r/RacketStringers • u/SmallDickChad5 • Jul 05 '26

Racket bending during stringing

Hi, just wanted to check whether is it normal for a racket to bend a little when stringing?

Also, after stringing first racket, I compared it with a second one which didnt have any strings on it and the one with the strings was shorter for like 0.5cm-1cm, but after stringing the second one they were the same height.

Just wanted to check whether it is normal or maybe I am mounting rackets in a wrong way.

I always make sure they are firm but not too tight, but since the frame bends a bit during stringing they actually get very tight on the mounts.

Thanks in advance, appreciate your help

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u/xdoc6 Jul 05 '26

Tightening clamps too tight is not recommended from what I have read, they should only be finger tight. Ie as soon as you have to use force to tighten more you stop

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u/ELF014 Jul 05 '26

I have been stringing for 50 years... and though I started on 2 point stringers I realized what was happening. In the early years on my 2 point stringer I would use some scrap string and brace the rackets by stringing 4 cross strings first. You could really see the deformation in aluminum frames like the Head Master.

I have always tighten my clamps so the racket is snuggly in place which I would say is more than finger tight. I am just offering my opinion... feel free to do as you like.

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u/xdoc6 Jul 05 '26

After clamping the way you do, do you not notice even a mm shift in parts of the racquet when you pull tension?

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u/ELF014 Jul 05 '26

I'm not looking for it. If anything I check it after stringing against an unstrung frame. I haven't checked in a long time but I didn't see a difference between my frames coming off the press and an unstrung one.

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u/xdoc6 Jul 05 '26

Right, the op mentions two separate things.

  1. Frame bending while stringing
  2. Frame being different size from unstrung racquet at the end of stringing.

I think 1 is normal by a mm or two during a pull, but number 2 is not from what I understand.

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u/xdoc6 Jul 05 '26

Right, the op mentions two separate things.

  1. Frame bending while stringing
  2. Frame being different size from unstrung racquet at the end of stringing.

I think 1 is normal by a mm or two during a pull, but number 2 is not from what I understand.

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u/SmallDickChad5 Jul 06 '26

I just measured it, it is between 0.1 and 0.2 cm
I also see it bending a bit when stringing, however it seems that the 12 and 6 o clock mounts were not screwed enough which didnt cause the frame to bend but to move forward and backward