Racquet Stringing [Optimum Tensioning of Cross Strings]

My curiosity inspired this video to find the proof behind why you should hold strings in a straight line when tensioning the crosses.

I strung one racquet six times on two machines, using three different methods. Although this experiment was time-consuming, it was fun finding out the results!

RELATED VIDEO MENTIONED

Check out the International Alliance of Racquet Technicians, their community of passionate racquet stringers, and what they have to offer!

REFERENCES

#amstringing #tennis #tennisstringing #tennisstringer #tennisstrings #stringing #stringer #tennisplayer #tennisracket #tennisracquet #tenniscourt #tenniscoach #tennispro #tennisfan #tennislover #tennisvideo #tennisaddict #prince #princetennis #hawaiitennis

[naokisonoda-hq]

Another great video! I appreciate that you substantiate your conclusions with quantifiable data. Thanks for taking the time to do this!

[abujabi]

Thanks, this is very helpful! I just got my first crank lockout machine and was wondering about this myself. You saved me a lot of effort!

[jamesdo]

Thank you for sharing. Happy stringing 😀

[sdmq]

Thank you. Learning something again on your videos.

[thecat]

Excellent, informative video! Always wondered what the differences might be.

[acasius]

Fab experiment. Much appreciate your time and effort.

[MiS-jygm]

Not related to this topic in particular,
What I noticed is that dynamic tension is different between dense and open string patterns, for same model of racquet (Donnay Pro One 97 16x19 and Donnay Pro One 97 18x20) after stringing them with same string at same tension.

Please help me finding that video of yours if you already run that kind of test.

What I am trying to find is, comparison between racquet string bed stiffness differences for same model/spec racquets with different string patterns 16x19 vs 18x20 using one type of string

[satjiwan]

Loved it. How would you summarize the conclusions on best method? Ie what are you going to do for most racquets going forward? Is that for your own internal consistency or to approx match other stringers?

One take away I had was that lockout machines results are a couple pounds lighter than constant pull. I list“cp” on my stringing labels so if someone else is restringing, they can know what kind of machine is used. And if I know I’m restringing after a lock out machine. I may drop two pounds tension to give customer same feel that they are used to.

My other take aways after viewing once - is that the straight line pull is highest, so maybe drop a pound or two to get closer to target tension.

However if there’s a couple pounds variability, should stringers disclose which method they do on the label, so a future stringer can know how to copy or adjust?

[applesforakbar]

Cheers Albert — so for a LO machine, do you have any suggestion to what method to use? Is straight line the 'best' under most circumstances?

[nicolelee]

When stringing rackets, would you recommend releasing the base clamp before the string clamp or visa versa and why? Thanks!

[tonynguyen]

Nice video! Been watching a lot of your videos to learn more and get better at stringing myself. Are you stringing in Hawaii?

[ΚΞΝΖΘ]

Great vid & experiment coach AM! 😎👍
Which shaped string did u use & what gauge?
Were u also consistent with the time between each pull & string clamp?
One thing I learned from Richard Parnell is to minimize the distance between the string from the racket to the tension head. Given that, it’s always best to keep the strings as straight as possible during tensioning to keep the distance to tension head shortest so there is less string being stretched on each pull.
The reasoning for my questioning about the consistency of time on each pull is the longer each pull is during string straightening will also result in a higher sbs. This will be less for lockout than for cp, but if you are slow to reach lockout especially at higher tension zone right before lockout, that would also be similar.
Sorry to hear about your ERT being broken. It would’ve been good to see the comparison of readings with it. I am surprised the RDC being off on the very first reading. Maybe it was just getting warmed up.
I’ve been reaching out to Beers Technic for over a year about the availability of the ERT, but it kept getting pushed back. You may want to pick up a MSV Micro STT which uses the same frequency method to measure the DT. Only difference is it requires one manual knock of the frame. Mahalo! 🤙

[forgetfulpriestiv]

Tell me you like Prince without telling me you like Prince lol you know your dealing with a more old school guy if they are a Prince fan

[PCSStringing]

Great experiment, Albert. Thanks for sharing! 🎾