Klippermate® Tennis Racquet / Racket Stringer

Great for the money, and strings racquets fine for my needs. I've owned this for more than two years and have strung 25-30 racquets in that time (I only string for me and my son). Watched a couple of YouTube videos on how to use it. Wasn't difficult, though I'm still rather methodical. I don't string for a living and also like to let each pull stretch and relax, re-tension, to get better tension life. Pluses: cost, quality build, portability, easy to use, decent clamps (more on that later), good support and parts availability, complete kit with everything you need. Minuses: 1) one of the plastic racquet clamps cracked; I bought a replacement and now use a large diameter (size of a silver dollar) metal washer between the back of the clamp and the clamp knob to spread the load better across the clamp; solved. 2) the vice-grip style string clamps are effective and easy to use. But they can be tough on the string, causing "ghosting" from overclamping, as it is known, if not careful. It has led to any practical problems for me, other than cosmetic. I've not had any strings fail where clamped. But, I did end up purchasing a pair of Pro Stringer Claws 2.0 flying clamps, which are awesome and highly recommended. The Klippermate clamps are now only used in the occasional tight area, where their small head size works better. 3) lack of upgradability. This really isn't a fault at this price point, but it would be neat if the Kilppermate was more modular and, say, could be upgraded to fixed clamps via the purchase of a new base, for instance. I'm a happy user and find myself stringing a racquet once every 3-4 weeks, which is perfect at this price point.

Just because the Klippermate is in the lower price range of stringing machines does NOT make it low quality. Rather, it is built extremely well - Made in the USA - with an unlimited lifetime guarantee that covers the machine and tools! Everything is of exceptional quality, from the packaging to the product to the customer service. The included 3 free sets of strings were a plus, but more importantly I have to recommend the Klippermate based on the supplementary materials. The instructions manual is detailed with pictures at each step to guide you in stringing your racquet. Others proclaim it as one of the best in the industry. I had little trouble with my first racquet. My recommendation: string your first racquet during KlipperUSA customer service's open hours. You can call them for help, and they're glad to do so. After playing tennis for almost 1 year and having to get my racquets restrung 5 times, the money spent started building up fast. I decided to purchase the Klippermate to string mainly for myself and family, and it's one of the best investments I've ever made. I'm saving so much money by stringing myself and bypassing the labor charges and increased string prices at pro shops. That is one of the major incentives of stringing yourself. If you're hesitant because you worry that stringing seems complicated, well it's not. It's just really time-consuming at first because you have to familiarize yourself with so many things. Once you get used to it, it goes by pretty quickly. I've strung three racquets with the Klippermate so far. My first time took 4 hours, then 3, then 2. My goal is to string in under 1 hour, because there are other Klippermate users who can do it in 40 minutes. I fully recommend the Klippermate if you're a beginning stringer. The only reservation I have is if you plan to string for a high volume of racquets per day. You can maximize your time by investing in other models. But if you're a home stringer like me, the Klippermate does the job well. Tensions are accurate. [UPDATE 8/30/2011] By the 7th racquet I strung, I got down to 1 hour. My fastest time is 42 minutes, which was on my 18th racquet. Speed is about focus and concentration, being confident in your ability to string, and getting into the groove. Another concern for some is the competing Gamma X-2 / Progression 200. In short: 1. Gamma has a convenient ratcheting mechanism for when you feed too much string into the tension head. The Klippermate doesn't. However, once you're an experienced stringer and know how much certain strings stretch, the ratchet is really unnecessary because you'll feed the right amount anyways. It's more of a convenience for when you first start, or if you never get to that experience level due to lack of stringing frequency. 2. The Klippermate has superior clamps. Period. Gamma owners' biggest complaints are for being bulky, and sometimes cutting into their hands. But really, it's something Gamma users get used to. 3. This isn't much of an issue anymore: Gamma's X-2/Progression 200 previously only had a 5 year limited warranty. Now they've upgraded it to a limited lifetime warranty. Klippermate is still an UNLIMITED lifetime warranty. Me? I went with the Klippermate. Happy. There are also happy Gamma owners. The main reason for being unhappy is wanting to upgrade to a higher-end machine with features like fixed clamps.

I recently purchased the Klippermate Tennis Stringing Machine after doing extensive research, and I’m pleasantly surprised by how capable it is for the price point. As someone who strings racquets for personal use and friends, I wanted a machine that was reliable without breaking the bank — and Klippermate fits that need very well. What I Like: Build Quality: Heavy-duty base and solid clamps. It’s not flashy, but it’s sturdy and functional. Ease of Use: The manual tensioning system took a few tries to get used to, but the instruction manual and included DVD made it manageable even for a beginner. Portability: It's compact and doesn’t take up much space. Great for storing away when not in use. Value: At this price, it’s arguably one of the best entry-level machines for hobbyists or light volume users. Room for Improvement: Tensioning Speed: Since it’s a drop-weight system, it does take more time compared to electronic or crank machines. But once you get into a rhythm, it’s not bad. Could have been better if it has ratchet style adjustment to attain idea drop weight bar position. Final Thoughts: If you're looking to get started with racquet stringing — whether to save money or learn a new skill — Klippermate is an excellent place to start. It’s not a professional-grade machine, but it offers exceptional value, reliability, and support from the company. I’ve already strung a few racquets, and each time I get a bit faster and more confident. I hope this review helps others make an informed decision, just as reviews helped me.

All my kids play tennis. As my oldest started hitting more aggressively, we found ourselves at the tennis club each week getting racquets strung. At $20 a pop, it added up quickly. So I bit the bullet and searched for an inexpensive stringer. I thought that if I could find a used stringing machine for $300 or so, I'd be ok. But I read the Klippermate reviews and thought to give this stringer a try! This product is very well-made. It comes with an UNLIMITED lifetime warranty (great for families with teenagers who seem break anything!). It also came with 3 packs of string products (Ultimate Hybrid, a synthetic gut, and Spin Max 16). The tools that came with it (stringer plier, awl, double string clamps) are quality-made. It also came with a bonus overgrip. Stringing the first racquet was a family affair since everyone wanted to learn how to string. They thought it was cool. My daughter volunteered to use her racquet as the guinea pig. Her racquet is a Babolat Pure Drive Roddick. We used the Klipper Sringing guide to determine how much string to use for the mains and crosses, and where to tie the knots. The stringing step-by-step manual was also very clear (I had my teenagers read the manual so the everyone knows what to do). We did call 800 number to ask about whether the one-string or hybdrid (double)-string method was easier, and the rep suggested that hybrid stringing, with all the string technology available these days, would probably be easier. We just had to deal with 4 knots instead of 2. So we did the hybrid(double)-stringing method. Klipper's customer service was very very courteous and knowledgeable. It probably took us a little over 2 hours to string this first racquet, because there were 3 of us, and someone was reading the guide and double-checking the other (and a lot of breaks). My daughter was very happy about our stringing job on her racquet. We even showed it off at the club and they said that we did a great job on our first string job! I have since strung another racquet (Prince) and it also turned out perfect! Took me about an hour to do. :) Great product!

UPDATE: As an update, I returned this stringer. I tried to keep using it, but, I just got tired of fiddling with the arm position. There is no way of adjusting it after the string is clamped. Other drop weight stringers have a ratchet or one way bearing in the lever so you can leave the string in the chuck and then adjust the angle of the arm to get the tension right. I suppose if you're good at sensing what length to leave over, then you're good and won't care, but by my 5th racket, I was not much better at it than from my second racket and i found their clamps would leave little dents in the string, so I also did not like putting a series of little dents in where I tried to get the tension correct. BUYER BEWARE - as others have mentioned there is a restocking fee. In my case it was a hundred bucks. $100! which was like 30% of the price! and then another 15 for the shipping. I assume they charged me for the 3 sample strings (which they list as like 15 bucks each) or maybe because I didn't use their box. I feel that's a little overboard since I sent it back with all the tools wrapped up in cushy bubble wrap and took care to package it well. But, whatever, for a $115 I found out how to string a racket and found out I didn't like using this device to do it. If I tried to sell it, which, believe it or not, they suggest you do if you don't like it, I'm sure It'd still be up on craigs list and facebook and let go for less than I was able to get back from them. If you don't have a hundred bucks to farkle around with it and see if you like it, then don't get this one. I wasn't going to say that I bought a different machine, but after seeing the 100 bucks, yeah, I bought a Tourna 150. It didn't come with sample strings but the sturdiness of it, the clamps, and, the ability to adjust the lever relative to the chuck make it a no-brainer in comparison for a little more money (did not find it for the cheapest price on amazon, btw). Was receptive to buying some of their sample strings in the future. They seemed reasonably priced and performed fairly well for me, but now, no thanks. ---------------------------------------- So I've never strung a racket before. Now I've strung 3. I will say, even my first one was a better job than what I got when I had tennis warehouse string my racket, but it took me about 4 hours and I wouldn't be surprised if they did it in 20 minutes. Getting it started is the most difficult part. You tube is your friend, and I just bought a 3rd clamp to help. I really like the sample strings that come with it. I put a force gauge on here to test how good the scale is, and it seems pretty accurate. It is not easy to tell when the arm is level, and had they put a bubble gauge on here, that would help enormously. I have a hard time getting the right amount of string on the arm so that when it drops you have the right tension. Basically you have about a 5 degree range up and down from level to be under1/2 lb of the tension you want. That is almost too small to eyeball. So it seems you should up the tension by about 3/4 lb or even 1 lb from what you want so that you can hit the right tension, because the level arm is the most tension- any angle above or below will be less tension. I would say maybe put one finger on the bar about an inch from the clamp if you would like to bump up the tension a pound. it is super easy to over tension this if you put any sort of extra force on that bar - one pound about a foot down the bar will put about 6 pounds of tension on the string. So 5 pounds at the end could easily put like an extra 40 or 60lbs on it.

Product arrived nicely packed with lots of useful documentation and complimentary strings. It is well built and has everything you will need to restring. I restrung my racquet in roughly 30 minutes. It pulls and holds tension nicely. Clamps work great, nothing flimsy in this kit. Stringing guide and instruction manual are clear and concise. This is a tool, in the right hands it will do a flawless job in restringing your racquet. I can honestly recommended to anyone who is an enthusiast and wants to tune his equipment perfectly.

Accidentally didn’t string wrap the string around the gripper through the groove and now there’s a piece of string caught between the gripper and the weight. The stringer is ruined. Useless terrible product.

Overall a great starter kit for beginner/novice stringers. Aside from the machine, you get tools, manual, stringing guide and sample strings. Haven't used them but looking forward to it. Instructions are great, and stringing becomes easy the more you practice. Strung 5 of my racquets already, so I've had to clean the clamps and jaws from the silicone in the strings. Cleaning was also easy. Just have to be careful...I've dropped the weight a couple of times and scuffed my racquet/s and scuffed them also using the awl due to tight poly strings. But the machine was fine and did the job. Have mastered two piece stringing, looking forward to other methods like one-piece and ATW stringing. However, I wish there was a book on stringing patterns because I have a couple of older racquets.