If you play tennis several times a week paying to have $6 worth of string put on your racquet can start to add up, and you’ll be able to recoup the savings of buying your own stringing machine relatively quickly. The Gamma X-2 is a common tabletop model, with a 2-point mounting system and drop-weight tension. It’s the cheapest and highest-quality string mount for the DIY stringer. If you play a few times a year, or only on weekends, it probably doesn’t make sense to invest in your own string mounting system. Pay to have your racquet restrung when the strings wear out, or find one you can use yourself for free.
After you string up your racquet the first time, account for the extra you’ve used to tie the knots and cut a piece of the appropriate size for your racquet. Start with too much and home in on your ideal string length.
Inspect the rubber grommets on the rim of the racquet for signs of wear and have new grommets installed if necessary.
6-point mounting systems distribute the tension on the racquet more evenly, but whatever kind of machine you’re using, you need to make sure the clamps are secured on the racquet. It should be tight enough to stay still when you shake the grip, but not so tight as to warp the frame.
It’s important to string the cross strings from the end of the racquet (called the head) to the bottom of the face of the racquet, close to the handle (called the throat). This is because the tension of the strings can warp the racquet significantly, and since the throat is weaker than the head, it’s better to start at the top and work down. This can be difficult with one piece of string, and impossible on some racquets.
Secure the end of the string into the grip and move the rod into the horizontal position. This might require you to readjust the length of string you initially threaded through the racquet. Tighten the string by twisting the rod to the proper specifications for your racquet. Fix the second string using the second clamp and release the first string. Continue threading and clamping until all holes have been strung, tightening one, securing the next, and then releasing the previous string.
If you’re going to use two pieces of string, tie the crossing string to a main string at the head, then thread it back through the big grommet on the nearest edge of the rim, proceeding as normal. Try to rub the crossing strings on the main strings as little as possible. Wearing the main strings before you even use them will decrease the life of the strings and the racquet.
For more control over the ball, keep strings tighter. Tight strings allow for more touch and accuracy. For more power, looser strings are recommended. Set the tension measurement on the stringer accordingly and play with different tensions to learn what works best for your style and racquet.
Nylon strings are the cheapest and most popular strings for their versatility and crisp touch. Polyester and Kevlar strings are best for heavy-hitters and habitual string-wreckers. These durable strings work best in tandem for optimum strength and control. Natural gut strings are the most expensive, sensitive, and fragile of the varieties, but also extremely popular among professional players for the liveliness, touch, and elasticity. [5] X Research source
