Stringing a racquet on the Klippermate Racquet Stringing Machine 

Tristan Pearce how are you guaging the amount of slack for the j clamp? Like... I thought I could use the russian flag they put on the metal near the j clamp to figure how much slack to use and I'm unable to string a raquet... the top frame plates are no longer holding the racquet... why does he not show an angle of him threading the j clamp? This is awful

had mine since mid 90s

skyy2 how do you prevent ur strings from slipping when you are dropping the weight bar?

Matthew Matakis: Clean the contact surfaces of the jaws with rubbing alcohol and a clean towel. I also clean the string and the contact surface of the flyng clamps before starting.

Miguel Barahona Yes I have done that and works great now thanks!:)

skyyd2

I had mine since 1987 when I was still in high school. I remember that back in the day my strings would last on average of 6 to 8 hours of play then they would break and when I went to a proshop they would charge about 20 to 30 dollars and like 2 hours for them to get my racket back depending on how busy they were that day. When I got fed up paying the price I saved enough for this stringing machine and started stringing for my entire high school tennis team charging them $10 dollars per string job. I've made back my money on the cost of the stringer and then some thanks to klippermate. Brings back memories watching this great video . Till this day I've still have this well made machine even though I don't play tennis anymore I can say I still have this stringer and can still string rackets for my kids and their friends.

Hi Tim, Do not set your machine tighter because of your digital scale. Doing so will result in your tension being at that higher tension. Please note these type of scales are great for monitoring tension loss over time, but they cannot be used for checking the accuracy of a stringing machine. Since the scale does not test the actual tension of the entire stringbed of the racquet, it will never show the tension that you've set the machine to. As long as the Tension Arm of your machine was level (within the 3 inch range as as described yesterday, in the video and in the Owner's Manual), your racquet will always be tensioned at the correct setting. There are devices that can accurately test the stringbed, but they are quite expensive. They usually have a tennis ball on the end of a hydraulic arm that pushes against the stringbed. Keep in mind, tension loss can also occur due to string slippage in the String Jaws or Double String Clamps. Make sure to follow the Maintenance Instructions found on the card in your Maintenance Packet and also in the Owner's Manual. Following these cleaning instructions approximately every 6 racquets is the only way to prevent string slippage that turns into tension loss. Regards, Dave

On the mains, you are working from the middle outwards so you need a clamp to hold the tension on each side. The crosses are installed from top to bottom, meaning you only need the one clamp to hold the tension as you work your way down.

Hi Matthew, As tension is applied by the weight bar being moved, the String Jaws rotate and automatically lock on to the string. This action holds the string in place and prevents it from slipping through.

Loading the string into the String Jaws is very easy. Please turn to page 8 of the Owner's Manual that came with the Klippermate. The photo at the top of the page shows exactly how the string goes through the jaws as you bring it over from the racquet. You'll see the string simply goes down the middle between the large and small jaw. Give me a call and I'll be happy to talk you through the process. Dave 1-800-522-5547

Hi Arun. Your clamps are adjustable and we recommend to loosen them up a bit. Go to the bolt on the bottom of the clamp, loosen the lock nut that holds the bolt in place, and turn the bolt 1/4 of a rotation counter-clockwise. This will loosen it enough to prevent the marks. However, make sure you are cleaning the clamps every 6 racquets as we recommend. Once you loosen the clamp it may slip if you don't clean. Use the sample sandpaper in your Maintenance Packet and sand the four sides of the teeth on the clamp to remove the slippery silicone that comes off the string. Keep the clamps clean on a regular basis and you will not have any more issues. Email us direct (topseed@klipperusa.com) with any other questions.

Thanks for your message. As explained in the video, you'll need to feed more string anytime the weight is too high, and take away some string if the weight is too low. This is not automatic. Keep in mind the level range is very wide. Anywhere from 1 1/2 inch above level to 1 1/2 inch below level gives you the accurate tension. Getting the weight into this three inch range is very easy to achieve as you can see from the video. This type of tensioning method, using a balancing weight, is extremely accurate. The best example we can come up with to demonstrate how this works is to think back to the old fashioned weight scale in doctor's offices. To get an accurate reading, they slide the weight across the bar until it balances. This is the same principle here.

@@klippermate thanks for your explanation! do you have an upgraded model that does this leveling automatically or is this just a part of a drop-weight system? it feels like if it is very easy to achieve as you say it would be also easy to implement some kind of auto-leveling component into the design, no?

@@zephyr707 There are many factors that come into play as you tension the strings. The stretch factor of the string material, which string is being tensioned (various lengths of the main strings vs shorter lengths of cross strings), the tension the racquet is being strung at, etc. All of these variables impact the leveling process. The Klippermate's tensioning system allows for the quick and easy adjustment needed to achieve the correct tension. As you can see from the video, getting the weight into the level range, once you get a feel for the string you are working with, happens on the first try. There are no drop-weight system machines that do this automatically.

Hi Tim, Thanks for your message. As I explain in the video, there is an acceptable range for the weight to be in to achieve the desired tension. The parameter for this range is anywhere from 15 degrees above to 15 degrees below the exact level position. In layman's terms, this works out to be 1 1/2 inch above to 1 1/2 inch below exact level. Anywhere within this range provides the accurate tension you seek. Of course, there is no negative to get the weight perfect each time but it is certainly not necessary. In regards to the device that holds the string during the tensioning process, these "String Jaws" will never pinch or damage the string in any way. The radius of the corners and the outer groove are designed to hold the string safely, even when stringing with Natural Gut. The Klippermate has utilized these String Jaws for over 30 years now without issues. Keep in mind the String Jaws are covered by our Lifetime Guarantee never to fail or cause any damage to the string. In fact, the entire machine is covered by this unlimited Lifetime Guarantee. Let us know if you have any other questions. Regards, Dave Klipper USA

The process of stringing Badminton is the same. However, Badminton racquets are strung at much lower tensions and the string is so much thinner, so different parts are needed to string Badminton (smaller tension weight, different mounting plates and clamps). We offer the Badminton Stringing Package that includes everything you will need to string badminton racquets on the regular tennis version of the Klippermate. Or, if you will only string Badminton, we have a Badminton version of the Klippermate that is set up to string only Badminton racquets.

Yes you can, but you will need to purchase the badminton kit for this Klippermate.

Thanks for your comment. As shown in the Owner's Manual, always go over the racquet frame rather than under. Doing so provides a better direct line over to the String Jaws.

We ship to every country including India. As you go through the ordering process at our website, it will tell you how to receive a quote for shipping options and costs.

Hi Jay, On the very few occasions where this happens, simply move the racquet handle out of the way to allow room for the tension arm to rotate. It doesn't take much to move it out of the way, just grasp the racquet handle and move it an inch or so. Once the tension arm rotates past the racquet handle and becomes level, you can release the handle and let it rest against the tension arm. String tension is not affected in any way. Regards, Dave

Hi Greg, when stringing any of the Prince racquets with the O ports, use the Brake Pin we provide to lock the turntable in place. This will keep the turntable from spinning and prevent the string from traveling over to the other side of the O port. This silver colored pin can be found in your Maintenance Packet that came with your machine. Just drop the pin into the hole on the turntable to lock it in place. You have 16 positions to choose from. (If you pick up the turntable and look underneath, you'll see what I mean.) Give me a call if you need further explanation @800-522-5547. Dave

Hi Paul, as we show in the Owner's Manual, start the crosses with the same double knot that you use to finish off the mains.

I think we corresponded via e-mail, but in case not, yes you can string a fan pattern racquet with the Klippermate.

Yes that was me. I appreciate your suggestion. I'm losing a lot of tension though, so I'll keep practicing. The last few years Head racquetball racquets have patterns that have the strings numerous holes apart. Not a good racquet for a beginner like me to start out on. Hopefully I'll get it.

Just a follow up on my progress. First I’d like to mention that I e-mailed Klippermate with my issue and within just over an hour they gave me the help I needed, even offering to send me a starting pin for free. Since then I’ve strung my racquet 3 times, and I’m really happy with the results. I’m still really slow, but with practice I expect I’ll get much faster. For the money you can beat this stringer. I expect to make my money back within a year.

That's can't beat, not can.

Hi Julius. Make sure you are following our recommended maintenance requirements and cleaning the clamps and jaws on a regular basis. This Technifibre string is a soft multi-filament and if you have any slippage or have set the clamps too tight, this can lead to the string breaking as you described. Keeping things clean every 6 racquets as we recommend should resolve the issue. Also, if you have tightened the clamps to make up for the clamps slipping, you will be able to loosen the clamps once you give them a good cleaning. Call me @ 800-522-5547 or email at topseed@klipperusa.com if we need to further discuss. Regards, Dave

Thanks for your interest! Sales outside of the US are processed through our Klipper USA eBay store because they offer the lowest international shipping rates. Here is a link: www.ebay.com/itm/Tennis-Racquet-Racket-Stringing-Machine-Stringer-/192109670124?hash=item2cbaa0eeec:g:btAAAOSwnHZYRYQG

I have a 2 mounting points stringing machine, and it has functioned perfectly for 10 years now. Never damaged or bent a racket, and believe I´m very picky in that aspect. Hundreds of stringing jobs (my rackets only), still I´m pleased.

Yes, the machine stand comes with fasteners, so you have the option to attach your machine in a more permanent way. However, as shown in the video, you do not have to bolt the machine down. It is heavy enough to stay in place during the stringing process.

I do!

Thanks for your comment. The stringer said that the clamp will clamp on to the pin (as an anchor) and the string next to it. Since the clamps require two strings in order to hold, the Start Pin is used when tensioning the first string of the racquet. Please note that this video is intended as an overview of the stringing process, but does not replace the Owners Manual that comes with the machine. The manual has photos and written instructions for each step of the process, including the use of the Start Pin.

Hi Mark, The bottom of the tension weight has an arrow that points directly to the number of the scale. This is the side of the weight you'll always use. We reference this in the Owner's Manual under the section "Setting Tension" and include a close-up photo showing the weight and arrow decal. Regards, Dave Klipper USA

Hi Wally, thanks for your comment. Drop weight stringers are classified as "constant pull" which means the tension arm is always pulling tension on the string. As I mention in the video, the tension arm will drop down occasionally on it's own when it senses the tension has changed. (This can happen if/when if the string has stretched a bit.). No need to adjust or re-tension as long as the arm remains within the allowed range, which at this point in the video, it has. Keep in mind this feature is what makes drop weight machines so accurate. You can be assured that the tension arm is constantly reading the tension and will make whatever slight adjustment is needed to keep it that way.

Thanks for the response. How do you know what the allowed range is?

Wally Friend Just multiply (target tension) x (cosine of arm angle), where arm leveled = 0 degrees, and ‘target tension’ is the tension that you set on the machine. Note that until approximatedly 8 degrees deviation of arm leveled position (either up or down, it really doesn’t matter), the tension applied is 99% of the target tension (since cosine of 8 degrees = 0,99). Just do the same for any deviation angle you’d want to find out. I’m a mechanical engineer.

Absolutely! The Klippermate first came out when wood racquets were still popular. No problem at all, we can even send along the proper string pattern for the wood racquets you plan to do. Just let us know when you order and we'll be sure to include them.

From your description, it sounds like the jaws need to be cleaned. After stringing approximately 6 racquets, silicone builds up on the jaws causing them to slip. Here are the maintenance instructions for the String Jaws from your Owner's Manual: To clean the String Jaws, remove them from the machine with the Allen wrench provided. Clean the gripping surface with alcohol or similar solvent (Acetone, Lighter Fluid, etc.) using a cloth or old toothbrush. If the jaws still slip after cleaning, we have a second method for loading the string into the String Jaws when working with certain thin or slippery strings. Currently, you simply bring the string over to the jaws and go down the middle in between. For this alternate method, you bring the string over to the jaws from the racquet as usual. However, do not go down the middle yet. Instead, keep going completely around the outer groove of the jaws in a clockwise circle all the way back to the top (one revolution) and then go down in between the jaws as you usually do. Wrapping the string completely around the jaws first, before bringing it down through the middle, will greatly increase the pressure of the jaws on the string. This alternate loading method will hold the string properly without slippage.

Thanks for replying. I guess I should have RTFM before asking! The slippage was occurring even after cleaning the jaws, but it sounds like the twice-around method will resolve the issue. Thanks again.

Hi Jordan, Please refer to page 8 or 13 of your Owner’s Manual for step-by-step instructions on using the Start Pin. If you still have questions, feel free to call us for technical support at 1-800-522-5547. Regards, Klipper USA