Started 3 months ago, have done 21 rackets including 7 of my own. Not fully confident yet.

Only buying strings in single packets, Yonex Strings roughly cost £3.50 a packet from ebay UK in batches of 6. Ashaway strings from MBS Hong Kong roughly £3.80 a packet, Delivery time 8-9 days normally to UK.

Strings I use :

Yonex – BG65, BG65ti, BG66 Ultimax, Nanogy 98.
Ashaway – Zymax 70, Zymax 66 Firepower .

Prices charged currently, (Done the first 10 for £5 each)

Kids – Normally BG65ti if wanting white, Zymax 70 if wanting yellow @ £10
Adults – Choice of any string / colour @ £12

This is my starting equipment, Cost so far £210. Will look at a better machine when this one has paid for itself and I deem that I can do it longer term after a successful probationary/learning period and building up a reputation.

Pro’s Pro Shuttle Express, Manual Crank Spring Machine
3 x Pro’s Pro Flying Clamps
1 x Pros Pro Starting Clamp
2 x MBS load spreaders
1 x String Puller
1 x Pliers
1 x Bent Nose Pliers
1 x Stanley Knife
1 x Pair Scissors
1 x Small Snips
1 x Nail Clippers
1 x Awl, Never used it unsure of purpose, came with machine.

Pre Stringing Procedure :

Check racket for cracks / damage.
Check for stringing pattern, make a note of existing shared holes and tie off points, Make of note of snapped, log on database for each client.
Cut string to 2 equal 5m lengths.
Mount racket on machine.

All 2 piece stringing, strings are pulled 3 times to stretch and clamped on the third pull. In the order string – pull – clamp. Tension increased by 2lbs for crosses.

Mains

Start stringing mains from top, put in 4 rows, two each side,
Starting on the left side, Tighten the 2nd row, feed and tighten row 3 & 4 individually.
Starting the right side Tighten the 2nd row, feed and tighten row 3 & 4 individually.
Return to the left side, finish rows 5+ and tie off, snip with nail clippers.
Return to the right side, finish rows 5+ and tie off, snip with nail clippers.

Crosses

Starting on the left side, tie off as per spec and start weaving 1st row at 8th or 9th throat, start tension on 2nd row, weave to end, tie off at top as per spec.

Average time – 2 Hours, Fast on mains, slower on crosses especially near the top

Questions & Advices Sought

Should I have any other equipment or keep any other strings.

Recommended string and tension for kids up to 12, playing with both yonex as20/30 and yonex mavis 2000 plastics, Durability more important as don’t want to be stringing a lot due to cost.

How many knots is optimal at tie off.

How to minimise loss off tension in the last string before all tie off’s, feel this is not very good and could be a lot better.

How to move strings on the outside of the racket at the 10 o’clock and 2 o’clock positions which completely block the holes when doing crosses, Have had 2 snaps when trying to move them. Mainly with my sons Karakal BN60 even at 20lbs they will not budge.

Recommend a wider clamp as on some rackets (Mainly Yonex) the strings are pulled together a lot as the pro’s pro clamps are not wide enough, Have lost a string near the end when its snapped when clamp applied (24lbs mains, 26lbs crosses).

When clamping crosses is it better to have the clamp nearer the middle of the row or as close to the end as possible.

Have been asked about repairing a single string, is this recommended / worthwhile / possible.

How to stop string movement, is this the string used , the stringing technique, uneven tension or the players style.

General tips to speed up process, make the stringing better.

Should I offer a guarantee of some sort, excluding miss hits etc.

Is getting ink and stencils worthwhile.

Thanks

dfh101