Gamma 602FC with a Wise 2086 tension head

[rich s]

I have just successfully mounted a Wise 2086 tension head to a Gamma Progression II 602 FC.

The links are below.

It wasn't as difficult as I thought. Two pieces of aluminum and some stainless hardware from Lowe's and 2 hours later I have an electronic stringer.


http://tinypic.com/f2lwmf.jpg

http://tinypic.com/f2lwtd.jpg

[jj300]

looks great. you may have saved people some money now cuz they can get a dropweight and mold this like you did. Great work.

[dancraig]

Great idea!

[Mike Cottrill]

Looks Good. Were you able to do the mod without any permanent modifications? Looks like a nice finish too.
Mike

[rich s]

Originally Posted by Mike Cottrill

Looks Good. Were you able to do the mod without any permanent modifications? Looks like a nice finish too.
Mike

Mike-
the only permanent mod I had to do to retain the stock 602 appearance was cutting a rectangular hole in the plastic tray for the mount to extend thru. Everything else is unmodified.

I used a 6" length of 1/4"x2" aluminum strap and a 6" length of 1.5"x1.5"x 1/8" aluminum angle and some Stainless steel screws, nuts and washers from Lowe's.

If any body wants dimensions plans and material list for the bracket I will be more than happy to share them.

rich

[mellofelow]

Awesome!!! What a great idea. Thanks for sharing.

[barry]

Originally Posted by rich s

Mike-
the only permanent mod I had to do to retain the stock 602 appearance was cutting a rectangular hole in the plastic tray for the mount to extend thru. Everything else is unmodified.

I used a 6" length of 1/4"x2" aluminum strap and a 6" length of 1.5"x1.5"x 1/8" aluminum angle and some Stainless steel screws, nuts and washers from Lowe's.

If any body wants dimensions plans and material list for the bracket I will be more than happy to share them.

rich

Dimensions plans and material list would be great! Also looks like you have 360 rotation or close to 360.

Thanks

[rich s]

Originally Posted by barry

Dimensions plans and material list would be great! Also looks like you have 360 rotation or close to 360.

Thanks

Barry, give me a couple days and I will get some halfway decent looking sketches and all the hardware I bought.

I have full 360 rotation with my thinest frames that have 4 5/8 grips. The 602FC does not have a turn table brake and I didn't want the handle pressing up against the gripper when pulling the first few mains at the throat so I opted to mount the tensioner a little lower than I think would be ideal. I looked at pictures of the new Gamma 5800 and it looked like it has 360 deg rot so I just went with it.

To compensate for the added friction thru the grommets I plan to string about a pound or two higher tension than I normally do.

rich

[barry]

Originally Posted by rich s

Barry, give me a couple days and I will get some halfway decent looking sketches and all the hardware I bought.

I have full 360 rotation with my thinest frames that have 4 5/8 grips. The 602FC does not have a turn table brake and I didn't want the handle pressing up against the gripper when pulling the first few mains at the throat so I opted to mount the tensioner a little lower than I think would be ideal. I looked at pictures of the new Gamma 5800 and it looked like it has 360 deg rot so I just went with it.

To compensate for the added friction thru the grommets I plan to string about a pound or two higher tension than I normally do.

rich

I think I can figure it out from here using your description, Lowe’s has everything needed. My implementation would be a little different since the base plate is solid 3/8 inch steel. I would use 2 inch angle and drill to holes in the base, connect it, and position the 2 inch flat stock (with the Wise connected) to the height of the frame mount. Like you I would make sure I have 360 rotation before the final drilling, which to me is the biggest draw back of a drop weight machine.

Overall is the Wise an improvement over the drop weight system? And was it worth your time and effort?

Thanks

[rich s]

Originally Posted by barry

Overall is the Wise an improvement over the drop weight system? And was it worth your time and effort?

Thanks

Barry do you have a 602FC also? If you do I can save you the time of measuring everything

It was definitely worth the time and effort. It took me more time to track down the aluminum stock I wanted than it did to measure and fabricate and my 3 1/2 year old son insisted he had to "help" measure, layout and fabricate.

I didn't keep track of my time too closely but the Wise easily shaved 7-10 minutes off a racquet that used to take me 35 miuntes to string with the drop wt and that was the first time using the Wise. I'm sure I will be able to shave more time off once I get used to it.

[barry]

Originally Posted by rich s

Barry do you have a 602FC also? If you do I can save you the time of measuring everything

It was definitely worth the time and effort. It took me more time to track down the aluminum stock I wanted than it did to measure and fabricate and my 3 1/2 year old son insisted he had to "help" measure, layout and fabricate.

I didn't keep track of my time too closely but the Wise easily shaved 7-10 minutes off a racquet that used to take me 35 miuntes to string with the drop wt and that was the first time using the Wise. I'm sure I will be able to shave more time off once I get used to it.

Great to hear it was worth while.
I have an older (5 year old) drop weight machine with fixed clamps; it is an Eagnas star Y12-3 unit (http://www.eagnas.com/gif/y123.gif). Very heavy made, 6 point mounting system, spring assisted clamps. It weighs 85 pounds and I am debating to modify it or buy an Aria machine.

The drop weight assembly can be un-bolted, and I think it is simply a matter of drilling two holes centered with the angle brace. Securing it and installing the flat 2 inch stock for the Wise on the angle brace.

The only measurement I am missing is the Wise head measurement from the 2 inch stock to the gripper. My machine is low, only has 8 ½ inches from the base plate to the racket mounts. I could not find measurements on the Wise site.

[Mike Cottrill]

Originally Posted by rich s

Barry do you have a 602FC also? If you do I can save you the time of measuring everything

It was definitely worth the time and effort. It took me more time to track down the aluminum stock I wanted than it did to measure and fabricate and my 3 1/2 year old son insisted he had to "help" measure, layout and fabricate.

I didn't keep track of my time too closely but the Wise easily shaved 7-10 minutes off a racquet that used to take me 35 miuntes to string with the drop wt and that was the first time using the Wise. I'm sure I will be able to shave more time off once I get used to it.

Rich,
The parts list and procedure will be nice for those visiting the board. Fit looks nice and is nice alternative to upgrading.
Thanks
Mike

[Steve Huff]

Who said racquet stringers weren't rocket scientists!!!

[rich s]

Originally Posted by barry

The only measurement I am missing is the Wise head measurement from the 2 inch stock to the gripper. My machine is low, only has 8 ½ inches from the base plate to the racket mounts. I could not find measurements on the Wise site.

The dimension from the top of the 2" stock to the top of the linear gripper is 8.5 inches.

Hope this helps.

rich

[barry]

Originally Posted by rich s

The dimension from the top of the 2" stock to the top of the linear gripper is 8.5 inches.

Hope this helps.

rich

Thanks for the info; I sent an email to Wise and Herb is mailing a template with all the measurements. Found the parts at Lowe’s might double the bar thickness the Wise attaches too.

Also in Herbs Email:

“It is important that the gripper of the Wise lineup with the string coming through the frame.
We have a template which gives the dimensions of our machine and the height of the
Gripper. It is Free and if you send your full name and address we'll gladly send one
On to you.”
Wise USA
(Herb)

[rich s]

Originally Posted by barry

Also in Herbs Email:

“It is important that the gripper of the Wise lineup with the string coming through the frame.......

In which direction? Vertically or Laterally?

[barry]

Originally Posted by rich s

In which direction? Vertically or Laterally?

Rich s

I am not sure, when I receive the template drawing, will post it on the web, it should be here by Saturday.

He also sent me a picture of your implementation, small world!

I may have a problem with my implementation if the Wise unit is 8 1/2 high (base to gripper), my frame mount height is 8 1/2 so it might be two inches to high.

[rich s]

Originally Posted by barry

I may have a problem with my implementation if the Wise unit is 8 1/2 high (base to gripper), my frame mount height is 8 1/2 so it might be two inches to high.

Barry-
The base of the Wise that accepts the tension bar on crank machines is bolted to the bottom of the Wise unit with three cap screws and is ~1/2" thick. You could remove the base that accepts the tension bar and make an adapter to bolt up to the three cap screws that hold the original base. That would shorten the unit at least 2 1/2 inches.

Let me know if you want to see pictures if your drawings don't show what I am trying to describe.

rich

[barry]

Originally Posted by rich s

Barry-
The base of the Wise that accepts the tension bar on crank machines is bolted to the bottom of the Wise unit with three cap screws and is ~1/2" thick. You could remove the base that accepts the tension bar and make an adapter to bolt up to the three cap screws that hold the original base. That would shorten the unit at least 2 1/2 inches.

Let me know if you want to see pictures if your drawings don't show what I am trying to describe.

rich

Rich

I ordered the Wise 2086, plus foot padel, and it should be here in 2 weeks. Wise is back ordered. I think you are right about removing the crank attachment. A picture would be a big help.
Guy Perez built a piece of angle iron, which I now have which works if I mount it on the bottom. Only issue is I have to raise the base 4 inches to still fit on the table top. I think I can mount the angle iron on the top, use you idea of removing the Wise attachment, and it will come out the correct height. Plus my machine has adjustments for heights, can extend it 1 inch in if necessary.

Thanks

Here is a couple of pictures of the brace Guy had built.

http://img467.imageshack.us/img467/8215/dsc020771ag.jpg
http://img467.imageshack.us/img467/9611/dsc020789ks.jpg

[rich s]

Barry-

For clarification-

You want pictures of the Tension head without the base that accepts the tension bar?