Help with drop weight? selection (YULitle???...anybody??)

Hi. I'm a "noob" when it comes to stringing machines ... I've never done the "stringing myself" stuff, but I'm beginning to think that spending money on a good quality drop weight is justifiable given that I play 5-6 times a week during the summer, I usually play full synthetic (multi) and use a 16x19 pattern racket which means I break strings fairly often. That ... plus the fact that the stringer I normally go to screwed up one of my rackets (it's badly hit and deformed....probably badly mounted and flew out of the machine or something...) and I don't want anybody else handling them anymore (nobody will take as much care as I would do...presumably).
I have searched the internet for reasonably priced stringing machines and the online stores in Germany seem to be my best bet.
I have read enough about stringing to know that having fixed clamps and a 6 point mounting system is desirable and perhaps more important than having an electronic tensioning system if I'm not going to make a business out of stringing (i.e speed is not THAT important to me). Hence my decision to go with a drop weight.
Given that I chose to go with 6 point mounting system and fixed clamps I find it weird that the prices I found are so different on various machines which look "all the same" to me. I will post 3 pictures of machines I found without posting their prices and will let you know that the prices vary A LOT between the 3...and I'm looking for reasons to justify buying a more expensive (better quality??) machine.
Can somebody with some experience please explain to me what I'm looking at?? Why the difference in price...is one of them "noticeably better" from the pictures and/or known facts about the particular models???


1 - Signum Pro s3000


2 - Tour plus 8 (not sure about the company name)

3 - Signum Pro x 7000


The more expensive from these ... is "only" about 170 Euros cheaper than an electronic I found (and I may be able to find some electronics that are cheaper...pretty close to the drop weight price while still having the fixed clamps and 6 point mounting).
(this is the electronic I'm talking about ... it's the same machine as the x7000 with different tensioning system (apparently)

Mounting-wise, I'd go with either 2 or 3. Just from looks alone, I'd go with either of those. The benefit of two over three is the linear gripper, but three appears to have better clamps (again on looks alone.)

It's really hard to say without having used them. Just based off of my past experiences with similar machines, I'd go with 3, personally. The jump to the forth (the electric) is a decision you'll have to make. I wouldn't touch it if it doesn't come with a good warranty.

YULitle said:

Mounting-wise, I'd go with either 2 or 3. Just from looks alone, I'd go with either of those. The benefit of two over three is the linear gripper, but three appears to have better clamps (again on looks alone.)

It's really hard to say without having used them. Just based off of my past experiences with similar machines, I'd go with 3, personally. The jump to the forth (the electric) is a decision you'll have to make. I wouldn't touch it if it doesn't come with a good warranty.

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Hmmm, thanks for the input so far. The linear gripper I suppose is the little "thingie" at the bottom of the stick that holds the weight. If so ... then number 1 also has one...
What is it about number 1's mounting system and or clamping that makes you go "no no"?

Edit. Also ... what is the practical advantage of a linear gripper???

instead of wrapping the string around the gripper and around a angle. the string is pulled straight. this means less dammage to the string durring the stringing process. This is good for strings that kinky easy like gut.

Again, this it totally by looks alone. But the first one's mounting system doesn't look very robust. It looks flimsy.

A linear gripper typically puts less stress on the string than a rotational gripper.

Banks said:

instead of wrapping the string around the gripper and around a angle. the string is pulled straight. this means less dammage to the string durring the stringing process. This is good for strings that kinky easy like gut.

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Understood, makes sense thanks for the feedback.

YULitle said:

Again, this it totally by looks alone. But the first one's mounting system doesn't look very robust. It looks flimsy.

A linear gripper typically puts less stress on the string than a rotational gripper.

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Thanks, that makes me breathe a bit easier...since no 1 is the most expensive one.
It's probably due to labor cost since that one is advertised as made in Germany (it also has "professional" in it's name ... maybe that's what accounts for some of the difference as well )
...while number 3 is said to be made in China (designed in Germany) and they are the same company.
I have no idea where number 2 is designed or made (and that one is the cheapest).

pay the little extra and get the best quality machine you can afford. it will last you years. the drop weight with 6 point mount, fixed clamps and linear gripper is probably the most accurate machine you can buy. and it hardly needs maintenance (less than lock outs or electrics anyway). might not be the fastest but what's 15 min per frame when you do it for yourself anyway?

i've had a gamma drop weight 6 point mount and the only 2 things i regret about my machine are 1) it has cheap flying clamps 2) rotational gripper which can kink some polys. all in all though, mine has paid for itself many times over and has been very reliable. can't complain at all.

The signum pro x 7000 looks nice...

Never seen it before....looks well made.

Nick

LaserFibre MS200 TT w/ single action clamps for $500+

If you can move quickly, there is an auction "The Bay" for a LaserFibre MS200 TTw/ single-action clamps about to end. Currently at $500. It's a great machine.

nickb said:

The signum pro x 7000 looks nice...

Never seen it before....looks well made.

Nick

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Only comes with 2 year warranty. Well with some German shop it did

Whats the item number of the Laserfibre?

item: 320239759907 ..Currently at $500.

if i were you i would go with the last one
but i see what yulitle is saying about the mounts

I like the first one since it's built by them and upgradeable to electric in the future. The whole base is made looks like with stainless steel and looks light and strong. Design is nice. The mounts look weak but not sure without using if it is actually strong. The others are probably made by other company and not designed by them. It looks like a copy other machines.

Thank you all for the valuable feedback. I know it's difficult to give feedback based on pictures and having first hand experience with the machines would help, but not being in the States I have access to different machines (and manufacturers...and most important of all ... PRICES) .

saturn said:

I like the first one since it's built by them and upgradeable to electric in the future. The whole base is made looks like with stainless steel and looks light and strong. Design is nice. The mounts look weak but not sure without using if it is actually strong. The others are probably made by other company and not designed by them. It looks like a copy other machines.

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Yeh...the base / design looks nice on #1. However more than 1 guy said that the mounts look pretty crappy...and the price is the biggest of them all.
The thing about being upgradeable is also true for #3. I wouldn't think twice about buying #3 if it also had the linear gripper (not sure at this point how important that is ... I'll have to dig some more to find out ).
Thanks for the feedback so far...keep it coming. If somebody (by chance) had access to any of those machines ... please take the time and post as there's no replacement for "first hand experience".
Cheers

Seems like those only available in EU so they will have limted reviews on here if any

1012007 said:

Seems like those only available in EU so they will have limted reviews on here if any

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Yeah, I realize that ... I would just LOVE to buy from the US but the taxes/customs would make it close to or even more expensive than ordering from around here