Buying First Stringer - Used. Please help!

[ChadW]

Thanks again for all the input.

I picked up the machine last night.

Details:

Ektelon Model DE with H upgrade kit.

There are the newer (H) style clamps, longer table and guide bars, tensioner nob with single digit markings, upgraded racquet mounts, and other stuff I probably can't figure out yet. There's even the original manual!

What a great find for just $100.

So, after getting home and unloading the beast I decided to give it a shot on my Head Youtek Speed MP 16x19. Three and a half hours later I finished my first string job. I knew it would take a long time, and I made a few mistakes along the way, but I'm excited to try again and hopefully improve.

I'll take some time today to clean it up a bit, grease the bearings, and try some alcohol along the clamps and gripper (though they all held perfectly on my WeissCannon polyester last night).

You guys rock! Thanks again for the recommendations and guidance.

[dak95_00]

I'm jealous!

I emailed w/ David from this site

https://sites.google.com/site/string...nd-de-upgrades

about his upgrade Youtube videos for machines like yours and he is getting ready to market a table upgrade w/ fixed clamps for approx. $250 or less. After you get a little better, you could do the upgrade and have what amounts to be a Prince Neos 1500 for $350. Amazing!

[ChadW]

Originally Posted by dak95_00

I'm jealous!
upgrade Youtube videos for machines like yours and he is getting ready to market a table upgrade w/ fixed clamps for approx. $250 or less. After you get a little better, you could do the upgrade and have what amounts to be a Prince Neos 1500 for $350. Amazing!

Thanks.

What would an upgraded table look like for me? I've looked through David's site too, and wondered about upgrading to the Gamma 6 point coversion, but I don't know that that's particularly necessary since I already have the H model upgrade. What do you think?

[MAX PLY]

ChadW,

Congrats on the stringer (as I said earlier, I almost jumped on it but restoring it would have been a hobby not a need). A couple of things:

1. If you need the H manual, post an e-mail and I can send you a pdf.

2. When cleaning, I think you will find alcohol (I used denatured but I think rubbing alcohol will work just fine) the best solution. Since there are many crevices and small areas, I typically use a toothbrush, Q-tips and a cotton shoelace (good for clamp teeth the tension head grabber) in addition to a soft cloth.

3. Clean everything--one thing many folks forget is to wipe down the glidebars and the inside of the clamps that grab the bar. And if you keep it clean, it continues to be a workhorse.

4. It should need very little lubrication -- I typically use sewing machine oil but 3 in 1 should work fine.

5. Consider investing in a cover or find a big piece of material to cover it when not in use.

Good luck and happy stringing.

P.S.: With the H upgrade, I do not believe that you need the 6-pt mounting.

[dak95_00]

I wouldn't do the 6 point mounting either.

This is what I'm talking about....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ShDORYUXYA

I contacted him and he said he would be setting a price soon at approx. $230.

[ChadW]

Thanks Max.

The thing came with the H model manual, which helped me a lot as I got going last night.

Also, the cover was in the box (just a vinyl bag of sorts).

[ChadW]

Originally Posted by dak95_00

I wouldn't do the 6 point mounting either.

This is what I'm talking about....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ShDORYUXYA

I contacted him and he said he would be setting a price soon at approx. $230.

Ah, yes. I saw that video too. I like the look of my 5-tooth glide bar clamps though, so I didn't think much of it. Would his clamps make that much difference? They don't seem to move too smoothly either...Hmmm...

But, I'm new at this, so what do I know?!?!

[beernutz]

Originally Posted by Irvin

If you never plan to string fan pattern rackets, use ATW patterns, or use the short side for the top cross or two I would go with one of the glide bar machines.

If not the fixed clamps 602 is your best bet.

Minor nit, you can string fan patterns on a Neos/Ektelon using universal flying clamps. I've done it a few times.

[MAX PLY]

Originally Posted by ChadW

Thanks Max.

The thing came with the H model manual, which helped me a lot as I got going last night.

Also, the cover was in the box (just a vinyl bag of sorts).

Wow, even a better deal than I thought. Not sure which cover you have--my original Ektelon cover is vinyl and nylon and I will bet you using it has added years of useful life to my machine.

[ChadW]

Originally Posted by MAX PLY

Wow, even a better deal than I thought. Not sure which cover you have--my original Ektelon cover is vinyl and nylon and I will bet you using it has added years of useful life to my machine.

Thanks again MAX

I got into it with some rubbing alcohol and q-tips and am thrilled at how clean I was able to get it.

If you wouldn't mind sending me the .pdf you have, just to be sure that nothing is missing from my included manual, I'd appreciate it. (By the way, it's kind of funny seeing literature like that from a company that lists a contact fax number, and no website information--times have changed, eh?)


chwaisath (at) hotmail

thanks

[MAX PLY]

^^^

Done--should be on its way. No website . . . I feel really old now (I bought my H brand new in 1986).

[ChadW]

Now, an actual stringing question:

In the throat, do I want to pull the strings above or below the frame? There's a height adjustment on the throat mounting point, and on my first attempt, I raised it up so that I could take the string below the throat/handle to the tensioner. But I see on a lot of videos now that others pull over the frame (between the triangle made by the throat joining and the bottom hoop of the stringbed).

Which is preferred?

Thanks again!

[MAX PLY]

Either will work. If you pull over the frame, you might wish to put a small pad on the frame so that the string doesn't mar the frame. I have a small strip of leather (left over from a regriping) that I keep in my tray for padding purposes. Just about anything will work to protect the frame.

Also, wanted to confirm that you did get the H manual?

[Tennusdude]

Originally Posted by Irvin

If you never plan to string fan pattern rackets, use ATW patterns, or use the short side for the top cross or two I would go with one of the glide bar machines.

If not the fixed clamps 602 is your best bet.

Irvin, do you know if the Prince P-200 can be disassembled and how so? can the stand come off at least/

Why cant you do around the world with glide bars? it only takes a few extra seconds to take slide the clamp off the rail and position on the the other rail>> Thanks

[Irvin]

Originally Posted by Tennusdude

Irvin, do you know if the Prince P-200 can be disassembled and how so? can the stand come off at least/

Why cant you do around the world with glide bars? it only takes a few extra seconds to take slide the clamp off the rail and position on the the other rail>> Thanks

Not sure about the P-200 I had a p-100. Wat type of disassembly are you referring to?

You can do an ATW with a glide bar machine it is just more difficult. Some glide bar machine have the same glide bars for the mains and crosses. If so then only a main or a cross glide bar can be on the machine at the same time. Depending on the ATW pattern used it could get complicated, and if you don't have a starting clamp forget it.

[Lakers4Life]

A friend of mine recently bought a Ektelon DE with an H upgrade. This machine was previously owned by Wayne Zeyen, a well known stringer in the Stockton area. He passed away a while back and his family was selling his machine.

The machine had a half glide bar clamp. I don't know if this was a standard part.

On a rare occasion, I have to agree with Irvin. An ATW can be done with a glide bar machine, it's just more difficult. Basically when you start the ATW, you will need to move the glide bar perpendicularly (90 degrees), while holding the string in the tensioner. Though it can be done without a starting clamp, though it would be helpful. (this is where I disagree with Irvin) If you make a mistake, you are SOL. Which brings me back to the half bar clamp. I think it can be used to clamp the perpendicular string while the full glide bar is still holding the previous string. I'll have to give it a try, to make sure, but I think it's possible.

[dak95_00]

I posted a video of me stringing an ATW w/ a P200 on here and on Youtube. Search either. I didn't edit it for time but you'd get the idea. I use a floating clamp instead of a starting clamp.

Email me if you want the manual for the P200. It can come apart. The only issues are that you really need to snip off about 1 inch of the hoses before reattaching; at least, that is what Prince suggests.

[Irvin]

Originally Posted by Lakers4Life

A friend of mine recently bought a Ektelon DE with an H upgrade. This machine was previously owned by Wayne Zeyen, a well known stringer in the Stockton area. He passed away a while back and his family was selling his machine.

The machine had a half glide bar clamp. I don't know if this was a standard part.

On a rare occasion, I have to agree with Irvin. An ATW can be done with a glide bar machine, it's just more difficult. Basically when you start the ATW, you will need to move the glide bar perpendicularly (90 degrees), while holding the string in the tensioner. Though it can be done without a starting clamp, though it would be helpful. (this is where I disagree with Irvin) If you make a mistake, you are SOL. Which brings me back to the half bar clamp. I think it can be used to clamp the perpendicular string while the full glide bar is still holding the previous string. I'll have to give it a try, to make sure, but I think it's possible.

The half bars rested on a rail in the center if the table. You best have the right turntable and bars if you are going to try it. Half bars were used for crosses on the P-100 and the long bar for the mains. You could not have a half bar and long bar on the same side if the turntable.

EDIT: Here is a picture showing a short bar and long bar mounted on the P-100 stringer.

[Lakers4Life]

I'll post a picture next time I go to my friend's house. It's different from your picture. His has a a full box in the center like any other Model D or H. Also it's a shop model with a steel cabinet base stand. It's easier to post a picture than describing it.

Update: Here is a picture of what I'm talking about.