Funk String Pinsetter Bowling Equipment 4, Funk Bowling

Funk USBC String Approved Graphic 1x1 1, Funk Bowling

Funk String Pinsetter Bowling Equipment 2, Funk Bowling

Funk String Pinsetter Bowling Equipment 1, Funk Bowling

Funk String Pinsetter Bowling Equipment 3, Funk Bowling

String Pinsetters Funk Bowling Alley Equipment 6, Funk Bowling

String Pinsetter Funk Bowling 5 Square, Funk Bowling

String Pinsetter Funk Bowling 6 Square, Funk Bowling

🔴Best-In-Class String Pinsetters

String Pinsetters

Built for Lower Maintenance and Reliable Operation

Funk string pinsetters give bowling operators a simpler pinsetter machine with fewer moving parts, lower maintenance demands, and efficient power use. Our systems are built for tenpin, duckpin, and ninepin bowling and backed by more than 130 years of bowling manufacturing experience.

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No obligation. Free consultation. We never share your info.

90% maintenance savings
64% less power used
No expert techs required
USBC certified pinsetter
Decades of German Engineering

⚪USBC-Approved

⚪100,000+ Lanes Worldwide

⚪130+ Year Bowling Legacy

Simpler Day-to-Day Operation

Less Time Maintaining Pinsetters. More Time Bowling.

Traditional free fall pinsetters rely on a large number of mechanical components that require regular adjustment, service, and specialized knowledge. Funk string pinsetters use a simpler mechanical design that reduces many of those day-to-day maintenance demands.

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90% Maintenance Savings

Fewer moving components and accessible service points can reduce machine maintenance and service costs by up to 90% compared with traditional free fall pinsetters.

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64% Less Electrical Power

Funk string pinsetters use approximately 64% less electrical power than traditional free fall equipment, with power consumption of approximately .32 kWh per lane pair.

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More Uptime

A simple mechanical pin-drop system, rotary technology, and fewer wear components help reduce service interruptions and keep lanes available for guests.

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Simpler Staffing

Routine maintenance does not require a full-time professional bowling technician. Critical components, including the string rolls, are designed to be easy for staff to access.

Engineered and Manufactured by Funk

A String Pinsetter Built Around Simpler Operation

Funk has spent decades developing string pinsetter technology for commercial bowling. Our pinsetter machines are manufactured in-house with a focus on mechanical simplicity, accessibility, and consistent operation.

That gives operators a system backed by the same company responsible for its engineering, manufacturing, installation, and long-term support.

Funk String Pinsetter Rendering, Funk Bowling

USBC Approved
Designed for Reliable Operation
Fast Cycling Time
Accessible String Rolls
Mechanical Pin-Drop Bar
Simplified Parts Requirements
Reduced Wear and Tear
Manufactured In-House
Full Installation Available

Built for Different Types of Bowling

String Pinsetters for Bowling Centers, Duckpin Venues, and More

String pinsetters can be used in traditional bowling centers as well as the growing number of entertainment and hospitality venues adding bowling to their businesses. Funk can configure equipment around the type of bowling, available space, expected use, and operating needs of the venue.

Our string pinsetter systems are available for:

Traditional tenpin bowling centers
Duckpin bowling installations
Family entertainment centers
Bars, restaurants, and social venues
Hotels, resorts, and residential projects
Ninepin bowling facilities

Whether you’re building new lanes or replacing existing equipment, Funk can help determine which pinsetter configuration fits the project.

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Funk String Pinsetter Operating Behind Bowling Lane, Funk Bowling

String Pinsetters For Modern Bowling Centers, Funk Bowling

Funk String Pinsetters For Bowling Centers, Funk Bowling

USBC Approved Funk String Pinsetters, Funk Bowling

USBC-Approved String Pinsetter Technology

Funk is one of the manufacturers with string pinsetter equipment approved by the United States Bowling Congress for certified string pin bowling.

USBC approval followed extensive research and testing, with equipment specifications and performance standards developed specifically for string pin competition.

For operators, that approval provides a clear path for facilities that want the operating advantages of bowling pins on strings while supporting certified competition under USBC string pin bowling specifications.

One Partner for the Complete Project

Pinsetter Equipment, Installation, and Support

A string pinsetter still has to work with the lanes, scoring, building conditions, and day-to-day operation of the venue.

Funk manufactures its own bowling equipment and supports both new installations and conversions from existing free fall equipment. Our team can assist with equipment planning, system configuration, installation, commissioning, and staff training.

After installation, Funk remains available for parts, technical questions, and service support.

Start Your Project

No obligation. Free consultation. We never share your info.

Compare Pinsetter Options

Funk String Pinsetters vs. Other Pinsetter Options

Maintenance, staffing, electrical use, replacement parts, and service requirements all affect the long-term cost of operating a pinsetter.

	Funk String Pinsetters	Generic String Pinsetters	Free Fall Pinsetters
Maintenance	Simplified design with fewer moving components	Varies by manufacturer and design	More complex mechanical maintenance
Labor	Routine service can be handled by in-house staff	Varies by system	Specialized technicians commonly required
Energy Use	Approximately 64% less electrical power than free fall	Varies by system	Higher electrical demand
Reliability	Commercial design developed for consistent operation	Depends on manufacturer	Proven technology with greater mechanical complexity
Long-Term Operating Costs	Designed to reduce maintenance, parts, and labor demands	Varies by manufacturer and support	Higher maintenance and specialized labor requirements

Funk’s String Pinsetter History

Funk’s experience with string pinsetters began in European ninepin bowling, where the company developed automated pinsetting equipment and grew into Europe’s largest manufacturer of ninepin bowling equipment.

Funk brought its commercial tenpin string pinsetter to the U.S. market at Bowl Expo in Las Vegas in 2001. The technology has since expanded across tenpin and duckpin bowling, bringing the simpler operation of string pinsetters to bowling centers and entertainment venues throughout the United States.

String Pinsetter FAQs

Common Questions About String Pinsetters

WHAT IS A STRING PINSETTER?

A string pinsetter is a bowling pinsetter machine that uses a cord attached to each pin to lift and reset the pins after a ball is thrown. Because the machine manages bowling pins on strings rather than using the more mechanically complex handling system found in a traditional free fall pinsetter, fewer moving components are required.

Funk string pinsetters use a mechanical pin-drop system and rotary motor design for fast cycling and consistent operation.

HOW DO STRING PINSETTERS WORK?

Each bowling pin is attached to a string controlled by the pinsetter machine. After a roll, the system identifies the remaining pins, lifts them as needed, clears fallen pins, and resets the correct pin formation for the next ball or frame.

The strings and other critical components are accessible for routine service, which helps simplify maintenance.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF STRING PINSETTERS?

String pinsetters use fewer moving parts and generally require less maintenance than free-fall systems. They can also reduce electrical use and the need for specialized technicians while simplifying spare-parts requirements.

That can be useful in bowling centers and entertainment venues where staff are responsible for several parts of the operation.

ARE FUNK STRING PINSETTERS USBC APPROVED?

Yes. Funk offers string pinsetter technology approved by the United States Bowling Congress for certified string pin bowling. USBC maintains separate equipment specifications and competition standards for certified string pin bowling.

CAN STRING PINSETTERS BE USED FOR COMPETITIVE BOWLING?

Yes. USBC-certified string pinsetters can be used for certified string pin competition when the equipment and installation meet applicable USBC specifications.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN STRING PINSETTERS AND FREE FALL PINSETTERS?

A string pinsetter uses cords attached to the pins to lift and reset them. Free fall equipment handles loose pins through a larger mechanical system.

That simpler mechanical design generally reduces maintenance requirements and the need for specialized pinsetter technicians.

DO STRING PINSETTERS REQUIRE A PROFESSIONAL BOWLING TECHNICIAN?

Routine maintenance and basic troubleshooting on Funk string pinsetters can be handled by trained in-house staff. Accessible string rolls and simpler mechanics reduce the need for a full-time specialized pinsetter technician.

CAN FUNK STRING PINSETTERS REPLACE EXISTING FREE FALL MACHINES?

Yes. Funk can convert existing bowling lanes from free fall equipment to string pinsetters. The specific conversion requirements depend on the existing lanes, equipment, scoring system, and facility.

CAN STRING PINSETTERS BE USED FOR DUCKPIN BOWLING?

Yes. Funk manufactures string pinsetter systems for duckpin bowling as well as full-length tenpin and European ninepin applications. Duckpin string pinsetters are commonly used in restaurants, bars, family entertainment centers, hotels, and other venues where compact bowling is part of a larger entertainment offering.

ARE FUNK STRING PINSETTERS COMPATIBLE WITH MODERN BOWLING SCORING SYSTEMS?

Yes. Funk string pinsetters can be integrated with Funk Nexus scoring. Depending on the project, Nexus can also support interactive games and on-lane projection.

HOW MUCH DOES A STRING PINSETTER COST?

Cost depends on the number of lanes, bowling format, whether the project is a new installation or conversion, scoring requirements, and site conditions. Funk prices each project based on the equipment and installation required.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO INSTALL OR CONVERT TO STRING PINSETTERS?

Installation time depends on the number of lanes, existing equipment, building conditions, and whether the project involves new construction or a conversion. Funk reviews those conditions during planning so the installation scope and schedule can be established before work begins.

WHAT SUPPORT DOES FUNK PROVIDE AFTER INSTALLATION?

Funk provides equipment support, replacement parts, and technical assistance after installation, so operators can continue working directly with the manufacturer.