All - equipment: string-tension

dcoughlin · Posted December 21, 2011 by dcoughlin

Hi guys,

I recently had a racquet re-strung with Technifibre 505, and a tension of 30 (mains) and 34 (crosses).
This is the same tension that I've used in the past and always really liked it.

The problem is that in the past my strings have always been really tight with this configuration, so tight that you could not move the strings by hand.

When the racquet came back this time,(same stringer), the strings seem loose. I can easily move the strings by hand, and this looseness is really causing some problems with my game.

I've given the racquet a week but I simply can't hit with it, at least not accurately.

My question is: Should the strings be really tight on a 30/34 setup or have I had bad string jobs in the past? Like I said, I've always used the same stringer, each time I've had the racquet refreshed, so either the jobs in the past have been bad or this one is.

I've contacted the company but have yet to hear back from them.

Thanks in advance.
Dave

JCamasto · Posted December 21, 2011 by JCamasto

What gauge string? I've tried technifibre 505 (and several other of tech' multifiliments) but I had the same result with each - string is much to stretchy/bouncy/lively. You should try pre-stretching the string, and/or upping the tension - but I'd suggest another string/brand.

-Jim

dcoughlin · Posted December 21, 2011 by dcoughlin

Jim,

I used 17g string.
I've used the technifibre string for the past several years and really like it (especially when it begins to fray). I'm thinking this was simply strung at too low of a tension and that's why I'm having problems with it.
Thanks for the reply.

jhill · Posted December 21, 2011 by jhill

dcoughlin
Jim,

I used 17g string.
I've used the technifibre string for the past several years and really like it (especially when it begins to fray). I'm thinking this was simply strung at too low of a tension and that's why I'm having problems with it.
Thanks for the reply.

i was told by the folks at racquetball warehouse that the 505 needs to be pre-stretched. check with your supplier.

Hilario · Posted December 21, 2011 by Hilario

I doubt your stringer made the mistake of using the wrong tension. But it's quite possible that your stringer didn't pre-stretch the string as he may have done to the previous racquets (Or he didn't pre-stretch the previous ones and did this one). The tension calibration on his machine could need adjusting. Or it's possible that you just got a bad set of string.

30/34 is not tight. I would say that's middle of the road. I can see not being able to move the strings by hand at 60 lbs tension but not 30/34.

Hilario
Pain is temporary, honor is forever

dcoughlin · Posted December 21, 2011 by dcoughlin

Thanks for the replies, guys.
It sounds like the previous jobs I've had done on this racquet were taken well beyond 30/34, since the strings were extremely tight.

I guess I'll have to get this one re-done and tell them to make sure the strings don't move.
I had no idea how greatly string tension can affect the feel of a racquet.

Thanks again.

mdhills · Posted December 21, 2011 by mdhills

What string did you use in the past?

As others have indicated, a lot of factors will affect the feel of the string bed.

Racquet (affects string bed lengths, as well as how open the string bed is)

The string gauge and texture. A thicker and rougher string will feel stiffer to the hand -- the strings won't slide as well.

Tension, obviously.

String also relaxes after initial stringing. Pre-stretching will reduce the severity of this, although you will still get some. (The string reviews at tenniswarehouse.com, the sister-site of racquetballwarehouse, are pretty interesting reading for that sort of thing).

For TF505 17g, pre stretching then drawing tension to 34lbs gives a pretty consistent string bed for conventional racquet shapes. E-force feels a bit different, with the longer mains. The string-bed isn't immobile at that tension. Would expect I'd need closer to 38-40lbs to feel that tight with the TF string.

Matt

ryker · Posted December 21, 2011 by ryker

Hey Dave,

Next play we can check the strings to some degree....I have the "string meter" and have used it to compare my own work. Didn't know you had a racquet strung recently.

Anyway, remind me next time.....

JATRAMMELL · Posted December 22, 2011 by JATRAMMELL

All stringers make mistakes.

Not saying that the stringer made a mistake, but if he failed to change from 30 on the mains to 34 on the crosses that would explain the softer feel.

Just one of several possibilities.

dcoughlin · Posted December 22, 2011 by dcoughlin

After reading some of the replies I'm thinking that it was the previous string jobs that were not correct.
From what has been said a 30/34 setup should not be as tight as what I've seen with previous jobs.
The stringer that I used is very reputable and I'm certain that they did pre-stretch the string if that is what is required. Especially since the strings have not loosened after a weeks worth of play.

For the time being I've switched to using my BLX Warlock which I'm starting to feel really comfortable with. I still prefer the nBlade but just not with the current setup.

Ryker, if you do think to bring along your string meter I would appreciate it. I would like to check both the nBlade and also Roy's Gearbox if he is there. His Gearbox has the type of string tension that I like. I'm not sure you could move his strings with a truck.

Thanks again for all of the replies and suggestions. I appreciate the help.

dcoughlin · Posted December 22, 2011 by dcoughlin

Oh and Matt....

In the past I was using technifibre TVG but it is no longer available. That's why I made the switch to 505.

Hilario · Posted December 22, 2011 by Hilario

dcoughlin
Oh and Matt....

In the past I was using technifibre TVG but it is no longer available. That's why I made the switch to 505.

Like I said earlier maybe it's the string and not the stringer.

Did you actually talk to your stringer and tell them about your racquet to find out if they did anything different?

Process of elimination but you have to talk to the stringer eventually rather than assume that the previous jobs were done wrong.

Hilario
Pain is temporary, honor is forever

mdhills · Posted December 22, 2011 by mdhills

dcoughlin
Oh and Matt....

In the past I was using technifibre TVG but it is no longer available. That's why I made the switch to 505.

Looks like the TGV is still available (saw it at Tennis/Racquetball Warehouse; likely available elsewhere). I haven't used that string, but the product descriptions indicate that it is pre-stretched and has a coating that would probably keep the strings from moving much.

In contrast, TF505 tends to have a slippery texture and is usually pre-stretched to avoid tension loss.

These differences alone could account for the changes that you're seeing in the string bed.

Did you talk to the stringer about the strings when you were changing?

Matt

ryker · Posted December 23, 2011 by ryker

well, we used the old "stringmeter" tonight and the tension on the mains was between 12 and 18 pounds....far too low to have really been done properly at 30 pounds. The crosses came in just a bit more, but still lower than 20.

I know the meter is not a perfect tool, but it works pretty well from my experience.....

Dave is going to give the stringer a call....tried email complaint and no response before he started this thread.

mdhills · Posted December 23, 2011 by mdhills

Is this the string meter?

Is it accurate enough to estimate tension loss between different string sets after a restringing? or what can it be used for?

Matt

ryker · Posted December 24, 2011 by ryker

that is it...I use it to check consistency on tension when I have strung my own and I think it is pretty accurate. If I set for 35 pounds on the drop weight then it will come out about 28 to 30 when I am done stringing.

One thing they advertise it for is to check for tension loss between re-stringing and keep track of when to re-string that way...

jim woolcock · Posted December 24, 2011 by jim woolcock

Dave
I love the new 505 and it's every bit as durable as the old bi-phase 505, maybe more. I get the racquet strung to 28#s, both crosses and mains, and have no problems with it thus far.

Jim

dcoughlin · Posted January 12, 2012 by dcoughlin

Wanted to make a quick follow up post.....

My stringer was very helpful and did the string job over. The racquet is now strung at a true 30/34 and I'm hitting it well again.
He's not sure what happened but the racquet is hitting like it used to so I'm happy.

So far I like the 505 better than my previous string. I can't wait until it starts fraying to see how it plays then.

Thanks again to everyone for their suggestions and to Ryker for checking the racquet.

MSwickard · Posted March 12, 2012 by MSwickard

dcoughlin, any update on the Tecnifibre 505? How's it playing?

Thanks

Mike

dcoughlin · Posted March 14, 2012 by dcoughlin

MSwickard,

I actually had the 505 replaced with Prince 17g and like it much better.
After a week or so of play the 505 loosened up and would not stay in place.
While it was tight I really liked it but it got to where I couldn't hit with it at all.

I've been playing with the Prince for about a month now and I'm sold on it. I've had it put in all of my racquets.

Dave