Starting crosses w/ floating clamps - curious about video

[gdeangel]

I am just staring out and have a method for starting my crosses (two piece stringing) with the starting clamp on the outside of frame, pull tension against starting clamp, then set the floating clamp on the single string, using the mains against the clamp teeth to hold it in place. Weave and tension ahead a few crosses. Then go back and pull the starting clamp away from the frame with the tensioner to be able to move the floating clamp onto two strings opposite the frame from the starting clamp, and remove starting clamp.

I went searching for videos on youtube of how to start crosses with a floating clamp setup that might not involve using the mains to hold the first clamp, but all I came up with this video:

... not what I was looking for because he uses a starting knot, but I was very perplexed after watching it. Just to get a second opinion, but it seems like this technique did not ever tension to first cross? Neither was that mentioned in comments as an error. Is that right/acceptable?

 

[loosegroove]

You should do what you've been doing, except also weave the 2nd cross to start. So the first string you'll be pulling tension on is the 2nd cross. That way you can use your floating clamp on two cross strings. String a few more crosses ahead, and when you choose, you can go back and tension the string where the starting clamp is and tie off. Make sense?

 

[Irvin]

I normally do not use flying clamps but if I were to use them I would put my starting clamp on the top cross outside the frame and pull the second cross. Continue string all the cross and when you're done come back up and tie off the top cross. You're correct when you tension the second cross it will not tension the top cross as if you had direct tension on it. But when you remove the starting clamp you should first tension the string and that's when you get the right tension on the top cross.

Another option is to run in 2 crosses and clamp them with your flying clamp on the side where the loop. Tension the top most cross and hold with a starting clamp. Then tension the lower most and move the flying cross to the same side with the starting clamp. From here I would work all the way down and tie off the bottom cross then finish the top.

 

[4-string]

I normally do not use flying clamps but if I were to use them I would put my starting clamp on the top cross outside the frame and pull the second cross. Continue string all the cross and when you're done come back up and tie off the top cross. You're correct when you tension the second cross it will not tension the top cross as if you had direct tension on it. But when you remove the starting clamp you should first tension the string and that's when you get the right tension on the top cross.

I do the same, it works well.

 

[gdeangel]

Thanks everybody. This all makes sense now...