Shrinking Frame Phenomenon

**charzord** · 05-05-2007, 11:03 PM

I have been stringing for a while now, and recently restrung two rackets (one cause it broke, and the other becuase I was feeling rather giddy that day

). Anyways, this problem has always been lingering at the back of my head, and I must ask it. Is it normal for the racket head to shrink after stringing?

The shrinkage is about one wide of the frame, so when I put it to an unstrung frame, you can see that the unstrung frame is about halfe the width of a frame longer (about 4 mm). Width wise, about one quater or less of a frame (2mm maybe?). The shrinkage is very proportional to the iso-shape of the racket head, so it looks perfectly normal.

The shrinkage is not significant, and the frmae pops back after the strings are removed, but still, does this happen to you guys?

**Pete LSD** · 05-06-2007, 12:07 AM

What type of stringing machine do you have? And show us photos of the setup. Thanks!

**charzord** · 05-06-2007, 12:11 AM

Klippermate m140. I think the setup is pretty self explanatory. Just clamp as hard as you can on neck and head, tighten the clamps every 2-4 strings and string away =)

**aL_vin** · 05-06-2007, 01:57 AM

Should be fine, since if you add 2 more pounds to the crosses, the width of the racquet head shape will be pulled in slightly more than the length.

The frame "shrinks" a bit as there is tension pulling it.

**charzord** · 05-06-2007, 11:03 AM

Originally Posted by aL_vin

Should be fine, since if you add 2 more pounds to the crosses, the width of the racquet head shape will be pulled in slightly more than the length.

The frame "shrinks" a bit as there is tension pulling it.

Thats what I thought too. It should be natural for the material to compress a bit after adding on so much more tension?

**utopia_imminent** · 05-06-2007, 11:31 AM

shrinkage should be alright unless the force or tension applied is uneven such that the racket doesn't look uniformed.

**DinkAlot** · 05-06-2007, 03:33 PM

Originally Posted by charzord

The shrinkage is not significant, and the frmae pops back after the strings are removed, but still, does this happen to you guys?

Ideally the racket frame should be the same after stringing. After I string and compare my strung racket to the same model, unstrung, it's nearly identical: the way it should be. If you are off a bit 1-2mm, not a big deal but if more, at higher tension, it could be a concern.

**silentheart** · 05-06-2007, 05:50 PM

1) Have you tighten all 4 wing nuts enough?
2) Have you move the post with holding pads to the right distance?

To test if the wing nuts are secure, try to move the post back and forwth. If it swing back and forwth, it is not tight enough.

**Pete LSD** · 05-06-2007, 09:36 PM

I agree with Master NGP. As long as the width narrowing is not more than 2 mm per side, your racket should be fine. I am more worried about the length shortening . . .