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1-3, Ektelon H, but-- I string more when: 1) local string breakers are 'in season', 2) there's something I want to learn about, in which case I'll string, test, cut out, repeat, which may get me to 15 or so re-strings in a week... I'm doing less of this now, and hope things pick up in the fall...

How come you avoid skipping 7, tensioning 8, then tensioning 7 (on a 16M)? How come you don't move the tie off closer to the exit? IMO, these steps are some of the most relevant in reducing tension loss at tie off... 'Course, as I mentioned, I'm not able to really tell the difference any...

Levy1, What is 'mini JET'? What JET steps are 'removed'?

I've done a lot of both JET and traditional methods at low tensions, everywhere from 12# to 52#, usually 40ish#, with poly, syngut, and Kevlar. I can feel the most difference with the older method of JayCee, in which the mains are 'tuned' by pushing the slack from the outside of the mains to...

A used refurbished Neos or Ektelon H from Tennis Machines is a good way to go, usually around $500 plus shipping. Excellent quality that'll last forever, simplicity and functionality, all at a price considerably lower than what you're currently thinking of spending. Add an electronic tension...

2 things for reducing tension loss at tie off: 1) Learn to tighten the knot correctly. See YuLitle's Youtube video (google it). 2) Use a Stringway Tripple clamp on the mains-- they twist/draw back almost not at all. Finishing knots (again google YuLitle's videos): Double clove hitch...

I recently did 2 string jobs on 2 identical rackets, with identical string (16g syngut), one racket on my calibrated Ektelon H (with a Gama analog calibrator), and the other on my tension tested (again, with the Gama tool) Klippermate. I used the Stringway Tension advisor, shooting for a DT...

It'd be interesting to quantify 'average' overshoot with a drop-weight. I wonder if most players would actually be able to feel the difference in the finished product? I'm thinking not.

Yeah. That's pretty much the case. I can string a little faster on my lockout (Ektleon H) than I can on my K-mate, but only enough to matter if I'm doing several back-to-back paid string jobs. I also find the stability and height of my lockout more comfy and convenient, and I also slightly...

Luckily, most of the time,it's very easy to get the bar within +-1" of level, and closer with some minor practice. Luckily, it's not that critical anyway.

Klippermate puts their suggested lengths in their pattern sheets, as well as on-line. With a reel, if you find their suggested lengths too long, you'd measure the leftover and subtract some of it from the length you used, but be sure to leave enough to reach the tensioner comfortably on the last...

A good way to address this might be to use the free on-line Stringway Tension Advisor, if for nothing else than to see by how much tensions vary for each pattern, not necessarily their suggested DT's, unless you were in to that.

I haven't observed this on my K-mate, despite trying oodles of different strings. What kind of string causes the problem? I wonder if your issue is one of technique? I start with the string 'too short', then use one hand to lift the weight and the other to rotate the head so that it opens...

I saw you take something out and set it on the counter, but wasn't sure that it was the starting pin-- it blends in fairly well. Figured it was, but thought I'd ask, out of curiosity...

I think this is a nice video that clearly shows how efficient the Kmate can be, despite not having a ratcheting tensioner. I think it also nicely shows how efficient the clamps are-- easily put in place with one hand. Anyone who is disconcerted by the bar not always being dead horizontal need...

I play tested the 12 pound ref. tension racket last night. Here's what I found: It played surprisingly well-- better than I anticipated. I think a heavy pre-stretch of the strings would have helped-- it played best off the stringer, and got a bit more difficult to control as the game...

Not yet. But I will this evening; I've got a partner scheduled... I'll post back my findings...

Normally only used on crosses when you weave most or all ahead. You leave a loop for the tensioner on the first string that was woven, and weave the rest, leaving very little to no slack outside the frame at the turn arounds. The first string is tensioned and clamped. The string puller's hook is...

Tha major diffs.: Klippermate= no ratcheting mechanism for tensioning the string. Easy work arounds for this, but requires a teeny bit of addtional effort. Ugly but all steel clamps. No drawer or tray for tools. Gamma x2 = predecessor to the Progression 200. Has a ratcheting tensioner...

I just strung up a racket with 12ish pounds and 15g generic syngut. My lockout struggles a little, I think, at such low tensions, but the calibrator still agreed with the tension dial. I bet a dropweight would be a better machine for this. To help, I pulled strings twice without letting tension...

I recently tried a full Kevlar bed at 35ish pounds, and liked it well enough. When you tried Kevlar, was it at 12ish pounds as well? I'll give this a try with one of the synguts I have on hand (I rarely have Kevlar 'in stock'), just to see what it's like. Maybe today...

Klippermate's are purchased on-line direct from the manufacturer (Google Klippermate). Gamma's from just about any large tennis store with an on-line presence-- Tennis Warehouse comes to mind...

Klippermate's instructions are remarkably clear, and the included stringing patterns are pretty exhaustive (more on line). Other than the lack of ratchet, nothing to not recommend with the Kmate. They get the job done, will last forever, and pay for themselves ridiculously fast. Much the same...

How's string longevity and movement? While I'm a fan of lower tension poly's-- ~42# ref -- I didn't find tensions lower than that functional. Further, I found low tension synguts wore out very quickly. I'm always experimenting, though, on my own rackets, so I may give it a try. As...

I think that's called a girth hitch. Just depends which way loop starts and the string exits, otherwise, they're somewhat similar. I don't know if it's as secure as a double half; it's not the same knot. I do know that if I use a girth hitch around a tent stake, it can come loose. If I use a...

It's also worth noting that the Stringmeter doesn't work well on notched strings. 'Course, by the time the strings are notched, a re-string is in order anyway, but I find many, if not most, folks play syn-guts 'til they break...

Are you referring to the plates-- the horizontal parts that the racket is sandwitched between? If so, you can get new ones from Klipper that are plastic and cushioned with leather, or you can put felt from the hardware store on the contact points. Your plates are metal?? How old is this machine...

... and get a "helpful" tutorial on how to use Google from a very new user, and an ambiguous animation. I hope those kinds of responses to legitimate questions don't deter the OP from posting in the future.

Tennis Machines has a LOT of parts for these old Ektelon machines, so that may be of some help should you encounter an issue. But, if the machine is well cared for, you probably won't need parts anyway... ever. I'm pleased as punch with my Ektelon H. That said, I don't think there'd be...

Yup. The best use of these tools is for monitoring drop over time and consistency on the same racket with the same string. That, along with paying attention to how the string job plays over time, is the most useful and relevant data to collect.