I'm new to stringing, and tonight I've cracked my first racquet. Luckily it was my own. I'm trying to learn from this, and I'm wondering if anyone has some insights. I strung the mains at 25.5lbs. I started on the cross at 27.5lbs. About one-third the way up I heard a crack and found it about one-third the way from the top on the opposite side I was working on. I'm not sure why this happened, as I've successfully strung a few before without any problems. Although I usually only add 1lb to the cross, I've read people saying it should be 10%. Could this have caused it? Or perhaps it was my mount? Did I mount it incorrectly? I've got a 6-point mount (drop-weight machine with fly clamps.) Please feel free to ask questions. Right now I'm trying to figure out how to prevent this from happening again. Thanks
you need to give us more info. what racket? how old? condition? what pattern are you stringing? top down? bottom up? also it would be nice to post a picture of the racket mounted on the machine. the position of the supports makes a lot of difference.
The racket is a Nanoray 800, under one year old, in very good condition. Almost no chips, and no cracks. I'm using the Yonex recommended string pattern found on their website (second one under NR800). I started stringing the crosses from the bottom up as per the instructions. Here is a picture of the mounting: Here is where the crack happened: Thanks kwun for any insight you may provide.
Side supports are way too close to each other and not properly positioned. The upper ones should be about where the outter mains are or a little bit higher. I'd put the lower ones a little bit lower, but if you always string bottom up, it isn't a problem.
I don't think it's possible to move the side supports up that high? This is a Gamma Progression II 602 machine. I've looked in the manual and can't find anywhere to move the side support like that. Here's link to the manual. There's adjustments to the side support itself, but it only makes it swivel. Other than that I can move it in to tighten, or out to loosen.
the middle knob on both ends should move the centre posts inwards which will allow you to slide each set of mounts outwards. This will allow a greater gap for your side supports. Your machine should come with a manual that explains this. Otherwise, you can find the full instructions on the gamma website here: http://206.210.94.83/collaterals/pdf/Prog602-MP60212-Issue_5-Nov2012%20Web.pdf
I'd say the lower ones are about right for bottom-up - aim for where the racket will most "belly out" under 12-6 compression. The upper ones... yeh - way too low. Aim for between the shared holes at the top.
You rang? Idea is two-fold: a) bottom suports catch the E/W stress for the mains alone, b) top supports catche the "squeezed balloon" stress as the crosses go in from the bottom. I would like the top supports slightly higher on the racket - between the two shared holes - but the keyway in my 12 billiard doesn't let it move out any further. Might be worth a mod, but I was sending frames through in Birmingham at 33/33 and didn't kill any.
Hi, I appreciate everyone's help. I've got the center posts almost all the way inwards. I've tried to get that "gap" wider for the side supports, but this is about as much as it goes. I'll try fiddling again with it tonight. I'm wondering maybe it's this particular machine? Doesn't anyone have experience with this Gamma?
yup. the problem is that the support points are way too close to the middle of the racket. thus it is not supporting the weak part of the frame and thus it cracked. you need to move the columns at 12/6 o'clock further apart in order to move the support points. it is possible with your Gamma. look under the turntable/base and you should find 2 knobs there to loosen them up.
After fiddling around, I found I could pull the centre posts out a lot farther. I pulled on them while turning the knob, as opposed to just turning the knob. How's this looking?
Thanks everyone for your help! You guys are the best. I was able to string a few cheaper rackets with no problems. I just happened to crack an expensive one. Oh well, lesson learned. I seem to learn everything the hard way anyway.
Something else to check: when you string your next racket, after the two central mains are pulled and clamped, try tightening your 6 o'clock support - it might move slightly due to play within the thread. This is normal. Just go finger-tight with it and carry on with the racket as usual.
following instruction is good. but stringing is also a lot of observation, interpretation and patience. there are tons of stringing videos on youtube and if you look and observe enough you will learn a lot from them.
