What kind of stringer for a 12 year old breaking strings every other day?

Tennisdork · 10-21-2010, 12:52 PM

My son is breaking strings every other day and its killing me .I told him I will buy him a stringer but he must learn to do it himself.We want a a stringer we can take to tournaments with us and that is good quality.Not really wanting a drop weight machine , any suggestions?THANKS

Jonny S&V · 10-21-2010, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tennisdork

My son is breaking strings every other day and its killing me .I told him I will buy him a stringer but he must learn to do it himself.We want a a stringer we can take to tournaments with us and that is good quality.Not really wanting a drop weight machine , any suggestions?THANKS

Well, not wanting a dropweight kinda eliminates all but a couple of stringers, but of the ones out there (and if you don't mind Eagnas):

http://www.eagnas.com/hawk126e.html

Tennisdork · 10-21-2010, 01:17 PM

I saw a Gamma on tennis wharehouse thats about 600 , looked like table top?What I have read is the dropweights take alot longer to string than with crank machine?

Jonny S&V · 10-21-2010, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tennisdork

I saw a Gamma on tennis wharehouse thats about 600 , looked like table top?What I have read is the dropweights take alot longer to string than with crank machine?

It does take longer, but I have a Alpha Revo 4000, and it's pushing 80 lbs. I wouldn't call that particularly portable... A drop weight is the optimal portable stringer, and even if it adds 5-10 min a racquet (which is about what it does adds, depending on the fluency of the stringer), it's still great for stringing as long as you take your time and don't rush. Of the drop-weights out there, the Klippermate is the premier traveling drop-weight stringer with the Gamma X-2 (I don't know what they call it now) being a close second.

EDIT: The Alpha Revo is a fixed-clamp, table-top crank.

beernutz · 10-21-2010, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tennisdork

My son is breaking strings every other day and its killing me .I told him I will buy him a stringer but he must learn to do it himself.We want a a stringer we can take to tournaments with us and that is good quality.Not really wanting a drop weight machine , any suggestions?THANKS

Why wouldn't you want a dropweight machine? A Klippermate or Gamma X-2 sounds about ideal for a new stringer like your son who wants a portable machine. Plus neither requires a huge upfront investment in case your son's tennis or stringing activities stop for whatever reason.

Personally, I'd be worried more about transporting a crank machine as I think there would be a higher chance of breaking something, particularly in the cranking mechanism, if you move it a lot. Just my $.02.

Irvin · 10-21-2010, 02:50 PM

^^ Agreed, why wouldn't you want a drop weight machine. They are very portable, not much that can go wrong, and inexpensive. I would suggest the Gamma machines.

One more point is you may want your son to string his own rackets but after you buy a machine you son may find it is not something he really wants to do and the stringer will sit in the closet.

Rather than getting a stringer have you thought about changes the strings that you son presently uses? There are a lot of options out there today.

Irvin

jim e · 10-21-2010, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tennisdork

My son is breaking strings every other day and its killing me .I told him I will buy him a stringer but he must learn to do it himself.We want a a stringer we can take to tournaments with us and that is good quality.Not really wanting a drop weight machine , any suggestions?THANKS

With machines you get what you pay for. I would get a decent quality machine with a decent # of features,(My minimum would be:fixed clamps, 6 point suspension mounting, linnear tension head, decent brake system), but that is me, many here like the inexpensive bare bones type of machine, just not my cup of tea.The features makes the job more enjoyable for me, therefore I can string more comfortable and do a great job. A great job also can be done on a low end model as well, it's just how you get there.
If your son has a # of racquets you would not really need a portable unit. The machines on a stand are the most comfortable to string on.
The USRSA has a good article here on machines:
http://www.racquetsportsindustry.com...ng_machin.html

And on this link, same article but features table page, if you click on the manufacturer, it takes you right to that manuf. site.
This can give you more information for an informed decision. Good luck.
http://www.racquetsportsindustry.com..._machines.html

rich s · 10-21-2010, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tennisdork

My son is breaking strings every other day and its killing me .I told him I will buy him a stringer but he must learn to do it himself.We want a a stringer we can take to tournaments with us and that is good quality.Not really wanting a drop weight machine , any suggestions?THANKS

Gamma X-ST or Gamma ST-II..... neither are drop weights, both are cranks, the difference between the two is the construction of the base.

For your situation they sound like a good match. They aren't drop weights. They aren't electric/electronic, so if you needed to string at the tournament or in the parking lot you don't need to hunt down a power outlet.

Whether you order from TW or directly from Gamma you get free ground shipping.

I owned a Gamma 602FC and recently upgraded to a Gamma 6004, and have no problem recommending a Gamma machine to anyone.

Additionally one of Gamma's Stringing Machine engineers is a member of the boards, his screen name is Gamma Tech.

dancraig · 10-21-2010, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tennisdork

My son is breaking strings every other day and its killing me .I told him I will buy him a stringer but he must learn to do it himself.We want a a stringer we can take to tournaments with us and that is good quality.Not really wanting a drop weight machine , any suggestions?THANKS

Get a machine that you like.
Many times a parent buys a machine, thinking the child will do the stringing. Soon, the child decides he hates stringing and the parent becomes the stringer.

schap02 · 10-22-2010, 05:30 AM

Table top machine, probably a crank for you, 6 point mount - do some research and just pick one, IMO - you can't go wrong with a Gamma?

Rabbit · 10-22-2010, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim e

With machines you get what you pay for. I would get a decent quality machine with a decent # of features,(My minimum would be:fixed clamps, 6 point suspension mounting, linnear tension head, decent brake system), but that is me, many here like the inexpensive bare bones type of machine, just not my cup of tea.The features makes the job more enjoyable for me, therefore I can string more comfortable and do a great job. A great job also can be done on a low end model as well, it's just how you get there.
If your son has a # of racquets you would not really need a portable unit. The machines on a stand are the most comfortable to string on.
The USRSA has a good article here on machines:
http://www.racquetsportsindustry.com...ng_machin.html

And on this link, same article but features table page, if you click on the manufacturer, it takes you right to that manuf. site.
This can give you more information for an informed decision. Good luck.
http://www.racquetsportsindustry.com..._machines.html

Great post.

MAX PLY · 10-22-2010, 05:56 AM

^^^+1

Jim e's advice is very sound. I agree that there is nothing wrong with a dropweight but they are simply not as easy or as quick as crank. The fact they generally cost a bit more may be a factor (but even if he abandons stringing, you should be able to sell it and recoup much of your outlay). The Gammas are good suggestions--good, reliable and portable (relatively speaking). Also consider getting the stand for home use. Good luck.

rich s · 10-22-2010, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAX PLY

^^^+1

Jim e's advice is very sound. I agree that there is nothing wrong with a crank but they are simply not as easy or as quick as crank. ............

MAX.... did you mean Dropweight?

MAX PLY · 10-22-2010, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rich s

MAX.... did you mean Dropweight?

yep--fixed in original--thanks.

Power Player · 10-22-2010, 07:10 AM

Other question..what kind of strings is he breaking so fast?

Radicalized · 10-22-2010, 07:12 AM

^^Good question. And where on the string bed are the strings breaking?

A fully assembled X-2 stores in an area about 26"L X 7"W X 16"H (with the arm down). Of course, you can easily take it apart and reassemble it.

Kevo · 10-22-2010, 07:53 AM

If I were you I'd seriously look at a stringway dropweight. They are quite portable, and I think if it didn't work out you'd be able to sell it easily for a reasonable price. They are also quite fast since you don't have to worry about the weight getting close to horizontal.

If he's breaking strings that fast, I think the first thing I would look into is a different string though.

Steve Huff · 10-22-2010, 05:44 PM

Not only "what strings", but what racket? Maybe he needs to get a new frame with a denser pattern. Most 12-yr olds just don't break strings every other day.

10-22-2010, 05:57 PM

Whats your budget?

Tennisdork · 10-26-2010, 05:17 AM

He plays with a Bab aeropro and uses a poly and multifilament blend Kischbaum, he has to stay with those strings because we got a ton of it for free

.The most I can spend is 1000 and that would kinda hurt.I have watched a guy string on A prince areos and it looked fairly simple so we like that one , but not portable.

10-21-2010, 12:52 PM	#1
Tennisdork New User Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 25	What kind of stringer for a 12 year old breaking strings every other day? My son is breaking strings every other day and its killing me .I told him I will buy him a stringer but he must learn to do it himself.We want a a stringer we can take to tournaments with us and that is good quality.Not really wanting a drop weight machine , any suggestions?THANKS

10-21-2010, 01:17 PM	#3
Tennisdork New User Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 25	Gamma I saw a Gamma on tennis wharehouse thats about 600 , looked like table top?What I have read is the dropweights take alot longer to string than with crank machine?

10-21-2010, 02:50 PM	#6
Irvin Legend Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Marietta, Ga Posts: 6,964	^^ Agreed, why wouldn't you want a drop weight machine. They are very portable, not much that can go wrong, and inexpensive. I would suggest the Gamma machines. One more point is you may want your son to string his own rackets but after you buy a machine you son may find it is not something he really wants to do and the stringer will sit in the closet. Rather than getting a stringer have you thought about changes the strings that you son presently uses? There are a lot of options out there today. Irvin __________________ Irvin - I wish Facebook would notify me when people delete me so I can 'Like it'

10-22-2010, 05:30 AM	#10
schap02 Semi-Pro Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: City Posts: 696	Table top machine, probably a crank for you, 6 point mount - do some research and just pick one, IMO - you can't go wrong with a Gamma? __________________ Prince 6000 - IG Prestige MP

10-22-2010, 05:56 AM	#12
MAX PLY Professional Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,336	^^^+1 Jim e's advice is very sound. I agree that there is nothing wrong with a dropweight but they are simply not as easy or as quick as crank. The fact they generally cost a bit more may be a factor (but even if he abandons stringing, you should be able to sell it and recoup much of your outlay). The Gammas are good suggestions--good, reliable and portable (relatively speaking). Also consider getting the stand for home use. Good luck. Last edited by MAX PLY : 10-22-2010 at 06:58 AM.