Having trouble with my first dropweight stringer (Alpha Pioneer DC Plus)

[bmr0216]

Recently picked up a used Alpha Pioneer DC Plus dropweight stringer. Never used a dropweight before, I'm only familiar with lockout crank machines. This dropweight stringer also has a clutch (w/ locking ratchet system) and a linear string gripper.

I'm trying to start the mains but I can't figure out this machine for the life of me. The instructions want you to have the tension bar in the upright, left-most position to start, then you feed the string into the gripper and move the tension bar clockwise, letting it drop. I tried this, and the tension bar barely dropped at all.

I tried this process again but with the tension bar in the bottomed-out position to start, then raising and dropping it after gripping the string and holding the gripper in place. But if I raise too high, it won't make it to the horizontal position like before. So I'm constantly having to guess how high I should bring the tension bar up. This of course also depends on the type of string being used. Am I supposed to just barely raise the tension arm up for a string like poly?

All of the instruction manuals and videos out there really only cover what to do if the tension bar drops BELOW the horizontal position. What do I do / what am I doing wrong if it's stopping ABOVE the horizontal position? It just seems like there are way too many variables to get a consistent string job with a machine like this.

 

[esgee48]

Poly strings barely stretch, so you would be better off starting with the bar down. You should raise the bar one click each time until you have a feel for how much slack is needed. I believe one click is about 5 degrees.

 

[bmr0216]

Poly strings barely stretch, so you would be better off starting with the bar down. You should raise the bar one click each time until you have a feel for how much slack is needed. I believe one click is about 5 degrees.

Would a good rule of thumb be to have the bar starting in the down position for poly strings, and the bar starting in the up position for syn/multi/gut?

 

[esgee48]

Yes, start in the down position for strings that don’t stretch much. Category includes poly and kevlar. Depending on ref tension on soft strings, you can start those with the bar in the up or down position. For example, 15 ga SG at 40# may not stretch much so ‘down’ whereas 18 ga SG at 58# may stretch a lot, so ‘up.’

 

[Irvin]

No matter what string you’re using start with the bar in the down position so you have 360 rotation. Lift the bar completely CCW for stretchy strings and just over horizontal for stiff strings. you will quickly be able to determine just how far you need to lift the bar.

 

[stapletonj]

no matter what you do, don't press the weight down, no matter how gently, to get it level........

don't ask me why, just trust me hahahhaha

 

[bmr0216]

no matter what you do, don't press the weight down, no matter how gently, to get it level........

don't ask me why, just trust me hahahhaha

Man I was totally guilty of this while stringing last night ... It would be like a centimeter or two short of level so I'd give it a tiny nudge. So I shouldn't do that ever?

 

[Irvin]

Man I was totally guilty of this while stringing last night ... It would be like a centimeter or two short of level so I'd give it a tiny nudge. So I shouldn't do that ever?

Never! if the bar is only 1 - 2 cm high or low your tension isn’t off much anyway. As soon as you move the clamp the bar may drop 1-2 cm anyway.

 

[bmr0216]

Never! if the bar is only 1 - 2 cm high or low your tension isn’t off much anyway. As soon as you move the clamp the bar may drop 1-2 cm anyway.

Will remember this next time, thank you

 

[stapletonj]

not unless you like snapping the string 1/2 way through, as I learned on a gut string job. OUCH!