The Mystery of Fading String Tension

[uspta146749877]

Fairly accurate?

Just for fun, I downloaded and tried a free software program that measures string tension via sound waves. You have to plug in a few factors related to your string type and thickness. I've found it to be fairly accurate. As others have said, the string meter device is not for measuring actual string tension but for measuring the amount of tension loss over time.

http://marc.roettig.org/tennis/freqmess.php

Hi,
an interesting question is:
how do you know the program is fairly accurate?

[mudslinger]

Just for fun, I downloaded and tried a free software program that measures string tension via sound waves. You have to plug in a few factors related to your string type and thickness. I've found it to be fairly accurate. As others have said, the string meter device is not for measuring actual string tension but for measuring the amount of tension loss over time.

http://marc.roettig.org/tennis/freqmess.php

[uspta146749877]

tenniswarehouse forum is a place to post

answer to question i do not know BUT do manufacturers put their recommended string tensions knowing theat the loss of tension will occur or is it the amount of initial stress to the frame they wish to limit?

Latter

You may send E-mail to
info@tennis-warehouse.com

as well

[llll]

answer to question i do not know BUT do manufacturers put their recommended string tensions knowing theat the loss of tension will occur or is it the amount of initial stress to the frame they wish to limit?

[ochi]

llll, you are right -- there's a lot there -- way more than I will read.

Finally, my attempts at searches worked. Previously, I kept getting told that nothing could be found.

I'm glad that I posted here about fading string tension. I've learned a lot, and others may realize that they are playing with strings down in the 40s, even 30s, and what to do about it. I'm surprised that the racquet and string makers do not advise stringing tighter to arrive at recommended tensions. Or do some of them? Only once have I heard a stringer recommend it, and that was only because I led him into a discussion about it.

[llll]

when you get to the message board you will see a category for strings and stringing. click on that it will give all the threads . above to the right you will see search this forum . click on that and type string tension meter. p.s. the search categpory at the very top will search all the forums and really give you long list that may not be relavant .good luck!!!!!

[ochi]

I came across a couple of interesting posts, but there's an awful lot to scan. How do you search it?

[llll]

did the link help?

[llll]

p.s. my name on tennisplayer is 4 lower case L's

[llll]

ochi try this link http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/searc...archid=3224383

[ochi]

IIII, I've looked there and not found what I want. Perhaps I just don't know how to search it effectively. So, I posted here, and have learned quite a lot.

[llll]

ochi, another place you can get alot of opinoins on string tension devices(plus alot more) is on tenniswarehouse.com and go to the message board .there is a category on strings and stringing .you can do a search on this subject and get many hours of opinions. the message board does not compete in any way with tennisplayer.net so i hope john it was ok for me to mention this.

[llll]

i think you are trying to be too literal if i may take the liberty to say this and i mean no offense. in reality string tension is relative not absolute. stringers set their machine to 60 lbs if thats what you ask for. this is a reference number. when the racquet comes off the machine its probably not at 60 and continues to change in tension until the next string job.what is more important for consistency in string tension i think is to try to have your strings done on the same machine by the same person. a computerized machine versus crank etc. when was the machine calibrated ,how long was the pull(did the stringer get distracted and talk to someone while the string was in the clamp) all will affect the ultimate final tension off the machine. HOWEVER it is all relative. the 40 reading you got with the stringmeter is a reference number. if i understand correctly you would restring when it read 30-35. the 40 does not mean 40lbs set on the stringing machine (i think).again its all relative. if you string at 60 and need more power you would tell your stringer to string it lower than 60 (usually 2-4 lbs). you would not guess well the string tension REALLY was 57and1/2 when it came off the machine so i need to go 2-4 lbs lower than 57and1/2.i hope this is helpful and gives you one less thing to worry about.

[ochi]

Stringmeter clarification

A friend who has a Stringmeter e-mailed me this advice:

"Use the Stringmeter to indicate when it is time to restring, not to measure tension. It's time when there is a drop of 5-10 lbs on the main strings. A racquet that was set to be strung at a specific tension will almost always end up below that tension, even before you hit a ball. But there is no easy way of measuring the actual tension.

"The crossstrings usually have 30% less tension than the mains. Bottom line, check string tension regularly and restring as needed.

"Here is a hypothetical question: Do stringers compensate for the initial loss in tension? For example, when you tell a stringer that you want your racquet at 60 lbs., do they compensate by stringing it at 66 lbs. or more, knowing that the stringing will lose tension? Furthermore, if we're used to using a racquet strung at 60 lbs. tension, but it is really at 55 lbs., does that mean we're used to using the racquet at 55, even though we think it is 60? I'm sure there is some circular logic here.

He added information from the Stringmeter website:

"Q. I just strung my racquet at 60 lbs. The Stringmeter is reading only 40 pounds. Does the Stringmeter work, or am I doing something wrong?
"A. Your Stringmeter does work and you aren't doing anything wrong. This is the most common question about the Stringmeter and the most misunderstood concept about the device: The Stringmeter's numbers are only relevant to itself. While it can be used during stringing, you cannot use the Stringmeter to VERIFY a stringing job. That is not its purpose. The Stringmeter is used to MONITOR tension.

"Keep testing your racquet weekly. When the Stringmeter shows 35 instead of 40, you KNOW you have lost 5 pounds of tension. This is the purpose of the Stringmeter, not comparing it between machines."

There is much more information in the Stringmeter brochure.

[ochi]

Thanks! Those lists are very interesting and useful. A little while ago, after serving 20 balls off new strings, I could feel a distinct difference by the time I finished. Can't say if the strings went down 10%, but they were more where I want them to be.