Stringing machine
A stringing machine is a tool used to install strings into a racquet through a process called racquet stringing. These machines vary in features, 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, multifilament and Kevlar. Racquet tension can vary from anywhere from 30-70 lbs. Professional players tend to opt for the upper limit of the racquet tension range, however, an increasing number of recent players have been choosing lower tensions to favour power.
Badminton
Badminton strings are usually made up of microfilament, but historically used to be strung with gut. Racquet tension can vary from 18-36 lbs. Professional players tend to opt for the upper limit of the racquet tension range.
Squash
Squash strings are usually made up of microfilament or gut. Racquet tension can vary from 20-30 lbs. Professional players tend to opt for the upper limit of the racquet tension range.
Types of Stringing Machines
Drop weight stringing machines
Drop weight stringing machines are inexpensive that use a weighted bar to achieve the desired string tension. They are the most maintenance-free type of machines and also the most affordable. As a result, these stringing machines are popular among those learning how to string or simply stringing on a casual basis. On the other hand, slow tensioning times and limited tension accuracy are the main reasons for stringers choosing more expensive machines.
Manual crank (lockout) stringing machines
Manual crank (lockout) stringing machines use a crank to achieve the correct tension, at which point the tension mechanism locks into place. These stringing machines allow racquets to be strung quickly and provide greater accuracy, as oppose to drop weight machines.
Electronic stringing machines
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Electronic stringers control the tension with a computer-directed electric motor, resulting in fast paced stringer and exceptional accuracy. This is the most common kind of stringing machine found in racquet sport shops. Reliable constant pull stringing machines usually cost $3,000.00 and upwards. This type of stringing machine is found at nearly all professional tournaments.
There are two types of electronic tension mechanisms: constant pull and lock out. Constant pull, as the name suggests, pulls the string and continues pulling until the desired tension is reached. The tension mechanism will ensure the string tension remains correct at all times, making stringing more consistent and accurate, as string stretching is taking into account. Lock out electronic stringing machines are similar to crank machines as they will pull to your desired tension but no longer monitor any reduction in tension over time. Constant pull technology will therefore offer greater levels of string accuracy.[1] [2]
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