Tools for new stringer (after much research)

ichaseballs

Hall of Fame
So far I got:
  • kimony stringbed cutter $20
  • kimony starting block $20
  • tourna starting clamp $50

babolat string cutter?
i see xuron on here being mentioned.

gamma tool set (3pc) seems like a ok deal for $50.
uk depot has a deluxe set (5 pc) for $44
 
Last edited:

LOBALOT

Legend
You know I really think you don't need to go that fancy. In fact the one time I tried to get some fancy tool I saw here was a Babolat string cutter (which you mention above) and it was garbage.

I bought garden/rose cutters for cutting string bed that work great.

I have a gamma and an alpha starting clamp. Both are fine.

I have an alpha angled plier/gizmo and it is fine.

I wouldn't spend hog wild on the stuff and instead spend on string.
 

jim e

Legend
This is what I use for a spacer when starting clamp on outside of frame. I took one off my Frigidaire freezer shelf.It is a very dense rubber, so it doesn't scratch the frame.
Go to the big auction site and item number is 5303299664.
 

MAX PLY

Hall of Fame
To the OP:

I think the three tools you have are fine. The Kimony string cutter is fantastic at a good price. I also have the starting block which I do use (I also use one that John Gugel sells)--both are good but you can definitely make one on your own as mentioned above. I don't have any experience with the Tourna starting clamp but I suspect it is quite serviceable.

The other tools I would suggest are:
  • A good diagonal cutter (the xeron is fine but pricy)
  • A set of curved pliers (you can also get a set of tools (which include a couple of different sets of pliers/cutters, including the two I mentioned) from Craftsman (and likely others) that will more than suffice.
  • A couple of good awls (both a sharp and a setting off awl)
I think Albert at AM Stringing (on YouTube) has a good video on what tools he recommends.

Enjoy your machine and your stringing.
 

ichaseballs

Hall of Fame
additional tools I ordered:
  • Gamma Pathfinder Awl $20
  • Gamma Straight Awl $9
  • Pros Pro Setting Awl $9

Still have to buy bent pliers and a diagonal cutter. (my wifes cuticle cutter was pretty good tbh)
I skipped the Gamma tool set because the cutter did not seem to be reviewed well. (not sharp and mushrooming the string)
 

waterpro

New User
Same, I mainly use:

- Starting clamp (Tennis Warehouse)
- Needle-nose pliers (Harbor Freight)
- Cutting pliers (Harbor Freight)
- Regular awl (not sure where I got it) for widening holes and uncovering holes.

That's all I use.

I have a starting block, but I never use it. I string maybe 3-4 rackets a month so not a high volume. But I've strung pretty much everything in all gauges from 15 to 19 and I've never had a string break at a grommet. While I understand the theory of a starting block, I've just never had a really to really use one and I'm lazy. If at some point in the future I do snap one at a grommet, then I'll start doing it, but until then I take the lazy approach :)

Also, you could just go to the hardware store and buy a 1/2" PVC plumbing coupler and it basically does the same thing and is probably only like $0.50.
 

lidoazndiabloboi

Hall of Fame
additional tools I ordered:
  • Gamma Pathfinder Awl $20
  • Gamma Straight Awl $9
  • Pros Pro Setting Awl $9

Still have to buy bent pliers and a diagonal cutter. (my wifes cuticle cutter was pretty good tbh)
I skipped the Gamma tool set because the cutter did not seem to be reviewed well. (not sharp and mushrooming the string)

This is the best cutters that I've used. and great price
 

MaxSwing

New User
FWIW I sting only a few racquets a month but I use:

  • Some cheap flat electrical cutters https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08NDZ4BYG?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title
  • Old starting clamp to help with pulling
  • The knockoff chinese starting clamp for starting the mains - so far still really good imho
  • 2" length of plastic pipe with some rubber attached at one end for a starting block
  • Basic Pros Pro awl that came with a 2nd hand machine - although rarely use except for badminton racquets
  • Scraps of string to help with blocked holes
I do have some parallel pliers but I just didnt really get on with them so they rarely come out of the toolkit.
 

ichaseballs

Hall of Fame
Ended up getting the Xuron cutter, bent pliers, and an Alpha starting clamp all from TW ;)


So in total these are the tools I needed:
  • kimony stringbed cutter $20
  • xuron cutter $13
  • bent pliers $12
  • tourna starting clamp $50
  • alpha starting clamp $45 (plan to use one of the starting clamps to finish knots)
  • Gamma Straight Awl $9

The following are definitely not necessary tools (ordered in terms of probable use):
  • kimony starting block $20
  • Gamma Pathfinder Awl $20
  • Pros Pro Setting Awl $9
 
Last edited:

lidoazndiabloboi

Hall of Fame
Ended up getting the Xuron cutter, bent pliers, and an Alpha starting clamp all from TW ;)


So in total these are the tools I needed:
  • kimony stringbed cutter $20
  • xuron cutter $13
  • bent pliers $12
  • tourna starting clamp $50
  • alpha starting clamp $45 (plan to use one of the starting clamps to finish knots)
  • Gamma Straight Awl $9

The following are definitely not necessary tools (ordered in terms of probable use):
  • kimony starting block $20
  • Gamma Pathfinder Awl $20
  • Pros Pro Setting Awl $9
I recommend getting a Setting Awl, as it will make straightening strings much easier. I definitely use it for every racket I string.
 

LOBALOT

Legend
Ended up getting the Xuron cutter, bent pliers, and an Alpha starting clamp all from TW ;)


So in total these are the tools I needed:
  • kimony stringbed cutter $20
  • xuron cutter $13
  • bent pliers $12
  • tourna starting clamp $50
  • alpha starting clamp $45 (plan to use one of the starting clamps to finish knots)
  • Gamma Straight Awl $9

The following are definitely not necessary tools (ordered in terms of probable use):
  • kimony starting block $20
  • Gamma Pathfinder Awl $20
  • Pros Pro Setting Awl $9

Actually if I were you I would preload one of your starting clamps with string to use as a bridge and leave that on a hook near your machine where you can reach over and grab it and use it for bridging but otherwise it (and the string attached to it) are not in the way. The other starting clamp I would have on the machine for starting mains and crosses and also knots.

That is what I do.

As you assemble reels you will have very precise measurements of string intentionally leaving yourself short but with enough to tie off thus conserving what you use.
 

jim e

Legend
I took a Phillips head screwdriver and ground the tip till nice and blunt and smooth. There's my set off tool. I do use the "String Thing" mostly for straightening the strings than the set off as that gets the strings in ballpark for straightness.
 

struggle

Legend
I've found that if you straighten as you string (while you tension), you'll "never" need a straightening tool.

I do also have a ground down screwdriver that i made. I may have use it once right after i "made" it.

It seems that if you do a good job WHILE stringing, you don't need to clean up after, for the most part.

Less tension loss, also.....no matter how small it may be.

And yes, i've seen them used in the stringing rooms......still seems counterintuitive. I realize they are in a rush at times...
 
Last edited:

diredesire

Moderator
I've found that if you straighten as you string (while you tension), you'll "never" need a straightening tool.

I do also have a ground down screwdriver that i made. I may have use it once right after i "made" it.

It seems that if you do a good job WHILE stringing, you don't need to clean up after, for the most part.

Less tension loss, also.....no matter how small it may be.

And yes, i've seen them used in the stringing rooms......still seems counterintuitive. I realize they are in a rush at times...
You know, I've heard this said many, many times. I've never found this to be true, though. I straighten as I string, and I apply "upwards" pressure to the string as I tension, and I've always got the slightest bit of bow after stringing. I chalk this up to not having a string down the bed holding the tensioned string properly in place. It may only be a few mm I'm pushing after a job is done, but I'm always straightening. I also find that mains get bowed from either the clamp head/teeth spacing or weaving. Maybe it's just me, but I've always disagreed with the never needing a straightening tool part.

I'm more inclined to believe that if you see them in pro stringing rooms, there's probably a reason :unsure:
 

struggle

Legend
I'm also never in a rush, that could help. I'm not trying to crank a string job back to center court in sub 20 minutes..,.

i don't do anything but small finger adjustments when finished. No need for jabbing at the stringbed.

but, like you say.....

i think alot of people will use these tools to rid an entire bed of Guy Smiley. I guess that's my take home point.
 

MAX PLY

Hall of Fame
It’s funny. I never used a setting-off awl until about 15 years ago when a friend of mine who was a pro tourney stringer showed me the technique (it looks like rapid random stabbing, but it’s really not). The key is to straighten as you go but use the awl to “clean up” at the end. It only takes a minute or so and it leaves a clean job every time. I understand sometimes “good enough” is ok—just not for me. IMHO, it’s worth the investment time to get it as precise as possible. I’m now awl in.
 

Wes

Hall of Fame

You know, I've heard this said many, many times. I've never found this to be true, though. I straighten as I string, and I apply "upwards" pressure to the string as I tension, and I've always got the slightest bit of bow after stringing. I chalk this up to not having a string down the bed holding the tensioned string properly in place. It may only be a few mm I'm pushing after a job is done, but I'm always straightening. I also find that mains get bowed from either the clamp head/teeth spacing or weaving. Maybe it's just me, but I've always disagreed with the never needing a straightening tool part.
I concur completely. ;)

However, I'm sure this is a product of just how OCD a particular stringer is regarding having all the strings (as I refer to them) "laser straight". :sneaky:


It’s funny. I never used a setting-off awl until about 15 years ago when a friend of mine who was a pro tourney stringer showed me the technique (it looks like rapid random stabbing, but it’s really not). The key is to straighten as you go but use the awl to “clean up” at the end. It only takes a minute or so and it leaves a clean job every time. I understand sometimes “good enough” is ok—just not for me. IMHO, it’s worth the investment time to get it as precise as possible. I’m now awl in.
Once again, agreed. ;)

 

kkm

Hall of Fame
You always have to do some straightening on the mains after stringing.

On the crosses, it’s good if you straighten the crosses when they’re tensioned. When you tension a cross, if you straighten the cross before the cross that‘s under tension, and then straighten the cross under tension, you shouldn’t have to do any straightening after stringing. Most tournament stringers will straighten the cross under tension, but not the cross right before it, and that has a lot to do with why they have to use an awl after stringing.
 

Westerwick

Rookie
I took a Phillips head screwdriver and ground the tip till nice and blunt and smooth. There's my set off tool. I do use the "String Thing" mostly for straightening the strings than the set off as that gets the strings in ballpark for straightness.
During the past 40 years I have made a whole lot of bicycle, stringing, auto and other tools from old screwdrivers or glazing chisels. A little care with a grinder, file or dremel tool and a little imagination and you'd be surprised what you can come up with. More unusual ones were a specialized root cutter that I used for killing invasive Mediterranean sage on my mountain bike routes, a wirelaying tool for putting in a km of underground wire for an invisible dog fence and tool with an oddball rectangular head for tightening the door hinge on an old Peugeot 504.
 

Sardines

Hall of Fame
When we bought our stringer, my pro stringer recommended we get a tool set to travel with, either the Yonex (because he's on the Yonex team) or the Babolat (which he was on the team too). I googled those tool kits and had sticker shock. I also scoured the TT forum for alternatives and found the Kimony line. So I bought Kimony stuff, except for that really expensive starting clamp. We travel overseas for tournies and found out very quickly some airports didn't like tools like pliers. So we arrived at our destination minus pliers, and of course the kids forget to pack the rest of the stringer kit. We already had a nail clipper, so a quick visit to a local hardware store to get curved pliers and garden shear solved our equipment issues. Our grommets or sticks are replaced regularly, so we never use an pointed awl, and I found a great travel setting awl, our pairs of stainless steel chopsticks, which are also a great way to avoid wood waste, not to mention the chopstick cleanliness issues in places like China. Dual purpose tools! :laughing: ;) ;)
Obviously personal stringing is NOT the same as professional shops, who can't be seen using garden shears, chopsticks and nail clippers. But as a traveling or home kit, those things travel and work as well, as well as a lot cheaper.
 

vokazu

Legend
So far I got:
  • kimony stringbed cutter $20
  • kimony starting block $20
  • tourna starting clamp $50

babolat string cutter?
i see xuron on here being mentioned.

gamma tool set (3pc) seems like a ok deal for $50.
uk depot has a deluxe set (5 pc) for $44
I was like you and I bought all the tools I could get. Wow it was so exciting to string on my own for the first time! Like a little kid in a toy shop lol.
 

tennytive

Hall of Fame
Like jim e I used the string thing for my tennis rackets. Now I only string badminton rackets for myself and use a plastic letter opener to tap the strings straight if needed.
Works well and zero dollars.
 

Dunlop300g

Rookie
When we bought our stringer, my pro stringer recommended we get a tool set to travel with, either the Yonex (because he's on the Yonex team) or the Babolat (which he was on the team too). I googled those tool kits and had sticker shock. I also scoured the TT forum for alternatives and found the Kimony line. So I bought Kimony stuff, except for that really expensive starting clamp. We travel overseas for tournies and found out very quickly some airports didn't like tools like pliers. So we arrived at our destination minus pliers, and of course the kids forget to pack the rest of the stringer kit. We already had a nail clipper, so a quick visit to a local hardware store to get curved pliers and garden shear solved our equipment issues. Our grommets or sticks are replaced regularly, so we never use an pointed awl, and I found a great travel setting awl, our pairs of stainless steel chopsticks, which are also a great way to avoid wood waste, not to mention the chopstick cleanliness issues in places like China. Dual purpose tools! :laughing: ;) ;)
Obviously personal stringing is NOT the same as professional shops, who can't be seen using garden shears, chopsticks and nail clippers. But as a traveling or home kit, those things travel and work as well, as well as a lot cheaper.
Haha I will try the stainless steel chopsticks!! That too good to pass up!

edit: my new straightening awl !
 
Last edited:

struggle

Legend
I keep an old candle in a ziplock at the ready. Use it to wax strings that i need to feed through
a tight/"blocked" holes. Some use chapstick, etc.

Use some poly to bore holes into the candle, than softer strings can be fed into the same hole(s)
for waxing as well.
 

SavvyStringer

Professional
Ended up getting the Xuron cutter, bent pliers, and an Alpha starting clamp all from TW ;)


So in total these are the tools I needed:
  • kimony stringbed cutter $20
  • xuron cutter $13
  • bent pliers $12
  • tourna starting clamp $50
  • alpha starting clamp $45 (plan to use one of the starting clamps to finish knots)
  • Gamma Straight Awl $9

The following are definitely not necessary tools (ordered in terms of probable use):
  • kimony starting block $20
  • Gamma Pathfinder Awl $20
  • Pros Pro Setting Awl $9
Your not necessary tools are in reverse order IMO. I use a setting awl on every racket. Pathfinder awl while specialty is very useful a handful of times a year.

Never used a starting block. You're not scratching a grommet set with your starting clamp and you're not weakening the string. It's marketing junk to sell you things you don't need and make a massive profit off of scrap material.
 

struggle

Legend
I have a pathfinder awl that came with my Gamma machine 12 years ago or so.

Haven't used it once. It's a very poorly made item (almost looks like it could break just by glancing at it....) and apparently prone to breakage very easily.
But that's heresay in my case.... since i don't need it, haven't tried it.

Homemade setting off awl........did use it. Once.
 

kkm

Hall of Fame
I have a pathfinder awl that came with my Gamma machine 12 years ago or so.

Haven't used it once. It's a very poorly made item (almost looks like it could break just by glancing at it....) and apparently prone to breakage very easily.
But that's heresay in my case.... since i don't need it, haven't tried it.

Homemade setting off awl........did use it. Once.
The pathfinder awl that comes with Gamma machines is fine. The Kimony pathfinder awl is poorly made.:(
 

struggle

Legend
The pathfinder awl that comes with Gamma machines is fine. The Kimony pathfinder awl is poorly made.:(
I'm sure it's "fine", but it's made like a cheap chinese toy you'd get at the local county fair.

Many have reported them breaking easily. Like i said, i have not used it (have not needed to).

Haven't seen the kimony, have not ever bothered to look since i don't find the need for one.

You are probably right, it could be made even more cheaply. I'm sure, there's always a way...
 

struggle

Legend
I use this awl, exclusively. I've had it since the 80s (Kmate days).
I also have whatever awl(s) came with my Gamma years ago.
They don't leave the drawer.



The point on these is smoother and rounder than any other i have fondled (primarily Gamma...)
Bonus is the replaceable tips. I've got an extra or two.....you can bend one abit if needed (heat helps).

excellent for grommet jobs too.
 
Last edited:

diredesire

Moderator
I'm sure it's "fine", but it's made like a cheap chinese toy you'd get at the local county fair.

Many have reported them breaking easily. Like i said, i have not used it (have not needed to).

Haven't seen the kimony, have not ever bothered to look since i don't find the need for one.

You are probably right, it could be made even more cheaply. I'm sure, there's always a way...
I think of pathfinder awls as more of an engineering problem. If the outer diameter is supposed to fit in a (presumably) shared hole, there's a maximum tolerable OD, and it's typically going to be used when another string is already in the hole. If there's not much more space than two strings in even an enlarged hole, you can hand-wavily estimate the space for said awl at maximum of a thick string (say... 1.35-1.4mm). Having a tube with a sliding inner shaft with the bore being large enough for a typical string is actually pretty tough to manufacture inexpensively, so I give any pathfinder awl a pass in terms of them being delicate.
 

kkm

Hall of Fame
I'm sure it's "fine", but it's made like a cheap chinese toy you'd get at the local county fair.

Many have reported them breaking easily. Like i said, i have not used it (have not needed to).

Haven't seen the kimony, have not ever bothered to look since i don't find the need for one.

You are probably right, it could be made even more cheaply. I'm sure, there's always a way...
The pathfinder awl that comes with Gamma and Wilson machines isn’t the best-looking tool, but FWIW mine is over 20 years old and going strong.
 

Irvin

Talk Tennis Guru
The pathfinder awl that comes with Gamma and Wilson machines isn’t the best-looking tool, but FWIW mine is over 20 years old and going strong.
I’ve 2 pathfinder awls. One came with my 6004, and the other with my X-2. I‘ve used mine often over the last 15 years or so, and think they’re great. If I had to guess, I’d say I use them a minimum of once a week over the last 15 years. That comes to at least 1,000 times I’ve used mine.

I will say the instructions I the owners manual for my machine shows how to misuse them. I don’t think the pathfinders should be inserted in a grommet from the inside of the racket. @Gamma Tech That can put too much stress on the fragile tube / needle of the awl. Some of the Pathfinder Awls also have a sharp point and inserting the from the inside of a grommet could puncture the string blocking the outside of the grommet hole.
 

kkm

Hall of Fame
I’ve 2 pathfinder awls. One came with my 6004, and the other with my X-2. I‘ve used mine often over the last 15 years or so, and think they’re great. If I had to guess, I’d say I use them a minimum of once a week over the last 15 years. That comes to at least 1,000 times I’ve used mine.

I will say the instructions I the owners manual for my machine shows how to misuse them. I don’t think the pathfinders should be inserted in a grommet from the inside of the racket. @Gamma Tech That can put too much stress on the fragile tube / needle of the awl. Some of the Pathfinder Awls also have a sharp point and inserting the from the inside of a grommet could puncture the string blocking the outside of the grommet hole.
I agree on not inserting a pathfinder in a grommet from the inside of the hoop.
 
Top