Google AdSense
Stringing Mesh
Submitted by walax on Mon, 2006-04-03 14:05.
Stick Science #1
One of the most unique and customizable aspects of lacrosse equipment is the head. Here is an opportunity to learn how to string a basic mesh pocket in this first segment of the “Stick Science” series. Hopefully these articles, will answer everything you want to know about stringing sticks. But if they don’t or if you have questions about this article, feel free to send your questions to [email protected]
Stringing Mesh
Picking out the stringing supplies:
o Mesh:
First of all, picking out the piece of mesh is really important. Hard mesh is always the best choice. I do not recommend ultra mesh, soft mesh, and any other type of mesh, especially for the stringing beginner. However, just any piece of hard mesh will not do. You are best off buying the Gait by DeBeer stringing kits for their mesh. Warrior, Brine, and STX stringing kits do not have the quality that these Gait kits have.
o Sidewall, Top lace, and Shooting strings:
Although you can work with I would also recommend investing in two spools of string. Get one spool of the skinnier nylon string and one spool of the thicker nylon shooting string. Also, if you need more hockey lace shooting strings (different than nylon shooting strings), go to Big 5 or your local sporting goods store. They usually sell shoelaces made for unwaxed hockey skates that are 96” long. This will give you plenty of material to string and restring stick after stick.
Spools are vailable through multiple on-line resources...
Stringing the top string:
Okay, so now that you have all of the supplies, it is time to string. The first component of the stick stringing process, is stringing the top string. This is the easiest string to put in a stick. The top string is the string that, logically, goes across the top of the head and binds the mesh to the lip of the head.
The first thing to do with this string is tie a simple knot leaving about an inch and a half of extra string behind the knot for possible adjustments later. Put this string through the top hole on the left side of the head and leave it be for a second. Now take your piece of mesh. Mesh comes all stuck together, so take it out and stretch one side of it until it wide and somewhat loosened up. Regular mesh comes with alternating rows of nine and ten diamonds. Make sure the top row of mesh has nine holes on it. Now, bend this row of nine over so that it doubles up the first row of ten holes so it lines up like so (pic)
Now, thread the top string through the top hole on the left side of the head and then thread it through the far left hole on the doubled up row of mesh (pic). Then go back through the outside of the same hole in the lead so that the mesh is pulled tight to the left side of the head. (pic) Now count two holes of mesh over and thread the string from the back to the front of the doubled up row of mesh.
What’s up next in the Stick Science Article Series?
- Stringing mesh
- Shooting strings and sidewalls
- Stick/Pocket Maintenance
- Picking out a new head
- Back-up Sticks and pockets
- Readers Questions Answered