which cheap 1st stringer should I go with?

[Mansewerz]

Originally Posted by lethalfang

660' of their synthetic gut

whoa, a 660' reel when you buy the SP swing. hmmm, i'm very tempted.

[boyettrysis]

since the clamps for the gamma x-2 are bad cant you buy a diiferent one. or are all clamps different?

[max]

You know, people always think the kicker in the deal is the free string. To me, that's not so big a thing. And Klippermate gives out free strings with theirs, for what it's worth.

[Spatula]

I agree, the free string should not be a deciding factor in the purchase of a machine. Chances are the buyer doesn't use Gamma strings (as an example). Gamma uses it as a way to expose their products and get people to use them after trying. It's nice, but in my situation, wouldn't base a decision on a string package.

[tsmcauliffe]

the winning factor for me to buy the SP Swing was the full clutch. The Gamma has a ratcheting clutch and the Klippermate doesn't have a clutch at all. Also, of all the reviews that I read, it sounded like the flying clamps from SP were the best. Also my friend has a SP Swing that is 6 years old and he hasn't had to replace anything. Also the 6 point mounting system is really easy to set up and hold the racket really strongly. You should definatley go eighths SP Swing.

[Cup8489]

anyone have a link for this SP so i can check it out?

or maybe i'll just google it.

nvm, found it. a 6 point mount for 200 bucks?

i admit, i'm surprised. but i saw the jazz, and now i am completely up in the air. anyone know anything about the jazz?

[Spatula]

google, silent partner and it's the first site that comes up.

[Mansewerz]

I know, i can get string for like 30 bucks. (660')

Now, is it a pain to string with the Klippermate, or should it be good for a beginner like me? It's within my budget. Also, if I do maybe a couple requests from time to time for friends, will it do?

And how is the Silent Partner customer service/warranty?

[tsmcauliffe]

Mansewerz, go to sptennis . com and it tells all about the Silent Partner warranty and guarantee.

[spectraflamed]

Wow the x-2 was way ahead and Klip has sort of caught up but now I am wondering about the Silent Partner. As a stringing newbie are the extra features of the SP worth it? I am not concerned about speed or doing hundreds of racquets I want something that is easy to use so I do not get frustrated and end up posting it on the for sale board in a month. thanks for all the help.

[Mansewerz]

Originally Posted by tsmcauliffe

Mansewerz, go to sptennis . com and it tells all about the Silent Partner warranty and guarantee.

I think i'll be getting the SP if any. Got a good warranty, 30 day money back guarantee if its not for me (i think that's what it means). And it's got a brake, 6 point mounting, and clutch. I've heard that a clutch system will save me from breaking the racquet in half out of aggravation!

Thanks for the help. Any other suggestions?

[WildVolley]

I string on an SP Swing and it's a solid machine. Not perfect in all respects, but the clamps seem solid if they are properly adjusted.

For those of you that string on a Klippermate, how do you drop to parallel without a clutch? I've never seen a video of someone stringing with a klippermate.

[LanEvo]

if u want good warranty get the ats super stringer, its the same thing as an x-2 but instead comes with a lifetime warranty

[Mansewerz]

Originally Posted by WildVolley

I string on an SP Swing and it's a solid machine. Not perfect in all respects, but the clamps seem solid if they are properly adjusted.

For those of you that string on a Klippermate, how do you drop to parallel without a clutch? I've never seen a video of someone stringing with a klippermate.

Sweet. Is the clutch easy to use? And what are the negatives? Is it worth the 200 and how's the free string you get with it?

Originally Posted by LanEvo

if u want good warranty get the ats super stringer, its the same thing as an x-2 but instead comes with a lifetime warranty

Hmm, that's also got a nice price but no clutch.

[Mansewerz]

Wait, whats the difference between a clutch and a ratchet system? I noticed that the x-2 has a ratchet mechanism. In almerickso's video on youtube, he calls it a clutch.

[WildVolley]

Originally Posted by Mansewerz

Sweet. Is the clutch easy to use? And what are the negatives? Is it worth the 200 and how's the free string you get with it?

The free string is fine, but nothing to get too excited about. It is some sort of synthetic gut. I sometimes use it in hybrids, to soften up poly mains.

With the Swing, you wrap the string around the drum head and the weight causes the head to compress and grip the string. If you drop too far, which is normally what happens when I string, you hold the drum that has the string gripper with one hand and raise the weight with the other and drop it again until it is parallel. There is no ratcheting, as it seems completely smooth. I don't know if that is good or bad.

My impression of the Swing is that the mounting system works well, and the machine is quite solid, but the mounting isn't particularly fast if you're stringing more than one model of racquet. The sort of "6-point" mount takes a little adjusting when you put in a different brand or size of racquet.

The Swing holds the racquet face quite close to the bar over which it is mounted. This helps keep everything stiff, but it provide less room to string crosses in a single motion (which I'm not good at doing anyway) because the bar is in the middle. There's still enough room to do a push weave in one pass. Looking at the picture you can see this. So your tradeoff is less frame flex but less space under the string bed when stringing crosses.

The flying clamps seem to be solid. They are adjustable with an included set of hex-wrenches. The only trick is adjusting them so they hold without slipping, but not so extremely tight that they damage the string.

You can do a good job of stringing with a drop weight as long as your clamps are well adjusted and you're consistent in your technique. Especially with poly, I clamp outside the frame at the start so that I don't double pull any mains. This gives me much more string bed consistency.

I don't have experience with the Gamma or Klipper, so take my experience for what it is worth. From what I've seen, the Gamma seems to have inferior clamps to the Swing, but I've never used them. The Gamma definitely holds the racquet higher from the bar.

[Mansewerz]

Originally Posted by WildVolley

The free string is fine, but nothing to get too excited about. It is some sort of synthetic gut. I sometimes use it in hybrids, to soften up poly mains.

With the Swing, you wrap the string around the drum head and the weight causes the head to compress and grip the string. If you drop too far, which is normally what happens when I string, you hold the drum that has the string gripper with one hand and raise the weight with the other and drop it again until it is parallel. There is no ratcheting, as it seems completely smooth. I don't know if that is good or bad.

My impression of the Swing is that the mounting system works well, and the machine is quite solid, but the mounting isn't particularly fast if you're stringing more than one model of racquet. The sort of "6-point" mount takes a little adjusting when you put in a different brand or size of racquet.

The Swing holds the racquet face quite close to the bar over which it is mounted. This helps keep everything stiff, but it limits your ability to string crosses in a single motion (which I'm not good at doing anyway) because the bar is in the middle. Looking at the picture you can see this. So your tradeoff is less frame flex but less space under the string bed when stringing crosses.

The flying clamps seem to be solid. They are adjustable with an included set of hex-wrenches. The only trick is adjusting them so they hold without slipping, but not so extremely tight that they damage the string.

You can do a good job of stringing with a drop weight as long as your clamps are well adjusted and you're consistent in your technique. Especially with poly, I clamp outside the frame at the start so that I don't double pull any mains. This gives me much more string bed consistency.

I don't have experience with the Gamma or Klipper, so take my experience for what it is worth. From what I've seen, the Gamma seems to have inferior clamps to the Swing, but I've never used them. The Gamma definitely holds the racquet higher from the bar.

So wait, the difference between a clutch and a ratchet is the clicks it makes?

[WildVolley]

Originally Posted by Mansewerz

So wait, the difference between a clutch and a ratchet is the clicks it makes?

I think they are essentially the same thing. Just know that there is no ratcheting feeling or sound with the swing.

I exaggerated the lack of space under the string bed with the Swing. While it is tight, you can do a push weave of crosses in one pass. I don't know what technique I was trying to do in the past. There is still probably less than 3" between the string bed and the bar that holds the racquet.

[Mansewerz]

Originally Posted by WildVolley

I think they are essentially the same thing. Just know that there is no ratcheting feeling or sound with the swing.

I exaggerated the lack of space under the string bed with the Swing. While it is tight, you can do a push weave of crosses in one pass. I don't know what technique I was trying to do in the past. There is still probably less than 3" between the string bed and the bar that holds the racquet.

I see. Hmm, right now it's between the ATS and SP swing. I could save around 70 bucks with the ats and I just need some reviews about it. However, the brake on the SP is tempting. Do you use the brake often, or is it mostly for 03 racquets?

[skierpaul]

I've been reading up on cost effective stringing machines as well. Now keep in mind that Eagnas doesn't have the best reputation, particularly with their electric stringers and their customer service, but some on here like their machines.

These are more like the SP Swing / X-2, but with linear pull and a ratcheting clutch:

http://www.eagnas.com/hawk20.html
http://www.eagnas.com/hawk26.html

This appears to be a straight knock off of the Alpha String Pal:

http://www.eagnas.com/flex100.html

I kind of like the design of the Sting Pal, from the looks of things appears to have quite a bit more room underneath to work with.