Lakers4Life
Hall of Fame
Well you never know who contracts who to make thier clamps. Your Whirlpool washer is actually made in a Samsung factory in China. Does that make Whirlpool any lower in quality?
Post Pictures of you Stringers
- Thread starter Kal-El 34
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I don't disagree with this; I'm aware that Babolat's stringing machines(and stringing tools) and Wilson's Baiardo aren't likely made by them but rather by some OEM in the Far East, same goes for the Wii, iPod, iPhone and probably most consumer goods. I just don't know anything about the clamps Eagnas makes/offers.
Lakers4Life
Hall of Fame
I see many High-end (High Priced) machines with the same string clamps found on entry level Eagnas FC machines. I like the new Eagnas Clamps, and would probably buy them if I ever purchased a machine with 5 tooth clamps.
Eagnas probably is a perfectly respectable OEM, maybe the manufacturer really behind some of the more ballyhooed machines from the more famous brand names. But what I've read of its American representation doesn't inspire much confidence.
To be honest with you, I like the 5 tooth clamps that came with my machine better than the 3 tooth clamps that I purchased later.I seem to string a lot of closed pattern racquets, (although I rather string a racquet with an open pattern ), and the 5 tooth clamps seem to "fit" better between the mains when clamping the cross strings and I can position the clamp closer to the inside of the racquet better.Maybe its just me, as I am use to the 5 tooth more I guess, but I do like it better, and its probably why I use them more. At one point I used the 5 tooth for 16g. strings and the 3 tooth for 17g. Now I just stick with the 5 tooth ones for all the strings I use.
Lakers4Life
Hall of Fame
I used a 5 tooth on my friend's Gamma 5003. It's ok, but when you get to those tight dense usually in the throat area it don't fit correctly without moving some mains. I totally agree with you on racquets with open patterns. They are a breeze to string, compared to tight and fan patterns.
True, Maxline does make Eagnas look bad, but other distributors in other countries don't. Pro's Pro is a big seller in Europe and they seem to be doing OK.
Did you really just say you thought they were eagnas when the eagnas clamps are WANNABE babolat clamps. For one thing the eagnas clamps slide down into the clamp bases and the babolats slide over.
That would be because eagnas copys the high end machines to fool people. I guess its worked.
Just to be clear. Eagnas is NOT at all even comparable to babolat or other high end machines. It like comparing a 20 yr old toyota camry to a mercedes S-class. Not even close. Eagnas just tries to copy high end machines. And FYI I saw someone say something that Babolat were made in the same factory as Eagnas and that is 110% completely untrue. Babolats are made in FRANCE. They have a metal plate on them with the Serial number, Made in France by Babtec..., and Babolat Star 5. Just to make it clear. I'll take a picture of it and put it on tonight. I have had part crate come from Babolat that have the BAbtec french address on them. The box my machine came in had the Babtec address on them. They were origin addresses too before someone says they were shipped to babtec from china. And BTW I'm pretty sure its illegal to claim something is made one place with it being made somewhere else.
I must point out, legality aside, that manufacturers sometimes look to mislead on place of manufacture. It can be difficult to gather where something was really made in the end. Sometimes things are made in China, nominally 'finished' elsewhere eg more expensive sites as Taiwan, Japan, France, Italy etc so consumers think it cost more to make and may be willing to pay accordingly. It could be that the Star 5's parts are made in the East, then assembled in France. I have a Star 5, but I don't really care.
Of course there are not just legal but also moral/ethical issues in global trade.
Of course there are not just legal but also moral/ethical issues in global trade.
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Lakers4Life
Hall of Fame
KKM makes a good point. It does not matter where it's made or who makes its, as long as it works as it's supposed to.
For those who can afford to personally own a Star 5, Sensor, etc., good for you, but don't look down on the people who own cheeper brands. Because in the end they all do the same job, and you are only as good as your last string job.
For those who can afford to personally own a Star 5, Sensor, etc., good for you, but don't look down on the people who own cheeper brands. Because in the end they all do the same job, and you are only as good as your last string job.
There are several aspects of making something. Often the primary criterion of calling something made in whichever particular place is where most of the value in the various production steps was added, though obviously even this can be quite subjective.
Food for thought:
http://www.businessoffashion.com/2007/12/made-in-italy-time-for-accountability.html
http://www.businessoffashion.com/2008/07/made-in-italy-time-for-accountability-ii.html
Referring to the articles linked above and to the subject of manufacturing in general, which is of much interest to me, I do int'l business, have spent time in Prato/Scandicci etc, have read the book cited in the article, Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster...but I've never stayed at a Holiday Inn Express.
"Made in" is a big part of marketing, which is why Wilson prominently puts "Designed in the USA" on their racquets with "Made in China" in smaller text, and why Head made sure to emphasize that some of their racquets, while made in Czech Republic(lower-wage country, relatively), were finished in Austria(high-wage country).
Again, sorry to beat a dead horse, but I would guess that Babolat, Tecnifibre, Wilson, Silent Partner, everyone really, contracts a small handful of OEMs in the East to make the components of their machines, to their specifications obviously, and also their stringing tools, then maybe partially assemble and test the machines locally.
And I should emphasize, it wouldn't bother me to know that Babolat's Star 5 is made of components mostly from China, if that's the case. I like the machine's design and Babolat's aftersales service, and I won't grumble.
Food for thought:
http://www.businessoffashion.com/2007/12/made-in-italy-time-for-accountability.html
http://www.businessoffashion.com/2008/07/made-in-italy-time-for-accountability-ii.html
Referring to the articles linked above and to the subject of manufacturing in general, which is of much interest to me, I do int'l business, have spent time in Prato/Scandicci etc, have read the book cited in the article, Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster...but I've never stayed at a Holiday Inn Express.
"Made in" is a big part of marketing, which is why Wilson prominently puts "Designed in the USA" on their racquets with "Made in China" in smaller text, and why Head made sure to emphasize that some of their racquets, while made in Czech Republic(lower-wage country, relatively), were finished in Austria(high-wage country).
Again, sorry to beat a dead horse, but I would guess that Babolat, Tecnifibre, Wilson, Silent Partner, everyone really, contracts a small handful of OEMs in the East to make the components of their machines, to their specifications obviously, and also their stringing tools, then maybe partially assemble and test the machines locally.
And I should emphasize, it wouldn't bother me to know that Babolat's Star 5 is made of components mostly from China, if that's the case. I like the machine's design and Babolat's aftersales service, and I won't grumble.
I freely concede that you would know better than I do.
I bet you didnt have every important part of the machine replaced on oyur machine. Believe after the turntable and the entire electric componet is replaced you start to ask questions. I ended up getting a new machine because of it. Nate probably knows me better than a lot of people that buy machines from babolat. I'm not saying thats a good thing though by any means.
That says a lot about good customer service, but also gives some questions about their quality control if you had that much problems!Given a quality control issue, that could mean that their suppliers maybe giving some less quality components?As you well know not every company makes every last component for their products., especially right down to the last screw or bolt! I doubt if they make their own in house hardware as well,or the electrical components on the circuit board, so may be other components as well?Just how much is made in France. Babolat I'm sure knows strings, and tennis, but how well do they know electronics, and other components to make all in house? But where ever or whatever it does not really matter, its the final product.
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You're right, and I hope that this never ends up being the case for me. Of course I've had the machine for much less time than you have, but still, the box that the machine comes in is one big mofo, and repacking it I'm sure is a b!tch.
BTW I know that Babolat requires that the machine be shipped back to them for warranty repair service only in their original box. How on earth do they expect one to send back only individual components that may malfunction, such as the removable tensioning system? Surely not in the big box, I hope? Because disassembling the whole machine and packing it isn't something I imagine would be much fun.
There have been occasional mentions on TT of Tecnifibre introducing a new machine, but no mention for some time. What's the word - does anyone have any details?
I had contacted Wilson, before settling on the Star 5, to arrange to attend a demo of the Baiardo at a small local tourney listed on the baiardo.info site. The people I talked to at Wilson hadn't heard of the Baiardo, and knew nothing of Wilson's entry into the stringing machine market. And I never received a response to either a VM I left or to an email I sent later using the contact info listed on baiardo.info.
Ditto Yonex, when I called to ask about the ES5. They didn't know anything about the ES5(pricing etc) but said they'd get the info and get back to me no later than the next day, but they never did.
In the end the price, the reputation of Babolat's aftersales service, and the generally favourable reviews of the Star 5 made the decision fairly easy.
Ditto Yonex, when I called to ask about the ES5. They didn't know anything about the ES5(pricing etc) but said they'd get the info and get back to me no later than the next day, but they never did.
In the end the price, the reputation of Babolat's aftersales service, and the generally favourable reviews of the Star 5 made the decision fairly easy.
Hope I'm understanding this properly, just in case: if/when something goes wrong, Babolat will send an empty cushioned crate to the machine owner, in which the individual malfunctioning component will be shipped back to Babolat for servicing?
most times I believe they will give you another part and you swap them. This is what kindof made me mad. I had my stringer for 2 months and they gave me a used turntable. I think the electrical componet they gave me was new but it had a strange serial number on it which probably lower the value of the machine too. MY machine then had 3 different serial numbers. The only thing I had left was the casing and the stand. The rest had been replaced.
Ah ok, so they'll send you a replacement for the part that's malfunctioning, you send them the original/malfunctioning part back in the same box/crate the replacement part came in.
I wouldn't be thrilled about having a practically new machine with a used/refurb turntable and things like that. The machine they gave you as a replacement, though - was it new, and have you had any issues with it?
Lakers4Life
Hall of Fame
I had contacted Wilson, before settling on the Star 5, to arrange to attend a demo of the Baiardo at a small local tourney listed on the baiardo.info site. The people I talked to at Wilson hadn't heard of the Baiardo, and knew nothing of Wilson's entry into the stringing machine market. And I never received a response to either a VM I left or to an email I sent later using the contact info listed on baiardo.info.
It's funny that people at Wilson don't know about the Baiardo. IMHO, some of the high end (high priced) machines are just there to put the company's name out. They are really not in the stringing machine business to make a whole lot of money, because their real "bread and butter" are the rackets and strings they sell. Most big box sport store will probably have a high-end Babolat, Prince, Technifibre (YULitle's videos) or even a Gamma 8xxx machine. I have yet to see a Baiardo in person, but then again how often does a store or shop replace their machine?
I would love to see a Baiardo and maybe even be able to string on one, or any other high end machine for that matter. The high-end machines are just luxury items that most of us common Joe's dream about using, but we'll probably never own, unless we get one used at a killer price.
It's funny that people at Wilson don't know about the Baiardo. IMHO, some of the high end (high priced) machines are just there to put the company's name out. They are really not in the stringing machine business to make a whole lot of money, because their real "bread and butter" are the rackets and strings they sell. Most big box sport store will probably have a high-end Babolat, Prince, Technifibre (YULitle's videos) or even a Gamma 8xxx machine. I have yet to see a Baiardo in person, but then again how often does a store or shop replace their machine?
I would love to see a Baiardo and maybe even be able to string on one, or any other high end machine for that matter. The high-end machines are just luxury items that most of us common Joe's dream about using, but we'll probably never own, unless we get one used at a killer price.
I'm with you, though Wilson's margin on the Baiardo may be pretty sweet, it's another way for them to get their name out there even more. Actually many racquet club pro shops and big box sports stores have Neos and other non-electric machines.
One stringer I'd met had a Star 5 and was contemplating replacing it with a Baiardo. He told me I could have it for $2750. No thanks!
That said, I don't think that machines such as the Star 5, which are in demand and sometimes have a wait list bought new, are often much less expensive on the secondary market.
The 2nd machine I received was a brand new machine. It was a machine I would've gotten if say I wanted to buy another machine. It wasnt refurbished or anything. Nate actually did take it out of the box in CO though to adjust the clamps for me and calibrated it. The calibration obviously didnt matter thought because whenver you move a machine it needs to be recalibrated. Now I'm very happy with my purchase though.
That's good to hear, hope I can avoid major problems though. Would you mind recapping the various problems you had with your Star 5?
It was honestly very minor things that caused me to have all those parts replaced. The turntable issue was a stripped screw that you use to adjust the clamps. That one if you pop the hub cap on the base. It was stripped and I tried to adjust the clamp and it locked up completely...new turntable, which was actually a used one. Then the with the tension head the metal strip that runs along with the pulling head to keep stuff from falling in the circuit board had a little but along the pulling head which actually could have been fixed easily. I actually did about 25 racquets with it like that. It just made a screetching loud scraping noise when you would pull tension from rubbing the metal on metal. the cut was probably from shipping. Then of coarse I had the issues with breaking all sorts of polys. I went through a ton a string gripper assemblys. I ended up taking it apart and sanding it down myself.
Depending on what the new Tecnifibre "star 5 beater" is like I might consider selling my star 5 and getting it if there isn't too much of a price difference. I would be willing to sell mine for about $2900 or which is $300 under what I paid for it because I got the 5 year warranty. That would only be if the TF machine is under $3200 or $3250ish.
vsbabolat
G.O.A.T.
Here is the new Tecnifibre Machine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbFeFVO6HyY&feature=channel
http://www.tecnifibre.com/en/stringing-machine
The Tecnifibre Machines are Manufactured in France.
The stringing machines factory Spenlé Pizzera is the leading historical company for stringing machines development and production since 1949. Spenlé Pizzera owns most patents than any other factory on professional stringing machines worldwide.
The factory masters all production stages, from conception to production for all mechanical and electronical parts on in 100% Made in France machines.
Reliability-Quality-Innovation are the key words to best describe the Spenlé know-how.
http://www.tecnifibre.com/en/pages/industrial-know-how
VS Babolat thanks for your post. Thats great information, but the machine I'm referring to is supposed to come with a traveling case and has not been released yet and there are no pictures of it yet. It is supposed to be released next year like January. I think the Ergo Select will be an amzing machine but, I think it will be priced more like a Sensor or Bairdo. The machine next year is supposed to compete directly with the star 5.
Star_5_15, thanks for sharing your issues. Still having poly troubles?
VSBabolat, thanks for that link, I had no idea that TF has a Baiardo competitor. But yeah, I was wondering about the TF machine to compete with the Star5.
beernutz
Hall of Fame
Respectfully, have you considered starting another thread to resolve the issues with your star 5? This thread is for people to post pictures of their stringers.
</nit mode>
dgdawg
Professional
Equinox platform-SP table, clamps, clamp bases-Wise w/custom mounting bracket.
Not finished modding. Needs paint, Alpha clamp bases and maybe an Equinox table package.
I'll post more when it's complete.
Everything is solid as a rock!!!
Maybe I'll start a thread for pimped out machines. What'd ya think???
Not finished modding. Needs paint, Alpha clamp bases and maybe an Equinox table package.
I'll post more when it's complete.
Everything is solid as a rock!!!
Maybe I'll start a thread for pimped out machines. What'd ya think???
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lilxjohnyy
Hall of Fame
looks nice
Lakers4Life
Hall of Fame
dgdawg
Professional
1/2". It could probably be like, 9/16's or 17/32's.
I used the same width as the stock Wise mount.
Lakers4Life
Hall of Fame
^^^Is it me or does that base look faded?
ryangoring
Professional
It is an older progression. 600 fc. So maybe thats why. None the less a great machine.
LanEvo
Hall of Fame
no its just the flash from the camera and the reflection from it, as well as reflection of the deeper red colored rug
Lakers4Life
Hall of Fame
Are the string clamps Plastic or painted red?
LanEvo
Hall of Fame
they are plastic, im gonna upgrade later on but they work fine for now
dgdawg
Professional
Eagnas Comet 11
Hey-Nice stringer dude, looks familiar!!!!
Love your screen name!!!! Keep me posted on your progress.
Tell your dad I said hello.
Welcome aboard man. 8)
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Thanks, and nice stringer that you are making.
It looks exactly the same as mine.
Considering Eagnas likes to try and imitate top brands it does make since.
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