Stringing Machine Suggestions

I recently sold my drop weight Alpha String Pal, and am looking to upgrade.

Now, I have used a Prince Neos 1000 and love it. It's a pretty great machine. However the pricetag is steep.

However I have been looking at the Wise 2086 on TW and wondering if it would be easier and more efficient to get a drop weight and attach this to it?

Thoughts and/or experiences?
 

Lakers4Life

Hall of Fame
I don't think anyone has tried putting a DW on Neos 1000. Though it's entirely possible. You would need to get a donor DW assembly; Tower, clutch, arm and weight. Then have a block of of steel or aluminum machined to mount on the tension rail, and drill/thread holes to lock the block in place with corresponding holes to match the base of the tower.

Costs could run you $300 to $400.

You are better off getting a Wise or set your tension 10% more in the mean time.

IMHO you can get a better consistency with a crank than with a DW.
 

tennis4

Rookie
I think the OP asked if it is feasible to put WISE 2086 on a DW.


I don't think anyone has tried putting a DW on Neos 1000. Though it's entirely possible. You would need to get a donor DW assembly; Tower, clutch, arm and weight. Then have a block of of steel or aluminum machined to mount on the tension rail, and drill/thread holes to lock the block in place with corresponding holes to match the base of the tower.

Costs could run you $300 to $400.

You are better off getting a Wise or set your tension 10% more in the mean time.

IMHO you can get a better consistency with a crank than with a DW.
 
I think the OP asked if it is feasible to put WISE 2086 on a DW.

Yes, thank you. Sorry it wasn't clear.

I've used a drop weight. It's time consuming and not precise enough for me. I sold my Alpha String Pal because of it.

Now... I've used a Neos 1000 and it's great comparative to my DW. My thought process:

Spend 1000 plus on a Neos 1000 or something similar, and get good results but spend a chunk of change.

Or: Get another DW, and get the Wise 2086 and put it on a DW and save a couple hundred bucks and still get good results. Plus portability which for me isn't entirely necessary but could be in the future.

If I were to put a Wise 2086 on a DW...would it still be effective?
 

Lakers4Life

Hall of Fame
If you already have a Used Neos 1000 why not just add a Wise, if space is not problem. If you spent $1K+ on an USED NEOS, that's almost the price of a brand new one. I know of a couple of places that are selling used Neos 1000 for $895.

You can probably get a USED Gamma 4000, if you like glide bars; and put a Wise on it with not too much problems. It's been done and there are many threads on putting a Wise on a DW machine.


If you mean "effective" to work, the answer is "YES".
 
If you already have a Used Neos 1000 why not just add a Wise, if space is not problem. If you spent $1K+ on an USED NEOS, that's almost the price of a brand new one. I know of a couple of places that are selling used Neos 1000 for $895.

You can probably get a USED Gamma 4000, if you like glide bars; and put a Wise on it with not too much problems. It's been done and there are many threads on putting a Wise on a DW machine.


If you mean "effective" to work, the answer is "YES".

Sorry if I am still not being clear.

Current situation: No stringer what so ever.

I know the Neos is good because I HAVE USED ONE.
You however have answered my question about attaching a Wise on a DW.

I was simply asking if a Wise on a DW would be comparable to efficiency of a Neos 1000 because it would be more cost effective to purchase both a DW and Wise compared to the Neos 1000.
 

tennis4

Rookie
I have a X-2 and just got a neos 1000 last week.

The stringjob done on X-2 is not quite the same as those on neos 1000, while I consider both were done consistently. The difference is in the feel ... maybe I am too sensitive, or subject. ? :)

In your case, what kind of DW you have in mind? A fixed clamp configuration starts @ 450, plus $500 to Wise 2086. That brings the total to near $1000.

Sorry if I am still not being clear.

Current situation: No stringer what so ever.

I know the Neos is good because I HAVE USED ONE.
You however have answered my question about attaching a Wise on a DW.

I was simply asking if a Wise on a DW would be comparable to efficiency of a Neos 1000 because it would be more cost effective to purchase both a DW and Wise compared to the Neos 1000.
 

Lakers4Life

Hall of Fame
Ahhh OK. The answer is still yes. Adding a Wise to a DW with Fixed clamps far for effecient than a Neos 1000 without a Wise.
 
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anubis

Hall of Fame
If you already have a Used Neos 1000 why not just add a Wise, if space is not problem. If you spent $1K+ on an USED NEOS, that's almost the price of a brand new one. I know of a couple of places that are selling used Neos 1000 for $895.

You can probably get a USED Gamma 4000, if you like glide bars; and put a Wise on it with not too much problems. It's been done and there are many threads on putting a Wise on a DW machine.


If you mean "effective" to work, the answer is "YES".

I have a used Gamma 4000 and I love it. With some TLC, it produces very accurate string jobs. I paid about $350 for it.
 

diredesire

Adjunct Moderator
I have a guy on my travel team who got a Neos 1000 for 300 bucks. I would love to go that route and just get a used one... any suggestions on where to get a decent used stringer?
Craigslist OCCASIONALLY has good condition used machines, but it really depends on your area. In the PNW (it's cold and rainy) we don't see many used machines on the market. I'd look for something like a Gamma 602 FC if you want to slap a wise on. Any lower and I'm not sure the bang for the buck is so great, IMHO.
 

Lakers4Life

Hall of Fame
Craigslist OCCASIONALLY has good condition used machines, but it really depends on your area. In the PNW (it's cold and rainy) we don't see many used machines on the market. I'd look for something like a Gamma 602 FC if you want to slap a wise on. Any lower and I'm not sure the bang for the buck is so great, IMHO.

Andyroo???? is up in your neck of the woods and he picked up a Gamma 4000 for some close to dirty cheap.

On a Side note, I'm getting a Lobster Elite ball machine for FREE. :D I just have to drive 50 miles to pick it up.
 
Andyroo???? is up in your neck of the woods and he picked up a Gamma 4000 for some close to dirty cheap.

On a Side note, I'm getting a Lobster Elite ball machine for FREE. :D I just have to drive 50 miles to pick it up.

I will have to ask him... I found one on **** the guy was willing to go down to 750. Still too salty for me.
 

diredesire

Adjunct Moderator
I will have to ask him... I found one on **** the guy was willing to go down to 750. Still too salty for me.

I'm getting rid of a 6002 for cheaper than that, but I haven't gotten around to listing it. I have been tossing around the idea of slapping a WISE on it, but the clamps are wing-nut style, so I feel like it's probably not worth it...
 

Lakers4Life

Hall of Fame
I'm getting rid of a 6002 for cheaper than that, but I haven't gotten around to listing it. I have been tossing around the idea of slapping a WISE on it, but the clamps are wing-nut style, so I feel like it's probably not worth it...

Can you post pictures of the 6002? I think I know what you are talking about, but it's called a 6004, and does not look anything like the modern 6004. Even the manual says it's a 6004 circa 1999.
 

diredesire

Adjunct Moderator
Can you post pictures of the 6002? I think I know what you are talking about, but it's called a 6004, and does not look anything like the modern 6004. Even the manual says it's a 6004 circa 1999.
http://206.210.94.83/collaterals/pdf/6002.pdf
http://diredesire.com/tennis/sell/

Edit, it's an older machine, I think it's a predecessor of the 6004 for sure. The mounting system is pretty slick for the age. I prefer it over the ESII+ style individual arm machines, for sure.
 

beernutz

Hall of Fame
I have a guy on my travel team who got a Neos 1000 for 300 bucks. I would love to go that route and just get a used one... any suggestions on where to get a decent used stringer?

I found mine on craigslist, but I searched in several different cities (basically every city in which I had a family member living) over a period of about 6 months before I found what I wanted. You can use a craiglist search tool like searchtempest.com to make searching easier.
 

kadishack

New User
I will have to ask him... I found one on **** the guy was willing to go down to 750. Still too salty for me.

I just found 2 machines on craiglist near philly and the owner is asking 500 for both of them (Prince Neos 1000 and a some Gamma crank stand alone). Just a heads up to anyone near that area as it would be a 500 mile round trip for me...
 

Lakers4Life

Hall of Fame
http://206.210.94.83/collaterals/pdf/6002.pdf
http://diredesire.com/tennis/sell/

Edit, it's an older machine, I think it's a predecessor of the 6004 for sure. The mounting system is pretty slick for the age. I prefer it over the ESII+ style individual arm machines, for sure.

That looks exactly like my friend's machine, but it had the 6004 manual. Those mounting towers don't look as nice as the newer ones but they work great. Another friend of mine has those towers but with the new base clamps, 6004 circa 2004.

BTW my friend who has the same machine as you got it for $350, in So Cal. Anyone buying could probably buy the QA clamps for $150, then it would be worth $500 easily. Basically a 5003 with better mounting towers.
 

diredesire

Adjunct Moderator
That looks exactly like my friend's machine, but it had the 6004 manual. Those mounting towers don't look as nice as the newer ones but they work great. Another friend of mine has those towers but with the new base clamps, 6004 circa 2004.

BTW my friend who has the same machine as you got it for $350, in So Cal. Anyone buying could probably buy the QA clamps for $150, then it would be worth $500 easily. Basically a 5003 with better mounting towers.

Yep, the mounting is what I'd consider to be pretty high end. Is his turntable the same? I have no idea what the tolerances are on the QA clamps, but I'd guess the actual clamp gap is higher on this turn table than the thin-ish turntable material. I personally wouldn't even bother upgrading to the QA clamps from the wing-nut clamps. The bases themselves are A-OK, they're just clumsy and may require a tiny bit more force.
 
the only thing that came up for philly was the gamma 6004 version 3
anyone know what year that model came out?

I might just bite the bullet and buy a new neos. should i go with the 1000 or 1500? And are parts and service that much harder to get then the gammas?
 

Lakers4Life

Hall of Fame
the only thing that came up for philly was the gamma 6004 version 3
anyone know what year that model came out?

I might just bite the bullet and buy a new neos. should i go with the 1000 or 1500? And are parts and service that much harder to get then the gammas?

See the one below. The version 3 came out early 2002-2003, it still has the old switch action base clamps, not like the beefier new ones. The clamps are newer, than the previous model that had black clamps.

I've had no problems with Gamma service. Though I did get screwed on shipping once. As for Prince, you have to go through TM, and they don't always answer the phone, but they do call you back if you leave a message. (See this thread)


That's a steal for both machines. Each one is worth at least $500.
 
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another question from a newbie, looking at the pictures on TW, the neos 1000 and neos 1500 seems to have the cranks on opposites sides. Can those be flipped around if I prefer to crank with my right hand?
 

Lakers4Life

Hall of Fame
another question from a newbie, looking at the pictures on TW, the neos 1000 and neos 1500 seems to have the cranks on opposites sides. Can those be flipped around if I prefer to crank with my right hand?

Yes the crank is reversible. For some reason TW shows the crank in the LH position. One caveat about the Neos crank. it's held on by a spring bearing, like a socket wrench. After a while it gets loose and falls off if you are not careful. The Gamma 6004, also has a reverse able cranks handle, but it's held in by a screw.
 
Does the prince neos has its own version of the SC (self centering)?

Ive had the gamma 5003 a while back and thought i'd try something new. But all the signs are leaning towards the Gamma. urgh
 

Lakers4Life

Hall of Fame
Does the prince neos has its own version of the SC (self centering)?

Ive had the gamma 5003 a while back and thought i'd try something new. But all the signs are leaning towards the Gamma. urgh

No, but the Neos 1500 has tower than can be moved independently.
 
pardon my ignorance, but are the independent towers function the same way as the SC self centering?
Also, the weight of 125lbs is listed for the prince, is the gamma 6004 roughly the same weight?
 

Lakers4Life

Hall of Fame
pardon my ignorance, but are the independent towers function the same way as the SC self centering?
Also, the weight of 125lbs is listed for the prince, is the gamma 6004 roughly the same weight?

Nope, the Gamma towers move at the same time. It does not necessarily center the frame as one would think, but it's close enough.
 
I'm getting rid of a 6002 for cheaper than that, but I haven't gotten around to listing it. I have been tossing around the idea of slapping a WISE on it, but the clamps are wing-nut style, so I feel like it's probably not worth it...

How much are you looking to get for the 6002?
 
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