Stringing with Gamma X-2, gap between ref. tension and RacquetTune readings

[tomato123]

Hi all, so I've been stringing on my Gamma X-2 for a while, and decided to do a bit of quality check by trying out the Racquet Tune app. I know that every string experiences tension loss even right out of the stringer, but my post is based on those who have said that they are able to get decently close tension readings with RacquetTune to their reference tension using crank/electric machines. I am also aware that the X-2 is not likely to produce that kind of consistency with RacquetTune.

With that said, my last few string jobs, I have been getting a RacquetTune reading of almost 10 lbs. lower than my reference tension on the X-2. That seems a bit high of a gap and maybe I am missing some best practice methods. So perhaps I could improve my stringing method to get the readings a bit closer than 10 lbs differential. I've tried cleaning out all my clamps before hand, tried using a starting clamp to start mains and no starting clamp, tried to follow Irvin's videos on the X-2, and I'm still getting 10 lbs. difference. Anything else to consider?

Another thought is to just string how I always do, but with a 10lb higher reference tension to get my desired RacquetTune based tension. But if I am looking for 60 lbs. on RacquetTune, that means I would have to set the reference tension to 70, and I wonder if that will cause the string to stretch pretty heavily and end up with some unintended consequences, esp. if using polyester.

Open to any advice and insights. Thank you.

 

[LOBALOT]

Hi: We need more info. What racquet are you stringing? What string and gauge are you using?

Can you please tell us what you have entered in the racquet for the racquet face area, number of mains, number of crosses, and also what the string factor is?

Please provide these from exactly what you have in the app.

Also what was the tension you strung the racquet and what reading are you getting.

You are stringing with flying clamps as you note but let's see where this ends up.

 

[tomato123]

Hi: We need more info. What racquet are you stringing? What string and gauge are you using?

Can you please tell us what you have entered in the racquet for the racquet face area, number of mains, number of crosses, and also what the string factor is?

Please provide these from exactly what you have in the app.

Also what was the tension you strung the racquet and what reading are you getting.

You are stringing with flying clamps as you note but let's see where this ends up.

Sure thing -

I am stringing the 3rd gen Pure Strike 100. On the app I have entered 100 sq. inch size, and 16x19 string pattern.

The last two string jobs were Luxilon Alu Power Rough 16L (1.25mm) with a string factor of 1.62 (based on my selection from the online database), and Tier One Firewire 16 (1.30mm) with a string factor of 1.60.

Both were strung at 60lbs, and right out of the strings, I had readings at 50lbs, and another at around 51 or 52lbs if I recall correctly.

Another side note - the first and last crosses on the Pure Strike 100 are quite close to the edge of the frame, which does not allow me to properly clamp those strings with the way the gamma flying clamps are made, and with the way the mounts are positioned. So I've had to actually mount the racuqet with the mounting bar at a diagonal angle to make room for the clamp at the top right corner. It's kind of a goofy way of setting it up which may possibly contribute to the end result tension loss, I can provide pictures if needed.

 

[travlerajm]

Sure thing -

I am stringing the 3rd gen Pure Strike 100. On the app I have entered 100 sq. inch size, and 16x19 string pattern.

The last two string jobs were Luxilon Alu Power Rough 16L (1.25mm) with a string factor of 1.62 (based on my selection from the online database), and Tier One Firewire 16 (1.30mm) with a string factor of 1.60.

Both were strung at 60lbs, and right out of the strings, I had readings at 50lbs, and another at around 51 or 52lbs if I recall correctly.

Another side note - the first and last crosses on the Pure Strike 100 are quite close to the edge of the frame, which does not allow me to properly clamp those strings with the way the gamma flying clamps are made, and with the way the mounts are positioned. So I've had to actually mount the racuqet with the mounting bar at a diagonal angle to make room for the clamp at the top right corner. It's kind of a goofy way of setting it up which may possibly contribute to the end result tension loss, I can provide pictures if needed.

Don’t worry about it. As long as you are getting consistent results, your stringing technique is good enough. Just use racquet tune to measure percent tension loss relative to tension fresh off the stringer. It doesn’t have to match your reference tension.

 

[Irvin]

I think you're stringing too tight for a copoly string it you have to use a ref tension of 70s to get high 50s. You're probably losing tension in your clamps. Try holding the string right at the edge of the clamp with your fingers when you release tension to see if the string slips any after releasing tension.

 

[tomato123]

I think you're stringing too tight for a copoly string it you have to use a ref tension of 70s to get high 50s. You're probably losing tension in your clamps. Try holding the string right at the edge of the clamp with your fingers when you release tension to see if the string slips any after releasing tension.

thank you. If that ends up being the case, is the problem likely either the clamp not being tight enough, or not being clean enough?

 

[Irvin]

thank you. If that ends up being the case, is the problem likely either the clamp not being tight enough, or not being clean enough?

I think it’s because the clamps are not good enough. I’m guessing you could tighten up the clamps so they would hold better but I’d be afraid of crushing the string too much. I’m thinking about ordering some Stringway clamps and give them a go. I love the Gamma X2 except for the clamps if you’re going to be using higher tensions. Then again there’s no guarantee the SW clamps are going to work either.

 

[tomato123]

I think it’s because the clamps are not good enough. I’m guessing you could tighten up the clamps so they would hold better but I’d be afraid of crushing the string too much. I’m thinking about ordering some Stringway clamps and give them a go. I love the Gamma X2 except for the clamps if you’re going to be using higher tensions. Then again there’s no guarantee the SW clamps are going to work either.

Got it. One more quick question if you don’t mind - what if I tried to reinforce the flying clamp with a starting clamp right next to the flying clamp during the release? Would that help reduce the slippage? Or would the slippage just occur anyway when I release the starting clamp?

 

[Irvin]

Got it. One more quick question if you don’t mind - what if I tried to reinforce the flying clamp with a starting clamp right next to the flying clamp during the release? Would that help reduce the slippage? Or would the slippage just occur anyway when I release the starting clamp?

You’re going to be putting a lot of pressure on the string near the frame which may cause shearing but not a bad idea. You can only do that on the mains though. And if you don’t get the clamps up against each other tight enough you’re still going to have slippage just not as much. Any time you have slippage from drawback your going to have a drop in tension.

I’ve had some luck on crosses using 2 clamps all the time. That way when you move a clamp after tensioning a string you DW bar does not fall. If you use a single clamp you don’t maintain enough back pressure on the string and you bar falls. If you do not relabel the bar you’ve just lost tension. If you do relieves the bar it take more time and you’ll never recover the tension lost on the previous cross.

 

[2nd Serve Ace]

Have you not seen the TW string information on tension loss? All actual tension is well below reference tension by 8-28 lbs depending on string material.

Its best to keep consistent with the RT for what feels right and adjust the reference tension to hit that target.

 

[norcal]

I regularly have a 8-9 lb difference between ref tension and RT app. I'm pretty careful about clamp slippage too. I think it's just a result of flying clamps and natural tension loss. As others have said, it's about consistency and measuring loss over the life of the string. (klippermate; PLII 18 m & OGSM 17 x).

edit: and klipper clamps are waay better than gamma (I have both).

 

[tennisbike]

Do keep in mind that any time when you change the parameters in RT, the numbers may not be comparable from one to another.

 

[Goat Stringer]

Mine are always 6lb higher than the set tension!

 

[brady1212]

I find with RT that the readings are usually 4-6 pounds lower than what I strung the racket at. I am using a lock out machine for reference.

 

[tennisbike]

Mine are always 6lb higher than the set tension!

Same exact racket and same exact string model/make, and tension and at certain time after strung and after hitting same amount of time? If so, you got lucky.
What RT measures is frequency, or simply the pitch of the sound of the string bed when "struck" at a certain way. You can measure and record that and record the trend of the frequency changes over time to give you an idea how the string bed changes. When parameters such as racket width, length, string type, string gauge.. are entered, this frequency is then calculated by some formula to approximate to the reference tension. I call them fudge factors. The resulting number is more meaningful to most people. And because of that people pay money for the app.
You can track your same string bed using the frequency or RT, either one will give you an idea how it changes over time. If you change other variables, you are essentially comparing apples and oranges.

 

[FIRETennis]

Sure thing -

I am stringing the 3rd gen Pure Strike 100. On the app I have entered 100 sq. inch size, and 16x19 string pattern.

The last two string jobs were Luxilon Alu Power Rough 16L (1.25mm) with a string factor of 1.62 (based on my selection from the online database), and Tier One Firewire 16 (1.30mm) with a string factor of 1.60.

Both were strung at 60lbs, and right out of the strings, I had readings at 50lbs, and another at around 51 or 52lbs if I recall correctly.

Another side note - the first and last crosses on the Pure Strike 100 are quite close to the edge of the frame, which does not allow me to properly clamp those strings with the way the gamma flying clamps are made, and with the way the mounts are positioned. So I've had to actually mount the racuqet with the mounting bar at a diagonal angle to make room for the clamp at the top right corner. It's kind of a goofy way of setting it up which may possibly contribute to the end result tension loss, I can provide pictures if needed.

I have always found that any Luxilon string pings a lot lower on Racquet Tune.
The readings are consistent but lower than the reference tension.
Could be an issue with the string factor or just the make-up of Luxilon strings making them resonate at different Hz compared to same tension / same diameter different compound polys.
I've noticed this with multiple strings and multiple stringing machines.

 

[Goat Stringer]

I string three yonex vcore pro 97 hd at 46/44
with 18g poly and it pings at 52lbs everytime.
I have watched them drop to around 42lb before they snap after about 5hrs of hitting.
I now tend to cut them out before they snap to give a more consistent stringbed tension and avoid putting stress on the frame.
It's a good method for checking my work, I don't know how accurate the measurement is but I suppose that doesn't really matter.

 

[Steve Huff]

Find one of your friends that's pretty picky about strings. String his at his normal tension and ask him if it feels too tight or too loose or pretty much correct. Like others have said, it's just a reference tension. Don't fret about the RT so much.

 

[KingBugsy]

I also string on the Gamma X-2 using the stock clamps with excellent results. I have only strung with poly strings. Have had no problems with slippage. I use the Tourna string meter to check tension right when I pull the racket off the stringer, and it always measures within a couple of lbs of where I set the X-2 tension. I also track the tension loss on the strings as I use the racket. The string meter seems to give me very accurate results.

Wanted to mention that I also use both clamps when doing the crosses. This also seems to help to maintain tension on the crosses during stringing. For me, the X-2 has worked great. Wanted to share my experience in case it may help someone else using this machine...

 

[thatoneguy1992]

The racquet tune app is like 10% off usually. I wouldn't entirely trust the racquet tune app tbh. The gamma tension checker on TW is worth the money

 

[Casper777]

Try the TennisTension app.... much more accurate worth the few bucks!!