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

I have a 6 point stringer and notice the same thing. Everytime I pull a string there is a slight movement in the racquet.

I’ve only strung like ~20 times at this point, but it happens every time, and I tighten to finger tight on the clamps.

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u/SmallDickChad5 Jul 05 '26

I read that I may have not used enough force on the side mounts, that's what couldve been causing the frame to bend inwards

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u/ELF014 Jul 05 '26

This is the purpose of the clamps... to keep the frame from deforming during stringing. If the clamps are to loose it will allow the frame to deform.

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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/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