Starting clamp, tying first cross immediately

[Curtennis]

Was reading through some ancient threads tonight. Most posts mentioned that when using a starting clamp for crosses to tie the top knot after at least a handful more crosses or just wait until you’re fully done with crosses to come back to top.

I’m sure I’m a horrible stringer for doing this, but can someone explain why it might be wrong…

I weave my first three crosses and put my starting clamp outside the second cross, directly under the top cross where I’ve left excess string to tie my knot.
I then pull tension on the top cross, use my Neos 1000 clamp to clamp off the way you would any other string and tie my Parnell knot right then and there. Once knot is tied I disengage the neos clamp.
With the starting clamp still outside cross #2, I then pull tension on that second cross and then trade the starting clamp for the neos clamp and voila I’m motoring right along and everything is normal at this point.

After reading through 100+ posts i didn’t see anyone also doing this and everything I saw said to only tie the knot as you’ve moved further down. How horrible can this be?

 

[Irvin]

Nothing wrong with that method unless you want to tie off on a cross. I wouldn’t not want the starting clamp in the way when tying off. When you tie off the top cross on a cross the clamp is never in the way. Impossible to tell if either clamp gets in the way for you or if it’s possibles for you to tie off on a cross Since you didn't identify the racket(s.)

EDIT: Many stringers will place the starting clamp on the top cross and tension the second. Then wait some time to double back at some point and tie off the top cross.

 

[stapletonj]

tying off the top cross on a cross is important if you are doing a gut mains/poly cross job.

 

[Dunlop300g]

Was reading through some ancient threads tonight. Most posts mentioned that when using a starting clamp for crosses to tie the top knot after at least a handful more crosses or just wait until you’re fully done with crosses to come back to top.

I’m sure I’m a horrible stringer for doing this, but can someone explain why it might be wrong…

I weave my first three crosses and put my starting clamp outside the second cross, directly under the top cross where I’ve left excess string to tie my knot.
I then pull tension on the top cross, use my Neos 1000 clamp to clamp off the way you would any other string and tie my Parnell knot right then and there. Once knot is tied I disengage the neos clamp.
With the starting clamp still outside cross #2, I then pull tension on that second cross and then trade the starting clamp for the neos clamp and voila I’m motoring right along and everything is normal at this point.

After reading through 100+ posts i didn’t see anyone also doing this and everything I saw said to only tie the knot as you’ve moved further down. How horrible can this be?

I'm glad you mentioned this method. Never knew about it. I've been using the starting clamp outside the frame (ordinary method first cross) and then using the second glide bar when i get down far enough to accommodate it temporarily in order to finish the first cross tie off. I think the method you describe might be more accommodating. I'm usually stringing full beds of poly.

 

[Curtennis]

I'm glad you mentioned this method. Never knew about it. I've been using the starting clamp outside the frame (ordinary method first cross) and then using the second glide bar when i get down far enough to accommodate it temporarily in order to finish the first cross tie off. I think the method you describe might be more accommodating. I'm usually stringing full beds of poly.

I do that first cross pull plus 5 lbs for typical knot loss, but i could even see going up 10 lbs cause of how bulky the neos 1000 clamp is and you can't bite too close to the edge on many racquets cause of where you need to tie off the cross. That said the top cross is so short so probably no need to juice it up too much...

 

[cks]

Many stringers will place the starting clamp on the top cross and tension the second. Then wait some time to double back at some point and tie off the top cross.

Home stringer here. This is what I do.

Weave first 3 crosses starting at the head. Place starting clamp outside of hoop on first cross, then tension 2nd cross, weave 4th cross, tension 3rd cross, etc. (while working my way to the throat). Last step is to tension first cross, remove starting clamp, then tie off first cross.

 

[Irvin]

Home stringer here. This is what I do.

Weave first 3 crosses starting at the head. Place starting clamp outside of hoop on first cross, then tension 2nd cross, weave 4th cross, tension 3rd cross, etc. (while working my way to the throat). Last step is to tension first cross, remove starting clamp, then tie off first cross.

That’s how many start their crosses. I don’t like placing a starting clamp outside the frame because the clamp is then at a point which could end up turning 90 degrees at a grommet or in the knot. Many will then use leather pads and or different spacers to protect the frame and string from the starting clamp. So I quit using a starting clamp to start crosses.

I preweave the top four crosses then I tension the top 2 crosses at the same time and use a flying clamp to clamp the top 2 crosses as far from the tensioner as possible. I then tension and clamp the second cross and clamp with a machine clamp. Then I tension the third cross, release the machine clamp on the second cross, and clamp the third cross. I finish by tensioning the top cross, removing the flying clamp, clamping the top cross with a machine clamp, and tie off.

I’m sure there are many ways to start crosses and I‘m not sure which way is best. I guess everyone should just do what they want to do.

 

[Curtennis]

Home stringer here. This is what I do.

Weave first 3 crosses starting at the head. Place starting clamp outside of hoop on first cross, then tension 2nd cross, weave 4th cross, tension 3rd cross, etc. (while working my way to the throat). Last step is to tension first cross, remove starting clamp, then tie off first cross.

just so worried that if i accidentally make any mistake, I'd have to do the entire crosses again and possibly need to replace the string. and doing it after a few crosses just seems like such a flow killer. glad doing it immediately isn't some big stringer association no no.

 

[Irvin]

@Curtennis I think I read somewhere sometime ago that leaving a starting clamp on the top cross while finishing all the other crosses is a no no in a busy stringing like the US Open. But I think that’s just hawg wash. If anyone is bumping into you racket or machine that’s an even bigger no no. They need to watch where they’re going.

 

[Jem]

That’s how many start their crosses. I don’t like placing a starting clamp outside the frame because the clamp is then at a point which could end up turning 90 degrees at a grommet or in the knot. Maypny will then use leather pads and different spacers to protect the frame and string from the starting clamp. So I quit using a starting clamp to start crosses.

I preweave the top four crosses then I tension the top 2 crosses at the same time and use a flying clamp to clamp the top 2 crosses as far from the tensioner as possible. I then tension and clamp the second cross and clamp with a machine clamp. Then I tension the third cross, release the machine clamp on the second cross, and clamp the third cross. I finish by tensioning the top cross, removing the flying clamp, clamping the top cross with a machine clamp, and tie off.

im sure there are many ways to start crosses and I‘m not sure which way is best. I guess everyone should just do what they want to do.

What is the reason for tensioning the first and second cross simultaneously? Why not, after clamping both with a flying clamp, just tension second cross and go from there?

 

[Irvin]

What is the reason for tensioning the first and second cross simultaneously? Why not, after clamping both with a flying clamp, just tension second cross and go from there?

I want the separation between the 2 crosses to be straight and neither cross deflected. I never tried placing the clamp on the crosses untensioned. Then if you only tension the second cross (after clamping) the top cross has no tension. Just like all the other crosses at that point. This is not like placing a starting clamp outside the frame on the first cross. In that case you tension the second cross and put some tension on the first cross.

 

[rustyy]

the best method (used by all professional stringers) is:
-starting clamp on the outside
-pull the second cross and down till bottom (the second is pulling the top cross too, put do not pull them together).
-tie the bottom cross
-pull and tie the top cross
the reason is frame longevity, the upper hoop is the weakest part of the frame and pulling the top cross after the other crosses are done reduces stress on that area.

 

[Rabbit]

I weave the top 2 crosses with a starting clamp outside the frame. I pull tension on the top cross and clamp it. Then I weave the 3rd cross and pull tension on the 2nd cross; repeat all the way down. After tying off the last cross, I tension the first cross (with knot tension) and tie off.

@Curtennis, whatever you’re comfortable with works.

 

[SavvyStringer]

the best method (used by all professional stringers) is:
-starting clamp on the outside
-pull the second cross and down till bottom (the second is pulling the top cross too, put do not pull them together).
-tie the bottom cross
-pull and tie the top cross
the reason is frame longevity, the upper hoop is the weakest part of the frame and pulling the top cross after the other crosses are done reduces stress on that area.

I'm not sure who told you that method is used by all professional stringers. Clamp top cross, pull tension on second cross, pull tension on third cross, go back and pull knot tension on first cross, tie it off and go back to doing crosses. Don't leave the starting clamp on the outside of the frame. Too much room for error, especially in a crowded pro room with people walking around and potential to bump it off.