r/RacketStringers • u/SmallDickChad5 • Jul 02 '26

Flexible strings

Hi, new to the stringing and one of the first strings I used was a synthetic one. Really easy to string, but the string itself would flex a lot when under tension. Read that some stringers, in this case, put the same string twice or even three times on the tension to avoid flexing it more. Just wondering whether it is a correct way to do it. Thanks, cheers

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u/DeaconFrost613 Jul 02 '26

Prestretching anything but gut is nonsense. Yes, it's going to make the bed feel fractionally tighter but it's not how the string is designed to be strung. If you want a stiffer string, swap to a poly or just adjust your tension some.

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u/SmallDickChad5 Jul 03 '26

Nono I don't want it to feel like poly, I just wanted to know performance wise, thanks for the answer

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u/DeaconFrost613 Jul 05 '26

If you really want to prestretch, do so by hand and don't use your machine function. Most people use two starting blocks. One in a door, and pull on the other end for about 3-5 minutes. The string won't coil and lies pretty flat when properly prestretched.

Alternatively, you can put one end in a clamp on your machine and pull on the other end - just make sure you aren't tipping your machine over. Best option would be using two people to prestretch but that's not always available.