Tension loss to "String-used-to-tie-knot-with"

[luie]

Hello,

I am wondering what method YOU use to lessen the tension loss to the "String-used-to-tie-knot-with".
(eg. the string that is used to tie-off the main)

-In the USRSA booklet, it recommends ignoring it.
-Suggested some people increase tension up to 5lbs on the last main string before tie-off.
-Some people poke something into the grommet to lessen tension loss


Which method do YOU use and why/why not?
Are there other better methods?


PS. I strung my first racket yesterday. I ignored the tension loss.

 

[A.T.S.]

Hello,

I am wondering what method YOU use to lessen the tension loss to the "String-used-to-tie-knot-with".
(eg. the string that is used to tie-off the main)

-In the USRSA booklet, it recommends ignoring it.
-Suggested some people increase tension up to 5lbs on the last main string before tie-off.
-Some people poke something into the grommet to lessen tension loss


Which method do YOU use and why/why not?
Are there other better methods?


PS. I strung my first racket yesterday. I ignored the tension loss.

I use this method but only 3 lbs higher.

 

[LoveThisGame]

Keep ignoring it. Don't worry about things one can't really control well.

 

[Jonny S&V]

Hello,

I am wondering what method YOU use to lessen the tension loss to the "String-used-to-tie-knot-with".
(eg. the string that is used to tie-off the main)

-In the USRSA booklet, it recommends ignoring it.
-Suggested some people increase tension up to 5lbs on the last main string before tie-off.
-Some people poke something into the grommet to lessen tension loss


Which method do YOU use and why/why not?
Are there other better methods?


PS. I strung my first racket yesterday. I ignored the tension loss.

I up the poundage by 2 pounds.

 

[bsandy]

I clamp the last string off as close to the frame as possible, and make sure I pull the string completely through the grommets, before I tie the knot.

It really doesn't matter that much, as long as you don't leave a bunch of slack, and you always do it the same way, for consistency.

. . . Bud

 

[Court_Jester]

I used to raise the tension by 3 lbs on the last mains but I hardly do that anymore. It doesn't really make that much difference, unless you hit the outer mains all the time.

 

[A.T.S.]

I used to raise the tension by 3 lbs on the last mains but I hardly do that anymore. It doesn't really make that much difference, unless you hit the outer mains all the time.

I just think to myself i'm already here why not do it so I feel satisfied with what I did and know I will not regret not doing it.

 

[Loco4Tennis]

i initially increased the tension to the 3 pounds mentioned on the booklet, but i would often forget to do so, i'm wondering whether making sure the bar level is above 3 inches from horizontal before i clamp, gives me the extra 2 or 3 lbs i need.

 

[Koz]

The tension is TIGHTEST when the bar is completely horizontal. Even if the bar is above horizontal, the tension will still be LOWER than if it were at horizontal.

I just ignore the slight tension loss when tying knots. I try to cinch up the knots really close to the frame, and clamp that last main as close as I can. Good enough for me

 

[iplaybetter]

i ignore it and just make sure the slack from last main to tie-off is not to much

 

[IanRichardson]

i up it between 3 and 5 lbs depending on the string and how tight i am stringing the frame, i have found my string jobs feel much more professional when i do this than when i ignore it.

 

[goober]

I use to tension 3 lbs higher, but now I just deal with it. I haven't really noticed a difference it play at all which is why I don't care that much. The only thing is annoying is that the outer mains move a little more than the rest.

 

[TheSneakerologist]

I tension like 5 pounds higher but seriously it doesn't really matter unless you are a atp pro.

 

[Gmedlo]

I usually tension the last string through the hole that I am going to tie off on, then stick my awl in there to keep the string in place. It's always consistent, but it doesn't work when I don't have much string length or the racquet I'm stringing has a thick beam.

There isn't anything wrong with this method, is there?

Oh yeah, this might seem weird but when I don't use that method or increase tension, I can feel the "looser" side while hitting. If I don't do anything about it the stringbed feels uneven and thus the racquet feels unstable, which I absolutely hate.

 

[budkid]

I up the poundage by 2 pounds.

yes...up the pounds to 2 when you are on the last 2 mains or crosses on each side.

 

[xtremerunnerars]

If you clamp close enough to the frame and tie a knot without a loop on the outside of the racquet, you should be fine I think.

 

[iplaybetter]

If you clamp close enough to the frame and tie a knot without a loop on the outside of the racquet, you should be fine I think.

outside knot those are dangerous

 

[Pusher]

At least one stringing guru recommends increasing tension on the last two pulls by 8 lbs.I increase it by 5 lbs on both the mains and crosses.

 

[xtremerunnerars]

What stringing guru would that be?

I don't mean an outside knot iplaybetter, I mean a knot that isn't too good. If you don't get all of the string through the grommet, sometimes there is a loose loop of string instead of a taut straight line.

 

[meh]

What stringing guru would that be?

One who is on the boards right now (or, at least, recently) is JayCee. He recommends +8 on the last 2 pulls.

There's a reason machines have a "knot-pull" function. Customers more or less equate quality with tight outer mains, I've found...

 

[LoveThisGame]

Customers more or less equate quality with tight outer mains, I've found...

Since they're wrong, why not educate customers and show that you know your stuff?

 

[meh]

Since they're wrong, why not educate customers and show that you know your stuff?

Lack of interest; most aren't interested in the technical stuff. They want one answer to their question, and fast.

Boss tells me to use the knot-pull function, so I do it. What do I know anyways? I'm just the college kid on the machine in the side room.

 

[User Name]

the best way to do it and pretty much neutralize it completely is...

>tension it about 2lbs higher.

>Tie off with a double half-hitch.

>When you tie the first hitch, put the extra string in your needle nose pliers and wrap it around them. This should create a tool that resembles the lawn mowers pull cord.

>Now, lock your machine and pull the string up the main, and with a quick pull motion, pull it back down. Keep on doing this until you can no longer pull. This will remove all the slack.

>Then add the next half hitch and pull tight.

This will Be the best way to do it. You might find that after you complete the stringing, it seems like it can move easier than the other strings, but when you think about it, you have a main on one side and nothing on the other (until you get to the frame). The main next to it will make it want to move away toward the frame.

Hope this helped. Good luck.

 

[nickb]

Since they're wrong, why not educate customers and show that you know your stuff?

Who says they are wrong...I dont like MY outer mains 2 be loose so I up the tension by 8lbs on the tie offs....I string for myself. I also string for a pro shop and at home for 60+ people and always add 8lbs.....guess I dont know my stuff.

 

[TennsDog]

I ignore it. I figure tension loss is the least of my worries if I'm hitting the ball with the last main (and likely also the frame). I figure that shot is probably a lost cause, and if it's not, I can probably use the lower tension to help get the ball over the net. I certainly don't believe the exact tension of the last (even 3) mains are anything to be concerned about.

 

[gjoc]

I figure tension loss is the least of my worries if I'm hitting the ball with the last main (and likely also the frame).

lol, same here. I ignore it too.

As long as you're doing two-piece stringing, such that any reduced tension is symetrical, you actually could make a case that it's preferable that way, since, to the extent that the reduced tension creeps over towards the middle, it will give you a stringbed that's closer to one that's been done proportionally.

 

[TennsDog]

lol, same here. I ignore it too.

As long as you're doing two-piece stringing, such that any reduced tension is symetrical, you actually could make a case that it's preferable that way, since, to the extent that the reduced tension creeps over towards the middle, it will give you a stringbed that's closer to one that's been done proportionally.

I hate to argue with someone who agrees with me, but I find that tension "creep" is minimal if anything. The friction force at the grommets is very high, and I'd bet they are a good bit higher than the tension force on the string throughout the stringbed (not to mention all the friction force at string intersections preventing movement as well). While I know it isn't a perfect tool, it is consistent and does give good relative numbers, I have used the StringMeter tool to test my rackets, and each string is different, even slightly different on the length of a string. This only leads to more support for the argument that a couple pounds less tension on the last string won't make a difference.

 

[gjoc]

Oh no, I don't disagree with any of that...

My only point was that, if you have two extremes, where one end of the spectrum is a proportional stringing and the other end of the spectrum is a perfectly constant-tension stringing (i.e., somehow tied off with no tension loss whatsoever), the ignored-tension-loss-from-knot-tying-stringing is somewhere between those two extremes, which fans of proportional stringing would argue is a move in the right direction.

As far as the reduced tension creeping over towards the middle, I don't think it does very much either, though I don't know that it doen't at all, especially depending on the particular racquet being strung (Babolat woofers, Prince O3s, etc.).

 

[tbini87]

it is not a big deal, you can use whatever method you want, but just keep it consistent. i also have noticed that many novice players do think that a quality job depends on tight outer mains. if they are loose they think you did not do a good job. pick a way, and stay with it.