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Stringers Corner
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Learn to String
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Is it easy to learn to string? You bet. Anyone
can learn how to string a racquet. And
ATS makes learning to string even easier. With
every stringing machine purchase, you'll receive several packages of free string
to get started. You'll also receive
a complete owners manual with easy to follow directions so that you can learn
how to use your machine fast. In
addition, each machine comes with a 20-page reprint of the United States Racquet
Stringer's Association learn-to-string article "Getting Started."
And, as always, you can call ATS toll free at 1-800-866-7071 to receive
technical assistance absolutely free.
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What Machine is right for me?
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Stringing machines available from
ATS range from $135 to $3499. The
less expensive machines generally take longer to string a racquet and require
more effort. Higher priced machines
have multi-point mounting systems that better support the racquet during
stringing.
The easiest way to find the best
stringing machine for you is to call 1-800-866-7071.
ATS sells more
stringing machines than any other distributor in the world, and has done so for
over 25 years. All machines sold by
ATS are tested by USRSA certified Master Racquet Technicians, ensuring that they
will provide years of trouble-free service.
If you would like to do a little
more research, here are some characteristics of stringing machines that are
helpful to know:
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String Clamps
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The most important feature of a
string clamp is that it holds the strings securely yet gently, creating adequate
holding force with minimal stress on the strings.
A good clamp will have a flat gripping surface across the teeth to
provide uniform gripping pressure. If
a clamp dents a string, it creates a weak spot, which can result in premature
breakage of that string right at the dent.
Choose clamps that have straight, even gripping surfaces.
Avoid clamps that are stamped out of sheet metal�these can have curved
surfaces due to the stamping process and don�t distribute pressure evenly.
Clamps that are made from cast metal can also have curved surfaces caused
by warping or shrinking during the casting process (see image
below).
Avoid cast metal clamps unless they have undergone expensive machining or
finishing of the gripping surface after casting, something that is almost never
done.
There are two basic types of clamps
to consider: floating clamps (sometimes called flying clamps) and fixed clamps.
Floating clamps are not attached to the machine, but instead clamp to a
neighboring string for support. Less
expensive machines use floating clamps. Fixed
clamps, on the other hand, are directly mounted on the stringing machine.
They generally hold the tension in the strings better and are faster to
use. Fixed clamps are found on
higher priced machines. Fixed
clamps that use a metal rod glide bar system (as opposed to fully adjustable
rotary clamps) generally take longer to use and cannot properly accommodate
fan-shaped or other irregular string patterns.
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Mounting Systems
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Like string clamps, not all mounting
systems are created equal.
The ATS 2-point mounting system is
superior to others. The ATS system
provides the maximum amount of surface area in contact with the racquet, holding
it securely in place. Look for
plastic and rubber surfaces that will protect a racquet�s finish.
Avoid mounting systems where the posts can lean left or right,
creating undo stress on the frame (see image below).
When using any 2-point mounting
system, we recommend that you pull tension on main strings by alternating
sides�left, right, left, right�to even out the load on the racquet frame and
avoid frame distortion during stringing. 6-point
mounting systems secure the frame evenly around the racquet hoop, which
distributes tension loads more evenly across the racquet frame, which in turn
reduces the chances of damaging the racquet.
You�ll find that Gamma�s 6-point
stringing machines have the most contact surface area, as well as padded
surfaces that are gentle to a racquet�s finish. In addition, the 4 points that secure the racquet at the
shoulders are fully adjustable, so that they always contact the racquet with the
maximum amount of support, not on an angle or an edge as found on other
machines. Finally, the 6-point
Gamma machines provide the stringer the ability to fine-tune the head and throat
positions after fixing the mounting system stands�a feature not
available on all machines.
The 6-point mounting system�s
shoulder bars open almost 180�
wide and over 20 inches from head to throat, which means you can safely string
every racquet on the market, even super-oversized racquets that exceed ITF
regulations.
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The Turntable
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A major element to any stringing
machine�s mounting and clamping system lies at the base of the mounting
system, called the turntable. On many other machines, this can be a weak link; the strength
and rigidity of the mounting and clamping systems depend on the strength and
rigidity of the turntable. Any
movement or flex you get in the turntable will cause uneven string tension and
distortion in the racquet.
On our 2-point machines, we use a
heavy steel bar turned on end for maximum rigidity.
The mounting stands are keyed to these bars, ensuring that the racquet
will be mounted on a flat surface that is parallel to the turntable of the
machine. Avoid machines that use
round tubes or bars as turntables; the mounting stands can be at different
angles from each other, resulting in an uneven surface on which to mount the
racquet (see image below).
Do not buy a machine with a stamped
sheet metal turntable. Our
aircraft-grade aluminum turntables are engineered to be extremely strong and
rigid. Additional reinforcements
underneath the turntable allow them to withstand over one ton of pressure
without distortion! To get that
kind of rigidity out of stamped sheet metal, the turntable would be
prohibitively thick and heavy.
Finally, all machines at ATS have
turntables that permit the racquet to rotate a full 360�a feature not found on
many other machines on the market. This
means that any machine you buy at ATS will be easier and quicker to use than
other machines.
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Tensioning System
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There are 3 basic types of tension
pulling mechanisms in stringing machines: a drop weight, a manual winding spring
tensioner, or an electric motor. One
of the most important requirements of any tensioning system is that the string
be fed into the tensioner at the same angle with each pull.
This provides consistent tension in each and every pull.
All of the machines at ATS have either a roller guide (for manual linear
gripper) or a round tension puller (for rotational gripping machines).
Our drop weight machines feature a
ratchet style gripper, which is essential for accuracy, consistency and speed.
Correct tension in a drop weight machine is found when the weight bar is
parallel with the floor. Elongation
in the string and other factors almost always mean that correct tension can�t
be pulled�unless the pulling system has a ratcheting action.
On machines without a ratchet, the stringer will have to clamp the string
and then pull tension at least once more on that same string until the weight
bar comes to rest parallel to the floor. Our
drop weight machines also feature tension scales that are permanently marked on
the weight bars. This is far better
than adhesive labels that can be wrongly positioned or wear off.
Because drop-weight machines use gravity as their tension system, these
machines never need calibrating.
Our manual wind spring tension
machines are the finest on the market. The
rolling guide that channels the string into the parallel gripper bars rotates,
reducing drag, which results in more consistent tension.
The gripper bars themselves are diamond coated to maximize grip while
minimizing the pressure on the string. Finally,
the tensions from 11 lbs to 89 lbs are certified at the factory and are accurate
to within one half of one pound.
The electric stringing machines
feature all of the qualities of the other machines in the Gamma line.
Electric machines are popular with anyone who wants to string a racquet
consistently and quickly. They also
pull a constant tension in the string until the string is clamped off.
Carefully investigate the tensioning system on any low-cost electric
machines! These machines are
generally produced with inferior motors and tension control systems that will
not be accurate, consistent or reliable.
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Final words
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All machines that ATS offers have
flat, diamond-coated string gripping surfaces.
Avoid machines that use serrated or grooved string gripping surfaces in
their string tensioners or string clamps, as these can damage strings, resulting
in premature breakage (see image below).
All machines that ATS offers rotate
through a full 360 degree circle. Avoid
machines that are designed so that the racquet handle hits the gripper or other
part of the machine. Not only does
this make it more difficult to string a racquet, it could result in damage to
either the racquet or the machine.
ATS stringing machines are backed by
a Limited Lifetime Warranty.
Gamma
stringing machines are backed by a 5 Year Limited Warranty.
(Call us for more warrantee information.)
ATS also has machine repair technicians and Master Racquet Technicians on
staff to help you with any questions you may have with your stringing machine or
how to string racquets. ATS also
has the largest selection of grommets and bumper guards to meet your needs.
For more details about the complete
line of machines, call 1-800-866-7071 or view our online selection of stringing machines.
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