1. What should I look for when buying a stringing
machine? |
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Here are the things to consider and questions to ask when you research
different brands of stringers. |
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A. How accurate is the machine? Our drop weight tensioning system
is accurate to plus or minus one pound and will never need calibrating.
Some brands of stringers use the spring or cranking system to pull tension.
Springs tend to stretch over time making them go out of calibration. |
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B. What device is used to hold the string while its being tensioned?
The Cam String Gripper on the Klippermate is easy to load and does not
damage or cause slippage on the string. Some competitors use the ratchet
system to pull tension. This requires the string be held in place by wrapping
it around a drum. You need extra lengths of string to do this wrapping and
eventually the drum begins to slip. |
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C. How long is the guarantee and what does it cover? The Klippermate
comes with a lifetime guarantee that covers the entire machine and all of
the tools. Most other stringers carry a five year limited guarantee on the
machine and only a one year guarantee on the tools. Some companies will
not give a guarantee at all on the clamps or tools. |
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D. Are the clamps that hold the strings made out of plastic or steel?
With the Klippermate you will receive clamps that are made out of steel.
Our lifetime guarantee assures you that these metal clamps will never wear
out. They will also never damage the string or slip as long as you keep
them clean by following the simple instructions. Our clamps are adjustable
for all string gauges. Plastic, synthetic or injected molded clamps over
a period of time will not offer the strength to properly hold the string
after tensioning. Most machines can do a good job of pulling tension but
the tension is only as good as the clamps that hold afterwards. Our competitors
clamps are guaranteed for a year or less and will need to be replaced on
a regular basis as they wear out and slip. |
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E. How complete are the instructions that come with the machine? Two
booklets of information are provided with the Klippermate. The first booklet
is our easy to follow stringing manual that has both written and illustrated
instructions to teach you how to string step by step. The second booklet
of stringing patterns has over 950 tennis and racquetball racquet patterns
for easy reference. Included is our free unlimited 800 phone support for
any help which you may need. No other company has come close to matching
the complete instructions that you receive from us. Other companies will
provide you with a simple manual giving only basic information. Some of
them will enclose a video for setting up the machine with no instructions
on how to string. |
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F. Are you talking to the factory where the machine is made or to a salesperson
who sells an imported machine? We have been manufacturing stringing
machines for 30 years since 1967. All machines are built here at our factory
in Elgin, Illinois. Our high standard of quality control allows us to protect
you with the lifetime guarantee. Calling us puts you in direct contact with
the factory for all the answers to your questions. All of our competitors
go overseas to have their machines made. Their quality and features do not
match our stringing machines and that is reflected in their guarantee. Keep
in mind the difference in service that you receive when dealing with only
a salesperson instead of a factory technician. |
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G. Does the company have the confidence in their low price machine or
do they try to talk you up to a higher price model? The Klippermate
is always the machine we recommend to anyone stringing just a few racquets
per day. There is no difference in quality or accuracy when you move up
to a higher price model in our line. If you are stringing more than six
racquets a day you can save a slight amount of time by purchasing a larger
machine. This saving only amounts to 5 or 10 minutes per racquet. Since
the Klippermate can string a racquet in 30 minutes, most people have no
need to spend more money. A common practice for our competition is to talk
you up to a higher price model. By pointing out 4 or 6 point mounting systems
or other features they recommend purchasing a different model than the one
they advertise at the low price. We find that they do not have a lot of
confidence in their inexpensive machines because of their poor quality.
Don't be fooled into spending more money than you have to for a good quality
stringing machine! |
2. Will I be able to do a professional string
job with the Klippermate? |
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The quality and accuracy of the string job on the Klippermate is identical
to the most expensive stringing machine. There is no difference in the finished
product only a slight savings of time when stringing on a higher priced
machine. |
3. Can anyone string on the Klippermate? |
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We estimate that 90% of the people who purchase the Klippermate have never
strung a racquet before. Our easy to follow instructions are designed for
the first time stringer. In your owner's manual we take you step by step
from start to finish with both written and illustrated instructions. |
4. Do you offer technical support if I have
any questions? |
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With the purchase of our stringing machine you receive free unlimited phone
support on our 800 toll free line. Factory technicians and certified stringers
are ready to assist you in any way we can. This technical phone support
is available to you for as long as you own your Klippermate. |
5. Are all racquets strung the same way? |
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Once you learn how to string your first racquet you will then be able to
string any racquet on the market. However, from brand to brand there are
slight differences in how they are strung. Even in the same brand of racquets
you will find differences from model to model. This is why we provide you
with our Klipper Stringing Guide. This guide lists over 950 different stringing
patterns for tennis and racquetball racquets. This guide makes it very easy
to string any racquet by putting all these specifications in one booklet.
Our website also lists these patterns and will be updated with new racquets
when they become available. |
6. Do I have to spend more money and purchase
a larger machine for a better string job? |
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Since the quality of stringing is exactly the same on all of our machines,
we suggest moving up only if your volume exceeds 6 racquets a day or more.
In our line of stringers you will only save time by purchasing a more expensive
machine. About 5 minutes of stringing time is saved when you move up to
the next higher priced machine. Some of our competition will talk you up,
we will not. |
7. How long does it take to string a racquet? |
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The average stringing time on the Klippermate is thirty minutes. The first
few racquets will be slower but after approximately six racquets most people
will be in the thirty minute range. |
8. How accurate is the Klippermate? |
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The tension rating for the Klippermate is plus or minus one pound. This
is the tennis industry standard and no machine at any price will string
more accurately. The "drop" or "counter" weight tensioning
system that we utilize has been around for approximately 100 years. The
Klippermate never needs calibrating and will hold its accuracy for the life
of the machine. |
9. Is the 2 point mounting system of the Klippermate
strong enough or do I need a 4 or 6 point system? |
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The turntable of the Klippermate is made out of solid steel. We guarantee
you will never damage, crack or distort a racquet on the machine as long
as you follow the proper mounting procedure. This strong 2 point system
will protect any racquet no matter what tension its being strung at. The
Klippermate's turntable allows the natural flexing that a racquet must go
through as its being strung. Past research has shown that some 4 or 6 point
mounting systems could damage the racquet internally by holding the racquet
too rigid. |
10. What does the lifetime guarantee cover? |
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Our guarantee protects you for a lifetime from any defect in parts and workmanship
on the entire machine. This guarantee also includes the clamps and stringing
tools that come with the Klippermate. |
11. Will all racquets fit on the Klippermate? |
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Our machine will string all tennis, racquetball and squash racquets that
are on the market today. With the optional badminton package it will string
all badminton racquets as well. All long body and wide body tennis racquets
fit on the machine without the need of any special adaptors. |
12. Do I have to clamp or bolt the machine
down before I use it? |
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No, the Klippermate will not slide around or tip over. Use it anywhere on
any flat surface. String on a coffee table in your family room while watching
T.V. String courtside or on the bleachers. Use the optional carrying case
and take it with you as you travel. String on your Klippermate in your hotel
room as many touring players do. |
13. Do I have to put the machine together
or purchase additional items? |
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The Klippermate is fully assembled and comes with everything you need to
string a racquet. Just take it out of the box and you're ready to string. |