[Tutorial] James's Guide to Pinching

[James]

James's Guide To Pinching a Lacrosse Head
To start off I would like to say that I am writing this tutorial because I revcieved alot of PM's asking me to clarify. This tutorial is just to clarify methods I have used to help me create a very good pinch. This method works the best on flexible heads, not to say it wont work on stiff heads just not as well. This is my first tutorial so bear with me.
I still advise you to check out the other tutorial. I advise you to read through the tutorial before pinching.Pinching can ruin the strength of the lacrosse head. It will be more flexible


Materials

Definately Needed
Lacrosse Head
2 pieces of 18" Length of string
Pencil
Ruler

Procedures
( note captions are above picture)
1. Tying your head up
Start with your 18" lenght of string and put it through the bottom stringing hole of your choice. Then repeat on the other side ( the other strining hole) I reccomend that you put it through the middle sidewall hole. The higher up you put the string it generally means a more pinched head.
http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/4216/dscn08994bv.th.jpg (http://img208.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscn08994bv.jpg)http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/4214/dscn09000rm.th.jpg (http://img226.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscn09000rm.jpg)

2. Now tie the string over the top of the side wall.
http://img159.imageshack.us/img159/4732/dscn09017fr.th.jpg (http://img159.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscn09017fr.jpg)

3. Next you will put your pencil in between the string. Like shown below.
http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/6688/picture0739km.th.jpg (http://img226.imageshack.us/my.php?image=picture0739km.jpg)

4. Start to wind the pencil around the string so it becomes taught. Try to put the pencil in the middle as much as you can. It shouldnt make much of an difference but do it just to be safe
http://img159.imageshack.us/img159/8209/dscn09024ww.th.jpg (http://img159.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscn09024ww.jpg)

5. Keep winding so the sidewalls start to draw closer to one another.
http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/451/dscn09037xe.th.jpg (http://img226.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscn09037xe.jpg)

6. Before it gets too tight take that pencil and put it right under the scoop. So that it is held in place by the pressure exerted upon it . This is too keep the head the legal 6.5 inches across. I advise you to do at least 6.75 across.
For all you Box players it is 4.5 inches but after talking to certain box players on these forums they said keeping the scoop closer to 5.00 is a good idea . ( dont mind that extra piece of string in the picture I will go over it later)
http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/3357/dscn09075un.th.jpg (http://img143.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscn09075un.jpg)

7. Wind the pencil until the sidewalls are pulled to the desired place ( this will resemble the finished product so get it right). Then from there you slide the pencil to rest on the scoop or the throat so that the pencil does not unwind. If you try to rest it on the scoop and it is too tight and you try to rest it on the throat and it is too loose or vice versa Go to 7B.
If you are content with the pinch when the pencil is resting on the scoop or throat continue to step 8.

7 B. If you cannot get the pinch right by simply resting the pencil on the scoop or throat get that extra 18" length of string out. Hold the pencil where the pinch is just right then tie the piece of string so it impedes the unwinding of the pencil and leaves the pencil right where the perfect pinch is. You can also use things like pencils ( as shown in the second picture below) but they can come loose in the pinching process so I do not suggest this.
http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/1654/dscn09042nz.th.jpg (http://img143.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscn09042nz.jpg)
http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/8052/dscn09051nj.th.jpg (http://img66.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscn09051nj.jpg)

8. Do one last check of everything, measure, make sure knots are tight , make sure the pinch is to you liking.
http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/6774/dscn09080zr.th.jpg (http://img220.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscn09080zr.jpg)

9. Pinch the head!!! use the method of your liking. If you do not know how to do this I will discuss this in part II

Note: Be creative, this isnt limited to 1 piece of string you can use others to make it a even better. Just keep in mind the how it looks in step nine is how it will look after. It might get alittle wider depending on the head and temp of the water.

[James]

Part II Pinching Methods
Here I will go over the methods of pinching I have read about or personally done.

Boiling the head ( My method of choice) - This is where you take your prepped head stick it in a pot that is filled with boiling or simmering water. Keep it there for at least 8 minutes. When this time has passed pull the head out and A) stick it under cold sink water for 2 minutes B) put it in the fridge for ten minutes c) let it return to room temprature with no means of unatural cooling . I personally use option A but people have conflicting ideas of wich is best. No matter what way I choose I always let the warm or cold head return to room temprature ( leave it for a half hour just to be safe) before taking the strings off.

Heating the head up with a hair dryer- I have done this and it can work well it just takes for ever!! What you do is you take your prepped head and heat the head up with a hair dryer. After heating it up you then,A) stick it under cold sink water for 2 minutes B) put it in the fridge for ten minutes c) let it return to room temprature without any means of cooling it unaturally . Once again before removing the strings let it return to room remprature. Just make sure that you heat both sides up equally or it could pinch uneven.

Just leaving the strings tied method- this is just where you leave the head prepped for a long amount of time so that the head takes the pinch shape without heating of any sort. I have not had any luck with this method so I dont suggest is but some people have had success with this.

Variant to leaving strings tied method- this is when you leave the head prepped for a long time like mentioned above but you put it in your car. The theory is that when the car is in the sun it warms up and the head will become pinched. I have not tried this so I can not comment.

Dryer method- I have never tried this and I am doubtfull. I would not suggest this but since I am going over methods it is explained in this link- http://lacrosseforums.com/showthread.php?t=43916&highlight=dryer+pinching

Holding it over the stove- this is when you hold the head over a burner ( not too close you will melt the plastic!!) and heat it up this way. From there you will A) stick it under cold sink water for 2 minutes B) put it in the fridge for ten minutes c) let it return to room temprature without cooling it by any means. Like always let the head return to room temprature before removing strings. I personally do not like this due to the potential to melt the plastic but many people prefer this method. Just remember, not too close

Baking the head- This is when you put the head in a hot oven and let it get hot that way. I have never tried it so I can not comment. But the after heating up part is the same as others you A) stick it under cold sink water for 2 minutes B) put it in the fridge for ten minutes c) let it return to room temprature. Then let it return to room temprature.

[James]

Part III
Pinching FAQ's

Q. Can you pinch a head with mesh on?
A. Technically Yes, but you really shouldnt. You should restring it after the pinch. The mesh will be very crappy and weak if you leave the mesh in. But if you really have to you should do the leaving the strings tied method or the hair dryer method. I have also been told ( the wall 00 ) that wetting mesh then using the oven method will keep your mesh in good condition so you might want to look into this

Q. What method would you suggest?
A. I would suggest the boiling method I have had the greatest succes with this method and I highly reccomend it to anyone. As my second choice I would suggest the hair dryer method I have also had success with this, but it is painstakingly boring

Q. Does pinching a head make it weaker?
A. Yes, it varies considerably between certain heads of how much weaker they will get. If you want to avoid this as much as possible you should do the leaving strings attached method or hairdryer method.

Q. Will a pinch ruin my dye job?
A. No , well it shouldnt. I have heard some cases of the dye getting lighter colored but no signifigant dye change. At least in my experience. According to a recent thread they say they had signifigant fading of the dye so you might want to think twice before pinching a dyed head.

Q. My throat is illegal what should I do!!!
A. Leave a baseball in the throat over night. If it does not turn legal you might have to re-boil the head with the baseball in it.

Q. I want my head to have a flare pinch like the blade how would I do that
A. I have done this once before and I liked it alot. Instead of tying the string around the whole sidewall I just string it around the bottom holes. Be carefull not to break the sidewall hole. Because when it is hot the plastic is alot more plyable and might the string might rip through the sidewall hole. See picture below for How I do it
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/4017/dscn09156hf.th.jpg (http://img151.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscn09156hf.jpg)

[James]

Finished products- http://img362.imageshack.us/img362/5564/dscn04378sx.th.jpg (http://img362.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscn04378sx.jpg)
This was the iconic pinch so many people liked- http://img403.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscn01472td.jpg
http://img403.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscn01465gd.jpg
http://img403.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscn01486rr.jpg
A slight torque pinch, very slight that is- http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/531/dscn08950ag.th.jpg (http://img408.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscn08950ag.jpg)
I have a couple more just can find pics.

[James]

Sorry I didnt clarify when the Tut was finished. SO you guys posted in it. Sorry about that.

[bionicboy21]

I thought i was the only one who pinched like that, it's so much easier to the pinch you want that way.

[CnSLax3]

Thats a good tutorial i like it better than the other guide to pinching. :thumbsup:

[James]

Well thanks. How did I do for my first tutorial? any constructive criticism? I tried to be as descriptive as I could but I really suck at being descriptive so I think I did ok on it just not great. Any feedback would be appreciated because I am writing a low pocket tut soon

[CnSLax3]

I think u did great love pics i didn't even really have to read it and i understood it so for some1 unfamiliar w/ pinching should unsderstand it easy.

[cmplax91]

i like the blade-type pinch on the blaze (?)... some kid gave me one, i might try that

[Wubbie]

Very, VERY nice...

I love the method and tutorial...

Sticky? {Yes, Please.}

[B1ackout]

oh my bad sry bout that i saw all the pinching was done and that people had posted and so i thought id throw out my thoughts...

but anyways great tutorial should stop futured whats the best way to pinch a head because everyone This is the best way to pinch a head this should be stickied

[Kubera]

thats what i did when i pinched my blaze, heh, that is what the guide is showing right? it actully turned out really nice, however, the dye did not

[MoOnCoW]

nice tut, if i could only read the writing, some green box showed up when i scrolled down this thread :/

[THE WALL #00]

Part III
Pinching FAQ's

Q. Can you pinch a head with mesh on?
A. Technically Yes, but you really shouldnt. You should restring it after the pinch. The mesh will be very crappy and weak if you leave the mesh in. But if you really have to you should do the leaving the strings tied method or the hair dryer method.



my brother does this with the mesh in and it works perfect everytime just really soak it then put it in the oven it works every time

[James]

Thanks for all the complements, I dont think it deserves a sticky but whatever. The wall 00 you are probably right but I still wouldnt suggest it because when you pinch it I think the pocket would move higher and throw different but thats just theory

[Enjoi LAX]

Exellent tutorial for your first try! How you say STICKY?

[czechinthepipes]

i tried your idea with the pencil and i used my hairdryer, well it seems like i messed up or something cause one of the sidewalls looks my curvy then the other. if i knew how to put picks on here i d show u but i dont. what should i do? its not that noticable but i just wanted to make sure like it wasnt that bad or illegal.

[James]

i tried your idea with the pencil and i used my hairdryer, well it seems like i messed up or something cause one of the sidewalls looks my curvy then the other. if i knew how to put picks on here i d show u but i dont. what should i do? its not that noticable but i just wanted to make sure like it wasnt that bad or illegal.
My guess is that you heated one side up more then the ohter. I cant tell you how to fix it. I would try to re- pinch it. But that might screw things up more.

[PCHSlax5]

Nice tutorial James, still haven't tried this method, but i can just tell it works better than a convensional method. I'm going to try it soon. STICKY, period.

[TRIPLE THREAT]

There is also another easy way to pinch a head. Put it in the microwave for 30 second intervals. (DO NOT KEEP IT IN THE MICROWAVE FOR MORE THAN 1 MINUTE AT A TIME) After 30 seconds open the microwave and see if it has pinched. If not, put in back in the microwave for another 30 seconds. Otherwise, put it in cold water and it will harden.

[Wubbie]

Please don't do that...

Do not nuke your head... Please, oh, please.

[James]

Please don't do that...

Do not nuke your head... Please, oh, please.
I was thinking that, The potential to screw it up is very great. When there are like 1,000 things you can do instead of nuking it to pinch it

[jmoschen]

Wow thats a great tutorial. I am going to print it off and hand it out at my kids next game. They are just getting to the age when they all want to do this. Of course the parents are horrified at the thought! After spending all the money on the gear!

Thanks for putting this up- Super clear, the pictures helped a lot.

[I Am Legend]

There's alot of good information in this tutorial, nice job.

[lacrosse_newbie]

Please don't do that...

Do not nuke your head... Please, oh, please.
QFT. My friend nuked his eclipse... but it was so he could get a Guardian. Cheap moron.

[Riot]

How much should I pinch my torque? I want it as pinched as possible but I don't want it to turn illegal. Also, for anybody that has pinched a torque, how much stiffness did you lose?

[AusBadger]

i hope this tutorial works. i just put my a really blocky and old stx head in the the hot water. its teh shape of a revo pro now

[cgv1016]

wow....this is way better than use string and tying it....its like a crank...thats chill

[pshwarriorlax17]

i was just wondering but whats the advantage gained by pinching it like the blade, is it better for face offs?,

[James]

i was just wondering but whats the advantage gained by pinching it like the blade, is it better for face offs?,
Some people like the pinched feel of the bottom rail but the big catching area. I dont know about face-offs because I rarely take them

[GroAfro2332]

i was just wondering but whats the advantage gained by pinching it like the blade, is it better for face offs?,

some kids on my team when they faced off pinched their head to get the ball stuck in the very bottom of the head then give it a little movemen and the ball would come right out except for one game when it didn't and he got called...

[laxstargt]

I just did the boiling method and it worked great. Your tutorial was easily understandable and very helpful, THANKS! :thumbsup:

[CHSLax66]

Q. Will a pinch ruin my dye job?
A. No , well it shouldnt. I have heard some cases of the dye getting lighter colored but no signifigant dye change. At least in my experience. According to a recent thread they say they had signifigant fading of the dye so you might want to think twice before pinching a dyed head.

wish i had read that... head went from black to navy

[laxmann1993]

Please don't do that...

Do not nuke your head... Please, oh, please.

My friend tried this with his backup and it did not work and it has 2 air bubbles in it.

[holyschnikes101]

So, how long do I put it in the oven? About 10 minutes?

[Farva]

I just threw mine under a table and it came out a perfect 7 inchs.

[zack Attack 12]

One thing is the car method works amazingly much less boring than the hairdryer and a little less weakening the head also i am not sure if you mentioned the 3 inches at the narrowest part rule maybe i missed that, but i am pretty sure that the head has to be under 10 inches long ways the narrowest part cannot be less than 3 inches otherwise looks relly good

[TRITON]

i read that you can put your strung head in a zip lock bag and then pinch it using the boiling method. Has anyone done it this way ??

[Ex-Laxer]

i read that you can put your strung head in a zip lock bag and then pinch it using the boiling method. Has anyone done it this way ??

I like to know if this works also! :thinking:

[NyLAxplaya]

i jsut pinched my edge, i typed it with 2 strings and the pencil method, and blasted it wit ha heat gun for about 20 mins, the pinch was done in about 30- 60 minutes

[James]

i jsut pinched my edge, i typed it with 2 strings and the pencil method, and blasted it wit ha heat gun for about 20 mins, the pinch was done in about 30- 60 minutes
How did it turn out? Do you have pics

[MiddieMan05]

I just got a new head for christmas and want to pinch it. I was wondering if it's alright to pinch a head right out of the box. Or if I should use it a bit and let it soften? Or if there isn't a difference?

[MaKiMaKi13]

I just got a new head for christmas and want to pinch it. I was wondering if it's alright to pinch a head right out of the box. Or if I should use it a bit and let it soften? Or if there isn't a difference?

its fine to pinch a head right out of the box, altho i notice no difference in brand new head pinches as opposed to heads that have been used lightly

[In The Goal]

Part III
Pinching FAQ's


Q. Will a pinch ruin my dye job?
A. No , well it shouldnt. I have heard some cases of the dye getting lighter colored but no signifigant dye change. At least in my experience. According to a recent thread they say they had signifigant fading of the dye so you might want to think twice before pinching a dyed head.

I did this to my proton+ and it ruined the dye jod

[laxkid891]

Part III
Pinching FAQ's


Q. Will a pinch ruin my dye job?
A. No , well it shouldnt. I have heard some cases of the dye getting lighter colored but no signifigant dye change. At least in my experience. According to a recent thread they say they had signifigant fading of the dye so you might want to think twice before pinching a dyed head.

I did this to my proton+ and it ruined the dye jod
he says to think twice before pinching a dyed head...and howd it ruin the dye?

[sammyduelist]

because when you put it back into heated water there is a chance the dye will escape and hence you have less pigment and itll be a lighter color, causing the faded dye

[chuckzuck]

do you boil it with the strings tied around the sidewall

[gigo567]

do you boil it with the strings tied around the sidewall
If you want to, doesn't make a difference, but it is usually easier to pinch it if you:

1.) boil the head

2.) put the strings on and pinch it

3.) boil it with strings on

4.) let it return to room temperature.

[mafman11]

What are the dimensions for a legal field stick?, and I messed up my dye job when I pinched it, but whatev

[laxapalooza]

can u still boil with mesh on?

[Laxmann019]

can u still boil with mesh on?

not a good idea to do that because your mesh will not stretch at all. but yes you can.

[MachAttack39]

Sorry to bring this thread to the top again, but I just pinched a head using this tut. came out amazing. Now I want to die it, will dyeing unpinch it (from the hot water)
Thanks
Steve

[sachemeastlax]

hi this is my first post! i need a better head so im gonna pinch an old 1 i have a av8 strung with good hard mesh using this pinch method http://www.e-lacrosse.com/stech62.html with the quick grip and ties can i be able to keep my head strung

[vegasboy]

nice tutorilasi did the voiling waer thing it might work guna go do it now

[LAgoalie]

if you wanted to pinch a head so that it turned out like a box head, would that work, is there a way to do it? like if you pinched a head so much that it turned into a penitrator (the warrior box head)?

[HULK5]

Just a question how did you find all of that out?

[lifeoflax45]

my brother does this with the mesh in and it works perfect everytime just really soak it then put it in the oven it works every time
ok, yo if ur gonna do it w/the mesh still on, where do u tie the string through? like do u go between the first mesh or between two sidewall strings, im confused can ya help me out?? thnx

[lifeoflax45]

yo how hot /what settings do you put the oven on when u go to pinch the head???