I want to buy a racquet stringer

[Fumus]

I have never strung a racquet before and I know very little about stringing racquets. Could I have some suggestions on what to buy in the $400 or less price range?


A stringer that caught my eye was the http://www.sptennis.com/stringer.asp#JAZZ, although it's alittle more expensive than I would like to pay and the http://www.sptennis.com/stringer.asp#eStringer (6pms) because it's a cheap electric stringer.

It seems to me after reading this forum for alittle while that alot of the posters here like the drop weight racquet stringers better than the spring but, from what I have read, spring and break machines are alot faster and easy to use. What's the advantage to a drop weight?


Thanks in advance.
-Ryan

 

[bigbanger]

I have never strung a racquet before and I know very little about stringing racquets. Could I have some suggestions on what to buy in the $400 or less price range?


A stringer that caught my eye was the http://www.sptennis.com/stringer.asp#JAZZ, although it's alittle more expensive than I would like to pay and the http://www.sptennis.com/stringer.asp#eStringer (6pms) because it's a cheap electric stringer.

It seems to me after reading this forum for alittle while that alot of the posters here like the drop weight racquet stringers better than the spring but, from what I have read, spring and break machines are alot faster and easy to use. What's the advantage to a drop weight?


Thanks in advance.
-Ryan

A drop weight machine is constant pull, a spring and brake machine is not. There's some debate as to the real benefit of constant pull, but many people prefer this technology (all good electronic stringers are constant pull as well). The disadvantage of most drop weights is that they are less convenient to use since the tension bar has to be exactly horizontal in order for the correct tension to be reached. The exception is the LaserFibre drop weight which does not have this requirement.

I suggest you hunt around in the archives here for a while. You'll find a wealth of information on entry-level stringers, differences in tensioning technologies, etc. As far as brands are concerned, machines from SP, Alpha, Gamma, and LaserFibre have great reputations here and elsewhere. The LF machines are very popular, but priced somewhat higher than you want to spend. The other companies I've mentioned make drop weight stringers in your price range. Some people have had good experiences with Eagnas machines too, and they are cheaper than other brands. That said, there have been some horror stories too (mainly with respect to customer service), so caveat emptor.

 

[Gaines Hillix]

Big Banger did an excellent job of answering your question. I'd only add one comment. IMO, the cheap electric stringers have issues with consistency and accuracy. They are not true constant pull.

 

[Fumus]

Interesting. Thank you very much for your insight.

I was looking around the Eagnas website and it seems to me they have a knock off stringer for almost every popular stringer on the market. Is that legal? I have never seen anything like that before.

Basically I guess I would say I am opposed to a drop weight because I am lazy. Like most people I want immediate results with the least amount of effort even if it means I give up alittle quality. If there is some kind of major flaw or difference, I wouldn't do it. Perhaps when I get better a stringing I will be willing to invest in a more experienced stringers machine.

 

[bigbanger]

Basically I guess I would say I am opposed to a drop weight because I am lazy.

Then your best bet is a lockout machine, although you'll likely need to spend a bit more than $400. If you can stretch your budget a bit, you could get a table-top lockout machine like the Alpha Revo ($550) or the Gamma Progression STII ($629). Both of these machines, and the companies that make them, have excellent reputations, and both machines have all the features you'd need to produce a quality string job and protect your frame from damage during the stringing process. Mutual Power makes a stand-mounted lockout machine called the Hercules 630 ($529) that looks interesting too, although I know little about it. Maybe some Hercules owners can chime in with their opinions.

 

[Fumus]

Is the Eagnas Flex 940 comparable to the Hercules 630? If so...

What do you get for the additional $129 dollars when you buy the Mutual Power?

 

[tennisphotog]

Look at the Laserfibre eco for $400. Very easy to use, good results.

 

[yourserve]

Mutual Power makes a stand-mounted lockout machine called the Hercules 630 ($529) that looks interesting too, although I know little about it. Maybe some Hercules owners can chime in with their opinions.

i just strung my first racquets tonight with a hercules 630. after using
a klippermate for a year i bought the herc.
i did a yonex mp 5i, and a ncode six-one 95. used a pack of comp.
strings in the yonex and kevlar in the ncode.
mounting, measuring, cutting string. getting used to new machine.
did both frames in two hours. if i can do a frame in an hour then
i am quite happy.

as far as the machine, i am sure there are better out there. but after
using the klipper i think it is a wonder piece of equipment.
i thought the mounts were great, everything is simple to use. and the
crank is so much more fun than the ratchet on the klipper.

 

[drop shot]

?

When did Klipper add a ratchet to their machine?

 

[yourserve]

drop shot you are correct... it is not a ratchet. i apoligize. but the slack problem
with different strings is the only drawback i have had with the klipper.