String length for 2 piece Head Speed Pro

cincyMike

Rookie
I recently strung a Head Speed Pro 18x20 2014 model and ran into a bit of an issue. I am using a gamma x2 drop weight stringer and ended up not having enough string left over on the mains to pull tension. I went by the specks online and it said to cut 21' and 19' from my 40' package. I felt like I would have needed to be at least 23' on the mains to have enough string left to pull the final string. I also know that would only leave 17' for the crosses which I don't think will be enough to finish the crosses and pull the final string there. Has anyone else strung one of these on this machine? If so, what lengths are you cutting so that you have just enough string to pull the final mains and crosses? Thanks for any guidance you can provide.
 

1HBHfanatic

Legend
on 18x20 pattern, some machines take 21' for mains, some need more to reach their tension head
also the string type will also scew this number, for example, synt.gut stretches and thus you need a little less string, while poly streches less,soo youll need more for same racquet..

22m/18c might be right for you
most racquets ive come across wont use 18' cross, so you should be ok
again this is a number ive come across on my machine
start a log and write down what you need for your machine and that racquet, remember the string type..
 

eelhc

Hall of Fame
I recently strung a Head Speed Pro 18x20 2014 model and ran into a bit of an issue. I am using a gamma x2 drop weight stringer and ended up not having enough string left over on the mains to pull tension. I went by the specks online and it said to cut 21' and 19' from my 40' package. I felt like I would have needed to be at least 23' on the mains to have enough string left to pull the final string. I also know that would only leave 17' for the crosses which I don't think will be enough to finish the crosses and pull the final string there. Has anyone else strung one of these on this machine? If so, what lengths are you cutting so that you have just enough string to pull the final mains and crosses? Thanks for any guidance you can provide.

Missing some key information... What String and tension?
 

cincyMike

Rookie
I almost hate to admit this, but in order to get the final string tensioned I tied a little extra string to the end and used that to manually pull a little tension on it. It felt like it was probably only pulling like 30 lbs, but at that point I couldn't think of another solution. I am absolutely positive this has to be a major no no, but panic set in and I tried to improvise.
 

esgee48

G.O.A.T.
Look up bridging (use a scrap string to get to gripper)

21' should have been enough to get to gripper on both side of mains. You need to measure how much string was cut off when you finish tying off the main that did reach the gripper. Next time use that extra string on the other side.

One trick I learned a long time ago was to pre string (no tension) all the mains. Leave enough string on both sides to reach gripper (normally 12-18"); then cut. If you have a 40' package, the remainder should be enough for crosses. I don't take the mains off; just mount frame and start pulling.
 

cincyMike

Rookie
Look up bridging (use a scrap string to get to gripper)

21' should have been enough to get to gripper on both side of mains. You need to measure how much string was cut off when you finish tying off the main that did reach the gripper. Next time use that extra string on the other side.

One trick I learned a long time ago was to pre string (no tension) all the mains. Leave enough string on both sides to reach gripper (normally 12-18"); then cut. If you have a 40' package, the remainder should be enough for crosses. I don't take the mains off; just mount frame and start pulling.

Bridging seems like a great solution. I wish I had thought of that method instead of knotting the strings together to accomplish this. This should take care of this issue if I run into it again. Thank you for the advice.
 

eelhc

Hall of Fame
Missing some key information... What String and tension?

I apologize, I am using Lux 4g @ 52 lbs.


So how much string did you have left over after doing the crosses? There should have been plenty of string left over for that frame, string and tension.

Keep track of it in a notebook/spreadsheet... This will give you a reference for the future on how much to cut for the mains from the set.

Also... How did you measure the 21 feet? Built in ruler after uncooiling? (27" racquet is 2.25 feet of 2 feet 4 inches). 4 racquet lengths = 9 feet, 8 = 18 feet, etc... 21 feet I would measure out 9 racquet lengths and just eyeball an additional 1/3 racquet length.
 

cincyMike

Rookie
So how much string did you have left over after doing the crosses? There should have been plenty of string left over for that frame, string and tension.

Keep track of it in a notebook/spreadsheet... This will give you a reference for the future on how much to cut for the mains from the set.

Also... How did you measure the 21 feet? Built in ruler after uncooiling? (27" racquet is 2.25 feet of 2 feet 4 inches). 4 racquet lengths = 9 feet, 8 = 18 feet, etc... 21 feet I would measure out 9 racquet lengths and just eyeball an additional 1/3 racquet length.

I laid a 25 ft tape measurer out on the ground and ran the length to 21 and cut.

I would say there was maybe 18 inches to 2 feet at the end of the crosses. I probably should have measured this to plan for the next time. The log is a really good idea. I will definitely use that this time. I just bought another one so plan to try again tonight. I will update on how that goes.
 

1HBHfanatic

Legend
I laid a 25 ft tape measurer out on the ground and ran the length to 21 and cut.
...........

save yourself some time here:
TIP:
grab the measuring tape and measure your arm spread(wing span), from left finger tip to right finger tip, youll find that its close to 5', use that as your quick and dirty measuring guide.. 4x this span and you have 20'...

no more laying string down...
just one suggestion!! i believe there are youtube vids on this also..
 

cincyMike

Rookie
save yourself some time here:
TIP:
grab the measuring tape and measure your arm spread(wing span), from left finger tip to right finger tip, youll find that its close to 5', use that as your quick and dirty measuring guide.. 4x this span and you have 20'...

no more laying string down...
just one suggestion!! i believe there are youtube vids on this also..

I'm not going to lie, this sounds like a much better way of doing it! I like the accuracy of the tape measurer, but scooting across the floor on my hands and knees trying to keep the string in place as I switch hands was not the most fun thing I've done. lol
 

Irvin

Talk Tennis Guru
To be on the safe side use 3" short of 5 racket lengths (11' ) for the short side. After tying off the mains use the remainder of the long side to string for the crosses using a starting knot.
 

Wes

Hall of Fame
Mike,

Now that you have specified the string & tension, please answer this...
What is the length (in inches) from 12 o'clock (top of the bumper guard) to 6 o'clock (outer most portion of the center throat grommet)?
Also, what is the measurement from 3 o'clock to 9 o'clock ( at the widest aspect)?
 

Irvin

Talk Tennis Guru
Just strung a Cross Bow 10 (16x19 124 si) using the method I discussed in post #14 with 36' and a 10' short side using Multifeel 17. I know that's a multi v poly and 16 v 18 Main racket but I had plenty of string for the racket. KM site calls for 38'.

EDIT: Using two separate pieces of string (20' & 18') I doubt you could go much lower than 38'.
 
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nacolo

New User
I recently strung a Head Speed Pro 18x20 2014 model and ran into a bit of an issue. I am using a gamma x2 drop weight stringer and ended up not having enough string left over on the mains to pull tension. I went by the specks online and it said to cut 21' and 19' from my 40' package. I felt like I would have needed to be at least 23' on the mains to have enough string left to pull the final string. I also know that would only leave 17' for the crosses which I don't think will be enough to finish the crosses and pull the final string there. Has anyone else strung one of these on this machine? If so, what lengths are you cutting so that you have just enough string to pull the final mains and crosses? Thanks for any guidance you can provide.

This is my restring jurnal, hope this helps:
"4/9/15, 69th restring, moved X2 machine upstair, Lisa's old room.
Head LM MP 98,18x20, broken by Nancy, top center main, 1LM on 4/8/15 hitting.
Restrung with yellow Prince Syn Gut Duraflex 16: 20 feet 6 inches on Mains, 18'' tails each side.
Crosses: Forten Nylon 16, 17.5 feet , 19'' long tail with starting knot.
Tension:58# on main, 56# on cross."
 

chrisingrassia

Professional
I recently strung a Head Speed Pro 18x20 2014 model and ran into a bit of an issue. I am using a gamma x2 drop weight stringer and ended up not having enough string left over on the mains to pull tension. I went by the specks online and it said to cut 21' and 19' from my 40' package. I felt like I would have needed to be at least 23' on the mains to have enough string left to pull the final string. I also know that would only leave 17' for the crosses which I don't think will be enough to finish the crosses and pull the final string there. Has anyone else strung one of these on this machine? If so, what lengths are you cutting so that you have just enough string to pull the final mains and crosses? Thanks for any guidance you can provide.
Why bother cutting it if using the same string?
 

jaxadam

Rookie
grab the measuring tape and measure your arm spread(wing span), from left finger tip to right finger tip, youll find that its close to 5', use that as your quick and dirty measuring guide.. 4x this span and you have 20'...

Fun tip: wing span is generally equal to a person's height, so a 6'0" will generally have a tip to tip wing span of 6'0" as well. Pretty neat.
 

Wes

Hall of Fame
I'm not going to lie, this sounds like a much better way of doing it! I like the accuracy of the tape measurer, but scooting across the floor on my hands and knees trying to keep the string in place as I switch hands was not the most fun thing I've done. lol

If you choose to use a tape measure (instead of racquet lengths), make life easy on yourself and use it like a yard stick... pull out 3 feet of tape and measure just 3 feet at a time.
You know... 3, 6, 9, etc.
(Hand smacking forehead... "wow, I coulda had a V8!" right?)

Can't imagine trying to find 25 linear feet of floor space... then laying down 25' of measuring tape... then trying to hold down 25' of string on a measuring tape that's trying to slide all over the place.
That might be a hilarious YouTube video idea. :wink:
 

1HBHfanatic

Legend
Fun tip: wing span is generally equal to a person's height, so a 6'0" will generally have a tip to tip wing span of 6'0" as well. Pretty neat.

Yup. Good point. I left that point open for the taller stringers in our bunch..
i was teaching this kid how to string recenttly, i had him spread arms out with measuring tape, he initially gave me a wtf look :confused: . but soon after, the old oic.brilliant look:shock:

I use this to guesstimate everything in life now. That needs measuring.. even my ego.. 3x wingspans :)
 
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cincyMike

Rookie
Wanted to report back that the 2nd time around went much smoother thanks to all of your posts. I ended up measuring out 11ft using the wingspan method. I didn't pre-cut the string figuring it would leave me with the max for crosses if I just cut it after I finish the mains. I know that creates a little more work on the mains for pulling the string through, but it was worth it for the reassurance that I would have enough to pull tension on that final main and be able to have enough string to do that.

I really appreciate the advice and guidance as I know I have a lot to improve upon in my stringing endeavor.
 
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