Part 2 - Stringing Prince O-Port racquets using the 50-50 method for installing the cross strings

This is how to do the 50-50 method of installing cross strings.
Part 1 video can be viewed here...
• Part 1 - Stringing Pri...
Note #1
For stringing machines with fixed swivel clamps:
The 50-50 method CAN be accomplished using just 1 starting clamp. However, you will have to do quite a bit more of a "clamp dance" than if you happen to have 2 starting clamps.
Using 2 starting clamps, rather than only 1, GREATLY streamlines the process.
Note #2
If your stringing machine uses floating/flying clamps OR has glide bar clamps (i.e. Neos 1000, etc.), you will be able do the 50-50 method WITHOUT needing a starting clamp at all.

[@Garro2]

I have the Gamma Progression II ELS machine which has fixed swivel clamps. I do have one starting clamp, but I also still have the flying clamps that came with my Gamma X-2 drop weight machine. Would you recommend using one of those flying clamps in conjunction with the fixed clamps if/when stringing the crosses 50/50? My only concern would be a lower final dynamic tension on the crosses, but it seems like this would be quicker and easier than doing 50/50 with 2 starting clamps, and definitely than with using just one.

[@nglfmark1]

Excellent part 2. Thanks again for the great lessons learnt and your tutorial.

[@marcodeluca4068]

With prince tennis racket is it require to have two pieces to for the main and cross of one continues piece ??

[@PCSStringing]

@Marco Deluca It's not very clear exactly what you are asking. I think MAYBE you are asking if it is required to string Prince tennis racquets with 2 pieces of string, instead of using just 1 piece of string. IF that is what you are asking, the quick answer is "it depends". The longer answer is... using 1 piece vs. 2 pieces, will depend on many different factors (i.e. exactly what type of equipment one is working with... exactly which Prince racquet you're talking about, as well as many other variables). However, that may not even be what you're really asking. I'm just taking a guess at what you're trying to find out. Perhaps, you could rephrase your question, so that it becomes more clear what it is that you're actually trying to find out. Cheers, Wes

[@johnsmith-zf1fd]

I have my first dropweight string arriving today, and I have never strung before. I have 3x prince ripstick ported racquets. Is it it possible that with time I could get fast enough to string one stick in 30 minutes? An hour per racket seems like a very laborious exercise!

[@PCSStringing]

@john smith Hey John! I can give you some good advice/suggestions for stringing up your Prince Ripsticks. Just how long it will take will depend on a few different things. Several factors come into play as to what you'll be able to do (or not do), or what will be easier/more difficult, with your new machine. So, give me some more information and I can give you much more detailed/specific advice. 1. Have you ever strung a racquet before? 2. SPECIFICALLY, which drop-weight machine is arriving? There are quite a number of differences/variables amongst drop-weight machines... therefore, certain machines will pose their own specific issues versus other machines (hence why it matters as to EXACTLY what you'll be working with) 3. Did you also order (or do you already have) a starting clamp? 4. What string do you intend to install? (some strings can present more difficulties than others) Provide the answers to the above questions & I'll be able to give you more specifics. It also might be better for us to communicate in real time, rather than endlessly typing back & forth (I could send you a Zoom invite/link). By chance, are you on the Tennis Warehouse Talk Tennis forum? If so, I could reach you through the TT forum. I would just need to know what your TT screen name is - so that I can start a "Conversation" with you on there. If you want to start a "Conversation" with me first, via the TT forum, my screen name on there is simply "Wes". Look forward to chatting with you soon. Cheers, Wes

[@johnsmith-zf1fd]

@@PCSStringing strung my first stick the other night, took like 90 mins but i think in time i can do it in 40 or less

[@alanb76]

Lots of good problem solving here. Have you tried dipping the tip of the string in cyanoacrylate cement (krazy glue) to stiffen it up?

[@PCSStringing]

@Alan B, I DO know of the super glue trick, but I've never needed to resort to trying/using it (presuming that you mean in regards to passing the tip of a string into a shared/tie-off grommet). I have a number of other methods/tricks that work great. Most of these methods revolve around planning/dealing with a problem BEFORE it has a chance to become a problem (in other words - a proactive approach, rather than a reactive one). BTW, over on the live stream/chat earlier tonight, you said that I could find your email on your website. However, I have no idea what your website is! Could you possibly leave your email here?

[@alanb76]

I tried this 50-50 method the other day on one of my Prince rackets. It worked fine. I used two Babolat starting clamps, and I'm using Monogut ZX Pro in the crosses. The brake seems to work fine as well. 50-50 was a bit slower but a lot of that is just being unfamiliar with it, and I hate to misweave. It would be especially useful if there was no brake on the machine. Always interesting to see a new technique!

[@PCSStringing]

@Alan B, Firstly, if at all possible, try to avoid using a starting clamp (at all) on Monogut ZX/ZX Pro. That is a very unique string which happens to NOT be conducive to having starting clamps used on it. I can point you to some additional info. about this later. So, THAT string is definitely the "exception", rather than the rule. Regarding the 50-50 method... Agreed - the 50-50 method IS slower than the standard "top down" installation for the cross strings. However, it's not too bad if you know how to utilize 2 starting clamps efficiently (although it can be done with only 1 starting clamp, it is FAR less efficient - due to the "clamp dance" involved). The plus side of the 50-50 method is that it can be used on just about any type of stringing machine (even machines that have NO turntable brake at all) AND that it completely solves all the issues associated with the (upper) cross strings being pulled to the wrong side of the O-ports. So, without me knowing EXACTLY what type of machine someone is using, it's the method I would tend to recommend. However, there is one scenario where I might suggest differently. IF one has a stringing machine which has BOTH of the following things, then I would be OK with the typical "top down" installation. 1. A sturdy turntable brake/lock. 2. A VERY robust tension head (that can withstand sideways/torsional forces). If you don't have BOTH of these elements, then installing the crosses "top down" (on O-port or Wilson Roller racquets), while employing the "brake method" or the "hip method", will put undue strain on the tension head itself (quite possibly damaging it). Send me an email to reach you at.

[@alanb76]

@@PCSStringing I have the Gamma 9900, it's pretty sturdy. I've strung a lot of Monogut ZX and early on had some failures when pulling knots (until I learned to do it) and on one particular racket that turned out to have a sharp spot (chip) on a frame hole that was not grommeted (not my racket, an old oversize). Monogut is a tender string, in some ways more so than Natural Gut. No problems from Babolat string clamps so far. I almost never break strings so it might be more important for some players than others.

[@PCSStringing]

I can't find an email address, that you left, ANYWHERE on here. You're saying that I can try "[e-mail]"??? Am I understanding that correctly?? I'll try to put my email address on my "About" page, so that you can see it and then send me an email. I'll leave it on there for the next hour or so, but then I'll remove it, since I don't want it there permanently.

[@alanb76]

For folks reading these comments later - I have the Gamma 9900 with six point mount, so it has a robust turntable, brake and tension head. I have strung many Prince O ports on it using the brake. Before that I had the Gamma X-ELS 6 point which also was successful at stringing O ports with the brake. It does put some strain on the system which the 50-50 method avoids. Depending on which machine you have the 50-50 method may be an alternate, the better or even the only way to do it. Consider this when choosing your stringing machine if you expect to be stringing O ports. My own rackets are O ported so I chose my machines accordingly.