Hi guys, Just wondering, is pull stringing important before stringing? how should i go about doing that? What are the benefits? Pictures of doing it greatly appreciated.
I always pre-stretch the string before I actually pull the string. Ideally: 1) Have a true, constant pull electronic machine with the pre-stretch option. 2) The next best is a drop weight...actually probably the best if you know how to do it well and have the time. 3) Third, if you're like me, have an instant lock, crank machine, take the string divide it into halves (each half is ~16') and put it around a pole or door knob, wrap the two ends around your hands and pull the string for about 30 seconds. How hard? You can feel the "slack" go away if you pull. It's definitely not very hard, I'd say 15-20lbs. When you start to pull, pull gradually and increase tension gradually, you'll feel the string start to stretch. Depending on the repulsion and thickness of the string, there will be a 2"-5" "cushion" between where the string starts to pull back and stops to give. At that moment, hold for about 10-20 seconds. Then pull back and forth until you feel the cushion minimize. If the above is too complicated, just pull the string until taunt and hold for 20-30 seconds. It's not that big of a deal how you do it as long as you do it. Just make sure to pull gradually and hold. Pre-streching is beneficial in many ways: 1) It will hold the string tension longer and better, because you're taking away the slack. 2) It will increase the life of your string because again, you're taking away the slack to minimize instant shock to the string from a mishit. 3) You will string more uniformly because the string is more consistent (again minimal slack). 4) Your string won't lose its "pop" like XiaoHou's problem. 5) String is more crisp and responsive because...again...minimal slack. 6) Easier to pre-weave because the string is no longer twisted/curled from the memory of the reel or pack. It's a win-win-win all the way.
Good post! I'll have to try this Dinkapproved method next time I string with my rackets and feel the difference for myself! A friend just got a crank machine so I can now string more often than before as I don't have to spend as much now =p! 15-20lbs - I'll bet with our panda arms it'll be more 25-30lbs =p
This isn't just pre-stretch though. It is pre- and over-stretch. The electronic machine pre-stretch is achieved by pulling the string to 5% or 10% more than your desired tension and then relaxing back down to the desired tension.
I consider it a pre-stretch as long as it's something done to the string prior to the actual pull to remove the slack. In this case, it's about 3 to however many seconds you wait before the actual pull. The pre-stretch on an electronic and drop weight is better than the wrap around a pole technique because the pre-stretch is focused on one piece of string at a time, it's much more consistent.
You clown! Sending the goodies out now...also, I should send you a Woven 4...it's stiff! Yes, stretching no matter how you look at it, is good.
As a purist, I don't believe in pre-stretching. What is the point? For easier handling of the string? You can easily do this without pre-stretching or pre-pulling. Or is it to speed up the ageing of the string? Pre-stretching dulls the string's original elasticity and reduces its creep resistance.
Eepak: do you use a crank, drop or electronic machine? If crank, no wonder you string so high because without pre-stretching I've noticed string tension drops noticeably more than with pre-stretching. Also the string will have a tendency to feel more spongey as time passes whereas with pre-stretching the string maintains its "pop".
The "pop" one feels in a string is at its best when the before tensioned state and after tensioned state produces the greatest "creep", whilst at the same time it must also produce the least creep after a lapse of playing time. The essentials are "most" before and "least" after. Pre-stretching or pre-tensioning reduces the creep more when the racquet is newly strung and when it is played over a few weeks the creep will increase more.
Guys, Relax...its just opinions.=)...by the way, how can i go about prestretching it on my machine? i use a eagnas 722E which is an electronic machine, just put 1lbs more than my required tension and wait about 3 seconds whenever i pull a string?
