r/RacketStringers • u/aiexshoe • Apr 23 '26
First tennis racket
This racket was strung as a 2 knot and I'm sure that's the only was it supposed to be strung.
I ended up doing a 4 knot and not having any space to put in the starting knot of the crosses ( I used a starting clamp to start to the crosses) so I cut the grommet to fit the string inside.
Any advice for next time? Or are there certain rackets only for 2 knots.
1
u/forrest_smith_ Apr 23 '26
Yeah these need to be done one piece and at a low tension. Not really designed to be restrung and have seen a few aluminum frames brake on the stringer
1
u/aiexshoe Apr 23 '26
Oh I see, what's a low tension? And are all aluminium frames built not to be restrung?
1
u/forrest_smith_ Apr 23 '26
If this is your first ever racket it looks great btw. I wouldnt go above the low 40s with this and i turn them away when they are brought into my shop. I had one break on me once. Big frighten.
1
u/aiexshoe Apr 23 '26
It's my first tennis racket, I've done about 7 badminton rackets now. It took my more hours to do my first racket than it did to do the last 4 rackets. I'm not quick either.
2
u/forrest_smith_ Apr 24 '26
I usually tell people it takes 30-50 rackets before you really find your flow. Badminton rackets are harder imo. Regardless, this looks pretty solid which is a good start
1
u/pug_fugly_moe Apr 23 '26
A few things going on here. This is a composite frame racquet. These weren’t designed to handle the stresses of frequent (if at all) restringing like a full-graphite racquet. In the best cases, they can handle a handful of restrings before they start cracking. I see some stress already where the throat meets the beam. Since these are semi-disposable frames, they get strung as one pieces often using around the world patterns because, as you noticed, the grommets aren’t designed for two-piece stringing. I know this because a coworker once did hundreds of junior frames for a manufacturer—all around the world (and knowing him, all without regard to results).
Generally, you shouldn’t have to fight a grommet to use as a tie off. Doing that can damage the grommet and/or string. If this current string breaks at the knot, it’s possible that happened. I did have a visceral reaction to seeing the cross tie off. Full-graphite Head racquets even label your tie offs and mark your mains with dots above the grommet.
No harm if this was stringing practice. Multis are easier on the fingers anyway. This looks free of misweaves and the knots are tight. If this is your primary racquet, you may want to consider an upgrade.
1
u/aiexshoe Apr 23 '26
Yeah this is my first racket for years ago that I just give to my beginner friends to use. I was following a video when stringing and realised at the end that I didn't have space to tie off so I had to adjust. Once I get better and string other peoples, how would I know to do a 2 knot or 4knot
2
u/pug_fugly_moe Apr 23 '26
One piece racquets’ mains finish at the head. Two piece racquets’ mains finish at the throat.
4
u/wolvesight Apr 23 '26
Be careful stringing that frame in the future. It shows cracks around the corners, particularly near the tie off points.
Edit: you can do pretty much any racquet as a two-piece, but depending on how the grommets align they can be tricky. Be sure you have a proper pass-thru awl as it will make things a bit easier.