Is it time for a new stringer?

[Smooothone23]

I have a Klippermate that is about a year old. I have probably 50-60 string jobs on the machine thus far. I have been told that the clamps might be giving me an inaccurate string tension due to slippage. If I am just stringing for a few friends and only do 3-5 racquets a month, should I look into a new stringer??? Should I get a different style of stringer (not drop weight, different clamps etc). I obviously do not want to be doing bad string jobs because of clamp issues.

And of course the million dollar question would be...what should I upgrade to? I have heard that Klippers are very low entry level models.

Thanks

 

[Gaines Hillix]

You can check for clamp slippage by marking the string with a crayon or other non permanent marker. Pull tension, attach the clamp, mark the strings before and after the clamp and then release the string from the gripper. Watch the string closely. If it's slipping you'll see the marks move versus the edge of the clamp. I've strung on a Klippermate and the clamps seemed to hold well. They need to be cleaned with rubbing alcohol about every 10 racquets or so. Use and old tooth brush to apply the alcohol and work it in and scrub the surfaces well to loosen any build-up. Then rub them with a lint free rag. Use the string ends to adjust the clamps. They need to be tight, but not so tight that they mark or crush the string(it's almost impossible not to leave some marks on very soft multifilament strings that have PU in them).

 

[steve s]

If your stringing 4 to 5 sticks a month, the kippermate is a perfect machine. Clean and adjusting the clamps once a month and your good to go.

 

[edge]

Drop string tensioners cannot string polys, they just don't work for them.

 

[Gaines Hillix]

I've strung polys on a drop weight. Yea, it's a pain, but it can be done. You just have to find the right level of slack to leave in the string before lowering the arm and there's not much room for error.

 

[hummer23]

its a big investment to move to another stringing machine, about 500$ for a good crank, or much more for an electronic, so i'd say stick with the klipper, if you dont do too many string jobs per month. keep the clamps in good condition, and there shouldnt be aproblem. If they do go bad, see if the warrenty covers replacements, or if it doesnt, pick up a set of good composite or metal flying clamps, about 80$ or less, so you dont need a new machine if the clamps are teh only problem.

 

[leog]

edge, you're wrong; I've strung many polys with my gamma dropweight with no problems. Not sure where you got/get your info...

 

[ambro]

Polys, for me, are the easiest string to tension on my Gamma X-6 FC. I always know how much slack to leave, so I never have to repull. With syn. guts even if I put it into the drum tight it will still go below parallel and I have to readjust.

Whoops, forgot to answer the original question. I would suggest an Alpha Revo 4000 or Gamma X-ST. They are nice crank machines. I wish I would have saved a bit more for a crank, just so I don't have to make sure the dropweight bar is parallel every time. A Laserfibre MS200 ECO w/ Double Action Clamps would be a good choice as well.

 

[Valjean]

I'd put the money you'd save by staying with the Klip into a means of monitoring your stringjob; that's called quality control, and it's what you're angling for in all you've said. A Stringmeter for a start, then something like the Gamma ERT. Clamps, clamps, clamps--and a bubble balance, to make sure you can tell when the arm is horizontal...