Stringing Machines

You've either come to the conclusion that it's time to start restringing your own rackets, or your still weighing your options. There are a number of reasons to do your own rackets, as well as reasons for leaving it to the pros.

Saving money, more control over your racket, learning a new skill, and less reliance on a third party are the main reasons for stringing your own racket. If you have the time, and get good at it, there's even a chance you could make a few dollars by doing your friends rackets. The only reason, I can think of for not doing your own rackets, is time. You need to spend a bit of time learning how, as well as the actual time it takes to do a racket. The more expensive machines, will of course save you time, and that's another consideration you'll have to weigh if you decide to buy.

There are a number of other features and considerations to weigh when buying a string machine, so lets consider a few below.

As with any technology purchases these days, there are a multitude of choices. Racket restringing machines are no different. There are a number of different types that offer certain pros and cons, with the more sophisticated units costing considerably more money. The two basic types of units are call "constant pull", and "lockout". As the name would suggest a "constant pull" machine will keep a steady pressure on the racket strings during the entire stringing process. It's provides a more consistent pressure, and a quicker process for the restringer. They are of course the more expensive of the two.

Lockout machines are somewhat more mechanical in nature and require a couple of steps in their operation. The first step being a tensioning of the string, and the second step being a locking of the string in place using some sort of clamping mechanism. Electronic machines are not really a third type of machine, as some people would have you think. They actually fall under the category of "constant pull" machines. At the risk of being somewhat presumptuous, spending a few extra dollars for the "constant pull" variety of machine will be money well invested if your the type who sticks to something, and plans on stringing rackets for a while.

Having said that, there's nothing wrong with getting a good quality entry level machine to start with. Entry level machines have the advantage of being very portable. You could even take one with you when you travel to various tournaments. Eagnas, Gamma, Alpha, and Prince all make some pretty good quality entry level stringing machines. Of course, if your budget is small, and your dreams are big, then you could always go for a used machine. A well designed and built machine will last upwards of ten years, depending on use and care. If you can find someone who started stringing, but gave up on it, you could conceivably find yourself a good deal on a used machine.