Alpha Pioneer DC Plus for Racquetball Racquets???

[rballguy]

First off...apologies. As my user name implies, I'm a racquetball guy. I realize this is "Tennis Talk", but it is also the most active stringing forum I could find. I'm looking for a machine to string for my 2 racquetball racquets 4 times/year and am hoping someone can answer the following question.

After a week of reading this forum I'm leaning towards the Alpha Pioneer DC Plus. Head to throat, my Ektelon (Prince) Speedport racquet measures approximately 15 5/8". Can the Alpha machine--or any of the entry level stringers (sub $500)--mount a racquetball frame with that length?

Aside from my specific question, I'll take any feedback or recomendations for other machines for stringing racquetball racquets.

Thanks!

 

[mel]

Hey rballguy! Welcome to the forum! We won't bite.

I'm a relatively new owner of the Alpha Pioneer DC Plus and while I haven't strung a racquetball racquet on it yet, the stringer does come with all the tools and components to adapt. Shoot me an email at mel.lamagna@gmail.com. I may string up my racquetball racquet tonight and can let you know how it works out!

 

[lionel_101]

First off...apologies. As my user name implies, I'm a racquetball guy. I realize this is "Tennis Talk", but it is also the most active stringing forum I could find. I'm looking for a machine to string for my 2 racquetball racquets 4 times/year and am hoping someone can answer the following question.

After a week of reading this forum I'm leaning towards the Alpha Pioneer DC Plus. Head to throat, my Ektelon (Prince) Speedport racquet measures approximately 15 5/8". Can the Alpha machine--or any of the entry level stringers (sub $500)--mount a racquetball frame with that length?

Aside from my specific question, I'll take any feedback or recomendations for other machines for stringing racquetball racquets.

Thanks!

I string all types of racquetball racquets and use an X-2 stringing machine.

I strongly suggest you get a stringing machine with a good brake system to do the crosses on the Ektelon racquets with O-Ports, like your Speedport racquet. True you can use your hip, sharpie cover or something else, but a good brake is the best way to go.

Besides Ektelon O3 type racquets, Head racquets with the IGS system are a pain to do without a brake, since many of the crosses do not go through the side of the racquet.

Also make sure your new stringer and clamps can do fan patterns.

Good luck.

 

[rballguy]

Thanks mel. I'll shoot you an email.

Also make sure your new stringer and clamps can do fan patterns.

I am assuming I need floating clamps or the rotating/swiveling clamps. Are those systems basically the same or are there subtle differences that affect fan patterns?

I know enough to stay away from the glide bars. I used a Prince machine 10+ years ago with the glide bars and it was terrible for racquetball.

I strongly suggest you get a stringing machine with a good brake system to do the crosses on the Ektelon racquets with O-Ports, like your Speedport racquet. True you can use your hip, sharpie cover or something else, but a good brake is the best way to go.

I thought I had read somewhere that the Alpha Pioneer DC has a brake. Am I misinformed? What about the infamous boomerang for Ektelon/Prince as a solution?

All things equal, I would pick a stringer with a brake but I was considering the linear gripper as a more important feature than a brake. How important is the brake? More important than linear pull?

 

[struggle]

for O port rackets, i'd lean toward a brake.

not sure how well the "hip" method would work on such short rackets.

the boomerang may help, but i hear they are no longer available,
perhaps you could make one or use the sharpie lid as has been suggested.

 

[lionel_101]

I am pretty sure it doesn't have a brake system, after looking it up on the Internet.

It would depend on how many Ektelon O3 or Head IGS racquetball racquets you are planning to restring and how much hassle of not having a brake you are willing to put up with.

With a non brake Gamma X-2, It was a big pain trying to use your hip to hold the turntable in place, while trying to make the drop weight horizontal and then using the floating clamp to clamp the string. To top it off, the actual stringing machine would start to move/rotate around when applying tension.

After 2 bad experiences with these types of racquets, I took the chance of messing up my X-2 and modified it to have a functional brake and now it is a breeze.

Good luck on whatever you decide on buying.

 

[rballguy]

Thanks tbuggle & lionel! That's great information. I anticipate stringing my 2 O3 racquets only 4-6 times a year but I don't want to struggle. (Pioneer DC needs a brake!! )

How is the brake on the Silent Partner Hip Hop? Is that the only comparable alternative to the Pioneer with a brake?