The knots and loss of tension

[theazneyes]

I tie my knots the way the booklet tells me to, but the last main string always seems to be a little looser. It recommends me to string the last main string by 5 lbs more because of loss of tension when tieing a knot.

What's your way of stringing and knotting that decreases loss of tension?

 

[theace21]

Opinions will vary, but I don't make any adjustments in tension. They key is doing it the same everytime. I don't think a little loss in tension on the last strings are going to matter, but I know some stringers that increase the tension...Pick a method and stick to it!!!

 

[rasajadad]

I don't change tension, but I do push all the strings down with my fingers to kind of equalize the tension across all the mains.

 

[GoINdWnStAtE7]

I dont usually increase tension on the final pull...I do push on the mains and crosses like rasajadad and tie the same knot every time...I havent seemed to have any problems with it....

 

[psp2]

I don't change tension, but I do push all the strings down with my fingers to kind of equalize the tension across all the mains.

There is no way that you're "equalizing" the tension on all your mains. There is simply too much friction at the grommets/turns to make a significant difference. You are only making a small difference in the outermost 2 or 3 mains' tensions... that's about it.

 

[LoveThisGame]

As psp2 points out, thinking that the tension might even out, either over time or by "forcing"/encouraging it, it doesn't work that way.

And, even with heavy, brushing topspin, the ball isn't going to come in contact with the last couple of mains anyway.

 

[TennsDog]

I usually string the outter mains somewhat tighter, but I don't worry too much about poundage. I figure, if I'm using those strings often enough to make a difference in my performance, I have bigger issues to deal with besides string tension. Besides, if you do hit that part of the stringbed, you're going to be getting a lot of twising, and a little extra power from loose strings could help put the ball back over the net.

 

[PBODY99]

Whichever style you pick for dealing with the tie offs, just keep it the same. The outermost mains and crosses should not be an area you expect much from when you hit so the slight tension loss won't matter.