Any experienced stringers willing to help?

G

gahaha

Rookie
I spend quite a bit on restringing racquets, I'd love to be able to string my own racquet (competently)!

Do you guys have any advice?

How much does a good stringing machine cost?
Any stringing technique tips and methods?
What not to do when stringing?

I mean obviously dropping 3,700 on a machine will make it better than its $600 counterpart, but are there cheaper machines that will let you string with the same quality as in the more expensive ones?

I've seen a bad string job before, especially from tenniswarehouse, ordered a Wilson Ksixone 95 with Babolat PH 17 strung at 58, when it came, the string bed was a mess, I could literally move a string several inches with my pinky, that's how loose they were.
 
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Klippermate claims that their 149.00 machine has the same accuracy as a top of the line machine. Might take you longet to do the job but if time is not an object, might start there. I strung hundreds with mine and love it.
 
gahaha said:
I spend quite a bit on restringing racquets, I'd love to be able to string my own racquet (competently)!

Do you guys have any advice?

How much does a good stringing machine cost?
Any stringing technique tips and methods?
What not to do when stringing?

I mean obviously dropping 3,700 on a machine will make it better than its $600 counterpart, but are there cheaper machines that will let you string with the same quality as in the more expensive ones?

I've seen a bad string job before, especially from tenniswarehouse, ordered a Wilson Ksixone 95 with Babolat PH 17 strung at 58, when it came, the string bed was a mess, I could literally move a string several inches with my pinky, that's how loose they were.
Click to expand...


As far as tips and methods check this link for the videos. They are very complete, just not in any order. It will give you the basics on what is needed to string.

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=172626

As far as a machine, you can get a decent job on a cheap machine, but you do not have the features of a higher end machine. For me the bare minimum of features would be fixed clamps, a 6 point mount, and a good brake for the turntable. You will get responses all over the place on this. One thing I can recommend is to see if a local stringer to you will allow you to watch him string, and possible explain some things along the way, as that way you will have a better understanding of the entire process, and can then determine the features or lack of you would want on a machine.
Below is a couple links to a USRSA guide to machines that may help you as well:
http://www.racquetsportsindustry.com/articles/2008/08/2008_guide_to_stringing_machin.html

On this one you can click on the mauuf. and it will take you to their site:
http://www.racquetsportsindustry.com/issues/200808/200808stringing_machines.html

Hope this helps. Jim
 
First job over two hours. If you get really fast maybe then about 30 minutes.

Drop weight will be the slowest machine and some times some of the most accurate. Lockouts will be the fastest and priced about mid range. Fixed clamps are easier to use and more use friendly than flying clamps. Do your homework and get the best machine you can afford. Don't buy the cheapest machine you can get. They are cheap for a reason.

Irvin
 
jim e said:
As far as tips and methods check this link for the videos. They are very complete, just not in any order. It will give you the basics on what is needed to string.

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=172626

As far as a machine, you can get a decent job on a cheap machine, but you do not have the features of a higher end machine. For me the bare minimum of features would be fixed clamps, a 6 point mount, and a good brake for the turntable. You will get responses all over the place on this. One thing I can recommend is to see if a local stringer to you will allow you to watch him string, and possible explain some things along the way, as that way you will have a better understanding of the entire process, and can then determine the features or lack of you would want on a machine.
Below is a couple links to a USRSA guide to machines that may help you as well:
http://www.racquetsportsindustry.com/articles/2008/08/2008_guide_to_stringing_machin.html

On this one you can click on the mauuf. and it will take you to their site:
http://www.racquetsportsindustry.com/issues/200808/200808stringing_machines.html

Hope this helps. Jim
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Local stringer that does my racquet is a her*, but she does top notch work. I'd feel a little weird asking to watch her string, because its like saying "I appreciate your business but I want to do it myself and maybe steal clients from you."

Anyway do you have any machines you recommend with 6 point mounts, fixed clamps, and good brake? All I want is a machine that can string somewhat accurate tension, I usually string my racquet at 59-60. Oh and does it take like 1-2hrs? I mean starting out will take some time, but once you know how to do it how long does it take?
 
Actually I use a Eagnas 6 point GCII now. Customer service is not the best but since I got it all worked out my machine works great and I can do a string job in about 26 minutes.
 
gahaha said:
Oh and does it take like 1-2hrs? I mean starting out will take some time, but once you know how to do it how long does it take?
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Like Irvin said, once you get "good," you can do it in about 30 minutes. I've personally been stringing for about 2 years (or three?????) with almost 100 string jobs to my name, and it takes me 60 minutes on my racket (I know it well) and 75 minutes on a typical job.

With a better machine (I have a SP Swing, similar to a Klippermate or Gamma X-2) I feel I could easily get that time to 45min at my same pace. The cheap machines require certain "workarounds" that the better ones don't. They do as good a job as the expensive machines, but they take a little more effort from you, the stringer.
 
I string on a stand up stringer with fixed clamps. Just for stringing the racket taking my time it takes about 15 to 20 minutes when I take my time. I could go faster but I think you end up with a lower quality job.

Irvin
 
I have a Klippermate, and I string just as well on it as I do on my friend's $1,000 Gamma 6-point electronic stringer. It's just a lot easier to string poly on something that's not a dropweight.

When I started out, I was around 45 mins to an hour, now I can bust one out in about 30 minutes (including mounting, etc.) if I'm really in a hurry.

Get the Klippermate (or other inexpensive dropweight) and learn to string with it. It'll be the best $150 or so you'll ever spend. I bought mine in early '99 and it's still going strong.
 
roperteacher said:
Actually I use a Eagnas 6 point GCII now. Customer service is not the best but since I got it all worked out my machine works great and I can do a string job in about 26 minutes.
Click to expand...
What do you mean all worked out? Was there a problem? I am thinking of getting the same machine!
 
Do some research on these boards where Eagnas in concerned, then draw your own conclusion. The bottom line is some have had good experiences while others have not.
 
bcart1991 said:
Get the Klippermate (or other inexpensive dropweight) and learn to string with it. It'll be the best $150 or so you'll ever spend. I bought mine in early '99 and it's still going strong.
Click to expand...

I recently bought a second hand klippermate myself for about $75 + shipping. Had never strung before, and am generally terrible with things like knots, etc. But it's paid off. I've already strung five racquets, and the quality of the string jobs are excellent. The klippermate has a very good manual, which gives step by step instructions, with great illustrations.

The machine is built like a tank, and built to last.

Also, if you are gonna string your own racquets, be sure to purchase string in bulk (i.e. 660 foot reels).
 
I'm kinda shocked that no one has brought out the "use the search feature" yet. You can search through this forum and find many, many, many, many threads about which machine to buy as a beginner.
As someone who is about to buy my first machine here is what I have found. . .
There are essentially 3 main options for a first time stringer in the ~$150 range: The Klippermate, the Gamma/ATS, and the Eagnas. All are a compromise of some type

Klippermate:
Flaws: Does not have a clutch on the gripper mechanism. This means that after your first pull you have to release the tension a bit and pull a bit more string, re-drop the arm, repeat. . .until you get the right tension. Everyone I have read that actually owns a K'mate says this is not a drawback since you get used to how much string to feed into the gripper as you learn to string and you don't spend much time adjusting.
Plusses: It's built like a tank--some of these folks have had one for decades and it is still going strong. K'mate's customer service is apparently flawless. The flying clamps are very good.

Gamma/ATS:
Flaws: The clamps are apparently a problem. They are plastic and are bulky. There are threads on here dealing with them and their flawed design. Most folks seem to be able to deal with them but I doubt any would buy them as replacement clamps if they lost the ones that came with their machine.
Plusses: The gripper has a clutch. Some folks claim this is a great thing, others say it's no big deal. But, when you drop the arm to tension the string, you can just re-raise the arm without needing to release the tension since the clutch allows the arm to move without dropping the tension. You just raise the arm a bit and then re-drop it until you get the right tension.

Eagnas:
Flaws: Customer service/quality control. I know very little about this company except from the multitude of complaints I have seen on here. The way it seems, if you get a good machine from them right out of the box and nothing goes wrong with it then you are in great shape--it's a fine machine. But, heaven help you if there is a problem and you have any expectation that the company is going to be there to make it right. There was just a lengthy thread in the last couple of weeks about someone who ordered an Eagnas machine and it arrived with no clamps and the company essentially told him he was lying--he must have lost the clamps or was trying to cheat them out of extras.
Plusses: Cheap. I just looked on their site and the Hawk is $99. That's about $50 less than the others.

For what it's worth, I am going with Klippermate. It seems to have no real flaw. The lack of a clutch is something that seems to be not an issue for those that use it. The Gamm's clamps do seem to be an issue. The lack of customer service leaves Eagnas out. I am new to this and need to have someone there to hold my hand if I get in trouble.

I think either the Gamma or Klippermate would be all you would need for quite some time unless you plan on stringing more than a handfull of rackets every day--doing this as a business.

With either one, and some practice, somewhere between 30 minutes to 1 hour per racket seems to be a reasonable estimate.
 
gahaha said:
Local stringer that does my racquet is a her*, but she does top notch work. I'd feel a little weird asking to watch her string, because its like saying "I appreciate your business but I want to do it myself and maybe steal clients from you."
Click to expand...

Maybe you could pay her for lessons?
I've been pleased with my Eagnas Combo 810.
Takes a bit more TLC but it does what I need.
 
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I just got my Gamma X6-FC last month and I'm loving it.

Before, I had to drive until the shopping mall to leave my racquets at the pro shop, and wait at least 1h to get them done. Sometimes it could get to 2-3h, depending on how busy they were.

Also, time spent driving there and back home could easily get to 1h. At most times, it was 1h30.

I had to pay for parking at the mall. Plus gas. Plus the money spent there to eat, while spending more money at other stores.

Basically, I'm saving a lot of money per racquet, doing all the math.

First, stringing your own racquet is a therapy. You can get really angry sometimes, when you make stupid mistakes. You can get hurt, when the string snaps and the pliers end up on your nose( happened to me once ). But, it's so much fun!

The machine I got might no fit your budget( $499 ), but it's a great one. 6 ponit, fixed clamps, very strong, easy to use.

Good luck!
 
dadozen has a very good point to consider---the time spent going and getting a racquet to and from the stringer/club.

The other thing I'd add, when calculating this, is to take a Really Long Term perspective---machines last quite a long time, so you really are able to amortize the cost over a long while. . . and so perhaps a more expensive machine makes sense.

DD: you pay for parking at a mall? Where do you live?
 
There's no doubt if you string like you should to be a quality player, a stringing machine pays for itself in short order. Not to mention how more willing you are to experiment and try new strings.

The quality of your play goes up because of the consistency and the ability to experiment with the exact set up that allows you to play your best tennis.
 
To the OP, what is your budget? Do you intend to string for yourself and family only or to also do stringing as supplemental income?

I used a Klippermate for over 5 years then upgraded to a used Prince Neos 1000 almost 2 years ago. There was nothing wrong with my Klippermate and if I had not found what I thought was a pretty good deal on the Neos I'd still be using it. For a few string jobs a month, it or something equivalent from Gamma or Alpha would be fine imo. That said, I really like stringing on my Neos A LOT more than on the Klippermate. Before it sometimes was a bit of a chore but now its actually fun and relaxing. YMMV.
 
max said:
dadozen has a very good point to consider---the time spent going and getting a racquet to and from the stringer/club.

The other thing I'd add, when calculating this, is to take a Really Long Term perspective---machines last quite a long time, so you really are able to amortize the cost over a long while. . . and so perhaps a more expensive machine makes sense.

DD: you pay for parking at a mall? Where do you live?
Click to expand...

Max, I live in Brazil... here all malls have paid parking lots...
 
beernutz said:
To the OP, what is your budget? Do you intend to string for yourself and family only or to also do stringing as supplemental income?

I used a Klippermate for over 5 years then upgraded to a used Prince Neos 1000 almost 2 years ago. There was nothing wrong with my Klippermate and if I had not found what I thought was a pretty good deal on the Neos I'd still be using it. For a few string jobs a month, it or something equivalent from Gamma or Alpha would be fine imo. That said, I really like stringing on my Neos A LOT more than on the Klippermate. Before it sometimes was a bit of a chore but now its actually fun and relaxing. YMMV.
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My budget is pretty flexible from 100-700, but I am definitely not dropping over a grand. I might start stringing for others if I get good enough and do quality jobs consistently.
 
For $700 you can get pretty good machines. A top of quality brand new dropweight, or even some used crank machines.

The Gamma X6-FC I own is really good stuff. You can't go wrong with one of these.

Also, since I string for myself only, and maybe in the future for some close friends, I don't see myself changing it.
 
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