Silent Partner eStringer for $150?

[shroyer@mc.edu]

im looking at buying my first stringing machine and i was wondering if this is a good deal. i've heard about getting klipper or gamma but i really want something with fixed clamps. from what i hear the floating clamps on cheaper machines are a huge pain so ive been looking at my other options. i found this machine online for $150. it looks the same as an x2 or klippermate but with fixed clamps. will the cheap electronics be inaccurate? thats my main concern, thanks

[Lakers4Life]

If you want something with fixed clamps, then spend your money on Fixed Clamps. Don't waste your time on floating clamps, especially if you don't have a lot of patience. I see fixed clamp machines going for $200-$300.

[Irvin]

Originally Posted by shroyer@mc.edu

im looking at buying my first stringing machine and i was wondering if this is a good deal. i've heard about getting klipper or gamma but i really want something with fixed clamps. from what i hear the floating clamps on cheaper machines are a huge pain so ive been looking at my other options. i found this machine online for $150. it looks the same as an x2 or klippermate but with fixed clamps. will the cheap electronics be inaccurate? thats my main concern, thanks

Some of the cheaper machines are electronic but not constant pull be careful.

[diredesire]

Originally Posted by Irvin

Some of the cheaper machines are electronic but not constant pull be careful.

The eStringer falls into this category. I owned the FL as my starter machine, and it takes quite a bit of tension drop for it to start the repulling process. As a starter machine the overall package is pretty comparable to the other cheap machines out there. Clamps are solid, tensioner is OK/good for what it is. Due to the (relative) complexity, expect it to break down faster than other machines in the price point (drop weights).

I thought SP went out of (stringing machine) business? If you're buying used you could get it cheaper...

[Lakers4Life]

Originally Posted by diredesire

I thought SP went out of (stringing machine) business? If you're buying used you could get it cheaper...

They did, i think this is used machine. FWIW, I'm starting to see Volkl e.stringer machine show up recently.

[shroyer@mc.edu]

any word on how theses Volkl machines are? and my budget is less than $200. id love to go an extra 100 for a gamma 602 but i just cant do it since its my first machine. so would i be better off getting this or a Klipper/x2/progression 200? the price is including shipping btw. also Diredesire what did you mean by "and it takes quite a bit of tension drop for it to start the repulling process" im new so thats probably why im not sure what you mean thanks

[shroyer@mc.edu]

also just to clarify this is the version with the fixed clamps

[Lakers4Life]

I don't think you can get that machine for $150. I've seen the floating clamp version for at least $250.

I can't seem to find any information on the Volkl e.Stringer, other than the ad in CL. I think the guy made it up, who knows.

[Faithfulfather]

Here is a link to a Volkl stringer. Not sure if this is the one the OP is referring to, however, it is an e-stringer made by Volkl.
http://for-sale.yakaz.com/tennis-rac...08s5llnf8lkusi

Now that I look more carefully at the said "Volkl", there is no indication that it is actually a Volkl stringer. Who knows.

[Lakers4Life]

Thats the same guy.

[diredesire]

Originally Posted by Faithfulfather

Here is a link to a Volkl stringer. Not sure if this is the one the OP is referring to, however, it is an e-stringer made by Volkl.
http://for-sale.yakaz.com/tennis-rac...08s5llnf8lkusi

Now that I look more carefully at the said "Volkl", there is no indication that it is actually a Volkl stringer. Who knows.

Not made by Volkl. That is the SP e.Stringer FL.

Originally Posted by shroyer@mc.edu

any word on how theses Volkl machines are? and my budget is less than $200. id love to go an extra 100 for a gamma 602 but i just cant do it since its my first machine. so would i be better off getting this or a Klipper/x2/progression 200? the price is including shipping btw. also Diredesire what did you mean by "and it takes quite a bit of tension drop for it to start the repulling process" im new so thats probably why im not sure what you mean thanks

You seem to be fixed on your budget, which is fine, but I urge you to take a step back and look at the big picture. Unless you're very on the fence about the long term benefits, I would consider buying a higher end machine to start. I just see SO MANY "newbies" asking about <$200 machines, get bit by the bug, then drop an easy grand on their next "upgrade."

If I were strictly limited to $200 (and that's fine), I would probably skip these e.Stringers. If you CAN get the fixed clamp for $200, it's an OK machine, but the fixed clamps are cone lock and may require some constant maintenance to hold well. Flying clamps are pretty comparable to these cheap clamps. I'm not sure if they ended up changing the design since I bought my FL, but I had to torque the clamps down pretty hard, and the surface of the bottom of the clamps weren't as well machined as they should be, so they didn't mate well, and rotated when tension was released.

Edit: TL;DR - I'd wait for a LF/SW floating clamp machine (MS200, ML100) used, or get something like an X-2 to start with if you're fixed on the $200 number... I'd up my budget to the 602FC at least if I were starting. You get way more machine for your money, and if you're a constant string breaker, it'll pay for itself within 2 years max.

[shroyer@mc.edu]

thanks for the advice. i think ive decided to let this go and wait for either a better deal to show up on a nicer machine, or a time when i have a little higher budget. thanks for everyone's suggestions

[Lakers4Life]

Just keep watching your local Craigslist. In my area there are at least one that gets listed each month. If you live in an area where It might not likely come up, you may have to drive a bit or pay a premium.