Got my new stringer :) first time!

MikeHitsHard93

Hall of Fame
Just received my new klipper mate for Xmas this morning and I just finished my first mains done ever :) starting to do the crosses and weaving ATM...this is actually quite fun! Starting out on syn gut was the way to go
 

MikeHitsHard93

Hall of Fame
nice! How long did it take you ?
my 1st stringing attempt on a swingweight took 3 hours!

That's actually how long it took! I took my time, only messed the mains up once by dropping the wrong clamp, but it was fairly easy once I got the hang of it!
 

cluckcluck

Hall of Fame
Your knots are pretty good I say, though the one that was already pointed out looks a bit funky (can't really tell what is). Keep at it and you'll find the perfect knot for you (I personally use the Pro Knot).
 

MikeHitsHard93

Hall of Fame
Your knots are pretty good I say, though the one that was already pointed out looks a bit funky (can't really tell what is). Keep at it and you'll find the perfect knot for you (I personally use the Pro Knot).

Yeah I wrenched on them pretty hard because I didn't want the tension to drop anymore! Thank you! I'm gonna have to learn more styles.
 

mikeler

Moderator
Yeah I wrenched on them pretty hard because I didn't want the tension to drop anymore! Thank you! I'm gonna have to learn more styles.

Don't go too crazy wrenching your knots. That is one way to bust them at the end of a string job. Yes you want to pull them tight but don't go crazy. My first string job took 4 hours (had a few beers along the way) and I busted the last knot because I used the tensioner to tighten it.
 

MikeHitsHard93

Hall of Fame
Don't go too crazy wrenching your knots. That is one way to bust them at the end of a string job. Yes you want to pull them tight but don't go crazy. My first string job took 4 hours (had a few beers along the way) and I busted the last knot because I used the tensioner to tighten it.

Ok thank you for the advice. I just pulled down fairly hard with some pliers lol. My job took me like 3 hours total.
 

max

Legend
Did you get a starting clamp? If not, then get one.

This isn't needed on the Kmate.

Good work! I think it took me about 1.5 hours or so the first time out. . . but then again, I took about 45 minutes before that just reading and re-reading the directions 2 or 3 times.

It's fun, isn't it?
 

mad dog1

G.O.A.T.
Yeah I wrenched on them pretty hard because I didn't want the tension to drop anymore! Thank you! I'm gonna have to learn more styles.

tying a tight knot won't prevent tension drop. the key is to learn how to pull the slack out of and apply tension to the portion of untensioned string between the clamp and the knot by grabbing the tail and leaning forward then quickly pulling back.
 
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MikeHitsHard93

Hall of Fame
This isn't needed on the Kmate.

Good work! I think it took me about 1.5 hours or so the first time out. . . but then again, I took about 45 minutes before that just reading and re-reading the directions 2 or 3 times.

It's fun, isn't it?

Thank you! It was actually a great experience and thanks to all of you that recommended this stringer! I read the directions a couple times as I was stringing it and I had to restart the mains because I dropped a clamp and had the tighten it. I believe that stretched the string but hopefully it didn't compromise it too much. I'm going to enjoy trying string out :)
 

MikeHitsHard93

Hall of Fame
tying a tight knot won't prevent tension drop. the key is to learn how to pull the slack out of and apply tension to the portion of untensioned string between the clamp and the knot by grabbing the tail and leaning forward then quickly pulling back.

Ok thanks for the insight. I will try to attempt this on the next job. I also need to up the tension as well. But 55 will definitely work for me in this stick! I just tested the stick I got for Xmas (ordered from tw) and the temsion was horrible...48! I'm kinda scared to hit with it.
 

Praprad

New User
Recommendation

Hey there, I'm thinking about buying my first stringing machine as I dread paying for stringing labor since I break my strings about every month.
Would you recommend klippermate? And what model? Also any tips and things to know?
 

MikeHitsHard93

Hall of Fame
Hey there, I'm thinking about buying my first stringing machine as I dread paying for stringing labor since I break my strings about every month.
Would you recommend klippermate? And what model? Also any tips and things to know?

Definitely. The basic model that is like $180 is what I have and I got it for the exact same reason you are considering. Plus I want to try new string and it's cool to be able to say you string your own rackets!
 

Praprad

New User
are you serious? haha thats stupid and some people are saying the gamma progression 200 is better, is this true or what is your opinion on it?
 
D

Deleted member 232704

Guest
I don't think you can go wrong with picking either one. There both great starter stringing machines. But if i had to choose by design, i would go with the Progression 200. I just don't like the way the Klipper looks like. Both stringers are very similar. The only difference that i would take into consideration would be the clamps.
 

max

Legend
Klippermate is the name used by the Court and Slope company; the other models are old Court and Slope models still available. . . not sure they really are worth it.

The Kmate is one fine solid machine. It'll last through the next nuclear war.
 

Praprad

New User
Oh okay and would you think it would be beneficial and just go for the Gamma Progression II 602?
And what do you mean by taking the clamps into consideration (I currently use the Prince Exo3 Tour 16X18 if that makes a difference)?
 

max

Legend
I bought my Klippermate around the Year 1999 or so. It has surely "paid for itself", not merely in the dollar costing, but in the fantastic ability it has given me to fine-tune my racquet's on-court performance: I no longer wait and wait until strings are dead, or use dead strings; I know what strings work best for my frame, thus an improvement, etc.

I really like the Klippermate. It's good for learning on, and it's quite possible to use it forever. Mine cost about $135; I picked it up at the company office in Elgin.

Now, knowing what I do, it's easy to question whether it would have made more sense to pay another $2-300 for a better machine; one with fixed clamps. But all told, I've now got a good feel for how it all fits together, so I'm not sure I'd buy the more expensive machine even now. I know how this one works and how to make it do good things for my racquet.
 

Dberger820

Rookie
I got the Gamma Progression II for Christmas and did my first string job today. All I can say is thank goodness for YouTube because the stringing directions from the manual Gamma provides is horrible. Once I found the right videos, I had the racquet done in about 2 hours while taking my time.
 

jgrushing

Rookie
Congrats on your Klippermate! I've had mine since 1992 and have enjoyed it immensely. Despite a lot of the comments on the board, stringing is neither hard, nor complicated. Also, your jobs with the KM are adequate for players of virtually any level. Just settle into your machine choice and work on your consistency and technique.
 
I've had my Klippermate for a few months now and have strung 27 racquets. I really like it and a super selling point is that Dave @ KlipperUSA takes your calls and can talk you through any issues you may be having.
 

jason586

Rookie
I picked up a used Klippermate recently on Craigslxxx and am very happy with it. I have no issues stringing with it compared to a friend's lockout that I was borrowing. If anyone is looking for a used Klippermate, I saw several for very low prices - $25, $40, $60, etc. I picked up one of the higher priced ones (was asking $80 with local pick up), but it came with lots of extras.

I emailed and asked if they were willing to ship. I ended up getting everything in the two pictures below for what I think was a steal of a deal at $105 shipped.

DSCN6310_zps5d5153d5.jpg


DSCN6306_zps19edc9d7.jpg
 

v-verb

Hall of Fame
Definitely a great deal you got! I got a Klipper with no tools for $50 which I was still very happy about. Shipping was extra.
 

beernutz

Hall of Fame
I picked up a used Klippermate recently on Craigslxxx and am very happy with it. I have no issues stringing with it compared to a friend's lockout that I was borrowing. If anyone is looking for a used Klippermate, I saw several for very low prices - $25, $40, $60, etc. I picked up one of the higher priced ones (was asking $80 with local pick up), but it came with lots of extras.

I emailed and asked if they were willing to ship. I ended up getting everything in the two pictures below for what I think was a steal of a deal at $105 shipped.

DSCN6310_zps5d5153d5.jpg


DSCN6306_zps19edc9d7.jpg

That's a pretty good deal. I sold my Klippermate and it's tools, an unused reel of Prince nylon plus about 7 individual string packs for $85. The carrying case is a nice addition because the one Klippermate currently sells is $80!
 

zapvor

G.O.A.T.
I picked up a used Klippermate recently on Craigslxxx and am very happy with it. I have no issues stringing with it compared to a friend's lockout that I was borrowing. If anyone is looking for a used Klippermate, I saw several for very low prices - $25, $40, $60, etc. I picked up one of the higher priced ones (was asking $80 with local pick up), but it came with lots of extras.

I emailed and asked if they were willing to ship. I ended up getting everything in the two pictures below for what I think was a steal of a deal at $105 shipped.



DSCN6306_zps19edc9d7.jpg

that head hat is awesome!
 

kpvols

New User
I bought my klippermate around December and i have to say its amazing saves a ton of money. funny thing is I play with Pro open also :D. my first job took 2 hours and it made me wish i actually used syn gut often its so much easier to string than most of the dumb polys people give me. Also i use the knots from a site idk if i can link it http://www.keohi.com/tennis/misc/knots.htm the ones in the klippermate guide are annoying sometimes.
 
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