Stringer/ string tension question

[Jpin76]

Before I start, I have a gamma progression II 602 string machine and I was stringing a head youtek IG radical pro with head rip control 17 string.

I set the reference tension on machine to 57 lbs and a measured tension using racquet tune. Why did my tension come in at 60 lbs when I measured?

I've strung a few times before and the tension when I measure usually comes in 5-7lbs below my reference tension. I'm just wondering what would cuz the tension to be above my reference tension on my machine.

I apologize if this question has come up before but I did a search and could not find any info......

 

[esgee48]

Two possibilities. Did you set the tension correctly on the drop weight bar? Normally, 17 ga strings are set to a lower reference tension than 16 ga strings when using drop weight machines. The second possibility, assuming the reference tension is correct, is what were the settings input into RacquetTune? Rip Control is not a poly, and not a Syn Gut. It's a weird one, so you need to set the factors correctly to obtain good readings.

BTW, even with drop weights, you should be much closer than 5-7 lbs if you measure the racquet right after you take it off the machine.

 

[Jpin76]

Yes, tension was set correctly on machine.

I set racquet tune to syn gut for rip control since the app has a * next to syn gut which says "syn gut, nylon and multifilament." Other choices were gut, poly and Kevlar and I know rip doesn't fall into those categories.

Yes, I know my 5-7lb gap is pretty bad but I'm fairly new and I'll keep practicing.

 

[esgee48]

Look up poster Stoneage, who created RacquetTune. I think you need to input the settings for Rip Control unless some other poster already measured the string factors and has it on their iPhone. Ask posters Mikeler or Power Player if they've used this string. My recollection says they have in the past.

Rip Control is a polyolefin multi-ribbon multifilament. It's more 'poly like' then your initial choice.

Good luck.

 

[Jpin76]

Thanks. I'll do a search for the posters u mentioned....

Well, after 24 hours (no play) the strings have come down to 57 lbs which was my reference tension.......

 

[Irvin]

Did you try the custom string feature? This is your best bet.

RacquetTune works on the frequency it hears to determine the tension and stiffness. The frequency of the string is proportion to the structure, length, and diameter of the string. When using a constant pull machine you are constantly pulling the string at a preset tension. The longer a string is pulled the smaller diameter the string will be because it is constantly stretching. As the string relaxes the tensioner continues to pull the strings to maintain a constant tension. Depending on whether you are pulling the mains or crosses there can be a larger difference.

When pulling the crosses there is friction between the string and the two points where it contacts the frame (same as mains) and all the intersecting points when the cross strings intersects or crosses a main (unlike the mains.) Each of these friction points tends to lower tension. So it stands to reason if I measure the tension on a string directly out of the tensioner it will be greater than the tension on the other side of the racket. I have a video that show that. if you allow the tension on crosses to pull longer you will have much more stretch than a main will have relevant to the string length. That's why the JET Technique pulls the crosses for a longer period of time than the mains, to give time for friction to be overcome.

All of this plus drawback, knots, and other differences has an effect on frequency. For all those reasons the RacquetTune app will never be 100% accurate. So what you should understand is what it is good for. You measure a racket off the machine and at various points after it comes off for a comparison. Also if you string for others what good does it do them is they don't know you 'custom' string setup. So they may get something totally different from what you get. So if they want 55 on RacquetTune and you reading is 57 who is to say who is rit?

 

[Ramon]

Yes, tension was set correctly on machine.

I set racquet tune to syn gut for rip control since the app has a * next to syn gut which says "syn gut, nylon and multifilament." Other choices were gut, poly and Kevlar and I know rip doesn't fall into those categories.

Yes, I know my 5-7lb gap is pretty bad but I'm fairly new and I'll keep practicing.

The problem here is that you used a default string type. RIP Control is a unique string that is much less dense than your typical synthetic. I always use 16 gauge strings because I go through strings quickly. The default string factor for 16g syngut is 1.53, and all of the synthetics I used except for RIP Control were within .01 of the default value. I measured the string factor for RIP Control 16g at 1.34. This will result in a much lower reading. Since you have a drop weight stringer, it should take no more than 2 minutes for you to get a good string factor measurement if you follow the directions on RacquetTune.

 

[mikeler]

The problem here is that you used a default string type. RIP Control is a unique string that is much less dense than your typical synthetic. I always use 16 gauge strings because I go through strings quickly. The default string factor for 16g syngut is 1.53, and all of the synthetics I used except for RIP Control were within .01 of the default value. I measured the string factor for RIP Control 16g at 1.34. This will result in a much lower reading. Since you have a drop weight stringer, it should take no more than 2 minutes for you to get a good string factor measurement if you follow the directions on RacquetTune.

That does not surprise me that RIP Control is so far off the mark from the default. The string is so far off the mark from a typical multi, for some it is great and others it is terrible.

 

[okaythen]

my slazenger pro-braided racquet's tension recommendation is 55 to 60.......the stringer said if the string isn't nylon then you can string it higher or lower than that..is that true? if it is true then how much higher/lower can you string it? my string is yonex poly tour spin, thanks for your help

 

[Irvin]

my slazenger pro-braided racquet's tension recommendation is 55 to 60.......the stringer said if the string isn't nylon then you can string it higher or lower than that..is that true? if it is true then how much higher/lower can you string it? my string is yonex poly tour spin, thanks for your help

Most of the stress that is put on your racket is done while stringing. Whether you pull with nylon, gut, poly, or Kevlar does not matter. You can string your racket as tight as you dare to string it. If and when it breaks you will have your limit.

Like Dirty Harry said, "Do you fell lucky?" If not i would follow the manufacturer's recommendation. 10% higher would be fine. If you are going to go much higher follow Elmer Fudd's advice, "Be very very careful."

EDIT: I used to play with the St Vincent ProStaff and the recommendation was 65 +/- 5 lbs. I strung it as high as 84 lbs. Today the recommendation is much lower. When mid-size and over-size rackets first come out people wanted a feel similar to the older wood rackets so the manufacturers recommended higher tensions. Then everyone's arm started to hurt so the tensions came down. I don't think higher tensions is really that bad for the racket but it does put more stress on the racket and you when you go higher, especially if you are a big hitter.

 

[okaythen]

so to string it loose, you can string it as loose as you want right? no problem for the racquet since it's loose and not tight...thanks a lot for your help

 

[Irvin]

Loose isn't a problem and i like poly very loose while others don't. You're just going to get a softer feel, musher feel, trampoline feel, or whatever you want to call it. Stretching the string as it contacts the ball relieves a some of the stress on the frame and you.

Just like the old string and tin can telephone. The tighter the string the better vibrations are transferred to the can / racket.

 

[struggle]

so to string it loose, you can string it as loose as you want right? no problem for the racquet since it's loose and not tight...thanks a lot for your help

looser, to any degree and tighter to a certain degree will be fine.

what are you trying to do? that would help with answers.