Should I buy a stringer?

[Redflea]

I have been on this Stringing Equipment sub-forum for quite a while now (as a learner, not really a contributor).

nyc's post is very insightful. Thanks nyc.

I have been following redflea's posts forever. redflea: your enthusiasm is truly contagious.

Thanks, but I hope you're not trying to set me up for a future lawsuit (headline: "Rookie stringer looses leg in freak stringing accident, blames Redflea for luring him into dangerous hobby.")

voltron: congrats! hope you got your revo.

I am pretty much in the same predicament as every other newbie to stringing.

1) I am really NOT a do_it_yourself kinda guy but I really think I would enjoy stringing. What is the 'learnability' of dropwt/crank stringing; is the difficulty index very high or even moderately high?

Very easy. As in my sons picked it up immediately. As in I was able to figure it out (that means there is a very low bar to get into this game). I wouldn't worry about this issue...plenty of help onliine, from you vendor (assuming you pick one that provides support) and from folks here to get you where you need to go.

2) I spend $15 on labor each time I get my (fairly sizable collection of) racquets strung. This prob gets exacerbated by the fact that I like to experiment a lot with strings, and I am not even what one would call a frequent string-breaker. If I am just looking to be a home-stringer (not looking to string for a club or something; when my stringing abilities do indeed get better, I might string for some buddies for free), would you still advise that I buy a stringer?

Absolutely, you sound tailor-made to become a "hobbyist stringer." It will allow you more flexibility, and (I warn you) probably result in you messing around w/setups even more...

3) I think I can afford a crank. I am not a 'money_is_no_object' kind of a guy, but is there a rule-of-thumb math equation that tells you that "if you string 'x' racquets per month, then the business economics will steer you towards a crank; else just invest in a solid drop-weight". I'd like to see this value equation.

I don't think your decision would be lead by "business economics" factors unless you're stringing for others (getting paid) or unless your time for stringing is very limited (opportunity cost). Cranks are faster, but it's not night-and-day by any means.

I am currently indisposed (recuperating after ACL recon + meniscus repair), so I'll be out of action for a while; hence this is a good time for me to indulge in some fantasies of procuring a stringing machine (and work on convincing the wife!).

Your inputs would be most appreciated.

Sorry to hear about the injury, but glad to hear you've gotten it cleaned up and are in recovery mode. Now is definitely the time to work on the wife. She should be putty in your hands when you limp up to her (I know it's your shoulder that's in recovery, but nothing screams 'Pity me!!' like a good limp) and start the stringer discussion.

[and pls kindly refrain from doling out the oft repeated advice of 'do a search'; I have... and this activity only succeeds in befuddling my puny brain]

Thanks in advance for all your help.

You're welcome. Jump on in, the water's fine...

 

[jaykay]

nyc/redflea: thanks for your responses.

nyc: "I usually like to go with an item in the upper 3rd of the spectrum" --- you are defly in business school or are a management consultant; obsessed with 2-by-2 quadrants, aren't we? (j/k). But thanks, as usual, your post was most insightful and very helpful to newbies such as myself.

redflea: "I hope you're not trying to set me up for a future lawsuit" --- oh, I am defly NOT part of America's litiguous society, believe me. On a more serious note, your responses were VERY helpful. I am inclined to go with a mid-end dropwt; I might just plagiarize your approach, piggyback on your research & feedback and go with the Alpha Pioneer DC Plus or maybe nyc's Gamma X-2. I need to do some more research on features.

[and redflea: acl/meniscus surgery was on left knee (not shoulder)... so I can defly limp on crutches and work on getting the sympathy vote from the wife!]

 

[nyc]

getting the sympathy vote from the wife!]

oh, there's a wife in the picture? Based on my experience, the X-2 has a much higher WAF (Wife Acceptance Factor) as it's half the size.

thanks for the compliments!

 

[jaykay]

oh, there's a wife in the picture? Based on my experience, the X-2 has a much higher WAF (Wife Acceptance Factor) as it's half the size.

thanks for the compliments!

---chortle--- yep, WAF is very important!

nyc: whr did you buy your Gamma X-2 from?, and
redflea: whr did you buy your DC Plus from?

What are the free strings that you get with each? Can you summarize the pros and cons of each?

Let me know when you have a moment. Thnx.

[a little too lazy to search]

 

[nyc]

wow, that's quite a bandwidth - the X-2 is $140, the DC is what, $450?

got my X-2 from h o l a, as TW doesn't carry this stringer
Came with all Gamma strings - don't remember exactly but here's an approximate list:
1x Professional 17
2x Live wire
2x Zo
2x Challenger
2x TNT2
Gut 3
Syn Gut (love it!)
and some other cheapo string in 15 that's around $3
I think it was pretty much the same assortment as this: http://www.photostringer.com/images/Gamma_X-2_061228-20a.jpg

and also a Shockbuster and Gauze tape for neither of which I have any use for.

I have only played with the Syn Gut so far, but used the cheapo strings as practice strings and cut them out without playing with them.

 

[jaykay]

Thnx nyc. Nice string collection the Gamma guys sent you... this is a definite plus.

[And sorry for the rather silly question; didn't realize that x2 and dc_plus were in 2 entirely diff categories and consequently at almost diametrically opposite price points.]

{Another somewhat less relevant observation; I notice that people on the 'Stringing Machines' sub-forum (compared to, say, 'Racquets', where most seem to be on some ego trip or the other) are much more helpful and patient; so THANK YOU}

 

[Voltron]

Just got my Revo, I'm going to string up a frame in about 30 minutes. I found the mounting system to be rock solid, and it's really easy to mount a frame. (Yonex's fit) I can't wait to string a frame with it. Thanks to everyone who lead me to this decision and helped me learn to string on a crank.

 

[Redflea]

wow, that's quite a bandwidth - the X-2 is $140, the DC is what, $450?

The Pioneer DC Plus is $399 from AlphaTennis.com and comes w/free strings, tools, replacement parts, etc. The Alpha String Pal (similar to the X-2) is $120, and I think has some features the X-2 lacks. Get the number from the web site and call and talk to Mark at Alpha about their machines. He can help you understand his machines, and is just a generally nice/helpful guy. He never tried to "sell" me, so don't worry...low key. I used him a lot for pre-sales info after talking to folks here first.

My DC Plus came w/8 or so sets of string, I can't remember now. Yeah, 8...here's the link to my out of box experience:

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=104946

I let Mark pick the mix as I wasn't familiar w/Alpha strings at the time. Had I do it over again I'd get 5 of the sets in Sphere and the other 3 in Prodigy...both excellent strings, with Sphere maybe getting the edge. I'm not into Polys...

If you did get a Pioneer, I highly recommend the stand (rolling rack, actually) I purchased for it...pics here:

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=104833&page=2

One at the top of just the stand, and then my mod process starting at post #30.

Regarding WAF (which is key in my castle as well)...my wife likes the stand/stringer combo, and it tucks away in a closet for easy storage.

If you want to spend more than $200, but don't want to jump to over $550 for something like the Alpha Revo, I think the fixed clamps, linear gripper, high build quality (the Pioneer uses much of the same hardware as the $550 Revo), and top-notch support from Alpha, make the Pioneer DC Plus a very compelling (and somewhat unique) option at its price-point.

In the sub-200 range, the X-2, String Pal, and others all seem to be very competitive.

 

[jaykay]

Thanks RedFlea. This is most useful.

I am REALLY inclined to just plagiarize your approach and go for the Pioneer DC Plus as well (see http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=124066).

I was meaning to ask you what string would you opt for, now that you have the advantage of experience with the diverse portfolio of Alpha strings and you are 1 step ahead and have already answered the question.

Do you use a tension calibrator? If so, which one? Where did you buy it from? and for how much?

I did go through almost ALL your posts. I think I'll go bonkers attempting to learn the knots as well. How good are you now with the knots? Also, I assume you take the 'two-piece stringing' approach?

Thnx in anticipation,
jaykay.

 

[nyc]

Knots are very easy, just takes a little practice.
Here's some helpful info:
http://www.grand*slam*stringers.com
(remove stars)

and go to videos/pictures

 

[Redflea]

Thanks RedFlea. This is most useful.

I am REALLY inclined to just plagiarize your approach and go for the Pioneer DC Plus as well (see http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=124066).

I was meaning to ask you what string would you opt for, now that you have the advantage of experience with the diverse portfolio of Alpha strings and you are 1 step ahead and have already answered the question.

As I noted above..."Had I do it over again I'd get 5 of the sets in Sphere and the other 3 in Prodigy...both excellent strings, with Sphere maybe getting the edge. I'm not into Polys..."

Do you use a tension calibrator? If so, which one? Where did you buy it from? and for how much?

I did go through almost ALL your posts. I think I'll go bonkers attempting to learn the knots as well. How good are you now with the knots? Also, I assume you take the 'two-piece stringing' approach?

Thnx in anticipation,
jaykay.

I haven't used a tension calibrator...I may get one at some point, but what I've found really matters once you're strining for yourself is that you are consistent. I'm not really concerned knowing exactly what tension I'm pulling. Since I use a drop-weight there isn't a calibration issue.

Knots started out as my biggest issue, but that's really more of a personal problem...I have, for some reason, difficulty thinking in 3D space. I also have problems w/depth perception, so maybe those are related issues for me. I'm very comfy w/knots now, as I only use two:

- Parnell Knot
- Cross starter knot

Both learned from the excellent site here:

http://www.keohi.com/tennis/index.htm

Knots page: http://www.keohi.com/tennis/misc/knots.htm

All my string jobs have been two piece. Easier to work w/a shorter piece of string.

Happy shopping.....