Gamma X-ST - how do i start???

[aldekeuk]

Help. I am new to stringing and am having trouble getting started learning on my new Gamma X-ST machine. Can anyone provide a clear, description of how to get started? Having all kinds of problems and the manual isn't very clear and some of the other stuff out there online (SP videos & such) go so fast and can't see exactly what is being done.

Thanks very much in advance.

 

[xtremerunnerars]

Although my video is on a dropweight, check it out. I think that I went slow enough and the videos are split so that you can control what you're seeing easier.

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=128217

If you don't want to download them, check out the latest post and watch them online.

 

[lecter255]

c'mon man the if the SP video is too fast just slow down and watch it a few times. do you have a friend who knows how to string? pay them to teach you. maybe a coach knows? it's better to pay to learn it the right way than to messup and possibly hurt your machine

as a starting tip, when not using the machine, turn the tension knob all the way down so the spring is not under stress.

 

[xtremerunnerars]

I'm not a terribly big fan of the SP videos, and while theirs may be more technically sound and expertly shot, I think mine is slower and possibly more informative. I knew what I wanted to hear as a starting stringer and I tried to cover the base as much as possible.

Give my video a try but make sure you watch the SP videos too.

 

[300Gkid]

hey, i own one of these machines and wanted to let you know i can post a "tutorial thing" later

 

[Gamma Tech]

did you get the free string package and the USRSA 'getting started guide'? what exactly are you having a problem with? the most basic part you need to know is you always need to have tension on the string either by the tensioner or the string clamps.

as a starting tip, when not using the machine, turn the tension knob all the way down so the spring is not under stress.

sorry but this is false for the GAMMA machines, our springs are engineered to never loose tension, you actually have more of a risk changing the calibration (tension curve) because the spring can rotate when there is no tension on the spring.

bret

 

[aldekeuk]

I played around with it last night some more and think i got the hang of it and completed my first racket (still have to go hit with it to see if it feels ok).

The big problem initially was that the clamps weren't tight enough and the strings were slipping / popping as i tensioned them. Tightened the clamps but still not sure if there is some slippage. Hard for me to know how tight the clamps should be to hold the string securely without damaging it. Any rough guidelines here?

Otherwise I think I now understand the general process - just have to work on tying knots and weaving the crosses, which probably just comes with repetition...

Yes i did get the string package (nice variety) and the USRSA guide

 

[mclee025]

did you get the free string package and the USRSA 'getting started guide'? what exactly are you having a problem with? the most basic part you need to know is you always need to have tension on the string either by the tensioner or the string clamps.


sorry but this is false for the GAMMA machines, our springs are engineered to never loose tension, you actually have more of a risk changing the calibration (tension curve) because the spring can rotate when there is no tension on the spring.

bret

Great info bret. So after stringing on a Gamma machine, there's no need to dial down the machine at all? That is, it's OK to leave it at 60, etc.?

I love my Gamma X-Stringer by the way. It's rock solid after 2+ years with no issues at all.

 

[300Gkid]

wait bret, so that means i should always leave the tension on like 60 or something rather than 9? because i have always been putting it to 9 on my Gamma X-st

 

[Gamma Tech]

Great info bret. So after stringing on a Gamma machine, there's no need to dial down the machine at all? That is, it's OK to leave it at 60, etc.?

wait bret, so that means i should always leave the tension on like 60 or something rather than 9? because i have always been putting it to 9 on my Gamma X-st

Correct, leave it set for 60lbs or your favorite tension.
bret

 

[officerdibble]

I played around with it last night some more and think i got the hang of it and completed my first racket (still have to go hit with it to see if it feels ok).

The big problem initially was that the clamps weren't tight enough and the strings were slipping / popping as i tensioned them. Tightened the clamps but still not sure if there is some slippage. Hard for me to know how tight the clamps should be to hold the string securely without damaging it. Any rough guidelines here?

Otherwise I think I now understand the general process - just have to work on tying knots and weaving the crosses, which probably just comes with repetition...

Yes i did get the string package (nice variety) and the USRSA guide

For the clamps, firstly keep them clean, sometimes cleaning them with a little alcohol is recommended, because some strings can leave a slightly slick coating behind. Next put the string into the clamp, not through the frame, and tighten the clamp, now (without hurting your hand!) pull the string to see if it slips at all. If it does, tighten the clamp a little until it doesn't. Once it stops moving undo the clamp and look at the string. If you've left major indentations in it you're probably too tight.

Another tip, is to use a marker pen or crayon and make a small mark on the string right next to the clamp after you clamp it (whilst stringing the frame itself), then release the tension and watch what happens to your little mark on the string. If it moves away from the clamp you have slippage and you need to tighten it up.

IMO slipping is a bigger issue than over-tightening the clamp (except with natural gut) so err on the side of a few marks in the string over losing tension: if you haven't strung accurately to a tension, it makes finding the right tension for you impossible!

Good luck

 

[tbini87]

i agree, i go fairly tight on the clamps and haven't seen much damage to the strings.

 

[Netgame]

As for the clamps, after a while, you will know if they are tight enough by how hard it is to clamp them. You want to feel a noticable click, but you don't want too much. I would follow the other advice and mark with ink so you can see if there is slippage. When you get the right tightness to you clamp, remember how it feels when you clamp it on. After that you can easily adjust no matter what gauge string you are working with.

 

[aldekeuk]

As for the clamps, after a while, you will know if they are tight enough by how hard it is to clamp them. You want to feel a noticable click, but you don't want too much.

can you describe what you mean by a "noticeable click". is this when you are clamping the string or securing the base of the clamp?

THanks

 

[gjoc]

can you describe what you mean by a "noticeable click". is this when you are clamping the string or securing the base of the clamp?

He's talking about clamping the string.

The clamp has an adjustment knob that varies the gap for the string.

If the clamp is too loose for a particular type/gauge of string, it just closes, without any significant resistance or snap/click.

When the clamp is adjusted properly, the handle closes a certain amount before it contacts the string. You then squeeze it tighter to a point where the internal mechanism rocks over-center and the handle snaps closed all the way with a click.

Too tight and it engages the string too soon, you have to squeeze it too hard, and then it snaps closed hard, with more than just a click.

He's saying that, with experience, you can tell/know if the clamp is adjusted properly just by the feel, without needing to test/experiment each time.