Strings Getting Caught While Stringing

Jayden Chen

New User
Hello, After I weave the string while I am stringing crosses and i start pulling all the strings through, 30% of the time the loop gets caught in some weird places like on the clamps, the turn table, sometimes the tensioner. It's really frustrating since I have to pull some strings back out and fix it. It adds so much time to stringing.
Is there any tip to prevent or minimize this? Thank you!
 

jim e

Legend
Keep the end of the string in control, as there are many ways to do this. You also need to know where you are placing your string and just not slop it wherever it may go.
I typically place a rubber band over my watch so as to keep end of string near by I place end of string just under the rubber band. My watch helps prevent the end of string from digging into my arm when I slide string end under the rubber band.
It really cuts down on time as well as you do not need to grab string and find the end, as you will know where the end is at all times. This helps even more when you string a one piece job.
I sent this stringing tip to the USRSA and they published it in their magazine a few months back (Feb. issue 2017)
Give it a try, as it will save time.
Happy stringing. Jim
 
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ElMagoElGato

Semi-Pro
You can avoid the tensioner like @Herb says. I pull by left hand some times but then just watch the loop. There're other spots like screw handles on the machine. I covered them so that the string would slip away when it gets there. The 30% can be reduced to less than 10%.
 

esgee48

G.O.A.T.
I always pull strings with one hand and keep the other hand on the other side of the frame where the string enters. I also watch as the string goes in. Normally, you can see whether the string is going to catch on something and stop pulling before this happens. Once the string is pulled thru completely, I stick the end into the next grommet hole.
 

chrisingrassia

Professional
Get used to it :cool:
That loop will get caught on anything and everything that sticks up/down/out/in/across/underneath on the machine. It's annoying for sure.
 

struggle

Legend
I once strung my racket to the machine due to these problems.

It's like leaving the drain plug out when you change the oil in your car.
Only happens once.
 

esgee48

G.O.A.T.
ONLY ONCE? I can recall this happening to me at least 3 times. When I am in a hurry. I attribute this to me being a very slow learner. :)
 

Jayden Chen

New User
I once strung my racket to the machine due to these problems.

It's like leaving the drain plug out when you change the oil in your car.
Only happens once.
I still new to the 6 point mount, Just the other day I strung over the mount. Felt like an idiot.
 

Irvin

Talk Tennis Guru
I still new to the 6 point mount, Just the other day I strung over the mount. Felt like an idiot.
Sooner or later you will find when you go to unmonitored the racket it's harder when it's strung to the stringer. But I wouldn't know about that.

EDIT: That's just what I've been told. LOL
 

struggle

Legend
Yeah, only once......so far. As Irvin said, it's really hard to unmount the racquet once you've done such.

At least i use cheap string (it was my racquet).
 

tennytive

Hall of Fame
Concerning the end of the string, I keep it in my left hand, wrap the loaded string around and into the tensioner grip, then while the tension is being pulled, feed the end into the next main grommet and up to the other end as well. As the tension head is released, I pull the string through the next main with left hand while releasing sting from the tensioner with my right. I only do this with the mains because the crosses usually need pushing up against the previous to keep them as straight as possible. I can't pull the whole string through this way, but it gives me a good head start and I already have the end in my left hand again as I pull each successive main.

Learned this by watching some badminton stringers, they are really efficient with their movements.
 
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