Stringers: Is it acceptable to pull tension on every other cross?

[lively]

I have always pulled tension on every cross and main but was talking to a high level player a few days ago and while we were talking about stringing he mentioned that he pulls tension every other cross, which would mean all the tension on the same side every time and seems like a not-so-good idea but would definitely speed up the stringing process. Guess you could alternate sides every stringing, still seems like a bad idea for the integrity of the frame.

Anyone that has done this, how badly would the tension be effected by this technique?

 

[Soundbyte]

Do you mean he only tensions half of the crosses? That sounds terrible

 

[lively]

Do you mean he only tensions half of the crosses? That sounds terrible

Yes! There’s no way it can be accurate ??

 

[mad dog1]

I have always pulled tension on every cross and main but was talking to a high level player a few days ago and while we were talking about stringing he mentioned that he pulls tension every other cross, which would mean all the tension on the same side every time and seems like a not-so-good idea but would definitely speed up the stringing process. Guess you could alternate sides every stringing, still seems like a bad idea for the integrity of the frame.

Anyone that has done this, how badly would the tension be affected by this technique?

horrible idea

 

[Wes]

@lively,

No, this is not considered acceptable.

Each cross string should be tensioned independently.
The same is also true (the vast majority of the time) for the main strings as well.

In rare instances, you actually are supposed to tension the mains two-at-a-time (pulling tension only from the head end of the frame) - however this is never called for when installing crosses.
Furthermore, this "exception to the rule" (tensioning 2 mains together, from the head end) is more likely to occur when stringing certain racquetball (and sometimes squash) frames. It is very rare in tennis stringing.

Cheers, Wes

 

[Irvin]

I think it puts all the stress on the far side of the racket away from the tensioner and a much lower tension on all the odd crosses assuming you’re pulling only even crosses. My guess it it’s a lazy way to string a racket and you give up the advantage of stringing crosses 1 ahead.

 

[fritzhimself]

Anyone that has done this, how badly would the tension be effected by this technique?

Perhaps you can answer your own question based on my video?

Debate Topic: Do Cross Strings Actually Experience Lower Tension Than Mains When Set to Equal Tension on a Stringing Machine?

I remember seeing one of the Youtube creators measure the tension on the main strings and then the cross strings right after completing the racquet. The main strings showed a higher tension and the cross strings were 6-8lbs less after being pulled at the same tension. I've been stringing for 35+...

tt.tennis-warehouse.com

 

[stapletonj]

No way this is a serious question..... Although, Wes, you being the consummate pro on this, you mention that there are VERY rare exceptions....... I have never encountered or even head of such a thing. Can you give us an example or two for tennis rackets?

 

[Irvin]

I have never encountered or even head of such a thing. Can you give us an example or two for tennis rackets?

Wilson Ultra XP 125 I string 2 of these 4 times a year for a senior lady. As a matter of fact just strung them for her last week for the new seasons (ALTA, USTA, and T2 Tennis) coming up. As @Wes said it’s very rare in tennis and the Ultra XP 125 is the only racket I know of.

EDIT: Because of the way the strings must be staggered around the bridges in the throat it would be difficult to tension and clamp the string in the throat and get them positioned correctly.

EDIT: BTW this is the only racket I’m aware of where you can use less string to string to string 2 piece than 1 piece. when I string this racket I use a starting clamp, set up with a bridging string, when I start the mains. After tensioning the R3 main I remove the starting clamp and spacer and clamp L1 with the machine clamp from L2. Fun racket to string because it is very different.

 

[Wes]

No way this is a serious question..... Although, Wes, you being the consummate pro on this, you mention that there are VERY rare exceptions....... I have never encountered or even head of such a thing. Can you give us an example or two for tennis rackets?

Prince Triple Threat Ring

Wilson Ultra XP 125

Potentially, the Prince O3 Speedport Gold (if/when using its "Strung-Thru Throat Insert")

 

[mad dog1]

Prince Triple Threat Ring

Wilson Ultra XP 125

Potentially, the Prince O3 Speedport Gold (if/when using its "Strung-Thru Throat Insert")

C’mon, who ya kidding? Those are snowshoes, not racquets.

 

[Irvin]

In rare instances, you actually are supposed to tension the mains two-at-a-time (pulling tension only from the head end of the frame) - however this is never called for when installing crosses.

There was a Prince O Port racket where Prince suggested tensioning the bottom 2 crosses by double pulling. I think it was a version of the Red O port.

EDIT: Of course you could use a machine brake to tension each cross separately.

 

[nyta2]

I have always pulled tension on every cross and main but was talking to a high level player a few days ago and while we were talking about stringing he mentioned that he pulls tension every other cross, which would mean all the tension on the same side every time and seems like a not-so-good idea but would definitely speed up the stringing process. Guess you could alternate sides every stringing, still seems like a bad idea for the integrity of the frame.

Anyone that has done this, how badly would the tension be affected by this technique?

Ive done it, many times, but wouldn’t recommend.

Usually because a last minute hit that I didn’t expect was set up, and I only had like 15-20m to string a racquet.

Side note, I’ve also hand strung a racquet for fun and due to time/location (eg was on vacation.. tightened by hand and/or using a dowel to wrap the string around)

Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do when the tennis bug bites

 

[stapletonj]

Wow..... thanks guys!

 

[Wes]

C’mon, who ya kidding? Those are snowshoes, not racquets.

Nonetheless, someone has to know how to string these racquets... err, snowshoes.

 

[am1899]

Those prince power ring racquets and similar ektelon (racquetball), et al are the work of the devil. REAL PIA in squash particularly bc there’s so much less room to work (and see lol). Wouldn’t wish stringing those damn things on my worst enemy.