For one piece stringing I did the following. On the short side main for usual stringing you miss b11 and go through b12 as normal and tie off at 7 or 8 depending on where the crosses start. I got it slightly wrong in that I had too much spare string left over on the short side so i used this to string 3 crosses down to B8. Basically last main at twelve then goes through B10 to start crosses, do 9 and 8 and tie off as normal. On the long side you then start cross 11 after Main in 12. The above effectively does away with the short side main problem when tying off at 7, ie loosing tension on last main, instead this moves the possible tension loss to the first cross at 8.
I assume this method might back fire, if the stringer is not experienced enough. The major problem for this, is to create uneven tension in the crosses, which might cause structure damage.
Thats a good point. Most stringers increase the tension on the string from Main 12 to tie off at 7/8. I have experienced problems here with the string cutting across grommet 12 due to the angle, as a matter of course I renew both of these 12g(left and right side). With the other method that I tried means that the string goes through and around the grommet better, although with my machine which has swivel clamps I needed a flying clamp as well as both strings end up on the same side whilst doing crosses 10-8. Regarding the tension loss on the crosses I dont think it would matter too much as cross 8 in very close to the throat of the racket. Again could always increase tension slightly as it would be safer again as the string wraps around the grommet properly and not across making it cut through. Its horses for courses, each to their own.
the distance from gr#12 to gr#8 for the tief off is huge, and very floppy. Doesn't look neat if you ask me. What i do (actually, what a lot of people do) is to go from #9(bottom) to #12(B) and then string that 'last' main. Then string the 'second last' main which ends at #10..and the distance to #8 is small. so, in a way, you tension the last main as second last. it works!
