clamp as I normally do, and didn't catch it until I went to tie off the top cross as I was finishing up.

Plus, I was stringing with my only set of WC Turbo Twist.

So here is my question. I strung it as a full bed, in a two piece job. Mains at 58lbs. Crosses at 56 lbs.

Do I just go hit with it as is -- so I can see if this is a string I want to look into using more. I don't think I will damage the racquet and I think I will get an idea of how the string plays regardless of the missing cross. But then again, I haven't ever done this before and it is a bit of uncharted waters for me here.

Or do I take the tail piece of string left over and patch in a top cross, essentially making this a three piece patch job? I don't really want to do that as I will likely have to widen one grommet for the extra tie off, but I would rather do this than cut out the strings and start over.

So is it ok as is to test out this string with the missing cross or do I need to patch it?

What does the little man inside of you say?

 

[HitItHarder]

What does the little man inside of you say?

Honestly, I want to cut the strings out and restring the whole thing because I did something so stupid.

I just hate losing my only set of Turbo Twist without even getting to hit with it.

I guess that is what I get for being so careless.

I don't think I am comfortable leaving the cross off. Guess I may try the patch job tomorrow if I can do it without screwing up a grommet.

 

[dancraig]

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=294517&highlight=ole+three+piece+job

 

[HitItHarder]

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=294517&highlight=ole+three+piece+job

I checked the racquet this morning and there is just no way to patch in a top string and widen a grommet without jabbing something like my awl in -- not something I plan to do. I suspect that was a point you were trying to get accross in this other thread.

I guess I am going to cut the strings out tonight and redo my racquet. That is what I get for not paying attention and rushing. Live and learn.

 

[Bud]

I am so aggravated. I was stringing one of my racquets tonight in a rush -- I know that is a big mistake -- and I accidentally started the crosses at the second cross instead of the first. I used a starting clamp as I normally do, and didn't catch it until I went to tie off the top cross as I was finishing up.

Plus, I was stringing with my only set of WC Turbo Twist.

So here is my question. I strung it as a full bed, in a two piece job. Mains at 58lbs. Crosses at 56 lbs.

Do I just go hit with it as is -- so I can see if this is a string I want to look into using more. I don't think I will damage the racquet and I think I will get an idea of how the string plays regardless of the missing cross. But then again, I haven't ever done this before and it is a bit of uncharted waters for me here.

Or do I take the tail piece of string left over and patch in a top cross, essentially making this a three piece patch job? I don't really want to do that as I will likely have to widen one grommet for the extra tie off, but I would rather do this than cut out the strings and start over.

So is it ok as is to test out this string with the missing cross or do I need to patch it?

Honestly, I want to cut the strings out and restring the whole thing because I did something so stupid.

I just hate losing my only set of Turbo Twist without even getting to hit with it.

I guess that is what I get for being so careless.

I don't think I am comfortable leaving the cross off. Guess I may try the patch job tomorrow if I can do it without screwing up a grommet.

It's fine. If it was a customer, I'd recommend re-stringing the frame.

 

[HitItHarder]

It's fine. If it was a customer, I'd recommend re-stringing the frame.

It's my personal racquet and I definately agree. If it was a customer's or friend's racquet, I would restring without question.

 

[goran_ace]

You can play with it, unless it bothers you so much that you can't stop thinking about it.

Have patience when stringing. It's not a race. You are only saving yourself a few minutes by rushing the job. Ask yourself - is it worth that few minutes of your time to make sure you do a good job?

 

[zapvor]

i say hit with it and see. it cant be good for the frame but its already done so you might as well try it out. just dont hit too long-maybe 1hr or so and cut it out. this probably bad advice.

 

[Don't Let It Bounce]

I did that once on one of my frames. Felt like an idiot. I did a patch for that last cross (and raised the tension a few lbs to account for two knots on one cross) and did no damage to frame or grommet, and I'd especially do that if it were my only set of a string I wanted to try.

I wouldn't hit hard with a cross string missing: it might turn out OK, but the racquet is designed to balance the stress of the mains with x number of crosses, and it is better to risk your grommets than to risk your frame... even if the risk is minimal.

 

[fuzz nation]

In my mind, racquets are weaker in the direction of the crosses than the mains, sort of like an egg. With one less cross to put stress on that weaker direction, I don't think you have anything to worry about either.

The good news is that it's a whole lot less likely that you'll ever do it again, right? I did it once with a job that I wasn't rushed with (grommetless NXG mid), but I missed the last cross down near the throat. We survived it just fine.

My new habit: once I've clamped the last cross, I step back and look the whole string bed over before tying it off. I look diagonally across the strings to see if I missed a weave on a cross and also look around the inside edge just to check that everything looks like it's in place. With vigilance and good habits, even your more rushed jobs will come out fine.

 

[HitItHarder]

The good news is that it's a whole lot less likely that you'll ever do it again, right? I did it once with a job that I wasn't rushed with (grommetless NXG mid), but I missed the last cross down near the throat. We survived it just fine.

My new habit: once I've clamped the last cross, I step back and look the whole string bed over before tying it off. I look diagonally across the strings to see if I missed a weave on a cross and also look around the inside edge just to check that everything looks like it's in place. With vigilance and good habits, even your more rushed jobs will come out fine.

That is a good habit I could definately learn from. I can also say there is very little chance I will ever let that happen again. Lesson learned.

I hit with the racquet last night. Seemed fine. The string bed seemed a little powerful after about an hour, but I think that was a function of the Turbo Twist string, not the cross. It is awful soft and powerful for a poly. The first hour the string and the raquet seemed great. After that, balls started to sail on me. I'll give the string one more shot and then just cut them out if it still don't like the feel. I prefer something a little crisper.

 

[10ACE]

HA, this happens, I strung one of my Racquets last night, and As I was tying off the mains, I thought I had missed one completely, started freaking out, and counting them, luckily I was fine.

 

[Richie Rich]

play with it. don't cut the strings out - and lesson learned.