Stringing machine
A stringing machine is a tool used to install strings into a racket through a process called “racket stringing”. These machines vary in complexity, accuracy and price.
Stringing Time
Stringing a racquet can take up to an hour for a novice, or around twenty minutes for a skilled stringer; during professional tournament a very skilled stringer may be asked to string a racquet while the player is on court. These stressful string jobs may not even take 10 minutes for a seasoned tournament stringer.
Stringing Differences Between Sports
Tennis
Tennis strings are usually made up of gut, polyester or a hybrid of the two but have been known to consist of other materials including: nylon, metal string, and Kevlar. Rackets tension can vary from anywhere from 30-70 lbs. Pro players have been known to string at high tensions but there has been a trend lately for pros to string their rackets on the low end of the range.
Badminton
Badminton strings are usually made up of microfilament, but historically used to be strung with gut. Racket tension can vary from 18-36 lbs. Pro players have been known to string to the upper limits of the range.
Squash
Squash strings are usually made up of microfilament, gut or a hybrid of the two. Racket tension can vary from 20-30 lbs. Pro players have been known to string at the upper limits of the range.
Types of Stringing Machines
Drop Weight stringers
Dropweight stringers are inexpensive stringers that use a weighted bar to achieve the desired string tension. They are the smallest of all stringing machines, making them the easiest to transport. This, plus their affordability, makes them popular among those beginning to learn racquet stringing. However, they take much longer than other stringers, and so are impractical for professionals.
Manual crank (lockout) stringers
Manual crank (lockout) stringers use a crank to achieve the proper tension, at which point it locks into place. These stringers allow racquets to be strung quickly.
Electronic stringers
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Electronic stringers control the tension with a computer-directed electric motor, allowing for quick work and high performance. This is the most common kind of stringer found in stores and pro shops, but is also the most expensive. Reliable constant pull stringing machines usually cost $3,000.00 and up. This is also the type of stringing machine used at all professional tournaments.
There are 2 types of electronic tension: constant pull and lock out. Constant pull, as the name suggests, pulls the string and continues pulling until the desired tension is reached making stringing more consistent and accurate as they compensate for the string stretching, the clamp loosing and slippage. Lock out electronics are similar if not the same as cranks, they will pull to your desired tension and will pull no more. Therefore lock outs are not as accurate as the constant pulls because they don't compensate for tension loss.[1]