Strings keep breaking

[sstchur]

I've strung for a friend 3 times now, and each time, within about 1-3 hours, he's broken the strings in the same place (left of center mains at the top, roughly equal distance).

Based on Yulitle's video, this would indicate wear on the outside, like having scraped the frame and scuffed the string or something.

But I don't think that is the case 3 times in a row. This guy is not a string breaker either.

The racquet is a Prince Ozone Seven. I'm wondering if there is a rough edge somewhere around one of the speedport holes? I looked, but I didn't really notice anything that would appear problematic.

At first, I thought, "okay, maybe it's just me. maybe I notched the string, or make a mistake stringing -- was careless or something, whatever."

But 3 times in a row now... something is not right.

Ideas?

 

[drakulie]

^^could be his is shanking his shots.

 

[schap02]

What type of strings is he using?
Ozone racquets are known to tear Polys apart quickly...

Just a thought...

I have plenty of clients who break strings that quickly but if he's not a breaker it could be the grommets or type of string ect...

Post a little more info and maybe a pic or two, I'm sure we could figure something out...

 

[TheRed]

^^could be his is shanking his shots.

Agree. If the grommets are new enough, it's because he's shanking. I have a friend that breaks strings everything this way. The only thing preventing it is to use kevlar strings.

 

[drakulie]

^^^Or tube that section, if he is indeed shanking.

 

[Irvin]

Bad grommet or worn down so the string is hitting on the court.

Irvin

 

[HitItHarder]

If he is breaking polys, it sounds like he may be hitting at the edge of the string bed at the top frame -- causing the strings to break. Some call this shearing.

I started stringing for a guy that was breaking Enduro Tour almost every time he hit at the top of the frame. He came to me to see if I could come up with a better solution. Since the grommets were fine and the bumper guard didn't seem worn at the top enough to cause the strings to get damaged, I figured that Enduro Tour just didn't hold up well to that particular stress.

I switched him out to TurboTwist and that has helped so far. Going on two weeks without a break.

So what string is his using? Maybe try to switch it out with something else to see if he has the same problem.

Also, tell him to stop hitting the ball at the edge of the frame.

 

[sstchur]

Thanks for the tips.

The strings aren't "strong" or stiff by any means. It was Forten Sweet the first two times (16) and then he tried Gosen OSGM 16.

*I* can break those strings quickly, but he says normally a basic synth gut would last him 3 months!

I don't have a pic right now, but it's breaking on those O port holes, so not a grommet, per se. Nothing looked worn around that area though, so I dunno.

Can you use tubing with those O port holes? Would it help?

I did tell him that I could use a poly if he wanted and it would be a lot less likely to break, but I don't feel like that is a "real" solution, since, in the past, he hasn't had this problem.

I'm not ruling out that it's something I'm doing -- stringer error. But, I've strung plenty of these kinds of Prince racquets (and others). I've never had this problem personally, and no one I've strung for has either.

 

[kiteboard]

Shear breaks.

 

[Irvin]

Bad grommet or racket worn. O Port rackets have a tendency to crack and the string gets down in that crack. Use some tubing and the problem will go away.

Irvin

 

[David123]

happened to me back in the day broke a racket everyday because i was hitting relatively close to the top of the racket, thats where i like to hit. Today i hit in between the top and centre maybe a bit more centre like.

 

[Lakers4Life]

It's possible tensionhead gripper damage or clamp damage. The distance from the gripper head is about the length of a main. Then the damaged gripped area goes through the grommet where it gets even more damaged.

If you suspect a grommet may be the culprit, tube it like everyone suggests.