Cross differential depends on the machine, to some extent. Personally I use +1 from 24 to 30 and +2 from 30 upwards - it's what my machine "likes" - but higher quality machines need less.
How does it actually vary for you guys with electric pullers? I mean with a dropweight it's pretty straight forward, so I'm not sure what you mean by 'likes', but yeah I used to add 2 on crosses with my machine to make sure the head stayed a normal shape at 30+. It's not really an issue with the paizhuan pattern so I stopped changing tension for crosses.
If you don't put enough extra on the crosses you will find the racket difficult to get out of the machine - the 12/6 and shoulders will all be too tight.
Some machines tend to let the racket not come out with ease, if your ratio is no perfect for your machine. Especially the bottom shoulder supports can be pretty tight and difficult to release. I noticed it when I had my square times. I agree with Mark. Past 30 it's really borderline on my machine, too. If I go over my 30x31, I add 2lbs on the cross, but this is stringers experience instead of a rule of thumb.
Wow that's something to watch out for then haha, I'm thankful I haven't had that issue, for high end machines only I assume.
Yep - nothing like having your own mahcine to tempt you to try an extra pound. Or ten, in my case, since I first got mine.
But where will it end? Won't someone think of the children? Five years from now, your racket ping will be ultrasonic, adding a new element of deception. Unfortunately your strings will also break after two dropshots, but that's okay because you'll restring the racket in between shots.
The person who used to string my rackets used to get weird if I wanted tension over 25lbs, started damaging string at 28lbs. Guy had a £5k machine but couldn't use the thing. Now I'm comfortably stringing my rackets at 30.
There are some machines out here for sale around €100,- (no electrical) but I'm affraid to buy one and use it, but after 10 stringjobs it's paying off, so it's tempting... is it easy to learn? Does somebody have a tutorial??
A friend of mine came last weekend from a tournament and told me that the stringer at the tournament has a big and fancy silver Yonex machine. He said it looks greater than mine. It's ES5 Pro because I have seen this guy 1-2 times, but also know his jobs and knots etc. His limit is 26lbs, just do half hitchs and strings with flying clamps on an ES5 Pro!!! Such a waste.
Damn, I actually kind of wish I could get a sample of my stringing checked by you for an opinion/rating/feedback.
As long as you find your jobs more lively, crisp and better than any other shops around, you should be satisfied. Also a good indicator is when people stay with you and come everytime again and bring new customers. Especially the real decent players who are much better than you and me. Don't worry.
Sure. YOU also stated your tension as medium. For requests I tell customers: low 20-22 medium 23-26 high +27 very high +30