Wilson steam 99s stringing question

[mrj1813]

Hello all,

Hit with the 99s yesterday and am considering buying one. I own a klippermate and am wondering if I will have problems stringing it with the kippermate floating clamps due to the extreme open pattern/distance between strings?
Any opinions or experience with this?

Thanks

Sam

[racertempo]

Originally Posted by mrj1813

Hello all,

Hit with the 99s yesterday and am considering buying one. I own a klippermate and am wondering if I will have problems stringing it with the kippermate floating clamps due to the extreme open pattern/distance between strings?
Any opinions or experience with this?

Thanks

Sam

That is a great question as I have a Eagnas with floating clamps as well, I suspect it will be okay but I have not strung mine as I had TW do it since they don't charge labor for their stringing. I am even more worried about the 105s which I own as well. I know tons of people on here have strung the 99s in the past couple of weeks and I have not read of any problems, but I am sure you will get some more definitive replies.

[Rabbit]

As a former drop weight owner, I can unequivocally say "maybe". I remember, particularly on Wilson frames the last two crosses being difficult to clamp due to their spacing.

[mrj1813]

bump. anyone out there with a klippermate string the 99s??


is it difficult with the floating clamps, especially near the throat?

[cork_screw]

Try to string it full poly with Weiss Cannon. They are notoriously known as a poly that holds tension very well. I like to string it at 54. But with something that rewards string movement for grip like the 99s, you might like to try to string it lower because the tension will maintain its point better with these strings.

Also try Signum Pro, their polys are good too and a lot of people say they are a bit of a stiff poly which might bode well for a racquet that needs more tension maintenance.

[racertempo]

Originally Posted by cork_screw

Try to string it full poly with Weiss Cannon. They are notoriously known as a poly that holds tension very well. I like to string it at 54. But with something that rewards string movement for grip like the 99s, you might like to try to string it lower because the tension will maintain its point better with these strings.

Also try Signum Pro, their polys are good too and a lot of people say they are a bit of a stiff poly which might bode well for a racquet that needs more tension maintenance.

The point of the thread has NOTHING to do with what string to use of what tension, the question is do people have problems with the hanging/floating clamps that are used on drop-weight machines......due to the open pattern.......ie, will the clamps actually work.

I have a drop weight with 2 floating clamps, but have not restrung yet as it has been so cold that I have not hit much recently. Anyone with feedback, I know lots of people have been restringing.

[pvw_tf]

Originally Posted by racertempo

I have a drop weight with 2 floating clamps, but have not restrung yet as it has been so cold that I have not hit much recently. Anyone with feedback, I know lots of people have been restringing.

Only in the case a racket does not fit in the machine you will not be able to string. In all other cases it is just (maybe a lot) harder to do it right. So yes you will be able to string it with 2 floating clamps, but not as easy. You have to move the strings together to use the clamps and adjust to get the tension right and consistent. Not easy, not the best way, but can be done.

Peter

[racertempo]

Originally Posted by pvw_tf

Only in the case a racket does not fit in the machine you will not be able to string. In all other cases it is just (maybe a lot) harder to do it right. So yes you will be able to string it with 2 floating clamps, but not as easy. You have to move the strings together to use the clamps and adjust to get the tension right and consistent. Not easy, not the best way, but can be done.

Peter

Have you actually done it? We understand that it can theoretically be done, but neat the throat those last few string and almost too far apart to bring together with the clamp.......have you done that?

[pvw_tf]

Originally Posted by racertempo

Have you actually done it?

No I did not.

If I have to, it can be done. Did the Snauwaert Dyno Hi-Ten with 1.8 that way and several other weird rackets which had the big distances.

But in general I would not recommend a stringing machine with floating clamps at all. Working with fixed clamps since my starting days of stringing (1980)

I still have floating clamps, and used them, when I had to do emergency jobs on other borrowed machines.

Peter

[mrj1813]

thanks for the replies. maybe i'll bring a floating clamp with me to the local tennis center and see how it looks when held up to the racket. It seems like I'd have to move the strings so much to get the clamp on that one would lose a lot of tension when the clamp was removed, at least on the last crosses near the throat.

of course, maybe i need a fixed clamp stringer

[racertempo]

Originally Posted by mrj1813

thanks for the replies. maybe i'll bring a floating clamp with me to the local tennis center and see how it looks when held up to the racket. It seems like I'd have to move the strings so much to get the clamp on that one would lose a lot of tension when the clamp was removed, at least on the last crosses near the throat.

of course, maybe i need a fixed clamp stringer

fixed clamp stringers aside, you can always go up 10-15% on that last cross near the throat to make up for the lost tension with the knot and moving to clamp.

[gameboy]

I've strung my Steam 105s twice now with my Gamma dropweight stringer with flying clamps.

It is a bit more difficult, but it is not that bad. You just can't put the clamp right next to the frame like I usually do on crosses (mains are just fine). You just need to squeeze the string together before you clamp it.

[Lakers4Life]

Originally Posted by gameboy

I've strung my Steam 105s twice now with my Gamma dropweight stringer with flying clamps.

It is a bit more difficult, but it is not that bad. You just can't put the clamp right next to the frame like I usually do on crosses (mains are just fine). You just need to squeeze the string together before you clamp it.

Doesn't that create more tension? Though it might not be a bad thing.

[gameboy]

Not really since the next pull will even it out.

[pvw_tf]

Originally Posted by mrj1813

maybe i need a fixed clamp stringer

I think you should. Loose clamps was just a way to save money on getting a cheaper stringer, but at the moment there are enough well priced machines with fixed clamps.

I had a fixed clamp on my first machine in 1980. I am getting old.....
That was the era of the wooden rackets (18*20) and the first "weirdo" rackets like Wilson T2000

Peter

[racertempo]

Originally Posted by gameboy

I've strung my Steam 105s twice now with my Gamma dropweight stringer with flying clamps.

It is a bit more difficult, but it is not that bad. You just can't put the clamp right next to the frame like I usually do on crosses (mains are just fine). You just need to squeeze the string together before you clamp it.

Thanks for the update on the flying clamps!

[ttwarrior1]

if the closest stringer to me is 45 min away ,i assume i shouldn't get this racket? if i did what strings would you get to not restring for a season.

ps: use a warrior racket and haven't restrung in 7 years , no idea what the strings are but they don't move ever, came from here

[brownbearfalling]

I realize that you are looking for a yes or no answer but i think that all that matters is that you can get the job done. EVERY stringer is going to produce a different result whether slightly or drastically. You just need to find a string type, tension and method of stringing your racquet that suits your tastes. If you are absolutely "in love" with the 99s, I don't think your stringing machine should keep you from getting it.

[Mongolmike]

Originally Posted by ttwarrior1

if the closest stringer to me is 45 min away ,i assume i shouldn't get this racket? if i did what strings would you get to not restring for a season.

ps: use a warrior racket and haven't restrung in 7 years , no idea what the strings are but they don't move ever, came from here

Unless you hit really soft, I don't think you are going to find a string that works with this racquet the way they are supposed to and that will last you all season. Most of us (and I am not a big hitter.... lot of spin, but not a ball crusher) are just trying to find a good string that will last 10-12 HOURS of play!

You could try kevlar, but the nature/design of the racquet is to get the strings to slide/move on contact with the ball- then snap back into place. This WILL cause notching, but you have to be swinging hard enough to get the strings to move. If you aren't, then this racquet really isn't what you should be using. And since you haven't restrung in 7 years... and would only want to string once a season... this probably isn't the best stick for you IMO.

[mrj1813]

thanks for the comments everyone. i bought the 99s today and we'll see how it goes