Stringing one's racquet oneself gets more and more popular. A growing number of players want to get their own stringing machine so they can string their own racquets and thus save a lot of money on the long term. But which machine should one buy? Where can one get the best machines? The Stringing Machine Info page provides an overview, but I don't have experience with different models so I cannot tell which brand you should get from which dealer.
Because of this I created this stringing machine forum. Here the prospective stringer can get information about specific models provided by other stringers who post their experiences.
I would like to ask all stringers - in contrast to the usual surfer mentality - to give instead of always take, by submitting their experiences with stringing machines either by e-mail or using the submission form.

Please send comments to:   info@stringforum.net

- Sam about the Alpha Revo Machine (Apr 14, 01):

Purchased a Alpha Revo Stringing Machine. It's O.K. My biggest complaint is it was advertised that the racquet had a 360 degree rotation when stringing. When I got it it could not. The racquet handle would hit the crank mechanism so you would have to swing the racquet back around. When I contacted the Alpha they could care less. With them once you buy you are on your own. If you get it good luck if you have questions or a problem.

- Jerry Snyder (Feb 05, 02):

I've been stringing for almost 20 years and the Laserfibre MS200DX is the greatest machine out there especially in its price range ($1600). Its foot operated mechanism is super easy and fast to use!!!!
Try one out. Jerry Snyder

- Stephen Chertok (Nov 06, 02):

I switched from a portable Gamma model, to the Prince/Ektelon Neos 1000 model recently and can say this machine is fabulous!
2-point mounting is accurate, reliable and easy. Floating clamps are the easiest, possibly the best clamps ever designed! Upright, swiveling is effortless. Tension gauges are accurate and easy to set. Tensioning is flawless and extremely friendly!
Its engineering excellence and simplicity that sets this machine apart.
Stephen Chertok

- Gainex Hillix about the Wise 2086 Digital Electronic Tension Head (Apr 27, 03):

Place of purchase: www.tennishead.com
Date of purchase: 10/2002
Warranty: 1 year
Prince: $495
Experiences:
I had it setup and running in 15 minutes. The 2086 couldn't be easier to setup or use. On my Alpha Axis Pro, I just removed the tension head stop screw on the back of the tension arm, slid off the old crank tension head, slid on the new one, tightened the retaining bolt on the new head, reinstalled the stop screw and plugged it in. It ran through its internal self test after it powered up and signaled it was ready to go. It is very easy to operate. Setting the tension is just a matter of using the up/down arrow buttons (it is set at a default tension of 60 lbs.). The tension setting feature has a slow and fast adjustment mode (hold down on the button and it changes rapidly). It is adjustable in 1/10 of a lb. increments. Once you set the tension, all you have to do is put the string in the linear string gripper and hit the start button, actually a generous sized area behind the string gripper that is touch sensitive. If you press your finger anywhere on this area, the tension head is activated.
If constant pull is set on, it pulls to the reference tension and keeps adjusting as the tension changes. It's fascinating to see the digital readout going up and down in 1/10 lb. increments until you clamp off. Simply touching the start button area releases the string gripper and returns it to the start position. The basics are literally that easy.
It also has a lock out mode if you have a customer who is used to having their frames strung on a crank machine. There are 3 tensioning speeds, but my understanding is that most people leave it on #3, the fastest speed. It has prestretch mode in several percentage increments. This causes the string to be "over-tensioned" by the % selected and then the tension is returned to the set reference tension. It has a pause feature, which stops the string gripper/tensioner and it can also be used to "bump" the gripper ahead a little at a time. There are also 2 memory registers that can be used to store/recall tension settings. This can be useful if you string a lot of the same racquets or do proportional stringing where you have many tension changes, but have to return to a particular tension during the job. The sound can also be turned on and off (it beeps when reference tension is reached, for instance, if this feature is turned on). You can also get a foot pedal to operate the tensioner if speed is important. I didn't get it and wouldn't unless I was stringing full time.
I lost 360° racquet rotation, which I thought I'd miss a lot, but it really took only a minor adjustment to get used to this. There were only 3 or 4 times during my first job where I had to rotate the frame around the other way. The string gripper is on the same plane as the grommet holes, so there is less friction and less strain on the frame. It was noticable that there is less down force on the frame and mounting arms when pulling tension. I did a lot of research on this machine and spoke to Herb Wise before I bought it to make sure that any of the issues with the early models had been addressed. I am confident they have been and my initial experience with it is excellent.
One other note, the packaging was excellent. It came in a high density foam enclosure in a heavy cardboard box. There was plastic wrap over the painted surfaces. My old tension head fit in the foam enclosure/box too, so I have it stored away for safe keeping in case I ever need it again. There were also setup and operating instructions in the box.
UPDATE (Jan 26, 2005):
After over 2 years of use and several hundred tennis frames of all types I thought I'd post an update. So far I've had no major problems with this unit. In fact, I've only had one problem that was easily fixed. There are ball bearings in the string gripper and after about 18 months one of them fell out. I was able to put it back in, but it would occasionally fall out again. I contacted Herb Wise and he sent a replacement set of ball bearings that are slightly larger. It was easy to remove the gripper and disassemble it to replace the bearings. There was no charge. It's still funning perfectly. It's mounted on an Alpha Apex base.

- Roman Zajac (May 10, 03):

Hi tennis friends,

I want to share with you my experience with one stringing machine. Personally, I prefer to restring by myself, because I feel better when playing then. I travel a lot for tournaments and I restring according to balls, temperature and weather just before the match to have favourable advantage against opponents. I usually use tension 23/23 kgs in average temperature of 20C and non-windy conditions. When wind blows against, I have just one racquet strung 21/20 to 19/18 depending on balls and wetness, so that I can keep balls deep enough in the court. Well, this is just a personal thing, but everyone should think about it if he/she want to improve the game and make winning easier.
Obviously, it is not easy to reach stringing service just before the match, when you decide what stringing tension is the best. It takes me about 20 minutes to restring, so that I still have some time for warming up before every match.
Also savings are interesting. I need just three racquets, have service free. I can also use thinner gauges for more precise performance. In my estimation I also considered the life-time of the strings in average 2.5 hours. I calculated my annual savings in total 1500 USD.
The portable machine I really do like. It is a crucial thing to take it on trips with me so that a can make restringing wherever, whenever and whoever needs. It is superb. In my rating you will find a picture of the POCKET PRO stringing machine.

Bye
Roman Zajac
Czech Republic

- Stan Parry on the Wise 2086 Tensioning Head (July 25, 04):

Just had a look at your website and was interested to read the summary by Gaines Hillix. It mirrors my experience of the unit which I have recently bought and fitted to an Exthree lockout EX757. I have been looking for someone who might be able to comment on reliability and endurance of the unit. And note that the Gainex Hillix article is over a year old so perhaps has a history worthy of report? My initial worry was the loss of 360 degree rotation but after just a week or two it isn't a problem at all and the increased accuracy of the straight pull is well worth the small inconvenience. One thing I would like to see is a Diablo ahead of the gripper to take some of the tension away when using softer strings and natural gut. In fact I have mentioned this to Herb Wise in an e-mail. I would also be interested to learn who if anyone have a repair/adjustment facility U.K. based for these units?

Regards Stan Parry (UKRSA-USRSA-ERSA)
scmparry@compuserve.com