If you want to string your own rackets (or your spouse or kids’ rackets) at home and you can afford to pay more than the entry level price then you’ll like the Gamma X-ST tennis stringing machine. The reason is three fold. It’s fast, it’s consistent, it’s a lot cheaper than a professional’s stringing machine. Let’s take a look at what it offers.
The Gamma X-ST tennis stringing machine utilizes a 6 point quick mount system. It uses a manual spring tension winder (9 to 90 lbs / 5 to 41 kgs) with a rotational string guide and a diamond coated linear string gripper to hold the string in place while it is being tensioned.
The spring tension winder system is supposedly a less accurate tensioning mechanism compared with a drop weight tennis stringing machine. However, the manual spring tension winder is much faster for stringing rackets than its drop weight equivalent.
Although a spring tension winder stringing machine is supposedly less accurate (in terms of the tension in actual pounds/kilos) it will give a very consistent result. Therefore once you get to know the tension that suits your racket and your game, it can be replicated again and again consistently using a manual spring tension winder machine like the Gamma X-ST tennis stringing machine.
Here’s a tip to get better accuracy on this type of spring tensioner stringing machine.
Home stringers often find that accuracy (in terms of the pounds/kilos reading on the scale) can be achieved by turning the winder very slowly rather than rushing it. This will still allow you to string your racket faster than a drop weight machine while giving you peace of mind with regard to the tension of your strings.
Once you become proficient at stringing rackets using your own tennis stringing machine many home stringers using a manual tension winder take about 30 minutes per racket whereas they take about 45 minutes using a drop weight machine. This may not sound like much of a difference but it certainly does speed up the process. And you’ll really notice the difference especially if you want to string more than one racket in a day.
Does it include fixed clamps?
The Gamma X-ST tennis stringing machine uses fixed clamps which are dual action swivel base clamps. This means that the clamp which holds the string operates independently from the base of that clamp.
The top part of the clamps: the Gamma X-ST tennis stringing machine provides all metal diamond coated string clamps with the Gamma unique self-locking adjustment knob to hold the strings in place with less clamping pressure while you are stringing your racket. The diamond coating provides greater friction to help hold the string without undue clamping pressure on the string. This is advantageous to avoid damaging the string.
The bottom part of the clamps: the Gamma X-ST tennis stringing machine utilizes the Gamma quick action swivel clamp base.
The advantage of this dual action clamp to the user is that it is relatively maintenance free (in comparison, a single action swivel clamp will need regular maintenance servicing due to problems with the brake assembly). This is definitely an advantage on the Gamma stringing machines with this type of clamp.
On the Gamma X-ST tennis stringing machine you get one tool tray as well as a spring loaded drawer. The drawer is within the base of the stringing machine. Obviously this is extremely helpful for storing tools like awls, pliers or cutters.
If you are not interesting in storing your tools within the tennis stringing machine itself then you may want to consider the Gamma Progression ST II tennis stringing machine (see more details below). The Gamma Progression ST II (red base) is almost exactly the same as the Gamma X-ST (blue base). It’s slightly cheaper because it only provides open tool trays rather than the spring-loaded latched drawer in addition to the tool tray found in the Gamma X-ST.
The Gamma X-ST is a high quality tennis stringing machine that many people would like to buy as their first tennis stringing machine. Sadly, they often don’t get the chance because they are limited to an entry-level priced machine. If you are a home stringer and can afford a little bit extra then you will want to give serious consideration to the Gamma X-ST.
Taking into account the money you save every year in stringing costs, the Gamma X-ST is a good investment. This is especially true if you are stringing for more than one person in the family because it is a faster stringing machine. The Gamma X-ST tennis stringing machine is fast, it is consistent and it is a high quality stringing machine.
Accessories for the Gamma X-ST?
A stand really does improve your stringing experience. You can position your stringing machine where you want it. Also, you can move around the machine freely and you don’t need to pack it away when your family need to use the table it’s sitting on!
You won’t get a stand with the Gamma X-ST when you buy it. The stand is an accessory you order separately. If you forget to buy it when you get your stringing machine, click the link here to see more information, including the current price on the Gamma Stand.
If you’re buying a Gamma stand, be sure you’re getting the correct one. The stand for the Gamma Progression II/X models is the one you want for the Gamma X-ST. Beware that there is a Gamma stand for the Progression 1 model, do NOT get this one!
Any more Gamma Accessories I need?
Another accessory that is well worth getting is the Gamma Cover for your tennis stringing machine (click here for the price). Gamma machines do not come with a cover, it’s an optional accessory to buy separately.
The cover keeps dust and dirt off your stringing machine. You’ll prefer the preventative method of keeping it clean rather than spending tedious time trying to remove the dust once it gets into hard to reach places.
You should definitely buy the cover at the same time as your order your stringing machine. Why? Because you want the free shipping deal! The cost of the cover is usually less than the amount you need to spend for free shipping. This is why I recommend you buy it at the same time as buying your stringing machine.
The Gamma Progression ST II stringing machine is almost identical to the Gamma X-ST tennis stringing machine. The main difference is in the base of each machine.
The Gamma Progression ST II (red colored base) provides two open tool trays whereas the Gamma X-ST (blue colored base) provides one open tool tray as well as a spring-loaded latching drawer to store tools when you’re not using them.
The drawer is useful, especially if you are going to be moving your tennis stringing machine around a lot. However, for some people this is not really important and if you just prefer the color of the red base over and above the blue one then you might as well save yourself a few dollars and buy the Gamma Progression ST II stringing machine.
The Gamma Progression ST II tennis stringing machine is a high quality machine offering faster stringing (compared to drop weight machines) as well as consistency for all your tennis stringing needs.
⇒ Interested in the Gamma 5003? It’s a spring tension winder machine with self-centering and it comes with its own stand, see more here.