How much can a racket distort if I string with a 2-point machine?

**inzaniak** · 09-12-2011, 04:37 PM

Hello there.
I just inherited a really old stringing machine.
It has a 2-point mounting system and an electric or electronic tensioner (I never did learn the exact difference on that).
Now I have some experience stringing rackets but both of the machines I've used so far were 6-point cranks.
As I started stringing my voltric70 I noticed that the sides of the frame (middle of the crosses) started moving apart. I did expect this but when I had only put tension on 14 strings, 7 on each side, the gap had widened by half a centimeter and that is when I lost my nerve.

So my question is if it's normal for the gap to widen so much? How much do they generally widen when doing the mains?
I was only stringing at 9kg or 20 lbs and maybe 0.5 cm is nothing but it's a new racket so of course I am nervous

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated and I hope I did not leave out any important information.

**bsmith** · 09-12-2011, 09:01 PM

Read this thread http://www.badmintoncentral.com/foru...I-go-for/page2 beginning at post #19. Significant distortion on two point machines is quite common even at low tensions. That thread will explain how to use temporary cross strings to fight the distortion.

**Mark A** · 09-13-2011, 03:17 AM

If you're worried about 3/9 spreading you can buy (or make) a tool that goes across the racket and keeps the original width. I wish I could find it (maybe another member knows where it is) but there's a picture of a guy holding up a racket - outside a machine - that only has mains in with this black bar across the middle.