Yusuki method / Starting clamp

How to use a starting clamp and how to use the Yusuki method to start your mains.

[@griffinmpc8144]

Your videos (and forum contributions) are still helping folks 11 years later. Thank you.

[@Mr10sStringer]

Thank you I appreciate your kind words.

[@sonyfxi]

Thank you for all your tutorials! Your videos have been so helpful for the tennis community. I used to play the youtube videos while I used my drop-weight stringing machine along side your tutorials

[@irvinfuchs3238]

Thank you

[@crosscourt.tennis]

I didn't know this method even had a name, I came up with it just because it made sense to me...good to know that I'm not that far off with my stringing technique. Great video, I really enjoy the way you explain things!

[@gillv7659]

Nice showing the tension diff across the clamp. But the clamps eventually are holding full tension on the other strings besides the starting clamp.

[@markli9072]

When using the Yusuki method with the Wise tensioner, do you "stack" the 2 main strings in the tensioner, i.e., one on top of the other?

[@irvinfuchs3238]

When I start using the Yusuki method I don't place the string near the jaws of the clamp and it does not slip. Placing the string too far down in the clamps crushes the string and weakens it.

[@flukyreview9128]

Very educational. How would you imply this (with a starting clamp) when stringing using a drop weight stringer with a floating double clamp?

[@Mr10sStringer]

Fluky Review the Yusuki method was used to stop auto release bases from dropping and releasing the clamps and base by using the starting clamp to hold tension on the strop which keeps the clamp up. The tension on the string also keep back press on the string which could help keep the clamp from slipping. Why would one want to use the method on a floating clamp machine.

[@danielkoziol4587]

Congratulation! All your videos are very instructive and very interesting to look at. Concerning the clamps, I think that you would have had a better result if you would have placed the string at the end of the Babolat clamp like you did with the Gamma clamp. Don't you think that the further you get away from the fulcrum the less pressure there will be on the string.

[@Mr10sStringer]

Daniel Koziol thank you, yes the farther down in the clamp the better it holds but I was trying to get the clamp to fail.

[@bondacdaniel688]

You should put the clamp straight as the gamma clamp

[@Doggieman1111]

nice tutorial, very thorough and scientific

[@sy2see]

Interesting method.

[@seshukumar230]

I respect making of tennis rocket technicians.and I love tennis game.🍓🍓😀🍒🎸🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@projapatiify]

You are really top notch. What electronic stringing machine have you used and which one are you using now? Thanks

[@Mr10sStringer]

I used an old Prince MP-100, a Gamma 6004 w/Wise and now I'm using a Babolat Star 5.

[@projapatiify]

Do you any comment on Penta Pro Stringer 3600 with Wise or Just the Penta ProStringer with drop weight? I don't like lock type crank machines. Saw your video.

[@projapatiify]

Why did you switch to such an expensive machine?

[@Mr10sStringer]

Don't know anything about the Penta machines

[@Mr10sStringer]

Because I got it for $175. I planned to sell one and after stringing on the Star 5 it did not take long to decide.

[@LiamApilado]

Is it important to use a spacer between the frame of the raclet and the starting clamp?

[@Mr10sStringer]

Iveclamped strings before and haven’t had any issues but why chance it?

[@wisch_mobb]

I want to thank you for your very educational videos about stringing. I am still a beginner and need to remember the start every once in a while, especially after the long season gap here in Germany, where I didnt practice my stringing skills at all. I was wondering about one step tho here. When you pull the pre stretched (and double clamped) string on reference tension, you still had the main clamp holding it (7:59). Is that for safety reasons, incase the starting clamp would fail and cause a slippage? My machine is not electronic and doesn't have "constant pull", so I'd lose some tension there, because it wouldn't adjust the tensionloss during reclamping, right? Sooner or later I'll purchase an electronic tension head, I guess.

[@Mr10sStringer]

I haven’t used this method for starting main in quite some time but I consider it a good method. Initially I pulled tension on the 2 center mains each at 1/2 reference tension. I clamped the 1st main on the right side with a machine clamp and a starting clamp. This string only has 30 lbs tension. Then I tensioned 3 mains o the left side at reference tension of 60 lbs. because I never moved the starting clamp or machine clamps on the 1st right main it still has 30 lbs of tension until I tension the 1st right main again. The starting clamp pulls away from the frame and it now has 60 lbs tension. I remove the starting clamp and move the machine clamp down to the throat.

[@wisch_mobb]

@@Mr10sStringer Thank you for replying so quick and explaining in detail again what you demonstrated in the video. The part I am thinking about are the 3-5cm of string beeing held by the machine clamp during the pull from 30 to 60 lbs of tension, which stay fixed and not pull away as the starting clamp does and the rest of the string. Therefore it will cause some tensionloss if its operated on a machine, that has no 'constant pull' function like my Gamma crank machine. On your device it will work more accurate due to the constant pull function, that makes the re-adjustment as soon as you're re-clamping the machine clamp. I am wondering how much it has to re-adjust, or in other words, how much loss I have to take into consideration on my mechanical lock out crank system. I think its not too much and I am happy with the results, but I want to understand better and become more professional about that.

[@Mr10sStringer]

@@wisch_mobb you are overthinking a simple process. There was 30 lbs on the 2 center mains when I first pulled them. After pulling reference tension on the left side first main there was 60 lbs on the left side first main. When I pulled tension on the right side first main the was 60 lbs on that main up to the machine clamp. When the machine clamp base is released there is 60 on the whole string except for what in the clamp. When the string clamp is released there is 60 on the complete length of the right side first main except for any tension loss in the throat grommet, and that small section of string between the 1H grommets at the head.

[@nikolaiandersen5054]

Do you always make your starting knot when stringing with softer strings to avoid the ghosting? When I string with velocity, the string slips through my starting clamp when I begin crosses so I might go for the starting knot until I find a better starting clamp.

[@Mr10sStringer]

I seldom use a starting knot any more. When stringing full bed I usually use an ATW pattern. Have you tried cleaning the clamp surfaces with WD40? If you can take the starting clamp apart to get the best access to the surfaces. At least take the strings out. Another option is to hold the top cross with a machine clamp and tension the 2nd cross then the third. Then tension the top cross and tie off. A similar method to starting mains but without a starting clamp.

[@loveartist5043]

You say when the clamp raises it has a better chance of slipping due to the angle. But when you used babolat starting clamp, it clearly turned at an angle before it slipped. Could this be why? I just got my stringing machine, and I don’t even have a starting clamp lol. Just curious.

[@Mr10sStringer]

Love Artist the Babolat turned because the limp string was tightened. It slipped because I was holding the string out near the tip when it has little holding strength.

[@imateapot51]

Babolat clamp did not fail, the string did. In any kind of comparison you should compare apples to apples and not apples to oranges. One positioned in the base and the other in the tip. I did the same experiment with my Star 5 and the Babolat clamp held at 70.

[@johncharles2357]

Could you explain why it is not a good idea to pull tension while the clamp is down? At 4:00, you mentioned that if you're pulling at an angle then there's a chance of the string slipping. But why not just set the clamp a little tighter so that it doesn't slip?

[@Mr10sStringer]

I do not want to pull tension while the clamp is down. I would rather pull tension where the pulling force is pulling the string straight through the clamp. If the clamp is down you can pull the string out of the side of the clamp because only 1 tooth or the edge of the clamp is holding the string. Once it pulls out it’s easier for the remainder of the string to pull out of the clamp. It’s like a tug of war, if you wanted the best grip on a rope would you hold it between 2 fingers?

[@177BCardinal]

Hey there, when using the Yusuki method with natural gut my starting clamp crushes the gut flat. Any advise to minimize the damage done to natural gut with the starting clamp? Thank you.

[@Mr10sStringer]

Paralux I put the string in the very bottom of the starting clamp in the beginning of this video. The farther down in the clamp you put the string the more crushing power the clamp will have. Move you string up higher in the clamp at or just below the point where the eyelets are on the clamp. Also I do not use the Yusuki method any longer. I put a starting clamp inside the frame on the second main while I tension the first mains on both sides. I place a leather pad inside the frame to protect the frame and grommet from the starting clamp. See any of my newer videos for an example like this one kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZqofKqrl52Hhrc

[@177BCardinal]

@@Mr10sStringer Excellent! Many thanks for the great advise.

[@slerk9]

Thank you for your videos. I’ve referred to them ever since I started stringing for myself on a klippermate and now for others with my Prince Neos. Question for you: I heard that when pulling tension on center mains to the throat, the string under tension should always be passed below the racket and not over. (Yonex method?) does this matter? My Neos only has 2 point clamps and I suppose it could leverage the top off if I strung over the throat.

[@Mr10sStringer]

Thanks for you comment if the pulling force pull the string from below the level of the string bed always pul under the frame. If the pulling force pulls at the level of the stringbed as in the case of the Wise in this video it does not matter. I’m using a Wise with the Gamma Adapter that raises the Wise up 2”. When I pulled a string the string did not bend up or down but was pulled straight out. It is easier to go over than under.

[@ATELIERDUCORDAGE]

I'm doing exactly this and I still have different frequency better the first 2 mains. How should I correct that????

[@Mr10sStringer]

You tension one of the center mains. Then at some later point you tension the other. It only stands to reason the last one tensioned will be at a higher frequency. Quit wasting time measuring the frequency of the center 2 strings.

[@OHSRobotics]

Why is it important to negate some of the tension on the clamp only on the first string? Once you start clamping the other main, or once you remove the starting clamp and put the string clamp in place, you are pulling full tension on the clamp anyways.

[@Mr10sStringer]

You’re overlooking the original purpose of the Yusuki method. Originally the Yusuki method was primarily used to hold some tension on the clamped string so the clamp would not fall and release the auto bases. Another reason for using the Yusuki method is to help to prevent slippage in the clamp. I’ve heard Yusuki no longer uses that method.

[@backacha1]

Im starting badminton stringing and i always lose tension on the first 2 mains compared to the others ... is this the reason why because im not getting the full reference tension somehow?

[@Mr10sStringer]

No matter what you are stringing you are always going to loose tension on the center mains unless you mess it up. Stringing the outer mains causes the frame to shrink loosening the center mains. Stringing the crosses lengthens the racket but the full ref tension never comes back.

[@Mr10sStringer]

appmaker.se/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/tension_change.jpg

[@backacha1]

Awesome thanks a lot :)

[@randalcolvin1873]

@@Mr10sStringer is this why the tourna stringmeter is all over the place depending on where you test on the bed?

[@Mr10sStringer]

Randal Colvin I’m not sure what you’re asking. If you measure main string tension with the StringMeter you should be measuring the center strings centered on one cross. The SM is not meant to to measure cross string tension but if you do it should be measured on the center string centered on a center main

[@2muchdeano]

I was taught to string in the early 1980's. I was taught double pulling all the strings till you finish the racquet. Is that still recommended?

[@Mr10sStringer]

I don’t think this is any benefit in double pulling unless you’re using a lockout machine. If an eCP or DW is constantly pulling what stop and start?

[@2muchdeano]

@@Mr10sStringer I was wondering if anyone still strung that way. I don't.

[@canadiantennispro]

you seem very experienced and very knowledgable , but is it ok to pull the strings over your tension header , i thought you had to go under?

[@Mr10sStringer]

I was using a Wise tension head with a Gamma Adapter at the time I made that video. Normally the tension module is below the level of the stringbed and then yes you should then pillow from under the frame. But with the setup I had the tension module is level with the string bed so it does not matter. I found going over was easier so I always went over.

[@canadiantennispro]

Prince extender longbody, looks like tear drop design clamp at the top pull from bottom ? where starting clamp goes , mains and crosses diagonal from each other still easy pattern. 1piece ? length of string please ? old jimmy connors racquet Thanks.

[@Mr10sStringer]

canadian tennis pro it seems like you have 3 or 4 questions there. If I were stringing a Prince Extender Longbody and used a startinging clamp I would put it inside the frame with a clothespin between the clamp and the frame on the 2nd main and pull the 1st main from the throat. 1 piece on what racket? Length of string on what racket?

[@Brandon-jw5cv]

Could you do a 1 minute version of this video just showing the Yusuki method?

[@Mr10sStringer]

Sure no problem. I make a series of videos for starting mains and crosses and put them in a playlist. You can then see only the one you want or watch the series.

[@Brandon-jw5cv]

Awesome, I don't string a lot, and often forget how to start

[@schlurf6239]

As soon as I tensioned the second main, the clamp has to hold the full 60 lb against 0 lb. So I have to set the clamp up so it can hold the full tension. I dont get how this method is beneficial, other then the fact, that the string is level when i place the first clamp.

[@Mr10sStringer]

Neither do I. I have not used this method of starting mains in a long time. Now matter how you start mains though the clamps will need to hold full reference tension on every main.

[@imateapot51]

@@Mr10sStringer Isn't so that the small segment of string within the clamp has some tension? I usually pull two strings, set the clamp and starting clamp next to the clamp on one string, release the strings and re tension the first string. I am a former music major with perfect pitch so I play all the strings when done with the mains. They better match. I have black Babolat starting clamps. Have gamma also but do not use them anymore.

[@howdy0000]

What Prince racquet is that?

[@Mr10sStringer]

I have no idea that was a long time ago

[@reggiomiller4771]

aie aie aie, good tutorial, but don't stretch your string above the racket, or else good video

[@karmicselling4252]

The optimum way to pull tension on a string is to keep the string as straight as possible. Whether you pull the string above or below the throat of the racquet depends on where the tenison head (or diablo) is positioned relative to the grommet of the string being pulled.

[@SkyreeXScalabar]

At 7:30 isn't it incorrect to pull the string's tension when it is over the throat of the racket? Shouldn't the string be under the throat?

[@Mr10sStringer]

No not if you’re pulling at the same level as the stringbed. If you’re pulling at the same level you must either pull over or under the throat. Going over is easier and because of K side supports provides more support for the racket.

[@SkyreeXScalabar]

@@Mr10sStringer Would this video of yours (kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZupfYZ9fa2Aq8U) be the best way to start on a 2 mount drop weight with fly clamps? Or can you point me towards the best method to get the most accurate tension?

[@Mr10sStringer]

@@SkyreeXScalabar yes that is one of my videos. Best way to start mains on a DW with flying clamps? WOW GREAT question. IMO I would use a starting clamp outside the frame on the 1st left main while tensioning the other 1st main. If you don’t have a starting clamp use a flying clamp on the center 2 mains opposite the starting starting end far enough from the frame to clamp the2nd and 3rd main.

[@SkyreeXScalabar]

@@Mr10sStringer I have 2 starting clamps, I would just need to use that and not have a flying clamp furthest from the tensioner?

[@Mr10sStringer]

@@SkyreeXScalabar what do you plan on doing with 2 starting clamps?

[@fernandoferreira8903]

Olá. Pode me ajudar? Minha wise apresentou código erro 5 piscando ao ligar.. não sei o que fazer 😭

[@Mr10sStringer]

Desculpe, mas não tenho ideia do que qualquer um dos códigos de erro significa no Wise.

[@tonymarc8852]

Are you willing to sell me this machine, mine is a drop weight

[@Mr10sStringer]

Tony Marc Sorry I sold that machine years ago.

[@Mr10sStringer]

No I don't string racquetball rackets. Sorry

[@randalcolvin1873]

it doesn't seem logical that if you are using a "constant pull" electronic stringer and you pull both mains that the tension on each main is reduced by half. have you tested the tension to verify this?

[@Mr10sStringer]

Randal Colvin it is logical to me. Just like 2 men lifting a heavy item. Each will carry half the weight. No need to test.

[@randalcolvin1873]

@@Mr10sStringer who taught you that? that logic doesn't work for me. humans are not calibrated. the machine is calibrated to pull 60 pounds, not half tension. ok, what if you pull a string that has twice the length? will that be half the tension? i think a tension test needs to be done.

[@Mr10sStringer]

Randal Colvin believe whatever you want to believe.

[@randalcolvin1873]

@@Mr10sStringer not my intention to be contrary. just want to know what the science or correct tension is. i've been pulling both strings for years without a starting clamp. maybe i've been doing it wrong for years but at least i'd like to know if a tension test has been made before i change. i watched a stringer that does federer's strings. he pulls both strings like i do but clamps at the head and throat instead of both the clamps at one end or the other.

[@Mr10sStringer]

Randal Colvin watch this video and ask yourself what is the tension on the red string as compared to the blue string. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHS1iKOtlNacpLs

[@jameskwan5008]

Good instructive video BUT very long winded. He didn't mention Yusuki method until 4.31mins into the video. Needs to edit these videos to get straight to the point much quicker.

[@Mr10sStringer]

Thanks

[@practicetennisbyjaeshin3231]

bobalot the "best starting clamp in the world!" LoL

[@timsssssssssssssssss]

U r not suppose to tension the string above the racquet which damages the frame of the racquet.

[@Mr10sStringer]

Timothy Neo really? At every major tournament they start crosses with a starting clamp, they must be doing it wrong according to told you that. When you pull tension on any string what do you think holds the tension on the other end of the string?

[@timsssssssssssssssss]

Mr10sStringer I did not mean the starting clamp. Btw what crosses are u talking about? The whole video was shown doing only the mains? Anyways, what I actually meant was when u tensioned the 3rd string. It was above the racquet throat. Which in turn, the string is actually touching and rubbing against the racquet throat when it’s been tensioned. Thus damaging the racquet especially if it’s a polyester string. The string has be below the racquet throat when tensioned. Nothing should be in the way between the grommet and the tension head. The only exception is when it’s near the one of the 4 clamps of ur 6 point clamp stringing machine. In that case, the 4 clamps may be in the way when tensioning. No major tournament stringer would tension above the racquet. U did it on both the synthetic gut and the polyester string. And I have seen ur other videos, u do that to ur starting mains too.

[@timsssssssssssssssss]

Mr10sStringer This is what I meant, look at this stringer stringing for Roger Federer’s racquet. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rKbHnWusoLGberM And if it was done as what u did the velvet coating on Rogers racquet would have been damaged. I’m surprised non of your customers came back complaining about u damaging their racquet.

[@Mr10sStringer]

Timothy Neo now I understand what you mean. With that machine I had a Gamma Adapter to hold the tension perfectly level with the stringbed. So when tensioning at the throat I must go over or under the frame. Because the frame mounts hold the throatflat on the 6 support over it better.

[@timsssssssssssssssss]

Mr10sStringer Thanks for acknowledging. The tension head being level with the string bed may not be the most ideal place. Would there be a way to lower it just a tad bit?Either ways u must only go under the frame and never over the frame. That’s is the correct common practice. Otherwise there will be a risk to damaging the frame especially if there’s a special rubbery coating. Hope u will rectify this mistake and do the correct practice from now on. Just to let u know the machine I’m using is the Wilson Baiardo, which would be same one as in the video that was sent. Cheers

[@andrewchudow9418]

another fool using starting claps in the string bed....DAMAGED STRING BED AND WILL BREAK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@SS-qf2po]

What's the point of doing this method versus just pulling one side and then the other on the two first mains?

[@Mr10sStringer]

I don’t use either. I place a starting clamp on the second main inside the frame and then tension the first main on the same side then mains 1-3 on the opposite side. That way the clamp never interfere with each other.