I just got myself a 6 points drop weight stringing machine. Was doing my first stringing job last night and I stopped after I did a few 'drops'. Appreciate a bit of help to clear thing up before I proceed. When tensioning, I would grip the string on the string gripper and then move the rod to vertical position. Now, here is my question. Should I, 1) let go of my hand and let the rod drop free fall from vertical to horizontal? (I was doing this and noticed that the rod dropped very fast and furious. I stopped after a few tries.) or 2) keep my hand below the rod to support and control the speed of the drop? or 3) use my hand to lower the rod to horizontal position? If all are incorrect, can you suggest the right way please. Thank you very much in advance.
Thanks Master LSD. You are too fast for me. Just 1 additional point. DO NOT force the rod to the horizontal position. Always readjust the string on the tension head and control the speed of the drop.
Thanks to Master LSD and SH for clarifying and giving good advise. Did my first racket last night. It's a very crude job but at least I get a feel of stringing a racket. After doing all the mains and crosses, things started to make sense and clearer (just a bit for now). And I started to notice some useful markings on the machine. But I will do a few more stringings before I dare to test my work on court tho. Thanks again.
