Stringway ML100 T92 on the way!

sidzej

Rookie
Thanks everyone for your feedback. It seems that I was doing the right thing. I always support the weight with my hand and never let it fall on its own. Once the lever bottoms, I pull the string tight and drop the weight again (without moving clamp).

I had TE issues in the past and was therefore stringing at very low tensions. I've decided to try higher tension now. So far so good...
 

JRW

Rookie
JRW - I am in the market for a stringing machine and since you have experience using both the Ml100 and Star 3 and 5, what would you say the pros and cons are going with one over the other?

The Pros and Cons of the Stringway compared to the Babolats IMO are:

Stringway Pros: More secure mounting system, more accurate/consistent tensioning (never have to calibrate), portability/size, durability.

Stringway Cons: No 360 degree rotation, takes longer to mount, no table brake (I believe the newer Stringways have a brake now).

Babolat Pros: Faster mounting, quicker tension adjustments, knot and prestretch feature (Star 5)

Babolat Cons: Mounting not as secure, tension not as reliable (will have to occasionally calibrate), electronics can go bad (had to replace motherboard? in the Star 3 after a few years), clunkier clamps (Star 5).

That's all that I can think of off the top of my head. If I had to buy a machine for a pro shop I'd go with the Babolat as it is a bit quicker if you're doing a lot of racquets per day. They also have that 'WOW' factor that impresses customers. Since I don't work in a pro shop I opted for the Stringway because I was looking for a stringer that would provide me with a lifetime of trouble-free and consistent stringing.


How long is it taking you to finish a racquet?

After stringing several dozen racquets I was able to average about 15min-20min. per racquet. I did test myself one time and strung an Wilson H6 MP with Prince lightning 16 in 10min. 6 sec. It was for a D1 player so it was still a quality string job (no cut corners) :)

There are a few things you can do to cut your time per racquet on the Stringway.
 

156MPHserve

Professional
Well with the Stringway, you can easily fix any mechanical problems you may encounter although it's built like a tank so I don't see any real failures for many years.

With Babolat, you are out until you find someone with the skills to fix it.
 

JRW

Rookie
Well with the Stringway, you can easily fix any mechanical problems you may encounter although it's built like a tank so I don't see any real failures for many years.

With Babolat, you are out until you find someone with the skills to fix it.

Exactly. One of the main reasons why I chose it.
 

Technatic

Professional
T92 or T98

I use T92 and have used T98 before I bought my current machine.
Both systems hold the tension very well.

IMO The biggest difference between the systems is not the fact that you have to switch the lever on the T98.

The nice thing about the T92 is that you just move the clamp and the system follows.
On the T98 you have to follow the rotational movement of the system.
 
Last edited:
How do you adjust tension on the Stringway Clamps? I thought that I read in one post that this had to be done with an allan wrench, is that correct? If so how much of an annoyance is this?
 

mad dog1

G.O.A.T.
How do you adjust tension on the Stringway Clamps? I thought that I read in one post that this had to be done with an allan wrench, is that correct? If so how much of an annoyance is this?

yeah, adjusting the clamps is done using an allen wrench. i guess it's not too much of an annoyance if you leave the correct size allen key on the tool tray, but i'm used to having the adjustment knob on the clamp.
 
Last edited:

Kevo

Legend
I've noticed that the Stringway clamps don't mark up strings as much as other clamps I've used. I tend to leave them a little tight, and generally don't have to adjust them for anything but thin 18g strings. For 16g and 17g I rarely need to adjust them.
 

mad dog1

G.O.A.T.
I've noticed that the Stringway clamps don't mark up strings as much as other clamps I've used. I tend to leave them a little tight, and generally don't have to adjust them for anything but thin 18g strings. For 16g and 17g I rarely need to adjust them.

probably because the stringway clamps are constructed out of aluminum which is a softer than steel.
 

Technatic

Professional
Knob instead of Alan Bolt

SW repladed the Alan bolt by an small adjustment wheel last year. This also has the drawback that you can not place the clamps very close to each other for the first mains.

I think that the major reason for not hurting the strings that the aluminum parts are castings and all the edges of the teeth are rounded of nicely.
 
Can you attach a photo of the new Swingway clamps w/wheel? This is one of the things that I don't like about purchasing these machines, subtle differences between photos on site & actual product received.

Can anyone compare how much more difficult the first crosses are to string on the Swingway than other machines? I've noticed some racquets are just a pain at the first or last cross.

I'm really leaning towards the ML100 I'd love to see Gamma have a CP machine w/brake. But the raves on the Swingway are very impressive.
 

mad dog1

G.O.A.T.
Can you attach a photo of the new Swingway clamps w/wheel? This is one of the things that I don't like about purchasing these machines, subtle differences between photos on site & actual product received.

Can anyone compare how much more difficult the first crosses are to string on the Swingway than other machines? I've noticed some racquets are just a pain at the first or last cross.

I'm really leaning towards the ML100 I'd love to see Gamma have a CP machine w/brake. But the raves on the Swingway are very impressive.

stringing the last cross on a stringway is bit of a pain especially w/ the old style allen bolt adjustment clamps. the J shaped frame clamp prevents the string clamp from gripping the string deeper within the clamp. because of this, the string is gripped towards the top of the teeth meaning if the clamps aren't quite tight enough, the string can slip. this just means you have to remember to tighten the clamp a little more on the last cross or where ever else the frame j clamps get in the way of the string clamps. here's where having the thumbwheel adjusters would make stringing easier. the stringway mount also leaves less room to tie knots on some racquets. if you have no prior experience w/ other machines, you probably wouldn't even realize these things i mentioned. if you're coming from another machine, these things can be annoying.

i, too, would love to see a machine w/ a gamma or prince turntable & clamps married to the stringway cp tension head. what a great machine that would be. you'd be combining the best features of both machines. the stringway is a great machine as it is. i was impressed w/ how easy it is to get a consistent string job w/ so little effort. much easier than with a crank.
 

Technatic

Professional
Hi guys,

I do not have the clamps w/wheel on my EM450 but they can be seen on the picture of the new Concorde System on the SW site. This is what I could make out of that picture.

clampswheel.jpg


Peppershaker Can you attach a photo of the new Swingway clamps w/wheel? This is one of the things that I don't like about purchasing these machines, subtle differences between photos on site & actual product received.

Can anyone compare how much more difficult the first crosses are to string on the Swingway than other machines? I've noticed some racquets are just a pain at the first or last cross.

I'm really leaning towards the ML100 I'd love to see Gamma have a CP machine w/brake. But the raves on the Swingway are very impressive.

The problem with some racquets with the first or last crosses is the consequence of the Direct racquet mounting that SW has. That system needs beef in the support plates to mount the inside supports.

If I have a racquet with little room between the last cross and the frame I use this easy solution:
- Skip the cross string before the last one and put in the last one in first.
- Do not pull tension on the last string now.
- Put the string before the last one in now and pull tension on both.
- Raise the tension to the Knot Tension.
- Clamp String before the last one and make the knot.

Apart from the fact that you have more room for the clamp it is also quite logic to do this.
You may loose some tension because of the double pull but that is no problem at all because it is also the shortest string of them all.
i, too, would love to see a machine w/ a gamma or prince turntable & clamps married to the stringway cp tension head. what a great machine that would be. you'd be combining the best features of both machines. the stringway is a great machine as it is. i was impressed w/ how easy it is to get a consistent string job w/ so little effort. much easier than with a crank.

I do not understand this:
IMO the Stringway direct mounting system is the best for the racquet and easy to use.

The stress in the racquet is higher on a 6-point mounting system because the force of the outside supports has to be transferred to the position of the mains.

There has been said a lot of this on this forum already but this is one of the posts that explains m ore:

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=260407

I thought that the SW clamps are nearly famous to hold the string without damaging it??
 

mad dog1

G.O.A.T.
I do not understand this:
IMO the Stringway direct mounting system is the best for the racquet and easy to use.

The stress in the racquet is higher on a 6-point mounting system because the force of the outside supports has to be transferred to the position of the mains.

i thought so, too, based on what i had read and in principle, but i strung 2 of the same racquets, one on my gamma 6004 6pt mount and the other on my friend's stringway ms200dx. i was watching for racquet distortion when i was stringing the crosses and i could see the racquet visibly distorting on the stringway while i did not see any distortion on my gamma. it's pretty easy to know if there's any distortion on the gamma. once you tighten down the side supports, if the frame "shrinks" while you're tensioning the crosses, there will play between the frame and the side supports. from the time i started the crosses to the end, the side supports remained snug against the frame at all 4 points.
 
Last edited:

mad dog1

G.O.A.T.
The problem with some racquets with the first or last crosses is the consequence of the Direct racquet mounting that SW has. That system needs beef in the support plates to mount the inside supports.

If I have a racquet with little room between the last cross and the frame I use this easy solution:
- Skip the cross string before the last one and put in the last one in first.
- Do not pull tension on the last string now.
- Put the string before the last one in now and pull tension on both.
- Raise the tension to the Knot Tension.
- Clamp String before the last one and make the knot.

Apart from the fact that you have more room for the clamp it is also quite logic to do this.
You may loose some tension because of the double pull but that is no problem at all because it is also the shortest string of them all.

interesting solution! thanks for sharing!
 

Technatic

Professional
No distortion does not mean no stress!!

i thought so, too, based on what i had read and in principle, but i strung 2 of the same racquets, one on my gamma 6004 6pt mount and the other on my friend's stringway ms200dx. i was watching for racquet distortion when i was stringing the crosses and i could see the racquet visibly distorting on the stringway while i did not see any distortion on my gamma. it's pretty easy to know if there's any distortion on the gamma.


There is an understandable misunderstanding about the racquet support systems:
No distortion means no stress in the racquet.

This untrue!

A material breaks when the stress, being the force per square millimeter, is too high.

I would like to illustrate that avoiding all the distortion of a racquet during stringing raises the tension instead of lowering it.

The picture below comes from an old lecture about stringing and stringing machines:
It compares a racquet with a beam in a wall.
The beam will break under the load of the force F1 if there is no extra support..

beam1.jpg


* Without support the maximum distortion will be in point A. (3 o'clock in the racquet)
* But, there will not be any stress in the part between A and C it just hangs freely.
* The support in point A introduces a stress between A and C.
* With the support near point C there will be no stress at all between A and C.

What is best for the beam??

The support in A is direct and in C indirect.

ompared with a racquet inside is direct and outside is indirect.

Iow: The outside supports introduce stress in the racquet they do not prevent it.
 
Technatic - Thanks for the photo post on the clamps.

This board has just about sold me on the Stringway ML100, hoping though that someone can answer another ?

I've only ever used a table with 360 rotation, and can't figure out how you would string w/o this, at least not easily. If the table doesn't rotate 360 do you have to walk around the machine to string? If the table doesn't rotate 360 degrees then how many degrees does it? Sorry may be a stupid question but I just can't picture this.
 

kkm

Hall of Fame
Technatic - Thanks for the photo post on the clamps.

This board has just about sold me on the Stringway ML100, hoping though that someone can answer another ?

I've only ever used a table with 360 rotation, and can't figure out how you would string w/o this, at least not easily. If the table doesn't rotate 360 do you have to walk around the machine to string? If the table doesn't rotate 360 degrees then how many degrees does it? Sorry may be a stupid question but I just can't picture this.

The clamps don't hold center mains as well as diamond dusted clamps. You don't have to walk around the machine. It rotates but is stopped before the tensioner. Without 360 rotation there is still grommet friction from the angle on center mains and having the string rubbing against the beam. There should be be less friction for center main pulls with a machine that has 360 rotation.
 

Technatic

Professional
Quote from another discussion.

I would like to add some info concerning the importance of the 360 degree rotation:

There is an important argument for stringing machine designers to put the tension head at the level of the string bed, so that the tensioner pulls the strings straight through the holes.

There is no friction between the string and the grommet so you do not loose tension!!

If a string is pulled downwards the vertical component (V) of the force pushes the string into the bottom of the grommet-hole and this causes loss of tension (W).

frictionkl.jpg


This loss of tension is especially bad when the unit makes its “constant pull stroke” to compensate for slow elongation of the string. In that case the tensioner can not sense the loss of tension accurately and will wait longer before it will repull.

So you have to choose between:
- Having the best maximum constant pull accuracy and not having the 360 degree rotation.
- Having the easy pull of the central main strings and loosing tension on all the other strings.

Of course it is not for nothing that higher quality machines have solutions for this:
- The big Babolats have the self lifting tension head so that they always pull at the level of the stringbed.
- The Stringway machines pull at the level of the string bed and have the Concorde System to pull the centre mains without friction.


I've only ever used a table with 360 rotation, and can't figure out how you would string w/o this, at least not easily. If the table doesn't rotate 360 do you have to walk around the machine to string?

I do not understand what the problem is with no 360 degrees. It only means that you turn the table up and down instead of in one direction and the shaft over the tensioner.

So you pull tension on the mains in this sequence throat left - head left - head right - throat right and back.

The advantage is that your string never winds around the machine.
 

verbouge

Rookie
Technatic - Thanks for the photo post on the clamps.

This board has just about sold me on the Stringway ML100, hoping though that someone can answer another ?

I've only ever used a table with 360 rotation, and can't figure out how you would string w/o this, at least not easily. If the table doesn't rotate 360 do you have to walk around the machine to string? If the table doesn't rotate 360 degrees then how many degrees does it? Sorry may be a stupid question but I just can't picture this.

Hi Peppershaker,

First off, I can't believe that my old thread has been revived! Second, I've now had my ML100 for 10 months or so, and have strung many, many racquets with it. I've even managed to become an MRT during this period. The ML100 is simple and reliable to use. The 360 rotation thing is a non-issue. You just turn the platform very quickly and keep going.

A key element of gaining the most accuracy out of this machine, however, is to let the tension weight drop until it stops or nearly stops. You will find that string beds stay true for a long period if you follow this advice. DO NOT just go as fast as you can, otherwise you'll not get the best performance out of this machine.

I may end up with an MS200 one of these days, if I ever get the kind of volume that would warrant that. But I don't think I'll ever get rid of the ML100. It's just too simple and elegant to use. You'll see what I mean if you get one. And the company, along with its American distributor, Alpha, could not be better to deal with.

Good luck!

Dave
 

kkm

Hall of Fame
The following is applicable to centre main pulls with Concorde:
With Concorde activated there is still friction. With Concorde activated the racquet is angled up. With Concorde activated the string, as it exits the frame and goes toward the tensioner, is angled down. With Concorde activated the angle of the string within the frame is up, while the angle of the string outside the frame going to the tensioner is down, and the string still rubs against the grommets the way Technatic illustrates for 360 rotation.
The sideways angle of pull for centre mains with 360 rotation is practically none, and much less than the sideways angle of pull for centre mains with Stringway standard. With 360 rotation the string also does not rub against(under) the beam.
 
Last edited:

onehandbh

G.O.A.T.
I've only ever used a table with 360 rotation, and can't figure out how you would string w/o this, at least not easily. If the table doesn't rotate 360 do you have to walk around the machine to string? If the table doesn't rotate 360 degrees then how many degrees does it? Sorry may be a stupid question but I just can't picture this.

I have an ML90 w/flying clamps. It is NOT 360 rotation due to the
post, but it's like 350 degrees maybe. Actually, originally
it was a little less b/c there is a white stopper (cylinder)
on the base. I took apart the base and removed it to increase
the range of motion.
 
Last edited:
360 Rotation

Thanks....350 degree or close to shouldn't be an issue. Even on a 360 degree DW with the weight up it's easier to rotate back around than to lower the bar & then raise it. With no reference to the actual degree of rotation I was thinking the worse.

Guess I'm going to have to break it to my wife that I'm going to spend several hundred more than I thought, but then I'm looking for something to last a long time so it may take longer to pay off in terms of racquets strung but the Stringway 100 seems like a good investment. Hopefully my customer base will keep increasing......definately a gradual process.
 

kkm

Hall of Fame
thx, kkm. from the webpage, it doesn't seem like these are shipped to the US. do you live in the US and if so, were you able to purchase them?

Yes I have this adapters. For tennis racquet, Yonex tennis adapter=Gosen tennis adapter, for badminton racquet I prefer little bit the Gosen badminton adapter but Yonex badminton adapter is also good.
Yonex tennis adapter is # PT ES545
Yonex badminton adapter is # PT ES544
Gosen tennis adapter is # GM HAT / GM02516
Gosen badminton adapter is # GM HAB / GM02517
Some shops will send orders to EU, America, Canada, I know some persons who buy to Shuttle House Osaka which have e-commerce in English:
http://shuttle-house.com/new-cgi/page_list_i.php?lan=E&ko=13
http://shuttle-house.com/page_top_ENGLISH/MAIL_ORDER/Meker_Catalog/10_YONEX/MIDDLE/P080.html
http://shuttle-house.com/page_top_ENGLISH/MAIL_ORDER/Meker_Catalog/GOSEN_10/MIDDLE/P066.html
Or you can do web search for these part # or contact Yonex or Gosen in USA or the country you live.
 

verbouge

Rookie
Thanks....350 degree or close to shouldn't be an issue. Even on a 360 degree DW with the weight up it's easier to rotate back around than to lower the bar & then raise it. With no reference to the actual degree of rotation I was thinking the worse.

Guess I'm going to have to break it to my wife that I'm going to spend several hundred more than I thought, but then I'm looking for something to last a long time so it may take longer to pay off in terms of racquets strung but the Stringway 100 seems like a good investment. Hopefully my customer base will keep increasing......definately a gradual process.

I think you're going to love your new machine. I still love mine, and use it every single chance I get. Sometimes I rip out fairly fresh strings on my own sticks just for the pleasure of stringing. Honest. No lie.

Please keep us posted if and when you get it. I'd love to hear you opinions.

Dave in Oregon
 

rd0707

Rookie
There is an understandable misunderstanding about the racquet support systems:
No distortion means no stress in the racquet.

This untrue!

A material breaks when the stress, being the force per square millimeter, is too high.

I would like to illustrate that avoiding all the distortion of a racquet during stringing raises the tension instead of lowering it.

The picture below comes from an old lecture about stringing and stringing machines:
It compares a racquet with a beam in a wall.
The beam will break under the load of the force F1 if there is no extra support..

beam1.jpg


* Without support the maximum distortion will be in point A. (3 o'clock in the racquet)
* But, there will not be any stress in the part between A and C it just hangs freely.
* The support in point A introduces a stress between A and C.
* With the support near point C there will be no stress at all between A and C.

What is best for the beam??

The support in A is direct and in C indirect.

ompared with a racquet inside is direct and outside is indirect.

Iow: The outside supports introduce stress in the racquet they do not prevent it.

So the stringway ML100 is inside direct and something like the Gamma 6004 or Alpha Apex 2 is outside indirect? If the outside system cause stress it can't be enough to do anything otherwise these machines wouldn't sell?
 

struggle

Legend
don't overthink this (although it is interesting). folks have been stringing rackets on "2 point" machines for eons. add more support (from outside or inside) and you are good to go.

you are stringing the frame, not the machine.

make it solid, start slinging wire.
 
Last edited:

verbouge

Rookie
Does anyone know if the ML100 has any maintance with this "automatic" drop weight system?
Clean the clamps every so often, just like any other machine. Other than that, I've not had any problems in the last year, and stringing many racquets of many makes and models. Seems pretty bullet proof. I mean, don't shoot it or anything, but.....it's a tank.

One thing I did, however, was draw lines with a Sharpie pen on the weight rod instead of having to take out the ruler every time. I've used it so much the lines are getting worn and it's just about time to do it again. Other than that and cleaning the clamps, you should be good to go for a long time.
 

Clintspin

Professional
I have had to replace two roll pins on two different Stringway machines. If a clamp slips or a string breaks and the weight arm drops too fast, it can put a slight bend in the roll pin. No a big problem if it is the outside roll pins but you have to be a bit mechanical to do the inside pins. Mine were the inside pins. One machine was broken when I purchased it, the other happened when I didn't get my string completely into the gripper. I didn't see that I had it partly in and the string slipped and the arm fell too fast. You will know if the pin is bent because your string sensing gripper will not sense 18ga. string or it will accept the string on one side only. This only affects the machines that sense the string in the gripper.
 
Top