Tennis Stringing Tips:

POLY:
1. Select a tension in the upper 30s 40s. The tension will vary according to density of
stringbed and head size. (Note: It can be easily adjusted through observational learning. Well
cover this in a future blog entry.)
2. Set pull speed to lowest possible setting when using an electronic constant pull machine. If
using drop weight, lower bar slowly. If using a crank machine once machine starts to resist
crank very, very slowly until it locks.
3. Allow string to sit under tension at least 5 seconds before clamping so that it has sufficient
time to properly stretch.
4. If hybrid with synthetic gut/natural, increase cross by 4 lbs.

Cleaning Starting Clamp:

I have one Gamma and one from GSS--never a problem with either. Jim E is right about
cleaning--I usually soak a cotton ball in alcohol and clamp it for a few minutes, then brush it
out with a toothbrush I used for that purpose, finally wiping the clamp down with a
microfiber cloth. Works like a charm.
The way I clean them is as follows:
I get a piece of cloth and dip it in alcohol. I then clamp the cloth. I'll squeeze the handle just
enough to be able pull the cloth out and rub it back and forth while squeezing and releasing.
(almost like your "biting" the cloth). Keep doing this a few times making sure you are
rubbing the inside of the clamps with the cloth . I then pour some alcohol in a small jar (just
enough to dip the clamps so they are underneath the water line). Keep the cloth clamped
and dip it in, and keep it there overnight.

Prices:
Labor: $7

Any Hybrid for $15

Hybrid possibilities:

Snake Bite 17/16 x Synthetic Gut 16 (50 lbs/54 lbs)

Power Cord 16 x Velvet 16
Power Cord 16 x Synthetic Gut 16 (Volkl VMaxx)
Hex Poly x Synthetic Gut

Labor + String & round to nearest dollar

#1
MAIN STRINGS: Co-Polyester
CROSS STRINGS: Solid-Core Nylon Based
SUMMARY: These are the most popular hybrid combinations. The co-polyesters durability,
spin generation and controlled power dominate while the soft, nylon, solid-core crosses provide a
noticeably more forgiving feel.
GAUGE CONSIDERATIONS: Crosses should be the same gauge or thicker.
#2
MAINS: Aramid
CROSSES: Co-Polyester
SUMMARY: Because Hard-Line is composed of aramid fibres (eg: Technora/Kevlar), it is an
extremely stiff string. It should almost always be paired with a soft cross string to compensate for
this stiffness. Co-polyesters are not a good cross string choice because they are also stiff.
#3
MAINS: Aramid
CROSSES: Solid-Core Nylon Based
SUMMARY: When installed as the main string, Hard-Line is most commonly paired with a
solid-core nylon based cross string. Solid-core nylon based strings are soft enough to compensate

for the extreme stiffness created by Hard-Lines aramid fibres.

However, durability is not the only reason for installing aramid. Some players actually prefer the
stiff feel of aramid over the more forgiving nature of other string types.
The shorter contact time also increases the peak impact force leading to the firmer (eg: boardlike) feel associated with aramids. This firmer feel is less than desirable for players who
experience tennis elbow and other shock related sensitivities.
Thanks to aramid??s superior durability, extremely thin gauges can offer adequate durability.
Hard-Line 19 (diameter = 1.10mm) is a good example of this. Due to its extremely thin diameter,
this string offers substantially more spin potential and elasticity than thicker aramid gauges.
GAUGE CONSIDERATIONS: Crosses should be the same gauge or thicker.
#4
MAINS: Aramid
CROSSES: Multi-Filament
SUMMARY: Due to aramid??s extreme stiffness, the soft and forgiving characteristics of the
multi-filament crosses will only be marginally apparent. The durability of the multi-filament
crosses will be a concern. Solid-core nylon based cross strings are less expensive than multifilaments while offering superior durability and a surprisingly similar feel in this particular role.
#5
MAINS: Co-Polyester with Textured/Rough Surface (eg: Golden Set Hex Poly or Snake-Bite)
CROSSES: Co-Polyester with Non-Textured/Smooth Surface (eg: Golden Set Power Cord)
SUMMARY: Installing a smooth co-polyester in the crosses with a textured co-polyester in the
mains offers increased durability as compared to using a textured string in both the mains and
crosses. The texture increases spin generation while the smooth crosses reduce wear of the mains
to improve durability.
GAUGE CONSIDERATIONS: Similar main and cross gauges are most common.
In cases where gauges are dissimilar, the crosses ought to be thinner since the mains endure more
localized stress and abrasion than the crosses. A setup such as this yields increased spin potential
and elasticity.
However, a thinner cross string leads to a moderate loss of durability. A smaller diameter has a
smaller, sharper radius of curvature that reduces the contact area between the mains and crosses.
This reduction in contact area results in higher contact pressures than if the crosses were the
same thickness as the mains. Higher contact pressure equals more abrasion and therefore reduced
main string durability.
#6
MAINS: Multi-Filament
CROSSES: Co-Polyester With Non-Textured/Smooth Surface (eg: Golden Set Power Cord)
SUMMARY: This combination provides a softer feel with excellent spin potential and surprising
durability. While such a combination will generally not last as long as the reverse (eg: smooth
co-poly in mains and multi-filament in crosses), it will provide a softer feel.

GAUGE CONSIDERATIONS: Similar gauges are generally used in the mains and crosses.
#7
MAINS: Multi-Filament
CROSSES: Co-Polyester with Textured/Rough Surface (eg: Golden Set Hex Poly or Snake-Bite)
SUMMARY: This combination is uncommon due to durability concerns. The softer multifilaments tend to abrade rather quickly when paired with the much harder, rough textured copolyesters.
#8
MAINS: Solid-Core Nylon Based
CROSSES: Multi-Filament
SUMMARY: A very cost-effective and durable combination with a soft, arm-friendly feel. The
less expensive solid-core mains deliver good durability while the multi-filament crosses provide
a comfortable feel.
GAUGE CONSIDERATIONS: Similar gauges are generally used in the mains and crosses.
#9
MAINS: Co-Polyester
CROSSES: Multi-Filament
SUMMARY: The co-polyesters durability, excellent spin generation and controlled power
dominate. The very soft multi-filament crosses effectively moderate the sometimes undesirable
co-polyesters stiffness. This softening effect is more pronounced than what can be obtained by
using a nylon based solid-core string in the crosses. On the other hand, the multi-filament
crosses lower durability may be a concern. A smooth co-polyester (eg: Golden Set Power Cord)
should be used in the mains if greater durability is desired.
GAUGE CONSIDERATIONS: The multi-filament crosses are generally of a similar or thicker
gauge than the co-polyester mains.

Costco Head Racquet: 20 M x 20 C

Bos kfactor racquet: treat as Wilson KCourt 100