So heres my story, I started stringing rackets last year and everything was going smoothly until a few months ago where I frequently break rackets during a stringing job. They all break at the 4/8 o clock area when I get to the bottom half of the cross. I make sure that the supports are snug (not tight) when setting the racket up and I tighten them when they get loose during the cross. What is going on here!?!?!? p.s. Some rackets are older so I understand that they may have existing damage but I broke a brand new racket the other day so I have no idea what is going on.
take a picture of how you mount a racket and post here. likely the 4/8 supports are too high. or you can switch to bottoms up cross.
Sometimes the racket heads are a different size/shape so I have to adjust the 6/12 o clock supports so that the other supports do not block any holes. When I do this, would I have to reposition the other 4 supports since they would either shift up or down a racket?
What pattern are you using? if you are using the Gosen 2012 pattern, it is no surprise that it breaks at 4/8 o'clock if the racket isn't strong enough to start with, so, how you mount the racket matters!!! Bottom up patterns are always safer than upside down, I just don't like it that way!
If you are going top-down, the supports could be lower on the racket - your 4/8 supports could come in between B12 and B10, and your upper supports could move down a few holes.
Something has changed. Are the tensions bein strung now higher now than previously? If not, has the crank been altered and needs recalibrating?
What kind of pattern are u using? What kind of tension are u stringing the racket? If you do top-down method, 4/8 o'clock is going to be your racket's weak points. TBSSA recently has a discussion and research about this issue. Below are facts they found: 1. Bottom-up method is safer than Top-down method 2. If you'd like to mount your racket the way shown from your pictures and prefer the feeling of top-down method, they recommend patterns which has a protection cross string strung at B12-D12 before stringing crosses in sweat spot area. Some possible patterns are FA or Spider patterns that I posted earlier in this forum. If you're OK to move side supports, you can go with what Mark A suggested and keep using the same pattern you're using today. Otherwise, consider changing to another pattern.
Holy moly... I thought those white Superman symbols were the loadspreaders! That needs correcting immediately
I had an AT800Off die of high-noon-disease about five years ago... before I started with the load spreader. The thought of doing a racket without one now... it's like skydiving without a parachute.
You lightweights, I ticked ALL the boxes in the thread on reasons to string for yourself. Aren't those lower supports in the wrong holes? That probably helped break my first attempt at stringing.