Strung first racket (Klippermate/full bed BHBR) - one question

M

Major

New User
I received my Klippermate last night and, for the most part, had a successful first stringing experience! I put in a full bed of BHBR at 55lbs (two piece string job).

The only issue was that the final tie off for the cross (for my Wilson nPRO, it's in the 9B grommet) couldn't be used, because there was a bit of teflon tubing being used in that grommet, and it wasn't possible - at all - to get the cross string through there as well. I ended up having to tie it off about 4 grommets up. Are there any issues with this? Obviously it's not ideal, but I'll put in new strings in a couple weeks.

Overall: the klippermate is awesome! I didn't find using poly to begin with that challenging, except for the coil memory at the beginning and weaving the final few crosses. Finding the right amount of slack was very easy with the string jaws and I found the floating clamps to be very handy, both of which surprised me given some of the critiques of the Klip.

If anyone is on the fence about stringing -do it! I am awful with knots, but they were so simple, and I didn't notice any loss of tension whatsoever. The whole experience turned out to be very easy (save for the final tie off). The Klippermate Manual is excellent.

Happy stringing
 
Thanks for the report! I've had my Klipper for over a month and haven't gathered up the courage to try yet;<)
 
v-verb said:
Thanks for the report! I've had my Klipper for over a month and haven't gathered up the courage to try yet;<)
Click to expand...

Do it! I bought mine in January 2012 and have strung 27 times already. It's already paid for itself and then some since I was paying $10-$15 for labor only before.
 
v-verb said:
Thanks for the report! I've had my Klipper for over a month and haven't gathered up the courage to try yet;<)
Click to expand...

No problem! I was worried I would be overwhelmed too. Just take your time, read everything carefully, and it's pretty easy.
 
Major said:
I received my Klippermate last night and, for the most part, had a successful first stringing experience! I put in a full bed of BHBR at 55lbs (two piece string job).

The only issue was that the final tie off for the cross (for my Wilson nPRO, it's in the 9B grommet) couldn't be used, because there was a bit of teflon tubing being used in that grommet, and it wasn't possible - at all - to get the cross string through there as well. I ended up having to tie it off about 4 grommets up. Are there any issues with this? Obviously it's not ideal, but I'll put in new strings in a couple weeks.

Overall: the klippermate is awesome! I didn't find using poly to begin with that challenging, except for the coil memory at the beginning and weaving the final few crosses. Finding the right amount of slack was very easy with the string jaws and I found the floating clamps to be very handy, both of which surprised me given some of the critiques of the Klip.

If anyone is on the fence about stringing -do it! I am awful with knots, but they were so simple, and I didn't notice any loss of tension whatsoever. The whole experience turned out to be very easy (save for the final tie off). The Klippermate Manual is excellent.

Happy stringing
Click to expand...

There is no issue with using a different grommet to tie off. Usually the ones that are designed for the tie offs will work, but you will run into racquets that give you problems, just pick any grommet and tie off.

The only issue you ave to worry about is if the grommet is a few holes away from the last pulled string, you don't want their to be much slack from where the clamp is on the past string you pulled and the knot, because then the last string will have considerably less tension. Just make sure you squeeze it tight so there is not much slack from the clamp to the knot and then it will be perfectly fine to tie off like this.
 
tennis_pr0 said:
There is no issue with using a different grommet to tie off. Usually the ones that are designed for the tie offs will work, but you will run into racquets that give you problems, just pick any grommet and tie off.

The only issue you ave to worry about is if the grommet is a few holes away from the last pulled string, you don't want their to be much slack from where the clamp is on the past string you pulled and the knot, because then the last string will have considerably less tension. Just make sure you squeeze it tight so there is not much slack from the clamp to the knot and then it will be perfectly fine to tie off like this.
Click to expand...

Thanks, this is a big relief. When I noticed (on the very last step) that the teflon was completely filling the hole, I was not thrilled haha. I'm glad to hear my strategy will work for this string job.

The last string is a bit lower tension, but I don't think it's dramatically so. I increased the tension by a few pounds for this last pull too.
 
If the other side tie off is ok you can start your crosses on the other side or have your long side on the other side to avoid that bad grommet hole for tie off.
 
Nice to hear from a new stringer who has obviously used a few tools before in his/(her) lifetime.

It's just really not that hard/difficult.
 
So I went out and hit with the BHBR 16 today. I'm a 4.0 who can play up to stronger competition, and my biggest flaw is hitting long.

Well, the bhbr was as advertised. Full cuts at the ball, staying in the court. Ridiculous consistency. Excellent slices. My passing shots and approaches were very controlled. I'll actually have to get (re)used to putting away balls that land short - I had compensated with the posg (what I've played the most with) because of the lower spin potential. Count me as another huge fan of the stuff, can't believe it took me this long to try. Ordered a reel.

Edit to original post: the tie off for the cross on the nPRO is 7B (not 9B).
 
I forgot to mention - my first serve is still powerful and my second serve...wow. I can't begin to explain how much more kick and movement is on the ball.
 
Good job Major. I like you strung my 1st racket today. All in all it was a great experience except when I misweaved the crosses for a few rows. My own fault and something to watch out for in future. I used pacific gut mains and co focus crosses and even allowing for said mistake and taking my time I was finished in 3.5 hrs. Will aim for under 3 next time out. One question for you though, it took me several goes on each string to feed the right amount into the jaws in order for the dropweight arm to be level. Does tensioning the same run of string 2 or 3 times effect it? Love the klippermate though.
 
liam1 said:
Good job Major. I like you strung my 1st racket today. All in all it was a great experience except when I misweaved the crosses for a few rows. My own fault and something to watch out for in future. I used pacific gut mains and co focus crosses and even allowing for said mistake and taking my time I was finished in 3.5 hrs. Will aim for under 3 next time out. One question for you though, it took me several goes on each string to feed the right amount into the jaws in order for the dropweight arm to be level. Does tensioning the same run of string 2 or 3 times effect it? Love the klippermate though.
Click to expand...


A simple tip to avoid misweaves. If you start a cross by going under the main string, verify that your last cross on the other side goes over the main string. Most of the time, that will catch any misweaves.
 
liam1 said:
Good job Major. I like you strung my 1st racket today. All in all it was a great experience except when I misweaved the crosses for a few rows. My own fault and something to watch out for in future. I used pacific gut mains and co focus crosses and even allowing for said mistake and taking my time I was finished in 3.5 hrs. Will aim for under 3 next time out. One question for you though, it took me several goes on each string to feed the right amount into the jaws in order for the dropweight arm to be level. Does tensioning the same run of string 2 or 3 times effect it? Love the klippermate though.
Click to expand...

You know, a lot of posts say something to the effect of "the klippermate's string jaws can kink poly string." I actually didn't experience this to any concerning degree. It might put a mild bend in the string, but this disappears on the next pull, and I have a hard time believing the string is compromised. I can see the string getting "kinked" if it is sloppily put in the jaws, but if it's in correctly than I think you should be fine. They say bhbr is more springy than most polys, so maybe the type of poly matters.

Also, it's funny how different 55lbs feels on a drop weight compared to a lockout machine. I much prefer the drop weight, but I'm just stringing for myself.

v-verb said:
Silly question is BHBR = Tourna Poly Big Hitter Blue Rough ?
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Yep. I'm using the 16 gauge.
 
I've been using a Klippermate for the past 9 years. I have never had a problem with poly kinking, and I've also done a lot of 17 ga. gut, as that is what my son and daughter have used in their mains for a number of years. I only had one time when I broke a couple of strings during the process, but it turned out to be a bad grommet, not the string or stringer. I recently was experiencing some issues with slippage in the jaws even when cleaning in between each string job. Contacted Klippermate and they reminded me they have a lifetime warranty on their equipment. They had me return the jaws and within a few days I received a brand new set, and they work great. Never had a problem with the clamps, either. After you've spent some time with it you will develop your own cadence and routine, and will be able to drop the arm to 90 degrees on most pulls a few strings into the process. Great for transport and on-site stringing as well.
 
Major said:
No problem! I was worried I would be overwhelmed too. Just take your time, read everything carefully, and it's pretty easy.
Click to expand...

I think you hit on the key there.

I bought my Kmate around 2000. I remember thinking that I was pretty intense about my racquet and didn't want to screw it up any.

So I just decided to simply read the manual and set it aside. So I read the manual over, looked at it, read it deeply.

Then I think the next day was Saturday, and I made sure it was a low-pressure situation for me. Nothing much on the menu for the day, no need to rush. And I just slowly and deliberately did it, playing some music in the background and just proceeding with it.

It took less time than I'd budgeted and the first job was a good job. I think it took a little over an hour. Now, with the same stringing pattern, I do it around 40 minutes, sometimes a bit more, sometimes a bit less. It depends how much external jacking around I'm doing (fetching coffee, fiddling with the radio, going to the bathroom, etc.)

I remember waiting at the Chicago Tennis and Golf Shop for about 50 minutes while a young man strung my frame on a fantastic machine. I really think the physics of stringing (getting the string through the holes) is going to be much the same any machine you use, although a dropweight needs to settle out and adds a tad more time.
 
Never had a poly problem (I hate tying the knots, though). The weirdest string problem I had was when I wanted to revisit the past and use some Blue Star.

Essentially Blue Star is wadded up Saran Wrap. If you remember, the big selling point to Blue Star was that it would "shred" during play, causing a gut-like texture of sorts. The Kmate jaws didn't do well with this stuff! Just nothing to hold on to. I scrapped the mission.
 
My shoulder hurt a bit today, which is really too bad because I absolutely loved hitting with bhbr. I have an unusual pain almost on the tip of my clavicle, which I noticed after icing. This particular pain may have been caused by overzealous icing (I massage with ice cups).

First thing I will do is drop tension to 51/49 to see what that does. Then I will explore using syn gut crosses.
 
Strung up bhbr at 50/48. String bed still feels surprisingly taut. I'll probably try 45/43 soon too. Playtesting the 50/48 tomorrow.
 
I did my first string job ever on the Klipper.

Yamaha Secret 04 with Kirschbaum Black Spiky Shark 17 at 35 lbs.

HATED it!! Getting the right length to tension is a pain. Tying knots, a pain. Next time it will be tons easier, but I don't like stringing.

Thank goodness for Advil. I had a whale of a headache after. The racquet seems OK though, will hit with it today.
 
max said:
Those are fine racquets: wish I had one, a nice oldie there.
Click to expand...

Thanks - pretty cheap on the 'Bay. Mine was $30 to buy and $40 to ship. It was in great condition except for one pesky grommet!

BTW I hit with the Secret 04. WOW! That Spiky Shark at 35 lbs tamed the racquet and it was so solid and playable. I could hit rockets as long as I did a full stroke so the spin brought the ball down. Half volleys were a breeze.

Serves were good as well. There is Zero flex on the racquet though and Spiky Shark is dead feeling, but I didn't really care. The racquet just performed great.

Before with syngut the Secret 04 was uncontrollable.
 
Played hard for a good amount of time with bhbr at 50/48. My shoulder feels great. Crazy to think the 55lb was so much harsher. I'm very happy that lowering the tension seemed to solve my biggest concern.
 
v-verb said:
I did my first string job ever on the Klipper.

Yamaha Secret 04 with Kirschbaum Black Spiky Shark 17 at 35 lbs.

HATED it!! Getting the right length to tension is a pain. Tying knots, a pain. Next time it will be tons easier, but I don't like stringing.

Thank goodness for Advil. I had a whale of a headache after. The racquet seems OK though, will hit with it today.
Click to expand...

Hang in there...it will get easier. I've been using a Klippermate for 9 years, and can tell you that after you do a few sticks you will be able to hit horizontal on the first try for most of the job. Just takes those first two or three mains to get the string length estimates right for the string type you are using. Keep your jaws cleaned every three or so stringings and you will be all set.
 
Major said:
Played hard for a good amount of time with bhbr at 50/48. My shoulder feels great. Crazy to think the 55lb was so much harsher. I'm very happy that lowering the tension seemed to solve my biggest concern.
Click to expand...

Good to hear!! Not fun hurting yourself playing tennis.

My wrist is pretty much healed. The lower tension is so much less jarring on the arm and shoulder
 
Major said:
Played hard for a good amount of time with bhbr at 50/48. My shoulder feels great. Crazy to think the 55lb was so much harsher. I'm very happy that lowering the tension seemed to solve my biggest concern.
Click to expand...

There is a thread by Chris at TW about lower tensions with poly. What I have found is that playability of the string is not dramatically changed as you drop tension, but comfort is...especially in a full bed of the stuff.
 
10SDad said:
Hang in there...it will get easier. I've been using a Klippermate for 9 years, and can tell you that after you do a few sticks you will be able to hit horizontal on the first try for most of the job. Just takes those first two or three mains to get the string length estimates right for the string type you are using. Keep your jaws cleaned every three or so stringings and you will be all set.
Click to expand...

Thanks 10SDad!

That's encouraging - and appreciated. I'm going to try again this week. The string job actually did work to my amazement!

Cheers
 
v-verb said:
Thanks 10SDad!

That's encouraging - and appreciated. I'm going to try again this week. The string job actually did work to my amazement!

Cheers
Click to expand...

Your second time stringing will be way easier, if I had to guess. I'm surprised you hated the knot tying. I'm seriously abysmal with knots, but I was thrilled with how easy the klippermate's suggested knots were, and I was using poly. What issues were you having with the knots? Directions? Stiff string? Too little string?
 
v-verb said:
Thanks 10SDad!

That's encouraging - and appreciated. I'm going to try again this week. The string job actually did work to my amazement!

Cheers
Click to expand...

I had never strung before I got my Klipper. First string job took me well over 2 hours. Just stay with it and you will steadily improve on time and technique. Once you have the technique down you will get the feel for how to make minute adjustments in both the arm and the string in the jaws simultaneously. That's when things will really start to speed up for you.
 
Major said:
Your second time stringing will be way easier, if I had to guess. I'm surprised you hated the knot tying. I'm seriously abysmal with knots, but I was thrilled with how easy the klippermate's suggested knots were, and I was using poly. What issues were you having with the knots? Directions? Stiff string? Too little string?
Click to expand...

Hi Major!

The knots drove me nuts! The mains weren't too bad but with the poly they were really difficult to get tight. And the crosses? Forget it - I ended up inventing a couple of knots because I was so pie-eyed at the end (after midnight) that I couldn't see straight - and I was trying to read a blurry pdf of the Klipper manual. Youtube videos weren't a great help either.

So yes you hit all the bad points - knots, directions, stiff poly. I had enough string but it was close and it's a 16 x 18 pattern! Not sure if I would have had enough for a 18 x 20. Have to measure really carefully nex time.

10SDad said:
I had never strung before I got my Klipper. First string job took me well over 2 hours. Just stay with it and you will steadily improve on time and technique. Once you have the technique down you will get the feel for how to make minute adjustments in both the arm and the string in the jaws simultaneously. That's when things will really start to speed up for you.
Click to expand...

I'll definitely let you know. This time I've got the fiddly things to watch out for pretty down pat. And I won't be too nervous about tying knots!
 
v-verb said:
Hi Major!

The knots drove me nuts! The mains weren't too bad but with the poly they were really difficult to get tight. And the crosses? Forget it - I ended up inventing a couple of knots because I was so pie-eyed at the end (after midnight) that I couldn't see straight - and I was trying to read a blurry pdf of the Klipper manual. Youtube videos weren't a great help either.

So yes you hit all the bad points - knots, directions, stiff poly. I had enough string but it was close and it's a 16 x 18 pattern! Not sure if I would have had enough for a 18 x 20. Have to measure really carefully nex time.
Click to expand...

Did you buy a used klipper w/o the manual?
 
If you think it would help, i can probably send you better pictures of the knot tying directions. But maybe it's not so much the directions as the execution during your first stringing?
 
Major said:
If you think it would help, i can probably send you better pictures of the knot tying directions. But maybe it's not so much the directions as the execution during your first stringing?
Click to expand...

Hi Major!

That's very kind of you to offer!

I'm at nigel.lall at rogers.com

Cheers and thanks again!

nigel
 
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