dropweight v. crank

iconoclast

New User
I'm thinking about getting a stringing machine, and thought to ask about what system do you guys think is better overall--I'm probably going to use it two or three times a month. Your feedback will be much appreciated.
 

DRtenniS1112

Semi-Pro
Despite what many say dropweights are incredibly accurate as long as you are dropping it to parallel with the ground every single time. With that being said cranks are also very accurate as long as you calibrate them every so often. Drop weights are generally cheaper however I would suggest a nice expensive dropweight machine over a cheap crank. The upper end cranks are incredibly nice and will probably not need to be upgraded for a long time. Cranks are also much quicker than dropweights. All in all I think it is preference. I have a dropweight and a crank and I use the crank because it is quicker and I like the mounting more.
 

Richie Rich

Legend
well, i just upgraded my gamma II dropweight to a 6 pt mount and couldn't be happier. takes me about 30 minutes to string a frame including set up. advantage of dropweight, for me, is cheaper than crank, and as the good DR said too - you never have to calibrate a dropweight and it is accurate if operated correctly.

whatever you decide on (crank or DW) buy the best machine in your price range. and if you can afford it, fixed clamps are better than floating clamps.
 
Cranks tend to be quite a bit faster.

However, they are lockout machines and require calibration.

If you're low on cash, go with a nice dropweight.

Else, get a reputable crank like an Alpha.
 

Redflea

Hall of Fame
There is a post here regarding the accuracy of drop weights being much better than expected, even if you don't get them 100% parallel to the floor...being within 10% of desired resulted in insignificant differences from desired tension. I can't find the post, since the webboard SW upgrade the old link to the post goes to the wrong place now....I got a drop-weight, the additional $ for a crank didn't make sense for me, given the relatively small number of racquets I'll be stringing.

Check out the Alpha Pioneer DC, and the Gamma drop weights, I liked them the best...bought an Alpha.
 

hadoken

Semi-Pro
A dropweight, used right, is very accurate. I don't think anyone on this board would disagree with the laws of physics. It's just that it takes longer with a dropweight. And if you get a high end dropweight with a fixed clamp, your incremental cost to get a crank is not that much more so people tend to upsell to a crank. Having strung many years on a dropweight and a crank (i use an older gamma now) I would never go back to a dropweight even if I string a low volume...again machines last *years* so think of the costs that way. You'll enjoy stringing more witha crank than a dropweight over the long haul.
 

theace21

Hall of Fame
After you have strung for a while with a drop weight, you will wish you had a crank. It really comes down to your budget. If you can afford a crank machine, get it. A stringing machine is an investment. If you string 3 rackets a month, 36 a year - you will easily save $10 per racket (360 per year).

How much much do you want to spend?
 

iconoclast

New User
Excellent feedback!! Thank you, everyone.

So, the consensus seems to be that although dropweight is very accurate it tends to be somewhat cumbersome. Also, that a crank is more enjoyable but it requires somekind of calibration. How do you calibrate it?

I agree with all of you when you say that it is better to spend some more a get a good quality machine. I am thinking about fixed clamps and 6 mounting points, but first I need to decide whether I should go for dropweight.

Redflea, where did you buy your Alpha from?
 

skraggle

Professional
Look for an older Alpha Pioneer III

Found one on the bay and have been super happy with it. Not sure why people think dropweights are so hard to use...
 

Redflea

Hall of Fame
I bought mine direct from Alpha...www.alphatennis.com...the guys there are very nice and helpful, and the price from them vs. vendors was the same.

<Doorbell> IT'S HERE!! Just arrived, coincidentally...gotta go unpack/drool...

Highly recommend the Alpha guys...
 

Richie Rich

Legend
Found one on the bay and have been super happy with it. Not sure why people think dropweights are so hard to use...

once you get used to them they are fine. i get a racquet strung in 30 minutes with mine - can't complain. i like the fact that i don't have to worry about calibration.
 
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