Gamma+ X-ST User manual

OWNER'S MANUAL
Issue2-October2009
X-ST
STRINGINGMACHINE

1
LIMITED WARRANTY
GAMMA Sports (GAMMA) warrants to the original purchaser that the X-STRINGER stringing machine ("EQUIPMENT")
purchased is free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of five (5) years from the date of original purchase
for mechanical parts (excluding any electrical parts and string clamps), and for a period of one (1) year from the date of
purchase for any electrical parts and string clamps. Should any defects develop under normal use within the specified time
periods, GAMMA will at its option, repair or replace the defective EQUIPMENT provided it is returned to GAMMA prepaid at
the purchaser's expense. This warranty does not apply to any damage or defect caused by negligence, abuse, misuse,
unauthorized alteration, shipping, handling, or part wear and tear as a result of normal use.
Routine maintenance, adjustment, and cleaning required to ensure proper operation are the responsibility of the purchaser
and are not covered under the terms of this warranty. These include, but are not limited to: String Clamp adjustment, as
described on page 13, tension calibration, as described on page 11, Tensioner Brake adjustment, as described on page 12,
and clamp base locking nut adjustment, as described on page 13..
GAMMA'sobligationunderthiswarrantyislimitedtorepairorreplacementofdefectiveEQUIPMENT,andnooneisauthorized
to promise any other liability. GAMMA shall in no event be liable for any incidental or consequential damages.
To return defective EQUIPMENT, a return authorization (RA#) must be obtained from a GAMMA customer service
representative. The RA# must be marked on the outside of the shipping carton being returned. All returns must be shipped
prepaidbythecustomertoGAMMA.Pleaseretaintheoriginalshippingcartonandpackingmaterialsforanyfutureshipments.
GAMMA will not be responsible for machines which are not sent in the original undamaged packaging.
TABLEOFCONTENTS
PAGE1 ................................................................................................ WARRANTY
PAGE2 ...................................................................................................FEATURES
PAGE3 ....................................................................... ASSEMBLYINSTRUCTIONS
PAGE6 .............................................................................. MOUNTINGTHEFRAME
PAGE7 ..............................................................................STRINGINGTHEFRAME
PAGE10 ...........................................................................ADDITIONALFEATURES
PAGE11 .................................................................................... PATHFINDERAWL
PAGE12 ....................................................... MAINTENANCEANDADJUSTMENTS
PAGE15 ........................................................................ TROUBLESHOOTINGTIPS
PAGE16 ...............................................................................................PARTSLIST
PAGE17 ..................................................................................... PARTSDRAWING
GAMMA X-ST
OWNER'S MANUAL

2
FEATURES
MACHINE FEATURES
Manual Spring Tension Winder (11-89 lbs range)
Patented Roller Guide for Maximum Accuracy and Consis-
tency
Professional Six Point “Quick Mount” Racquet Mounting
System - Accomodates All Racquets Without Adapters
Parallel Jaw Gripper w/ Diamond Dust Coated Gripping
Surfaces
Professional Dual Action, Rotating, Diamond Dust Coated,
Fixed String Clamps
High Strength Extruded Aluminum Frame with Durable
Anodized Finish and Convenient Padded Tool Tray
Unique Internal Drawer System for Storing Tools and
Adaptors

3
Support Post Installation (con’t)
After removing the mounting bolt, remove
and discard the plastic washers that are
installed for shipping purposes.
ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS
TurntableInstallation
To install the turntable remove the four nuts
underneath holding the mounting bolts in
place. Position the turntable over the turn-
table pin and align the bolts with the holes in
the flange. Secure them with the included
allen wrench.
Note: When purchased with the optional
floorstand,itismostconvenienttoattachthe
base to the floor stand at this point. See
instructions provided with the optional floor
stand.
Support Post Installation
To install the support posts you must first
removethemountingboltfromthemounting
platethatsetsinsidethecentralcavityofthe
turntable.There are largeholesstampedon
the underside of the turntable that allow you
to support the mounting plate with your
fingers while removing the mounting bolt.
Remove and Discard Plastic Washers

4
InstallingtheTensioner
Remove the button head screw and washer
located at the end of the tensioner bar with
the 3 mm hex wrench provided. Slide the
tensioner onto the bar, being careful to align
the bar with all of the bearings and the drive
gear with the gear track. Replace the screw
andwasherintotheendofthetensionerbar.
Note: The tensioner bar is equipped with a
tensioner travel stop to limit travel of the
tensioner along the bar.
ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS
SupportPostInstallation(cont’d)
Place the support post onto the central slot
of the turntable. With your fingers placed
throughthelargeholeintheundersideofthe
turntable, press the mounting plate against
the inside top surface of the turntable while
aligning the hole in the support post with the
hole in the mounting plate and fix them with
the mounting bolt. Repeat procedure on to
attach the support post on the opposite side
of the turntable.
StringClampInstallation
The post of the string clamp and tube of the
string clamp base are treated with grease to
provide protection against corrosion during
shipping. Remove any excessive grease
with a clean cloth prior to use. The post and
tube may also be cleaned with isopropyl
alcohol. After this type of thorough cleaning,
the post and tube should be treated with a
light coating of machine oil to protect the
surfaces against corrosion and to ensure
smooth operation.

5
ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS
Setting the Gripper Jaw Spacing
The gripper jaws of the tensioner are adjust-
able to accomodate varying string gauges.
If the string slips through the gripper jaws
while pulling tension, rotate the gripper jaw
adjustment screw counter-clockwise.
Ifthestringisdamagedwhilepullingtension,
rotate the gripper jaw adjustment screw
clockwise.
The jaws will be properly adjusted when
thereisenoughpressuretosecurelygripthe
string without causing damage to the string.
TravelStop
TensionerTravel Stop
The tensioner bar is equipped with a
tensioner travel stop to limit travel of the
tensioner along the bar and prevent contact
between the tensioner and the racquet
mounting system while stringing. The travel
stop is located about midpoint along the
tensioner bar below the gear track.
Todisengagethestop,pullandholdtheknob,
rotate 90 degrees and release. To engage
the stop, repeat the above procedure until
the travel stop pin protrudes beyond the
opposite surface of the tensioner bar.
Turntable Brake
The turntable may be locked in any position.
Fliptheleverdowntolocktheturntablebrake
andfliptheupto releasetheturntablebrake.

6
Adjustingthe FrameSupportPosts
Loosen the lock bolts of the frame support
posts and space them apart with the frame
support slides separated by the approxi-
mate length of the racquet head. Although it
is not required, it is good practice to center
the support posts on the turntable. Lock one
of the posts in position by tightening the lock
boltandpositiontheotherpostuntiltheframe
support slide is positioned near the inside
surface of the racquet frame. Securely
tighten the lock bolt of the second support
post.
Caution: To avoid racquet damage, the center posts should not contact the racquet prior to
locking down the support posts.
TighteningtheFrameSupports
Tightenthe FrameSupportSlides by turning
the adjustment knob clockwise until snug
against the racquet frame and slight resis-
tance is felt.
Caution: Overtightening the Center Sup-
ports will stretch the head of the racquet and
could cause racquet damage.
MOUNTING THE FRAME
FrameShoulderSupportAdjustment
Being sure the shoulder supports are free
to swivel in their mountings, simultaneously
rotatetheshouldersupportadjustmentknobs
clockwise until both shoulder supports gen-
tly and squarely contact the frame.

7
Clamp Base Operation
Tolockthestringclampbasetotheturntable,
rotate the clamp base locking lever clock-
wise. To release the string clamp base from
the turntable, rotate the clamp base locking
lever counter-clockwise.
The Locking Lever should be tightened
enough to prevent clamp base slippage on
the turntable, when the desired tension is
placed on the string. To go from the loose
position to the clamped position and back,
generally requires the rotation permitted by
the slot in th clamp base.
MOUNTING THE FRAME
SecuringtheFrameShoulderClamps
Lock the shoulder supports in position by
turning the knob at the base clockwise.
Repeat the adjustment procedure for the
remaining support post.
Re-tighten all of the frame supports in the
same order as before.
Do not overtighten any of the supports as
racquet damage may occur.
The supports should be tightened to the
point where the racquet frame will not move
inthe mountingsystemwhen thehandle is graspedand attempts aremade to moveit. Should
any supports lose contact with the frame while stringing, they should be re-tightened.
STRINGINGTHEFRAME
StringClampOperation
The string clamps are a dual action design
where the string clamp and clamp base
operate independently of one another.
To clamp a string, lift the clamp head and
place the string between the jaws and
depress the string clamp lever to secure the
string.Theclamping pressure appliedtothe
string should be adjusted to provide suffi-
cient pressure to secure the string when
subjectedtothedesiredpullingtension.The
diamond coated gripper plates provide for
increased friction between the clamps and the string to allow for reduced clamping pressure
while securing and holding the string under tension.

8
PullingTension
Wraptheloose section ofstring oncearound
the roller guide and insert the string between
thediamonddustcoatedstringgripperplates.
Pull the string perpendicular to the gripper
plates while slowly rotating the tensioner
crank clockwise until the brake lever pops
out of the latching block. The string is now
tensioned and can be clamped in place with
the remaining fixed clamp.
Repeat the above steps until all main strings
are installed. Tie off ends of main strings as
per racquet manufacturers recommenda-
tions.
STRINGING THE FRAME
GettingStarted
To begin stringing the main strings, thread
the two ends of the string through the two
center holes at the appropriate end of the
frame and continue through the opposite
center holes. Thread one end of the string
through the adjacent grommet hole and pull
excess by hand.
Secure one of the strings using a string
clamp.
ClampingtheFirstMainString
Secure the tensioned main string using the
remaining fixed clamp. Repeat the proce-
dureforalloftheremainingmainstringsand
tie off following the racquet manufacturers
recommendations.
Follow the manufacturer's recommended
stringing pattern for one or two piece string-
ing. This will determine the starting point for
the cross strings. If applicable, tie the first
cross string using an appropriate starting
knot.

9
Weaving the Cross Strings
Weave the cross strings over and under the
main strings being careful to alternate the
weave direction of each consecutive cross
string so as to be opposite of the previously
installed cross string.
CompletingtheStringJob
Once the final cross string is tensioned and
clamped, tie off at the appropriate hole
specified by the racquet manufacturer.
Remove the frame from the mounting sys-
tem by loosening the shoulder supports and
frame supports.
STRINGING THE FRAME

10
To open the drawers push the latch down
and slide the drawer out. To close the
drawer simply slide the drawer back inside
the base and it will automatically lock into
place.
Storage Drawers
There are two storage drawers located in
the base of the machine. The drawers open
from the right end of the base and lock into
the end cap with a spring loaded latch.
ADDITIONALFEATURES
CuttingBlock
A cutting block is provided to provide a
surface for cutting a point on the strings
using a razor blade cutter.

11
PATHFINDERAWL
Once the awl is inserted, pull the handle of
the awl outward while holding the tip section
in place, leaving the outer sheath in the
grommethole.
Insert the end of the string into the center of
the sheath.
While holding pressure on the string, slowly
pull the sheath out of the grommet hole to
leave the end of the string exposed.
The stringing machine includes the Path-
finder stringing awl which creates a path-
way between or around strings to make
inserting a string through tight grommets
easier and quicker.
Insert the awl through the grommet hole in
the same manner as for traditional awls.
The Pathfinder awl must be in the closed
position before insertion.

12
Step 2
Loosen the 1.5 mm locking set screw (A)
located on the side of the latching block as
shown. The set screw is used to hold the
adjustment screw in place.
MAINTENANCE&ADJUSTMENTS
TensionCalibrationProcedure
Step 1
Set the tension to 60 lbs. as indicated by the
linearscaleandrotaryknob.Placethestring
ononeendofatensioncalibratorintoastring
clamp and secure. Place string located on
the other end of the calibrator into the string
tensioner and apply tension. If the brake
lever releases before 60 lbs. or after 60 lbs.,
the tension head should be calibrated as
follows.
Step 3
Iftheleverreleasesbefore60lbs.,usingthe
supplied L-shaped hex wrench, turn the
adjustment screw (B) located on the left
side of the latch block counter-clockwise to
increase the engagement of the brake re-
leaselatchwiththebrakelever.Repeatstep
1 and adjust until the correct tension is
indicated on the calibrator.
If the tension indicated in step 1 is greater
than 60 lbs., turn the adjustment screw
clockwise to reduce the engagement of the
brake release latch with the brake lever.
Repeat step 1 and adjust until the correct
tension is indicated on the calibrator.
B
B
A

13
MAINTENANCE&ADJUSTMENTS
AdjustingtheTensioner Brake
Step 1
After stringing many racquets, the brake of
the tensioner may need to be adjusted.
With the brake lever engaged, loosen the
lock bolt located on the back side of the
tensioner frame with the 4mm hex wrench.
Note: The lock bolt should only be loosened
enough to be turned by hand and must not
be removed completely.
AdjustingtheTensioner Brake
Step 2
With the lock bolt loosened and the brake
lever engaged in the latch, insert the 6 mm
hexwrenchthroughtheholeinthetensioner
cover and into the (B) brake lever adjusting
bolt.
B - Brake Lever Adjustment Bolt
AdjustingtheTensioner Brake
Step 3
To tighten the braking mechanism, turn the
brake lever adjusting bolt counter clock-
wise by about 1/8 turn. Retighten the lock
bolt on the back side of the tensioner frame
andcheckforbraketightness.Thetensioner
should move freely along the track with the
brake lever engaged and should hold ten-
sion with the brake lever released. If more
adjustment is needed, repeat steps above
until properly adjusted.
Note: Cover Removed For Clarity
A - Lock Bolt
A
B

14
AdjustingtheStringClampJaw Spacing
The string clamps will need minor adjustments according
to what string type, construction, and gauge you are
using.
Toadjustthegap(clampingpressure)betweentheclamp
jaws, insert the string through the racquet as if you were
beginning the main strings. Clamp the strings and pull
tension. If the string slips through the jaws of the clamp,
tightentheclampbycompressingtheclampjawstogether
by hand while turning the Adjustment Knob, in the clock-
wise direction. If the clamp leaves impressions or dam-
ages the string, it may be excessively tight and should be
adjusted by turning the Adjustment Knob counter clock-
wise to open the gap between the jaws. The clamp jaws should be cleaned periodically to
be free from dirt, oil, and any string coating for them to grip properly. Knife sharpening stones
are excellent for removing build-up on the diamond coated surfaces and are available.
Note: The string clamps supplied with your stringing machine can accomodate tight string
patternssuchasbadminton.Dependingonthestringpattern,theclampmayspreadthestrings
slightly which will not compromise the quality of the string job. String clamps specifically
designed for badminton racquets are also available.
Adjustment
Knob
MAINTENANCE&ADJUSTMENTS
ClampBaseLockingNutAdjustment
In the event the Locking Lever rotation is
insufficient to ensure smooth operation of
the clamp base, very minor adjustments to
the Clamp Base Locking Nut can be made
with the supplied 17mm socket. Tighten or
loosen the locking nut in very small incre-
mentsto providemoreclampingpressure or
running clearance as needed.
QuickAction ClampBaseRemoval
Quick Action clamp bases can be removed
from the turntable for maintenance or clean-
ingbyremovingclampstoplocatedattheend
of the slot in the turntable. To remove the
clamp stop, remove the two screws holding
theclampstopinplacefromtheundersideof
the turntable. Lift the clamp stop out of the
slot,slidetheclampbasetotheendoftheslot
and lift it out. Replace the clamp base and
clamp stop in reverse order.

15
TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS
String tension too tight or too loose - Check tension using a tension
calibrator, adjust machine calibration if
necessary
Tensioner slips on Tensioner Bar
after brake lever is released - Clean tensioner brake disc
- Adjust tensioner brake lever
String clamp base slips on turntable - Clean bottom of clamp & glide bar with
alcohol
- Adjust clamp base locking nut
String slips in gripper - Adjust gripper jaw spacing
- Clean gripper jaws
String slips in clamps - Adjust gap between clamp jaws
- Clean clamp jaws
PROBLEM SOLUTION
CARE & CLEANING
Withtimeanduse,theclampingsurfacesofyourmachinemaybecomeoilyordirtyandresult
in string or clamp slippage while stringing. Periodic cleaning of the String Clamps, String
Clamp Base, and String Gripper is recommended. Knife sharpening stones work well for
cleaning the diamond coated string clamping surfaces. Cleaning with a solvent such as
isoproyl alcohol and a mild abrasive tool such as a toothbrush also works well to remove
oily or greasey build up.

PARTS LIST
16
DESCRIPTION
CAPSCREW-M8
SETSCREW
WASHER-M8
WASHER-M10
FRAMESUPPORTSLIDE
TENSIONERASSEMBLY
RETAINERSCREW
FRMSUPPSCREW&KNOB
MTNGSTANDTOPPLATE
MTNGSTANDPAD
SUPPORTARM-LEFT
SUPPORTARM-RIGHT
SUPPORTLOCKKNOB
ARMADJKNOB&SCREW
SHOULDERV-CLAMP
SHOULDERV-CLAMP
TTSCREWS
SLIDEBRACKET
DRAWERENDCAP
SUPPMOUNTINGPLATE
SUPPORTPOST
BASE
TRAY PAD
CHOPBLOCK
DRAWERENDCAP
BASECORNERCAP
BASECORNERCAP
TURNTABLE
TTENDCAP
TTENDCAP-RIGHT
TTENDCAP-LEFT
BASEENDCAP
BASEENDCAP
RUBBERFEET
BRAKERING
LARGEDRAWER
SMALLDRAWER
TURNTABLEPIN
PART#
336
337
MDCSC
MQAC
71
98
109
110
171
196
251
MA
MFSPP
MMSPP
MMSSA
MPSA
MBFC
MDCSC
MGSMC
MPG
MPS
MPXFS
MTC
SGSM
DESCRIPTION
TENSIONERBAR
BRAKEBOX (ST)
METALSTRINGCLAMP
TALL QA BASE CLAMP
6MMT-HANDLEHEXWRENCH
BOXWRENCH-10MM
NEEDLENOSEPLIERS
BENTNOSEPLIERS
DIAGONALCUTTERS
17MMSOCKET
HEXWRENCHSET
STRINGERSAWL
FRAMESUPPPADS
SQUASH (SQ)
SHORTBADMINTON(SB)
TENNIS(T)
BADMINTON(B)
TENNISSHLDERSUPPPADS
SHLDERSUPPPADS(LTOR)
RACQUETBALL
BADMINTON
PATHFINDERAWL
BADFLOATINGCLAMP
FIXEDBADSTRINGCLAMP
MACHINECOVER
STARTINGCLAMP
POLISHINGSTONE
FLOORSTAND
CALIBRATOR
STRINGER’SMAT
TOOLS& ACCESSORIES
OPTIONAL TOOLS & ACCESS
PART#
6A
8A
9
14
21A
104
105
133
140
141
142
143
144
146A
148L
148R
203
259
265
270
271
272
273
274
276
277
278
282
283
285
286
287
288
301
320
322
323
327

17
MFSPP
SQ SB T B
MQAC MDCSC
272
MMSPP
270
21A 9
282 105
6A
143
144
140
141
146A
283 285
286
336
320
MMSPP MMSSA
8A
MFSPP
271
133 14
148L
142
PARTSDRAWING
104
273
301
274
337
322
323
278
265 276 277 287
288 259
327

GAMMA SPORTS
200 Waterfront Drive
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]
Visit our website at www.gammasports.com
Copyright2009GAMMA Sports -AllRights Reserved