Stringing machine: Should I buy one?

[AlexDK09]

I'm thinking of buying a stringing machine but I'm not quite sure yet.

I never break any strings and I restring once or twice a year right now.
In the future I will probably play two or three times a week on average.

Should I buy a stringing machine and string more often or should I just leave it this way?

[mikeler]

How often do you play now?

[MAX PLY]

I am not sure you currently have a compelling economic reason to purchase one. As you play more and begin to break strings and/or become more highly sensitive to string changes (i.e., some strings can play poorly even if they have not broken), you should reassess.

Now, on the other hand, if you are interested in learning to string, I suggest learning from someone who has a stringer--see if you like doing it and then reassess--if you like it, consider making the investment. In the meantime, I suggest you start saving a little money so you can afford to buy the best machine you can at the time you are ready to buy. Good luck.

[Woolybugger]

just do the math: cost of stringing * frequency of stringing versus cost of the machine. if you recoup the cost in 2 yrs and are going to be playing for a long time, then it's worth it. Don't be intimidated by the stringing process. There are lots of tutorials and lots of experts on this forum that will help you out. The biggest benefit I've gotten from DIY stringing is I can do it anytime I want to.

[kpvols]

i would say no, but if you have the excess 200$ then it will pay for its self in the long run. after a month of thinking it over i bought one Sunday. i break string about every 10-15hours which is not alot compared to most people here. but considering i save about 20$ per string job by doing it myself it pays for its self in a few months

[tennisplayer1993]

only if you play like everyday and pop strings every so often. if you pop strings like me every month or so than yeah. But since I'm lazy, I usually go back to the same stringer every time.

[AlexDK09]

Thanks for all the replies!

I'm going to wait to buy one and save some extra money. I just had a restring (late july) so I can wait for a few months now.

College is starting next week so I will probably play about 2 times per week now.

[tbuggle]

one mustn't wait til the strings break to "need" a re-string.

often, the strings are toast long before they break, but that certainly varies by user. I rarely break strings before i cut them out, one of the beauties of self-stringing AND using "cheap" string.

[COPEY]

^^^Exactly. I'm not sure why it is some feel one must be a string breaker to justify purchasing a machine. Being a string breaker is certainly one reason to purchase a machine, but it's also about restringing due to a drop-off in performance, convenience, cost savings, and the like.

I will say that from the sounds of the OP's frequency of play that he doesn't 'need' a stringer, but if he gets to the point of needing/wanting optimum performance from his strings without paying the high cost of driving to a pro shop and paying them to do it...buy a stringer.

[jswinf]

I'm similar to you in actual "need" for a machine. I got one because I like to string. If the idea appeals to you, you should think about going ahead with it when you're ready. If pulling out a machine and spending an hour plus or minus when you need to restring, or want to play around with different strings/tensions, doesn't really sound like fun, I don't think you have a pressing need to string for yourself.

[Setmatch45]

I bought one and it was the best thing I could have done. To get to a good stringer was 45min to an hour unless I was playing at this one club that has a good stringer. What put me over the top was this -- I dropped off 3 racquets for stringing and I waited for them to be done. I am friends with the guy who manages the shop so I hung out with him a bit. 50 min later the high school kid who was given the task of stringing them came to me and said they were done. I replied wow that is kind of fast! He said yes faster than 15 min per racquet. When I went to play them the next day two of the racquets had really lose strings the third seemed really tight. The shop made good on it re-stringing all three free but it is 45min each way to the shop.

I than went out and bought a gamma 5800 machine. It was a good bit of money but well worth the investment. No problems since.

[kopfan]

I have been asking myself for years. I am not a string breaker esp i use dense pattern and small frame. To justify the need, get a stringmeter to test for tension loss if you are not a string breaker. i measured my tension loss and re string when needed. If you add up doing 4 restring and 8 trips fee that would easily be 70 to 80 dollars. Count the math and decide. You does save travelling time and waiting time. look at cheaper option like klippermate, gamma x2 or used machine.

[AlexDK09]

Things have changed already for me now haha.

I had practice yesterday and noticed that for the first time ever one of my strings was slightly worn out after only one month.

I decided to change my mind and buy a machine. Probably a Pro's Pro Pioneer Challenger I or Challenger II.

Which one do you guys prefer? I cannot buy a Gamma or Klippermate because I live in the Netherlands and I'd like to have something nearby when I have questions or when there is something wrong with the machine.

[kopfan]

Both look the same. Go with the one having the best deal.

[AlexDK09]

I bought the Pro's Pro Pioneer Challenger II. I will probably get it around friday. I also bought Wilson Enduro Pro 16 strings to start with.