Stringing machines: what to look for?

[PhilsterT]

So I'm pretty new to idea of stringing my own racquets. For some reason, I have this huge urge to learn to string my own racquets. It will save money (true), but I just have this mentality that I want to learn how to do the whole spectrum of tennis. I don't want to just get better at playing, I want to learn how to do other things surronding the game, such as stringing racquets. But, the problem lies here: I don't know much about stringing machines. What should I be looking for in a good machine? What's good? What's bad? What makes a machine good? Bad?

Any general or vague info will be great. Or sites that explain more about stringing. Thanks.

 

[theace21]

All machines will work and give consistent results once you become experienced. You need to set your budget. You can spend as little as 150 and as much as thousands. How much do you want to invest in a stringer?

 

[Ben42]

What you really should think about is how much stringing do you intend to do. If you just plan on stringing for yourself, say a couple of frames every few weeks, then a <$100 can be fine. That's all the stringing I do and my $135 ATS stringer is fine.


A more expensive machine will basically buy you more consistancy in your string jobs and faster stringing times. It takes me about 40 minutes to string a racquet (though I'm never in a hurry so I don't push). On a crank it would probably take my 25 minutes or so.

If you are planning on doing racquets for friends and others I'd get something with a crank or a Laserfibre. For just yourself and family I'd go dropweight with fixed clamps to save a little money. For just yourself a flying-clamp dropweight will probably be enough.

Stick with a manufacturer with a good reputation. It will serve you well if you need service and for resale value if you ever want to sell. Gamma, Alpha, and Laserfibre all have excellent reps.

 

[JuntheKing]

I use a klippermate...drop weight not bad..what you up to Philster

 

[PhilsterT]

Ugh...I would probably spend around...$300 (ballpark estimate). I'm kind of curious of others bought the stands for their stringers and how helpful are they? Are they worth the extra budget.

I would proabably string...3-5 times a month off season and maybe 6-10 a month on season, as my mom and others might want restrung. Those are completley rough estimates, but for my own strings, probably twice a month.

 

[JuntheKing]

Stringing twice a month would drive me nuts....haha

 

[leog]

constant pull, 6pt mounting, high quality fixed clamps...all can be had for less than $500

 

[PhilsterT]

Hm...under $500? My budget would only hit around $350 at max.

How helpful is a stand? If I don't have a stand where else could I string my racquet.

 

[Ben42]

I put mine on a counter in my kitchen, or just sit on the floor in the living room and watch tv while I do it.

 

[JuntheKing]

you could get a table top

 

[Radical Shot]

I use an ironing board. You can adjust it to the exact height you need.

 

[Leccz]

I use an ironing board. You can adjust it to the exact height you need.

Now that's ingenius

 

[Radical Shot]

Thanks Leccz, although I cannot take credit for that one. Up until very recently I was stringing on my kitchen table. Back breaking work...until the ironing board idea was told to me.

Having a machine with a stand would be good, but it's definately not necessary as everyone has (should have!?) an ironing board.

Another little thing that I appeciate in my machine is a small tool holder in the base of it. (Klip Gravity Drop-weight). Makes it very handy to store pliers and the cuttings from the ends of string when you need to sharpen them up a bit.

 

[156MPHserve]

300 is a tricky number. You won't get a crank for it, that's for sure. IMO your best bet is to check Eagnas. They have the lowest prices, and a huge selection of machines to choose from. They have an average sales rep. Otherwise you will be basically stuck to the most basic models.

 

[ambro]

I have mine on an old TV stand. It works and it's the perfect height.

 

[egrtennis3]

Help

constant pull, 6pt mounting, high quality fixed clamps...all can be had for less than $500

I have about a $500 budget and I want an electric stringing machine. Which one would you choose??

 

[Steve Huff]

Personally, I don't like the rotational string grippers. Maybe just my preference, but I like the slide bar type. I doubt $500 will get you an electric with this type of gripper. The things to look for are 1) a good, sturdy mounting system, preferably one that's easy to use, and easy to work around. You really don't want to crack a racket, and a good mounting system is kind of like insurance 2) Good clamps. Swivel clamps are nice, but unless you string a lot of other people's rackets, their only big advantage is stringing rackets with "fan" patterns, which several racquetball rackets have too. 3) Constant pull is nice, but not necessary. What you really want is consistency, which all 3 (weight on arm, crank, or electric) can deliver. It's easier to get consistent with the latter 2, but even a swingarm can be fairly consistent. A simple calibrator can let you compensate for any variance from the your set tension and actual tension.