Is it worth it to learn how to string?

[pvaudio]

Hey guys, I'm in a kinda moment. I've got 3 racquets that I hit with regularly. Problem is that the string I use either frays into oblivion quickly or goes dead, and as such, need to restring frequently. It costs a ****load of money to not only drive home from college to go to a pro shop and have them done, but also to pay for the string and the stringing costs. So, I've been considering getting a stringing machine for myself. Naturally, I have a few questions:

1. Is it hard to learn how to string?
2. Will my stringing job on what would be a cheap machine end up being as good as from a pro shop (obviously not at first, I'm not that dense)
3. Will it be a good investment to get a cheap machine then eventually upgrade once I'm no longer a poor college student :???:
4. If the answer to the above 3 is positive, what would be a good machine to look into?

Thanks guys, any help is appreciated

 

[tennis_]

once you get good at stringing you will be able to take more time on your rackets and make sure that they are strung just the way you want. sometimes proshops have a lot of racquets to string so they use techniques that may be faster but not as good for your string. my friend said something about the way our proshop strings racquets; they string it a certain way that causes strings to fray a little bit faster than if you would do it the way that take more time. i dont know a whole lot but it seems to me that stringing machines definately save a lot of money and time especially if you have to drive a ways to pick your rackets up.

 

[tribunal4555]

1. Learning stringing is difficult at first, but it's like tying your shoes- you'll quickly get the hang of it!
2. Cheap machine string jobs will be as good as most pro shop jobs if you take the time to do them right.
3. Since you are a college student, I'd go w/ a cheap machine right now.
4. Good entry-level machines are the Gamma X-2 (bad clamps but a racheting system), the Klippermate (no rachet/clutch but better clamps), the Silent Partner Swing (closer to a true 6 pt. mounting system, so your racquet will be more stable and held more securely while you string it), or the Alpha String Mate (great build quality and a linear gripper make early string jobs easier).

 

[xHBvi3tbOix]

I believe someone is selling a Gamma Progression II ST stringer here on the forums in the Classified section.
Below is the link

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=274257

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=273555

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=274461

Here are some that are for sale, I would recommend you try to bargain them to bring the price down. I personally have a Gamma Progression FC602. Its a dropweight. And as a beginning stringer I would recommend that you get a dropweight as well because firstly; it will constantly be tensioning your string (no other type of machines do this other than electrics, however, electric stringers only repull strings when the machines pick up a large decrease in tension ie. 2 -3 lbs. With a dropweight you are using gravity to pull and gravity is always constant). For example crank stringers use a lockout system whereby they pull to the desired tension and then stop pulling. With a dropweight you get constant pull on the string. As far as electric stringers go; do not get the EAGNAS electric stringer that goes for like 200 bucks. It is not worth it and could potentially warp your racquet because it the mount moves alot when your stringing. I would go for something within $500 and a drop weight.

That way you have a good machine and you can upgrade to an electric if you want to string your friends racquets quicker. Heres the machine that will let you upgrade a dropweight/crank machine into an electric

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/descpageACWISE-WISETH.html

As far as stringing goes it is a relatively brainless process. It does not require very much effort just a bit of practice. Your first job will take 2 hours maybe longer. But once you do 2 or 3 racquets you can get it down to an hour if you really focus. Think about tying a shoe, when you were small you had to do it a bunch of times until you got it right but once you got it down you can do it really fast. Its the same thing with stringing.

You dont need much to learn either just a computer and internet. This guy will show you how to string racquets backwards and forwards. You can try different patterns and knots he shows you how to do everything: Link to YuLitle is below

http://www.youtube.com/user/YULitle

 

[xHBvi3tbOix]

tribunal4555 sorry stole your analogy and i didnt even realize it

 

[pvaudio]

ANyone else?

 

[ROCKinCourier]

1. No.
2. No way will your string job be less quality than the pro shop. Actually, I anticipate your string jobs to be of more quality and more consistent. I have no faith in pro shop stringers -- especially the ones who hire high school kids.
3. Yes it will be a good investment -- even better if you string for your college friends
4. Eagnas Flex 740.

 

[volusiano]

I'd say the hardest part about the whole process is not learning how to string or actually stringing, but it's about researching all the stringing machine options and deciding which machine to buy. Good luck!

 

[some6uy008]

If you're like me, who does a terrible job even after a half dozen attempts, you start to see why it's worth it to pay someone who does a great job.

 

[Dgpsx7]

consistency or not it just feels good that you can string your own racket when you need to. When I get a string in the mail I hate giving my racket and string to someone else, it is frustrating and expensive. At the end of the day it all worked out for the best though because if the guy at the ****** ********* in the city didn't do such a bad job on my Tour10 VE mid I never would have been compelled to buy my own machine.
I don't know how others feel about it but I find stringing a really peaceful experience.

 

[Lakers4Life]

1. No.
2. No way will your string job be less quality than the pro shop. Actually, I anticipate your string jobs to be of more quality and more consistent. I have no faith in pro shop stringers -- especially the ones who hire high school kids.
3. Yes it will be a good investment -- even better if you string for your college friends
4. Eagnas Flex 740.

I strongly agree with 1 and 3.

No. 2 brings up the question, do stringers at most places even play tennis or know what they are doing?

I used to get my rackets strung at a real tennis shop, not a sporting goods store. The guys there really know what they are doing. You ask them what string they recomend, and they will tell you the pros and cons. Forget about going to Sports Chalet, Dick's, or Sports Authority, on top of overpriced string, they can't do same day service.

As far as No.4, it's what ever you can afford. Check out the used market first, before buying new. A majority of the lower end strings are owned by players and don't have the day in, day out use like the more expensive machines. $200-300 for a mint crank machine is not uncommon. Most of the ads I see are from people moving and want to move the stringer quick. Also they tend to throw in a lot of extras.

Do your own research, and compare. Good Luck!

 

[Infl8edEg0]

Heck yea it's worth it to learn how to string. From your description of your string breaking habits and costs, you'll make up what you paid for the stringer in no time.

1. No it's not.
2. Yes, if not better.
3. Yes. I had a Klippermate for several years, did the job just fine.
4. Klippermate, Gamma X-2

Others have answered the question better than I have. I agree with all of them.

 

[Irvin]

Stringing is not difficult. An OK stringer can do a great job stringing a racket on a good stringing machine. An investment in a stringing machine sounds like a great investment for you. Driving home from college? Figure that at about $0.40 / mile to see what you are saving.

I would recommend a drop weight or crank machine with fixed clamps but if you want to save money go with a floating clamp machine. Shop around for a used Prince, Alpha, or Gamma machine.

Irvin

 

[mikeler]

1. Learning stringing is difficult at first, but it's like tying your shoes- you'll quickly get the hang of it!
2. Cheap machine string jobs will be as good as most pro shop jobs if you take the time to do them right.
3. Since you are a college student, I'd go w/ a cheap machine right now.
4. Good entry-level machines are the Gamma X-2 (bad clamps but a racheting system), the Klippermate (no rachet/clutch but better clamps), the Silent Partner Swing (closer to a true 6 pt. mounting system, so your racquet will be more stable and held more securely while you string it), or the Alpha String Mate (great build quality and a linear gripper make early string jobs easier).

I have never used any of the machines in item 4 above, so I can't comment on them. Items 1 through 3, I completely agree with.

 

[tennis_ally2009]

I'm in the exact same place as pvaudio, except i'm in england anyone know any cheap stringing machines you can find in england
Cheers

 

[smirker]

I'm in the exact same place as pvaudio, except i'm in england anyone know any cheap stringing machines you can find in england
Cheers

I am also in England. i bought a Pros Pro Challenger 1 (£180 shipped) from W&D (do a search) It works just fine and has already paid for itself as I also string for others and charge a lot less than local pro shops. Another good one is the RAB crank machine but it is a lot more expensive. If you are lucky you might pick up a good second hand machine via the auction site.

Feel free to PM me if you want more info. I did a lot of research last year before I bought my machine.

I used to take my racquets to a shop which has 2 MRT's but the problem was they never strung my racquets. they used casual staff and students to do the stringing and I was never happy with the results or cost. one day it dawned on me I would be better buying a machine and doing it myself. It took a while to learn but I can now do a frame in an hour to a much higher standard than I was getting at the pro shop.

 

[tennis_ally2009]

I am also in England. i bought a Pros Pro Challenger 1 (£180 shipped) from W&D (do a search) It works just fine and has already paid for itself as I also string for others and charge a lot less than local pro shops. Another good one is the RAB crank machine but it is a lot more expensive. If you are lucky you might pick up a good second hand machine via the auction site.

Feel free to PM me if you want more info. I did a lot of research last year before I bought my machine.

I used to take my racquets to a shop which has 2 MRT's but the problem was they never strung my racquets. they used casual staff and students to do the stringing and I was never happy with the results or cost. one day it dawned on me I would be better buying a machine and doing it myself. It took a while to learn but I can now do a frame in an hour to a much higher standard than I was getting at the pro shop.

Oh thanks
did you find it hard to string your racquets at first?
Or did a tutorial come with it?
Cheers

 

[smirker]

Oh thanks
did you find it hard to string your racquets at first?
Or did a tutorial come with it?
Cheers

I got a DVD with the machine which was helpful up to a point. I also watched Yulitle's vids (in the sticky at the top of the forum if you haven't seen already) on Youtube which are a great help. I also have a mate who strings for a coach so got a little practice in with him before I bought my machine. It's not hard, common sense really. Making mistakes helps you to learn so practice on some old frames with some cheap string.

 

[luthertn]

stringing isn't really hard its just long for a beginner but when you get use to it its faster and faster...i wouldnt get a expensive one or a cheap one, because sooner or later you have to get another one why not just get an okay stringer unlike me i got my stringer for 15 bucks from a friend and YESS its worth your time to string dont go to a pro shop and spend 15-30 dollar worth

 

[jmverdugo]

There are few things not worth no learn, stringing inst one of them, go for it, worst casecenario, you do not like it and sell the machine.

 

[TennezSport]

Wait..........

sometimes proshops have a lot of racquets to string so they use techniques that may be faster but not as good for your string. my friend said something about the way our proshop strings racquets; they string it a certain way that causes strings to fray a little bit faster than if you would do it the way that take more time.

No way will your string job be less quality than the pro shop. Actually, I anticipate your string jobs to be of more quality and more consistent. I have no faith in pro shop stringers -- especially the ones who hire high school kids.

Are you really talking about a ProShop or a big box store stringer, because a certified ProShop should be doing everything to make your strings last longer. If the stringer is not USRSA certified then your proshop is no more than a store that strings.

Certified stringers are trained and tested to perform a professional levels to guarantee that you get the best performance out of your racquet and string. Just because a store has a stringing machine does not mean they know what they are doing, and there is a great deal to know if you want it done right.

Stringing for yourself can be fun and will improve your understanding of racquet performance, if learned correctly; get help from the USRSA and do it right.

Cheers, TennezSport

 

[jim e]

Stringing for yourself can be fun and will improve your understanding of racquet performance, if learned correctly; get help from the USRSA and do it right.

Cheers, TennezSport

Absolutly, the USRSA is a great organization to join. Stringers are fortunate today, as the USRSA was not around when I started to string back in 1968, no internet, or good help from great sites like this one!!. I was taught by the old timer that sold me his machine, and after that I was on my own.New stringers today can now easily get a wealth of knowledge if they so desire.

 

[InsideOut94]

Unless you are string a ton of rackets a year to break even and make profit then dont't waste time on stringing that can be spent on the court.

 

[goober]

Unless you are string a ton of rackets a year to break even and make profit then dont't waste time on stringing that can be spent on the court.

Actually you don't need to string that many racquets to break even at all. I made back all the money I spent on the cost of my machine within a year. But even if takes a little longer, it is still worth it. You can experiment with strings, you don't have to worry about getting stringing done if you break strings the night before an important match. You can have a side business if you want.

Stringing for 99% of club players does not take away time from the court. I do it late at night when I am not going to be on the court anyways. Most adults have limited court time per week and a set number of days they can play anyways. I have yet to meet a player that regrets buying a stringer and doing his own racquets. The only person I met that regretted it had stopped playing tennis altogether.

 

[zapvor]

it doesnt take that much to break even. and its a very tennis thing to do. i dont ever let anyone string my rackets anymore.