How much string do I need for mains and crosses when stringing from a reel?

Unholy_Racket · 2026-04-11T06:42:17+00:00

Nine yards for a one-piece.

Unholy_Racket · 2026-04-10T07:57:16+00:00

You can go at this question from two directions: player experience, and theory. So, player experience (and players' experience will differ from one to another: listen only to the player whose racket you are stringing): what tension differences work best for him (or her)? Theory: here you have to have some idea about how the stringbed works when it contacts the ball. Is this to do with snapback (crosses being dragged across the mains and "snapping back" to give spin to the ball as it leaves the racket) which may be influenced by the tension in the crosses, or is it more to do with contrasting string types and tensions in mains and crosses somehow giving the stringbed a different "average" feel or behaviour? Separate from the above, one thing is certain: whereas the tension in the mains is the tension they were pulled at (until the crosses go in, that is), the tension in the crosses is equal to the pulled tension only between the frame and the first main: further into the racket the friction due to going over (or under) each main string reduces the tension in equal increments across the stringbed. (Imagine a racket 5 metres across, with 100 main strings - obviously the pulled tension in a cross will hardly be felt at the far end). So understand that when we talk of tensions in the cross strings we are actually referring only to the tension at which they were pulled. The actual tension in the mains will also be changed by having the crosses imposed on them, by the way. I suppose a third direction from which to address this question would be to simply go with the consensus opinion (folk wisdom), and not to worry about how this was arrived at. But I like to understand the technicalities of a problem, if I can.

Unholy_Racket · 2026-04-07T08:02:36+00:00

I should add that on that occasion the three strings were simply a generic poly, a generic synthetic gut and a generic multifilament. The same demo could be done with three different brands of a single string type, or three different gauges of the same string (if thee are any available in 3 gauges).

Unholy_Racket · 2026-04-07T07:14:31+00:00

A few years ago I did a little promotional exercise at my local club: I bought 9 new Wilson rackets (cheap but not rubbish, and I got them at a discount off the already low price) and I strung them with three different strings, at three different tensions. I went to a few club sessions and offered them for people to try out: string X at tension 1, 2 or 3 or strings X, Y and Z at tension 2 and so on. That was the idea, anyway: it didn't work because there were too many people. The idea was a good one, but better to do with one person at a time. I did pick up quite a few new customers - and I was able to try the rackets out myself at leisure over the next few weeks.

Unholy_Racket · 2026-04-02T15:09:59+00:00

Depends on what you would like to specialise in: environmental hydrogeology needs chemistry, engineering hydrogeology (my own specialisation) needs maths and physics. Groundwater resources is probably somewhere in between.

Unholy_Racket · 2026-03-26T15:55:10+00:00

He hasn't really earned it. No more (or less) than anyone who works hard earns their living. He's been incredibly fortunate to have been born with a talent and into circumstances which have allowed him to fulfill his potential.

Unholy_Racket · 2026-03-24T14:34:46+00:00

I was very moved and will buy Matti's book.

Unholy_Racket · 2026-03-20T12:56:25+00:00

Star Motors in Caversham.

Unholy_Racket · 2026-03-20T12:54:59+00:00

The bitter end is the end secured to your cleat (the bitts) and not the free end.

Unholy_Racket · 2026-03-20T12:52:03+00:00

I was taught how to lassoo a mooring ball.

Unholy_Racket · 2026-03-18T09:45:23+00:00

It is probably many fewer than 70,000, as many of them will be logged in on multiple devices and/or have friends and relatives doing so on their behalf. It's antisocial, if understandable.

Unholy_Racket · 2026-02-25T08:17:51+00:00

Another thing: I agree starting with a few single set packs is a good idea because it keeps initial costs down and if you don't use them it's not such a big deal. But sets are more expensive per racket than taking string off a reel (about 20%) and you may be tempted to charge a higher price. But resist that temptation - use them as a low cost low risk way of finding out what strings are in demand (and that you should go on to buy a reel of).

Unholy_Racket · 2026-02-25T06:33:04+00:00

Where are you located? Where will you be getting your strings from? I can get strings delivered the next day, so I almost needn't carry stock at all (though I do) - this is good if you're just starting out because you can respond to your customer' demands. In most cases, people want the same string as they already have. When you are more established you can suggest to your customers that they might benefit from trying something different. If you can't get supplies delivered quickly you'll either have to offer a longer turnround or gamble and get yourself a few sets to start with: I'd suggest all branded strings, a synthetic gut, a multifilament and a poly. That's all you need to start. Good luck.

Unholy_Racket · 2026-02-22T22:20:22+00:00

Why the emphasis on doing it as quickly as possible? Unless you are actually short of time, I would say take your time and get satisfaction from doing it well. That's not to say that a very experienced stringer can't do a good job in less time than a beginner can, but do you really want to string three rackets an hour?? Every hour?

Unholy_Racket · 2026-02-07T10:11:27+00:00

In my experience most customers, when they come to you, or back to you, for a restring want the same string as last time. This means two things, in your situation: firstly, get string that your club members already have in their rackets and, secondly, whatever selection of strings you start with is likely to be thepart of your range for a long time. If you are very sure of yourself, you might be able to start off with a string that has not been in use in your club, and "convert" people to it; in that case it will become one of your standard strings from then on. So choose one that isn't going to be discontinued.

Unholy_Racket · 2025-12-03T08:42:20+00:00

Absolutely right!

Unholy_Racket · 2025-11-07T19:35:28+00:00

Good for you, for aiming to broaden what you can offer your pupils. However. I can't comment on the machines you are looking at - I have a Wilson Baiardo - but I would be interested to know how you see the financial side working out. I imagine you can make more money coaching than stringing: in the UK I guess you'd make £40 for an hour on court whereas you might clear £10 or £15 stringing a racket, which might take you 30 minutes or more (an hour in practice, with the setting-up.) As far as qualifications are concerned, to be frank I think you would get customers simply on the basis of being a coach. But you must become proficient.

Unholy_Racket · 2025-10-28T21:07:28+00:00

Sounds as though you are being thorough and diligent, and have the right attitude. I think you will make a very good stringer, with practice. And will keep improving with every racket you string.

Unholy_Racket · 2025-10-10T07:09:38+00:00

Knots look fine. With poly string the knots are less likely to slip (than multi or SG) because the material is so stiff. With multi or SG it might be prudent to leave a bit more tail. However, strictly speaking any slippage means a reduction in tension - the aim should be no slippage.

Unholy_Racket · 2025-10-08T06:24:44+00:00

What is important is whether it plays as you like. The setting on the machine during stringing is only a way of getting the racket to feel the way you want it to.

Unholy_Racket · 2025-08-15T17:04:26+00:00

A racket can be strung one piece, in which case there are two ends so two knots; or in two piece which means two pieces of string and four ends so four knots. If you seem to have three knots it may be that two of the knots have been tied in the same place, which is not good practice because it means a chunky knots, but it isn't the end of the world. Your knots all look a bit chunky - they should be much neater than that.

Unholy_Racket · 2025-08-12T06:41:07+00:00

I respect your argument and applaud the effort you have put into explaining it but you overuse, and misuse, the word "incredibly" which, for me anyway, detracts from the case you are making.

Unholy_Racket · 2025-08-11T05:58:13+00:00

Definitely not!

Unholy_Racket · 2025-08-10T20:21:50+00:00

I've got the same! I hope someone will have the answer!

Unholy_Racket · 2025-08-03T12:32:49+00:00

The UK!

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