Is weaving cross or main more enjoyable?

[kwun]

you must be kidding me.

this question has a little story. a few months back i was chatting with stringer extraordinaire AlanK and of course we were chatting about stringing rackets. AK told me that stringing main is boring and cross is much more fun. i of course looked at him and thought he is kinda crazy. but that comment never left my mind.

so these days i have been doing much more stringing than before and i slowly.... slowly starts to feel the same. mains is inarguably, much easier a process. there is only threading holes and it goes very fast. but being easy doesn't always make it more enjoyable. there is a certain satisfaction in weaving cross strings that i don't get from threading mains, perhaps the rhythmic motion of the weave, or perhaps the anticipation for the possibility of being able to go frame to frame in one pull.

what is it? do you feel the same way?

[PopsiclePete]

I only voted mains because I'm just starting out stringing and while I enjoy doing the first say, 10 to 12 crosses, the upper half is a pain in the butt to deal with!
Perhaps a top-down approach needs to be attempted, just afraid of the pressure on the racquet from that direction :/

Either way, watching AK video was simply magic!

[Pete LSD]

Weaving from frame to frame in one go per cross string is an art. I had the pleasure of witnessing it first hand from AlanK back a couple of years ago.

[BadFever]

Couldn't vote cause I hate weaving either ones. I would vote for "you must be kidding me."

[Fidget]

I understand the satisfaction with weaving crosses. It is the bit of the job that is an art.

But last night I just about reached for a hatchet. Thick string on new racket with tight grommets. I have never had such an evil time with shared holes. Oh well, it worked out in the end.

[kwun]

I understand the satisfaction with weaving crosses. It is the bit of the job that is an art.

But last night I just about reached for a hatchet. Thick string on new racket with tight grommets. I have never had such an evil time with shared holes. Oh well, it worked out in the end.

did you use a string mover?

[bazzaman]

I'm waiting for fully automated weaving, or until my daughter is proficient enough.

[Fidget]

did you use a string mover?

Yup. Also I try to "lead" the string through with a spare piece of thin string or a dental threader. This worked after an unprecedented number of tries.

What I will remember to do next time:
a) inspect all the grommets for imperfections/ tight spots before stringing.
b) Thread this tricky one a few more rows "ahead" of the clamped strings.
c) Use wax on the end of the string to reduce friction.

[_Rav_]

Have you tried cutting the tip of the string at an angle to create a point? I find that, combined with a small set of pliers (for extra grip, push through in small steps) usually sees me right. Of course, i also usually string with ZM62...

[Mark A]

Have you tried cutting the tip of the string at an angle to create a point? I find that, combined with a small set of pliers (for extra grip, push through in small steps) usually sees me right. Of course, i also usually string with ZM62...

You can also crush this point flat with a starting clamp to make it even easier.

With regard to weaving crosses, I can do mains in about 6-7 minutes; crosses take me five times longer. I can't deny the certain sense of satisfaction, though, that comes from seeing the crosses pour into the frame from the top down... (but I wouldn't call the mains "tedious" like Alan).

[Fidget]

Have you tried cutting the tip of the string at an angle to create a point? I find that, combined with a small set of pliers (for extra grip, push through in small steps) usually sees me right. Of course, i also usually string with ZM62...

...and there's the rub, eh? That stuff spoils you!

I cut an angle and I have a lovely surgical needle driver. My little rant was just about a perfect storm of fatigue, thick string and a tiny virgin grommet.

Thank you for all the tips though, because without this site, I wouldn't have a clue.

[Pete LSD]

Have you tried silicone based lubricant on the tip, GrandMaster Fidget?

Yup. Also I try to "lead" the string through with a spare piece of thin string or a dental threader. This worked after an unprecedented number of tries.

What I will remember to do next time:
a) inspect all the grommets for imperfections/ tight spots before stringing.
b) Thread this tricky one a few more rows "ahead" of the clamped strings.
c) Use wax on the end of the string to reduce friction.

[Kiloo]

Weaving crosses is fun as the next racket is not the same as the previous one. Always a challenge with shared grommets. I think if we define fun as NOT being actual work, then yes: weaving crosses is more enjoyable than boring Mr mains.

[Resistor]

I do enjoy watching badminton games with the easy Mains.
The Crosses are too distracting.

[kakinami]

Thanks!!! Weird topic.

I only voted mains because I'm just starting out stringing and while I enjoy doing the first say, 10 to 12 crosses, the upper half is a pain in the butt to deal with!
Perhaps a top-down approach needs to be attempted, just afraid of the pressure on the racquet from that direction :/

Either way, watching AK video was simply magic!

[gundamzaku]

late to the game, but this whole time i was thinking weaving mains as in having the cross on the racket first, then weave the mains as oppose to just mounting the mains first then the cross, but still weaving cross is way more fun, and as you have mentioned, the satisfaction of doing it right.