First time string machine

clarky · 12-28-2012, 02:16 PM

Hi All,

I want to buy myself a stringing machine for my own and friends racquets. Also I would eventually like to run a small stringing business from home so also something that I can use into the future.

What would you guys recommend especially considering down the track ill be hoping to do quite a bit of stringing from home

Thanks

cluckcluck · 12-28-2012, 02:23 PM

What's your budget? Have you ever strung before?

mad dog1 · 12-28-2012, 02:32 PM

here's a good starting point.

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=213946

clarky · 12-28-2012, 03:48 PM

Budget is around 1k to 1500. Not strung before but my current stringer will teach me. But the easier to use the better.

kimguroo · 12-28-2012, 04:16 PM

here is some thought processes when I bought stringing machines.
1. Set the budget
2. type of machine (drop weight, crank and electronic)
3. your personality

When I search for my first stringing machine, I set my budget about $300-500. I was thinking of drop weights but I was also looking for used crank machine locally too. I found like new condition silent partner Aria (electronic for $500 locally) but it was a little late. I think I searched over 6 months then I found Gamma progression ST II (Crank machine) for $450 with a stand. when I saw the machine, I could recognize that the machine was barely used. it was very good deal since it comes with a stand too. the funny thing was I needed some tools such as starting clamp, awl etc so I visited Silent partner website in the same day I bought the gamma. I found the close out deal of Opus (MSRP: $3000) which I could not resist. the deal was hard to believe and I thought it might be a lifetime chance to own high end electronic machine. It was very a hard decision because I just got the machine but I thought If I buy high end machine, I don't need to search or try to upgrade stringing machine anymore in the future so I bought OPUS. Never had any regrets in my decision. everything works very smooth and easy to stringing especially prince O3 rackets (my main racket is Japanese Rebel 95).

When you set the budget, you will know what kind of machine is the best option for you then your personality might play some part of decision.
In my case, I knew if I don't buy the electronic machine at that time, I might still search for good electronic machine in the future. I did not want to deal anymore so I bought the machine. If you have money to spend high end electronic machine, there is nothing wrong to buy a first stringing machine for electronics.

tight budget (under $200) : Gamma Progression 200 or Klippermate (drop weight)
low budget ($300-500): Gamma Progression II 602 (drop weight)
Low-high ($500-1000) : ALPHA Revo 4000 or Gamma Progression ST II (Crank).
Mid budget ($1000-$1500) : ALPHA Axis Pro (less than $1000) Prince neo 1000, 1500, Gamma 5003, 6004 (crank).
Mid high ($1500-$2000) : I won't buy any in this price range because you only can get entry level electronic but crank might be a much better option.
High low ($2000-2500) : Gamma 5800 (electronic)
High medium ($2500-3000). I can't think of any machine in this price range and might expend a little more to buy next level. I've seen alpha odessey might be this price range but have not heard anymore for the machine.
High ($3000 over) : there are some high end machines but babolat star 5 might be the most popular and Wilson Baiardo might be most wanted haha.
there are more high ends machines but in this level, it depends on stringers preferences.

you can get cheaper alternative stringing machine but usually name brand might have better resale value though (I sold my gamma for $500 within a day, never strung any on the machine haha).

Good luck with your search and take time to find a good deal.
stringing machines are strange that some people bought new machine then stringing rackets for less than 50. After that stop stringing anymore for a year or more then decide to sell for half prices. .
I often see like new condition stringing machine for more than half price off.

kimguroo · 12-28-2012, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clarky

Budget is around 1k to 1500. Not strung before but my current stringer will teach me. But the easier to use the better.

probably, you will choose one of the machine from Mid budget ($1000-$1500) : ALPHA Axis Pro (less than $1000) Prince neo 1000, 1500, Gamma 5003, 6004 (crank).

Maybe you can later get a wise electronic system.

Can't tell you the detail information on the machine but Brake will be very useful when you stringing prince o3 rackets.
When I string my rebels, I almost always think that how easy to string cross o3 rackets with a brake on my machine.

In your budget, you might be able to find used electronic but it will be very tough.

it seems like prince 1500 or gamma 6004 might be the best.
if you want 6 pt system, you should go with 6004. if you like 2 pt, prince 1500 might be better.
Heard Prince 1500 might be the best idea to put wise electronic tension system because you can't use 360 degree option
both machines are good so you can go either.

you can see link for some comments between two machines.
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=385507

Lakers4Life · 12-29-2012, 05:22 PM

Brake wise, between the Prince 1500 and Gamma 6004, et all. The Prince brake is metal, where as the Gamma is plastic. $1500 is pretty good budget, many combination come to mind. If you live in area where you might be able to get a used machine, you might be able to get a decent electronic or afford a Wise 2086 Pro.

db10s · 01-01-2013, 01:40 PM

Prince NEOS 1000 used/new and a wise tensioner.

12-28-2012, 02:16 PM	#1
clarky Rookie Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 128	First time string machine Hi All, I want to buy myself a stringing machine for my own and friends racquets. Also I would eventually like to run a small stringing business from home so also something that I can use into the future. What would you guys recommend especially considering down the track ill be hoping to do quite a bit of stringing from home Thanks __________________ Head Youtek IG Prestige MP/Volkl Cyclone 17 @ 52lbs

12-28-2012, 02:23 PM	#2
cluckcluck Hall Of Fame Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Between the baseline and netcord. Posts: 1,661	What's your budget? Have you ever strung before? __________________ Bullfan, "Bull rap, there is video evidence." and "Dude it's on the Internet, and hasn't been hidden."

12-28-2012, 03:48 PM	#4
clarky Rookie Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 128	Budget is around 1k to 1500. Not strung before but my current stringer will teach me. But the easier to use the better. __________________ Head Youtek IG Prestige MP/Volkl Cyclone 17 @ 52lbs

12-28-2012, 04:16 PM	#5
kimguroo Hall Of Fame Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 1,991	here is some thought processes when I bought stringing machines. 1. Set the budget 2. type of machine (drop weight, crank and electronic) 3. your personality When I search for my first stringing machine, I set my budget about $300-500. I was thinking of drop weights but I was also looking for used crank machine locally too. I found like new condition silent partner Aria (electronic for $500 locally) but it was a little late. I think I searched over 6 months then I found Gamma progression ST II (Crank machine) for $450 with a stand. when I saw the machine, I could recognize that the machine was barely used. it was very good deal since it comes with a stand too. the funny thing was I needed some tools such as starting clamp, awl etc so I visited Silent partner website in the same day I bought the gamma. I found the close out deal of Opus (MSRP: $3000) which I could not resist. the deal was hard to believe and I thought it might be a lifetime chance to own high end electronic machine. It was very a hard decision because I just got the machine but I thought If I buy high end machine, I don't need to search or try to upgrade stringing machine anymore in the future so I bought OPUS. Never had any regrets in my decision. everything works very smooth and easy to stringing especially prince O3 rackets (my main racket is Japanese Rebel 95). When you set the budget, you will know what kind of machine is the best option for you then your personality might play some part of decision. In my case, I knew if I don't buy the electronic machine at that time, I might still search for good electronic machine in the future. I did not want to deal anymore so I bought the machine. If you have money to spend high end electronic machine, there is nothing wrong to buy a first stringing machine for electronics. tight budget (under $200) : Gamma Progression 200 or Klippermate (drop weight) low budget ($300-500): Gamma Progression II 602 (drop weight) Low-high ($500-1000) : ALPHA Revo 4000 or Gamma Progression ST II (Crank). Mid budget ($1000-$1500) : ALPHA Axis Pro (less than $1000) Prince neo 1000, 1500, Gamma 5003, 6004 (crank). Mid high ($1500-$2000) : I won't buy any in this price range because you only can get entry level electronic but crank might be a much better option. High low ($2000-2500) : Gamma 5800 (electronic) High medium ($2500-3000). I can't think of any machine in this price range and might expend a little more to buy next level. I've seen alpha odessey might be this price range but have not heard anymore for the machine. High ($3000 over) : there are some high end machines but babolat star 5 might be the most popular and Wilson Baiardo might be most wanted haha. there are more high ends machines but in this level, it depends on stringers preferences. you can get cheaper alternative stringing machine but usually name brand might have better resale value though (I sold my gamma for $500 within a day, never strung any on the machine haha). Good luck with your search and take time to find a good deal. stringing machines are strange that some people bought new machine then stringing rackets for less than 50. After that stop stringing anymore for a year or more then decide to sell for half prices. . I often see like new condition stringing machine for more than half price off. __________________ Men's Tennis Apparel Last edited by kimguroo : 12-28-2012 at 04:18 PM.

12-29-2012, 05:22 PM	#7
Lakers4Life Hall Of Fame Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Laker Land Posts: 3,638	Brake wise, between the Prince 1500 and Gamma 6004, et all. The Prince brake is metal, where as the Gamma is plastic. $1500 is pretty good budget, many combination come to mind. If you live in area where you might be able to get a used machine, you might be able to get a decent electronic or afford a Wise 2086 Pro. __________________ Machines: Gamma 6004 2-point w/ Wise 2086 & Babolat Sensor Dual

01-01-2013, 01:40 PM	#8
db10s Hall Of Fame Join Date: May 2012 Location: S. FL Posts: 1,971	Prince NEOS 1000 used/new and a wise tensioner. __________________ Dunlop D-Squad Member... So I'm biased towards Dunlop. Biomimetic Max 200G x3 and a few others...