Maybe getting a Eagnas...

[Lakers4Life]

Originally Posted by TheLambsheadrep

Well, I prob wouldn't buy it for $100 just to sell parts to make $100 back haha. I'm assuming you mean that even if it is cracked it is still fully operational (and safe for the racquets. And myself while we're at it, I do care for my own safety haha) but the value is now more in line with $100

Parted out it's worth at least $200. I've bought a Flex 740 before with missing clamps and side supports, for $70. It would of cost me $150 to get all the parts, but I ended up parting it out for way more that if I had gotten it fully working.

The clamps alone are worth $80 for the pair, the mounting tower are another $80, the base clamps $40, $20 for the gripper, $20 for the cluch hub, and the drop weight bar and weight are another $40. That's $180 in profit. For a machine that is worth at best $200.

[TheLambsheadrep]

Originally Posted by Lakers4Life

Parted out it's worth at least $200. I've bought a Flex 740 before with missing clamps and side supports, for $70. It would of cost me $150 to get all the parts, but I ended up parting it out for way more that if I had gotten it fully working.

The clamps alone are worth $80 for the pair, the mounting tower are another $80, the base clamps $40, $20 for the gripper, $20 for the cluch hub, and the drop weight bar and weight are another $40. That's $180 in profit. For a machine that is worth at best $200.

allrighty then haha

[mmk]

Originally Posted by Lakers4Life

Parted out it's worth at least $200. I've bought a Flex 740 before with missing clamps and side supports, for $70. It would of cost me $150 to get all the parts, but I ended up parting it out for way more that if I had gotten it fully working.

The clamps alone are worth $80 for the pair, the mounting tower are another $80, the base clamps $40, $20 for the gripper, $20 for the cluch hub, and the drop weight bar and weight are another $40. That's $180 in profit. For a machine that is worth at best $200.

Exactly, I just had to order the clamps from Eagnas for $110 shipped. $100 for the machine is a bargain.

[tbuggle]

i doubt it is cracked. heck, that might a cobweb strung across the table. maybe a scratch, but i'd think he'd have said such when he mentioned "perfect working order".

[tbuggle]

L4L,

Do those PN-1012 clamps fit your gamma bases properly?

[Lakers4Life]

Originally Posted by tbuggle

L4L,

Do those PN-1012 clamps fit your gamma bases properly?

Yes the work fine.

[TheLambsheadrep]

Originally Posted by tbuggle

i doubt it is cracked. heck, that might a cobweb strung across the table. maybe a scratch, but i'd think he'd have said such when he mentioned "perfect working order".

I meant that "perfect working order" is an answer I am looking for him to say when I ask him about how it functions. I have not had the chances to talk to him yet

[Woolybugger]

go ahead and buy it. if it doesn't work, throw it through his window.

[Rumruner]

Originally Posted by Woolybugger

go ahead and buy it. if it doesn't work, throw it through his window.

You may be happy the day you buy it but much happier the day you get rid of it. Skip this part of your stringing life and go to the next level.

[diredesire]

Originally Posted by Rumruner

You may be happy the day you buy it but much happier the day you get rid of it. Skip this part of your stringing life and go to the next level.

This is what I tell all new stringers... some people end up happy enough with their low end machines, though. Many others are back within a few months harping on technique to people with a decade+ experience on them. It's entertaining at times

OP: It's fine for a starter machine, I wouldn't expect it to last you your whole stringing career if you want a new hobby. You will almost certainly upgrade unless you hate stringing

I should also note those clamp bases/turn table are pretty bad. They will probably slip a lot on you. If you buy it just to learn for a while, it's not even a bad investment THEN! I would consider this a stopgap machine, though.

[1HandedBackhand]

I think its a good deal! If its cracked have it welded. Machine similar to this run about 350 to 450 dollars.

[TheLambsheadrep]

I picked it up last night - not a crack or chip, just a cob web and dust haha. I forgot to ask him if he's ever had a problem with it, but he didn't say that he had, Im still going to email him again. The scale is a sticker and some of it is coming off, but I'll be able to make it work and will prob try to fix it somehow.

It came with all the original parts including parts for stringing badminton (and maybe racquetball) racquets. He also threw in a set of gosen polybreak 18g string he had left over. For the finale, he sold it to me for $80. I definitely think it was worth the trip, and my girlfriend got 2 lamps for $60 and they said they were originally $260, which is crazy but if I was getting something she was, too haha.

I'll give more info later

[diredesire]

Originally Posted by TheLambsheadrep

I picked it up last night - not a crack or chip, just a cob web and dust haha. I forgot to ask him if he's ever had a problem with it, but he didn't say that he had, Im still going to email him again. The scale is a sticker and some of it is coming off, but I'll be able to make it work and will prob try to fix it somehow.

It came with all the original parts including parts for stringing badminton (and maybe racquetball) racquets. He also threw in a set of gosen polybreak 18g string he had left over. For the finale, he sold it to me for $80. I definitely think it was worth the trip, and my girlfriend got 2 lamps for $60 and they said they were originally $260, which is crazy but if I was getting something she was, too haha.

I'll give more info later

Honestly, don't worry about it too much. Start watching YULitle videos for a "quick start" guide, and then string some racquets. You'll quickly find where the machine is or is not deficient. You most likely won't see any issues until you work on higher end machines, anyways. Think: "Oh, my clamps aren't supposed to slide that amount when they're "locked down"?" It's not a big deal, starting machines are A-OK. If nothing else, you'll actually get a better feel for how to deal with machine related issues than someone who starts on a Star 5

[tbuggle]

I fully agree with DD that starting on a "lower end" (although perfectly adequate) machine may more quickly teach you more of the ins and outs, subtleties, physics etc of the craft than someone who starts on a star 5, etc.

And that's not to say there's anything wrong with NEVER having used a table top DW. But, IMO there is more thinking involved in many aspects using said DW.

[Lakers4Life]

That's a great starter machine. Post some pics after you get it cleaned up.

[TheLambsheadrep]

Originally Posted by Lakers4Life

That's a great starter machine. Post some pics after you get it cleaned up.

I haven't thoroughly cleaned it just yet since I don't know what is safe/not safe to use on the finish and the various parts, but I do have two pictures to show you guys something. After watching the intro videos on stringing I wanted to try to mount a frame to see how it would go and how snug it gets. The first racquet I grabbed was a Donnay X-Dual Pro, and after getting it on fine, I noticed a few things. Here are the pictures www.flickr.com/photos/38221599@N05/8462601463/

First, there is no cushion between the metal post and the frame. Especially for the XDP with the matte paint finish, I can see this leading to a lot of scrape marks. If you look at the pictures, you can see that I took a 1"x1" band aid and wrapped it around each post so the small piece of gauze gives some kind of barrier. I don't know how long it will stay, but I'm hoping it helps (and at the very least does not cause any new problems).

Second, you can see from both pictures that the post seems to cover a lot of space where the string passes through the grommet. The XDP is a 18x20 and I only have one other right now (Head Pro Tour). I put a 18x19 that is already strung and it looked like it would be fine, but does there appear to be enough room to string the middle mains of a 18x20? Common sense says there is since it makes no sense for them to make it so there wouldn't be, but if anyone has had trouble stringing a 18x20 in general or with the Hawk 80 specifically, please let me know.

Also, if anyone has cleaning tips for stringing machines in general or with the Hawk 80 specifically, please let me know so I can post respectable pictures and get my first racquet done!

[Lakers4Life]

I would use a damp microfibre towel first. Then if you have any greasy spots, rubbing alcohol. The posts don't touch the frame because of the spacer pad.

Here are your pics:

[TheLambsheadrep]

The grommets on the XDP aren't very long without string tension pulling them through, so if the frame wasn't touching the post it was very very close and then the friction I was feeling was from the post touching the grommets. Did you ever string a 18x20 and have problems with the middle mains (or any area at that)?

Thanks for posting my pics, I have tried to do it before on other threads following the "how to" posts but still could never get them on. Either way

[TheLambsheadrep]

Originally Posted by Lakers4Life

I would use a damp microfibre towel first.

With water, but with/without soap or other cleaner?

[tbuggle]

alcohol works great.

also, WD-40 is a great cleaner too, fwiw.