Help! My knot keeps slipping!

Discussion in 'Badminton Stringing Techniques & Tools' started by R20190, Nov 6, 2006.

  1. R20190

    R20190 Regular Member

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    Guys, I'm new to stringing but have done quite a bit of homework on the subject but it seems that putting it into practice is a bit more difficult than it seems.

    I am having trouble with my start knot slipping. I have no idea why.

    I have been following the "Free Stinging Process" and once I've finished free stringing, I begin tensioning my first main string but the knot keeps on slipping.

    I've just wasted one pack of strings and about 40mins of weaving. :mad:

    What am I doing wrong or am I not tying my knots correctly?

    One thing I have noticed is that the main string to which the knot is tied is not yet tensioned, perhaps this has some affect?

    Any help would be much appreciated! Thanks!
     
  2. Pete LSD

    Pete LSD Regular Member

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    Please post photos of your process so we can help you. Thank you.

     
  3. R20190

    R20190 Regular Member

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    The knot I used was basically a 2 half hitch knot, but no matter how hard I tud on the knot it keeps slipping when I apply tension.

    This is the knot I am using. I tried adding extra knots to no avail. :confused:

    [​IMG]

    The tension I am applying is 27lb. I tried using an awl but as soon as I remove the awl it slips again. I wasn't able to get to 27lb, it started to slip before that.

    The string I am using is BG-65Ti.
     
  4. Quasimodo

    Quasimodo Regular Member

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    If I've understood you correctly, you're using a double half-hitch as a starting knot? You may want to refer to this page http://www.keohi.com/tennis/misc/knots.htm and look at the "Starting Knot."

    FWIW, HTH.
     
  5. Pete LSD

    Pete LSD Regular Member

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    Yeap, you can't use a double half-hitch knot to start the cross :). Please refer to the linky Quasi provided.
     
  6. Pete LSD

    Pete LSD Regular Member

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    If you string with the two-piece method, please tie the main strings and the last cross string each with a single half-hitch knot and then apply the pro knot. When you release the clamp, the knot shouldn't move into the grommet at all.

    Ohhhh, remember to tension single half-hitch knot and then the pro knot. However, don't apply too much tension or the string might pop. You have to feel it.
     
  7. Neil Nicholls

    Neil Nicholls Regular Member

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    Tensioning the first main?
    Which main is this? One in the middle or at the side?
    Where is the knot?
     
  8. R20190

    R20190 Regular Member

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    Its the one on the side. I pre-strung the racquet, tied my first knot at grommet 7B and started to tension the other end of the string through grommet 26B which goes though 12B I believe?

    I tried several different knots but its still slipping. Is the free-stringing technique incorrect or am I doing it wrong?

    I have mainly been using the technique on this site

    http://www.prospeed.com.my/mainstring.htm

    The part I am struggling to understand is when tying a start knot on a main string (which itself is not tensioned yet) doesn't seem quiet right as its difficult to tighten the knot enough to prevent it slipping <= does that make sense or is it just me? :confused:
     
  9. R20190

    R20190 Regular Member

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    Yep, I have been using the double half hitch knot to start it. But I have seen others use this knot and it also says on that website that you can use it. :confused:
     
  10. Quasimodo

    Quasimodo Regular Member

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    I've never completely prestrung a racquet before, but I'd imagine that you don't necessarily need to tie the starting knot when you prestring. In fact, you may not want to because once you tension the mains the string will stretch and, if you've tied the starting knot for the crosses, it'll move. So, I'd suggest that when you prestring the crosses reserve just enough length for a starting knot, but don't tie it until you're ready to tension them.

    As far as using a double half-hitch as a starting knot, yes, you can use it. I've tried it myself and it works, sort of. But, it has a tendency to disappear into the grommet because it's doesn't have enough bulk and some racquets have especially large tie-off holes. The "fishermen" knot is a bit more secure. To me, anyway. Of course, the alternative is to string in 1 piece. No worries about starting knots. :)

    HTH.
     
    #10 Quasimodo, Nov 7, 2006
    Last edited: Nov 7, 2006
  11. martin8768

    martin8768 New Member

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    use a Double Half-Hitch both ends must come out the same way, R20190 is 2 half-hitchtwogether with ends coming out oposite, just making sure everyone knows the diffrence. not really sure witch one is better, im not a stringer.
     
  12. DinkAlot

    DinkAlot dcbadminton
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    After a lot of trial and error, I use what I call a DinkALot modified Half-Hitch with a Twist. It works well. I'll post a description maybe tonight...
     
  13. Pete LSD

    Pete LSD Regular Member

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    #13 Pete LSD, Nov 7, 2006
    Last edited: Nov 7, 2006
  14. R20190

    R20190 Regular Member

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    I thought about doing this, but don't you lose some tension when you tension the starting knot string before tying the knot?

    Btw, I am using the single string method (2 knots).
     
  15. DinkAlot

    DinkAlot dcbadminton
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    Ooops, correction, I do two DinkAlot MHHTs. The knot does not move at all. :p
     
  16. R20190

    R20190 Regular Member

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    thanks for that, I have strung one racquet by tensioning it as I weave (not sure what the technique is called) but I found that as I got to one of the grommets where a tensioned main string already occupies, I can't thread the string though! So I'm trying the pre-stringing method to get around this problem.
     
  17. Pete LSD

    Pete LSD Regular Member

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    So, what is the problem with tying a knot or two? Just one half-hitch knot and lightly tension. Followed by a pro knot and lightly tension.

     
  18. Quasimodo

    Quasimodo Regular Member

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    All right, I'm thoroughly confused now. How do you use a starting knot if you're doing a 1-piece job?
     
  19. Pete LSD

    Pete LSD Regular Member

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    Re-reading again after a couple of hours, I am confused also.
     
  20. Neil Nicholls

    Neil Nicholls Regular Member

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    I've never used a starting knot anchored on an untensioned string so I have no idea if it should work or not. I would expect it to not work as well as when anchored on a tensioned string.

    An alternative would be to use a starting clamp instead of a starting knot.

    Jug8man strings side to side, but I don't remember how he starts.
     

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