Accuracy of Tension in Klippermate Stringer

benxten

Rookie
So, its been a few months since I got the klippermate stringer and I have done over 20 stringing with it for myself and other people. Recently, I just got a Tourna stringmeter so I wanted to put Klippermate's claim that the accuracy of their machine is just as good as thousand dollar machines. First off, based on the stringmeter manual, it states you should take tensions of main strings and average them to test the accuracy after completely stringing the racket (exclude taking tension the tie offs of course). I strung a k6.1 95 16x18 at 51 lbs with a one piece usrsa atw pattern with all klippermate equipment plus a starting clamp using big hitter silver rough 17 strings. I strung all the tie offs about 4 lbs higher to compensate for the tension loss. The result from the stringmeter was all the main strings were around 51-53 lbs. The manual of the stringmeter also states that the crosses are about 30% looser and the cross strings were all around 35-37 lbs. I also did a two piece and got the same result. I am quite impressed with this machine as the tension is pretty accurate and uniformly distributed which are signs of a good stringing based off of what the stringmeter manual says. The tension of the string was also tested while the string was being tensioned on the dropweight and the reading on the stringmeter was pretty consistent maybe only off by 1 lb.

I also tested some other things like seeing what the effect of stringing crosses at a lower tension as oppose to stringing them at a higher tension than mains. I strung the mains at 53 lbs and the crosses at 51lbs on one racket. After testing with the stringmeter the mains were around 50-52 lbs. On another racket I did 51lbs for main and 55lbs for crosses, the mains were measured to be around 52-54 lbs. Conclusion is the crosses can slightly increase or decrease your initial main string's tension. Results were about the same on two piece and one piece stringing so I guess you don't need to use a two piece if you want to have different tension for mains and crosses as a one piece works out to have similar results in the tension department. When stringing both mains and crosses at the same tension of 51 lbs, the tension reading from the stringmeter was around 51lbs.

Overall, Klippermate is a pretty good stringer and the numbers speak for themselves. Only thing I wished it had were fixed clamps as I preferred just clamping one string at a time instead two using the flying clamps especially on crosses.
 
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BobFL

Hall of Fame
So, its been a few months since I got the klippermate stringer and I have done over 20 stringing with it for myself and other people. Recently, I just got a Tourna stringmeter so I wanted to put Klippermate's claim that the accuracy of their machine is just as good as thousand dollar machines. First off, based on the stringmeter manual, it states you should take tensions of main strings and average them to test the accuracy after completely stringing the racket (exclude taking tension the tie offs of course). I strung a k6.1 95 16x18 at 51 lbs with a one piece usrsa atw pattern with all klippermate equipment plus a starting clamp using big hitter silver rough 17 strings. I strung all the tie offs about 4 lbs higher to compensate for the tension loss. The result from the stringmeter was all the main strings were around 51-53 lbs. The manual of the stringmeter also states that the crosses are about 30% looser and the cross strings were all around 35-37 lbs. I also did a two piece and got the same result. I am quite impressed with this machine as the tension is pretty accurate and uniformly distributed which are signs of a good stringing based off of what the stringmeter manual says. The tension of the string was also tested while the string was being tensioned on the dropweight and the reading on the stringmeter was pretty consistent maybe only off by 1 lb.

I also tested some other things like seeing what the effect of stringing crosses at a lower tension as oppose to stringing them at a higher tension than mains. I strung the mains at 53 lbs and the crosses at 51lbs on one racket. After testing with the stringmeter the mains were around 50-52 lbs. On another racket I did 51lbs for main and 55lbs for crosses, the mains were measured to be around 52-54 lbs. Conclusion is the crosses can slightly increase or decrease your initial main string's tension. Results were about the same on two piece and one piece stringing so I guess you can have different tension for mains and crosses on a one piece. When stringing both mains and crosses at the same tension of 51 lbs, the tension reading from the stringmeter was around 51lbs.

Overall, Klippermate is a pretty good stringer and the numbers speak for themselves. Only thing I wished it had were fixed clamps as I preferred just clamping one string at a time instead two using the flying clamps especially on crosses.


HisTechLevel.png
 

max

Legend
Over years now, I've only heard that those string tension measurers are laughable and useless.

How can you beat gravity? I'm betting your stringmeter doodad is useless.

(I'd have bought such a gizmo long ago if I'd heard that they were reliable).
 

jgrushing

Rookie
I'm always a little confused that people most often question the accurancy of dropweights. In my mind, it's lockout and electric machines that have many more variables that can lead to an inconsistent tension. Springs that need calibration and electrical sensors and relays are much more likely to fail than gravity. And, as for the departure from horizontal on the bar, it just isn't really an issue. First, it's easy to get very close and, secondly, you really only need to be close because of the physics.

Bottom line: The "cheap" dropweights, used well, deliver string jobs that are indistinguishable from any other machine.
 

Donny0627

Professional
Over years now, I've only heard that those string tension measurers are laughable and useless.

How can you beat gravity? I'm betting your stringmeter doodad is useless.

(I'd have bought such a gizmo long ago if I'd heard that they were reliable).

if u saw how a stringmeter worked upclose than I think you would agree that it is as simple as a dropweight mechanism really...
 

benxten

Rookie
Over years now, I've only heard that those string tension measurers are laughable and useless.

How can you beat gravity? I'm betting your stringmeter doodad is useless.

(I'd have bought such a gizmo long ago if I'd heard that they were reliable).

I used the stringmeter to measure the string tension while using the tensioner on the dropweight and the tension from the stringmeter agrees with that of the dropweight within 1-2 lbs of uncertainty, so I'm skeptical when you say stringmeters are unreliable. Now I never measured the tension from say an electronic or crank tensioner using this stringmeter, so I'm not 100% sure it is accurate all the time. It does seems to be of reliable in measuring tension loss and seeing if the tension across individual main strings are consistent and not off by more than 5 lbs. However, if you or anyone has experience that shows a stringmeter is unreliable please share your knowledge as I am particular about having a consistent tension and welcome learning more about tensioning.

I did do some research on my stringmeter and it bascially measures tension using a spring and I have read that over time that spring may become loose causing the stringmeter to be unreliable. This means I would just need routinely measure the tension from the stringmeter to that of the dropweight tensioner. I string frequently so I'll let you know how long it takes for the stringmeter's spring to give out, but some users have written reviews saying it has lasted them about 2+ years.
 
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I'm always a little confused that people most often question the accurancy of dropweights. In my mind, it's lockout and electric machines that have many more variables that can lead to an inconsistent tension. Springs that need calibration and electrical sensors and relays are much more likely to fail than gravity. And, as for the departure from horizontal on the bar, it just isn't really an issue. First, it's easy to get very close and, secondly, you really only need to be close because of the physics.

Bottom line: The "cheap" dropweights, used well, deliver string jobs that are indistinguishable from any other machine.

The problem with less expensive drop weights is not the tensioning mechanism. It's the mounting systems and clamping systems where the difference in the machines really show...

Drop weights are very accurate, especially with an experienced user.

The difference in the rdc value from a racquet done on a high end machine and a Klipper-mate are huge.
 
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jgrushing

Rookie
The problem with less expensive drop weights is not the tensioning mechanism. It's the mounting systems and clamping systems where the difference in the machines really show...

Drop weights are very accurate, especially with an experienced user.

The difference in the rdc value from a racquet done on a high end machine and a Klipper-mate are huge.

I don't really disagree with the basic post. "Huge" stringbed deflection difference, I would question. I don't think you could find a lot of 5.0 - 5.5 players that would take a $1000 bet that they could tell the difference in racquets that I strung on a Klippermate versus a high end electric.

Don't get me wrong, I know the Klipper isn't a Star 5, but in the right hands, it's darn good; good enough for almost anyone.
 

max

Legend
I used the stringmeter to measure the string tension while using the tensioner on the dropweight and the tension from the stringmeter agrees with that of the dropweight within 1-2 lbs of uncertainty, so I'm skeptical when you say stringmeters are unreliable. Now I never measured the tension from say an electronic or crank tensioner using this stringmeter, so I'm not 100% sure it is accurate all the time. It does seems to be of reliable in measuring tension loss and seeing if the tension across individual main strings are consistent and not off by more than 5 lbs. However, if you or anyone has experience that shows a stringmeter is unreliable please share your knowledge as I am particular about having a consistent tension and welcome learning more about tensioning.

I did do some research on my stringmeter and it bascially measures tension using a spring and I have read that over time that spring may become loose causing the stringmeter to be unreliable. This means I would just need routinely measure the tension from the stringmeter to that of the dropweight tensioner. I string frequently so I'll let you know how long it takes for the stringmeter's spring to give out, but some users have written reviews saying it has lasted them about 2+ years.

I've been intrigued and interested in the various pocket tension measurers since they were first introduced, and the basic rap remains that they lack accuracy. You can likely find this through a search at the TW site.
 

max

Legend
Hadn't seen that one. But this guy's experience sounds like many other's.

Have not had a lot of luck with these devices. Have tried two of them. Find the Racquet Tune app to be much more accurate, with the exception of a couple of strings. I know that it does not do Head RIP control very well.
But my set up is VS Gut/Lux Supersense and it is VERY accurate with that set up.
 

benxten

Rookie
Have you read this post about the stringmeter and its intended use? http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=383224&highlight=stringmeter I found it very informative, especially the blog article. might help explain why the crosses tested low as well

Thanks for linking to this article. I found it very informative.Didnt know there was a racquettune app that could measrue string tension and ball bounce. I wanna try this racquettune app and compared it to a stringmeter. Has anyone done a comparison already?
 

GlenK

Professional
I have both and haven't pulled out the stringmeter since I started using RacquetTune. I never liked the way the stringmeter twisted the strings.
Plus the RT measures tension and stiffness. It works perfectly with my set up. Only string I found that gives it problems is Head RIP control..
 

BMC9670

Hall of Fame
I just strung up Head Rip Control 16 on my new Klippermate at 52lbs and got a reading on racquetTune of 51.3lbs. I don't seem to have an issue getting RIP Control to register on racquetTune. I struck the bed with a wooden percussion mallet without a dampener and it gave me about 50% good vs. bad readings. The good readings were all within .1 of each other.
 
I just strung up Head Rip Control 16 on my new Klippermate at 52lbs and got a reading on racquetTune of 51.3lbs. I don't seem to have an issue getting RIP Control to register on racquetTune. I struck the bed with a wooden percussion mallet without a dampener and it gave me about 50% good vs. bad readings. The good readings were all within .1 of each other.

How do you know if the good reading wasn't the bad reading and vice versa? :twisted:
 

BMC9670

Hall of Fame
How do you know if the good reading wasn't the bad reading and vice versa? :twisted:

racquetTune is basically an oscilloscope that measures frequency. If you tap and it cannot recognize the frequency, a generic curve shows up in red and no number appears. If it can recognize a frequency, it's curve shows up yellow and it translates it into a tension number taking into account head size, string pattern and string material. Every time I get a "good" reading (I tap several times) the numbers are within .1 of each other, so it seems to be fairly accurate.

Having knowledge of oscilloscopes from music and electronics, they are quite accurate. The translation of the frequency based on the other parameters is a simple math algorithm, so the resulting tension should be pretty close.

Pretty cool little app, IMO.
 
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