August 2007 Monthly Archive

Going the Distance

For this industry observer, the dedication of one longtime volunteer serves as an inspiration for all involved in tennis. (Click here to read more...)

Returns of Service?

Dealing with returned merchandise and warranties can be a sticky thing for retailers. (Click here to read more...)

How to Find the Right Machine

Our tips and exclusive guide will help you maximize your stringing-machine investment. (Click here to read more...)

Stringing Machine Selection Guide 2007

Buying a stringing machine is one of the most important purchases you can make for your business. It is also one of the most difficult. With the plethora of machines, technologies, and features available, selecting a machine is a... (Click here to read more...)

Learning Curve

The USTA's new school tennis curriculum can open up opportunities for local teaching pros and facilities, too. (Click here to read more...)

In a Pickle

Named after a family pet more than 40 years ago, Pickleball is growing in the U.S. (Click here to read more...)

Your Source for Industry News

The recent relaunch of our website, racquetsportsindustry.com, has been doing just what we had hoped — it's keeping the industry informed about what's going on in a very timely manner. In fact, the tagline we use on the home... (Click here to read more...)

The Personal Touch

Providing good, old-fashioned customer service is rare these days, but it will make you stand out from the competition. (Click here to read more...)

Industry News

Information to help you run your business. (Click here to read more...)

Gamma Asterisk 16

Asterisk is a nylon string with a center core made up of six large wedge-shaped filaments that are arranged in the shape of an asterisk (hence the name). These fibers are encased in a high tenacity polyamide matrix that... (Click here to read more...)

Facility Manager's Manual: When We All Win

Teaching pros must look at the bigger picture and work for the success of the facility. (Click here to read more...)

Forever Young

Get on the 'boomer bandwagon' with your tennis programming, and you'll find your business booming, too. (Click here to read more...)

Copy-cat racquet matching

Q: A friend of mine had his cousin visit from out of town, and because my friend doesn’t play tennis, he asked if I would hit with his cousin. His cousin was really good, and I noticed that he had... (Click here to read more...)

Releasing clamps

Q: I had a discussion with a couple other techs regarding the best way to lock and release the fixed clamps after tensioning each string. One told me that there is no difference in the order you lock and release... (Click here to read more...)

Changing the flex

Q: You have all these on-line tools and all this information about how to change the weight, balance, and swingweight of a racquet, but nothing about how to change the flex. What can I do to change the flex of... (Click here to read more...)

Minimizing wasted string

Q: Is there an efficient and accurate way to measure how much string a given racquet will require so that there is a minimum amount of waste when using string from a reel? I look up the measurements in the... (Click here to read more...)

Racquet repair

Q: After 12 years and over 10,000 string jobs without running into this situation, I’m starting to see problems on oversized, thin-wall racquets, where the grommet barrels are forcing their way through the carbon fiber at the shoulders of the... (Click here to read more...)

Don't poke your customers

No string job is complete in our shop until the tie-off string ends have been smoothed. This only requires about ten or fifteen seconds to do four ends. We use a small electric soldering gun that heats in about three... (Click here to read more...)

Take a strap to it

On occasion when stringing on Babolat machines one can get the racquet stuck in the very firm six-point support system. Babolat suggests you loosen one of the 6 or 12 o'clock supports and tighten the other. Babolat says under no... (Click here to read more...)

Organizing hybrid strings

I have been experimenting with different "homemade" hybrids. I enjoy playing with them and our customers love trying them out. The problem I ran into was all the half sets of string left over. My wife, who is an organizational... (Click here to read more...)

Clamp adjustment samples

I keep scraps of string that I use most frequently, put masking tape on them and mark the gauge with a felt tip pen. This way when I am stringing and readjusting my clamps to fit a different gauge, I... (Click here to read more...)

Logging racquets

I like to keep a record of the racquets I string. I had been keeping track of the customer's name, the date, the racquet, the string(s), the tension, and the price. Now, I keep track of the racquet weight, too.... (Click here to read more...)

Increase your gripworthiness

When installing some strings, the humidity and string lube can combine to reduce your grip when pulling the crosses. I found that using PrinceGrip Plus grip enhancer on my hands helps me grab the string when otherwise it would be... (Click here to read more...)