Should I get a stringing machine?

[crazy8tiger]

Thanks to this thread: http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=176199

And after reading that a Klippermate was only $150, I am now thinking about whether or not to get one. I am still trying to find a string that fits me best and although I don't really break strings, I would like to try to use 17g string for more spin in my 18x20 Radical. The only concerns I want to know is would this be a good investment. I could probably also string for both of my cousins and my friends for free once I get a lot of practice. I would also probably restring more often, and considering I am going to high school next year I think I could be using it more. Just for people that own one, is the string that comes with it any good and is it easy to use for someone like me?

 

[aussie]

Klippermate is a good dropweight to get started on as it is easy to use and will produce a good, consistent string job, although it will take around an hour once you become familiar with it. Klipper include a few sets of reasonable quality string with the machine, plus you can order more within a month and get a 10% discount. They also offer wonderful after sales service and support. I"m sure that other drop weights such as the X-2, SP Swing etc are equally as good. Buy one, you won't regret it and you can always sell it and upgrade later on.

 

[THSBOI]

Yes well i think it's a good investment if you have reels also because then you can charge other people for stringing if they want you to string it. You can charge them $10 while stores charge you $15. And you can string your own racket also so you might make money while saving money too =P

 

[saram]

Depending where you live and what you are spending on stringing now through other people doing it for you--I would safely assume you will offset the cost of the investment within at least a couple months if not a year (depending on how often you play). I was lucky I used to work at a pro shop and was taught how to string, so getting a machine was easy for me to start stringing away instantly.

For you, it will take some research and practice. I would suggest getting an inexpensive stick at Play it Again Sports or wally-world to practice with--would hate to see you ruin a good Rad on the first attempt.

Not sure what strings come with the machine you are looking at. I went with an Eagnas and it works exceptionally well. I string for about 50% of the players in town and it is nice to always have a little extra spending cash on hand--they offset the cost of my string for myself as well that way.

My best advice though, would be to research heavily on machines and what has the best mount/clamp system you can afford. Sometimes, it is best to spend an extra hundred or two hundred bucks to get something that truly stabilizes the racket well.

 

[crazy8tiger]

Depending where you live and what you are spending on stringing now through other people doing it for you--I would safely assume you will offset the cost of the investment within at least a couple months if not a year (depending on how often you play). I was lucky I used to work at a pro shop and was taught how to string, so getting a machine was easy for me to start stringing away instantly.

For you, it will take some research and practice. I would suggest getting an inexpensive stick at Play it Again Sports or wally-world to practice with--would hate to see you ruin a good Rad on the first attempt.

Not sure what strings come with the machine you are looking at. I went with an Eagnas and it works exceptionally well. I string for about 50% of the players in town and it is nice to always have a little extra spending cash on hand--they offset the cost of my string for myself as well that way.

My best advice though, would be to research heavily on machines and what has the best mount/clamp system you can afford. Sometimes, it is best to spend an extra hundred or two hundred bucks to get something that truly stabilizes the racket well.

I am thinking about using some Wilson ones I got from Target for practice if I get one. I would probably be stringing for free at first if I get consistent at it, especially for my cousin as he is probably the biggest reason I'm into tennis and playing. I could probably think about a better machine but I don't want to spend a lot right now. How is a 2-point clamping system for a beginner, as I don't want to risk messing up anyone's racquet, especially someone else's.

 

[crazy8tiger]

One other side question, would you consider the Gamma X-2 or the $150 Klippermate?

 

[theace21]

One other side question, would you consider the Gamma X-2 or the $150 Klippermate?

Pretty much a toss up. Each will do the job for the lowest entry level machine. Flip a coin and start stringing...

 

[aussie]

Regarding the 2 point mounting system versus 6 point etc, you will find many, many posts about this issue on this forum. Personally, I find that the 2 point mounting system of the Klippermate works fine, and most importantly, if you are a beginner, it is easy to use and very quick to firmly mount a racquet. Others will criticise a 2 point as being inadequate to firmly hold a frame under the stresses of stringing, but one thing that can't be criticised is the ease and speed of the mounting of a frame on a Klippermate.

 

[Bud]

One other side question, would you consider the Gamma X-2 or the $150 Klippermate?

Pretty much a toss up. Each will do the job for the lowest entry level machine. Flip a coin and start stringing...

I don't think the Klipper has the ratchet gripper (to turn if you go below horizontal)... although, I'm sure someone WILL correct me if I'm wrong... :lol:

 

[dancraig]

I don't think the Klipper has the ratchet gripper (to turn if you go below horizontal)... although, I'm sure someone WILL correct me if I'm wrong... :lol:

You are correct, no ratchet.

 

[jgn1013]

This is the reason I got the gamma, the ratchet system.

 

[Bud]

This is the reason I got the gamma, the ratchet system.

Can't live without the ratchet... gotta have it :razz:

 

[crazy8tiger]

Can someone explain what the Ratchet system is? Does it help with the stringing?

 

[LttlElvis]

Rotational grippers on a dropweight require the bar to be horizontal (or close) to achieve desired tension. On a non ratcheting gripper like a Klippermate, you may have to pull the string a little tighter and regrip if you don't get the bar horizontal. The ratchet allows you to remain gripping the string and repositioning the bar to get the desired tension. The ratchet saves an extra step, but with experience you can grip on one try with the Klippermate.

Here's a ratcheting device from the Eagnas website.

http://www.eagnas.com/maxgen/griprach.html

or you can see one in action:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktxcs5dUoE8

notice how sometimes the bar is below horizontal, so he uses the ratchet to repositioning the bar. Without the ratchet you have to undo the string and regrip.

 

[max]

The K-mate gripper takes a half-second to adjust; just tuck up the bar an inch and with the other hand, noodge in a bit of string. It just ain't sexy.

 

[oiler90]

buy the best stringer you can afford. certain things are worth the extra money: socks, shoe laces, a great cut of meat, a custom tailored suit, and....a good racquet stringing machine.

 

[oiler90]

keeping in mind....the string-job is only as good as the guy/girl stringing the racquet.

 

[max]

I agree with both of oiler90's posts above. If you're going to be playing tennis a long time, going through more than 8 or so string jobs a year, my recommendation would be to save a bit more money and pop for something nicer. But that's me, and I enjoy the work of stringing, kind of like a crafty thing to do.

 

[Richie Rich]

buy the best you can afford. machines pay for themselves in no time. while the initial outlay of cash might hurt you are way better off in the long run buying a good solid reliable machine

 

[jameswilson]

Stringing machine

Hi,
I have lots of stringing machines available on my website, ideal for first time stringers. The machines come with all tools needed to string a tennis racquet and also step-by-step instructions on how to string a tennis racquet. The website is www.stringingmachines.co.uk

 

[jameswilson]

s t r i n g i n g m a c h i n e s . c o . uk
just delete the spaces - cheap stringing machines with all the tools needed to re-string a tennis racquet and step-by-step instructions on how to string a tennis racquet.

 

[crazy8tiger]

Just another question now, I am currently looking at a Klippermate and I am thinking about picking it up because it's at a nice price(under $50). Unfortunately, the seller only has the 2 clamps and the machine. Plus, 1 clamp is missing a screw. Do you guys think this a good deal once I buy all the other accessories, etc.?

http://imagehost.vendio.com/bin/vie...&vsid=1&vgp=0&vimgs=K-mate_1.JPG,K-mate_2.JPG
(Also, can anyone tell me if the tension grabber looks normal because it looks different from the pictures on Klip's website.)

 

[Zhou]

My friend owns a Klippermate and it looks quite different from the one in that picture. IMO I would pick up a new one for $135.

 

[dancraig]

In the past, I strung several hundred racquets on a Klippermate.
This one looks almost brand new. The brown cardboard tube that covers the long tension arm is the way they arrive brand new. The gripper looks fine, with no rust. The screw missing from the clamp is a problem. That is used to adjust the clamp pressure. You may be able to get a screw from Klippermate.
If the clamps are otherwise in good working order, it looks like a deal at $50.
You may need to buy a starting pin, (available from Klippermate), needle nosed pliers and an awl.
There is a little risk in buying anything used. Ask the seller when it was last used and was it in good working order.

 

[Deleted member 25923]

Yea, i'd recommend the ATS super stringer or the x-2. I went with the ATS because of the warranty and the color

I recommend these because they have a ratchet clutch system that saves time.

 

[crazy8tiger]

Right now I am thinking of the Klippermate because I could save on the shipping since it's in Southern California. Fortunately I found an ATS stringer and it looks pretty good if the price can stay my novice budget($100.)
http://cgi.*bay.com/ATS-Sports-Supe...oryZ2917QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[Zhou]

The seller has no idea if it is in working order and can only say by the looks of the machine. He has not personally used it so I would rather purchase new. I just read the Ask the Seller.

I would just buy one new and it is only $40 more. Plus you get a lot of free string to practice with.

 

[Deleted member 25923]

The seller has no idea if it is in working order and can only say by the looks of the machine. He has not personally used it so I would rather purchase new. I just read the Ask the Seller.

I would just buy one new and it is only $40 more. Plus you get a lot of free string to practice with.

And a warranty, and free shipping w/ a 50 dollar string purchase (not sure if this is still going on though)

 

[crazy8tiger]

Thanks for your help, I think you guys have probably convinced me to save up and just get a new one to help me in the long run. A new machine that will only be used by me will probably also allow me to know that I don't have to worry about any problems. However I am looking at the ATS Super Stringer and the Gamma X-2, and the price difference is less than $5. Is there any difference between them besides color that can help me decide?

 

[crazy8tiger]

I hope this is the last time I'll have to bring up my thread again, but I want to add some questions I have to here instead of making a new one.

1) I saw some recent threads and should the 2-point mounting on the Gamma X-2 or Klippermate be sufficient enough when I stringing my Dunlop M-Fil 200s, or any other racquets. I don't want to be ruining someone's racquets as I plan on stringing for some other people.

2) Will there be a lot of problems when stringing poly as I am currently going to be using a poly hybrid so I will be stringing it a lot for myself.

And finally,
3) Since I'm stringing poly for the most part since I am using it and some of my friends use it, will I be better off with the Klipper's better clamps, or should I just get the X-2 with the ratchet since I can get a better deal on that right now.

 

[crazy8tiger]

Want to say thanks for the help guys, I decided to order a X-2 and I think I'll be happy with it for now. I'm ordering a reel of Gosen Micro on TW to have even more string to practice with and practice different methods, etc. I would've liked to go for something a bit better with fixed clamps and a 6-point mount but this should suit me for now as I don't plan on using it much unless I decide to string for others.

EDIT: Sorry for the triple post.

 

[tjotim]

I think you've made a good choice for what you're willing to spend right now. Good luck with the new machine!

 

[Zach]

I hope this is the last time I'll have to bring up my thread again, but I want to add some questions I have to here instead of making a new one.

1) I saw some recent threads and should the 2-point mounting on the Gamma X-2 or Klippermate be sufficient enough when I stringing my Dunlop M-Fil 200s, or any other racquets. I don't want to be ruining someone's racquets as I plan on stringing for some other people.

2) Will there be a lot of problems when stringing poly as I am currently going to be using a poly hybrid so I will be stringing it a lot for myself.

And finally,
3) Since I'm stringing poly for the most part since I am using it and some of my friends use it, will I be better off with the Klipper's better clamps, or should I just get the X-2 with the ratchet since I can get a better deal on that right now.

You'll be fine stringing polys on an X-2. When you take the string out the gripper drum it will bent, this is okay because it is pulled straight with no real damage at all when that string goes into the racket.