Was this a good purchase?

DanS · Mar 30, 2018

Hi all...

I've been wanting to get into stringing my own racquets for quite some time. Mostly because I like to screw around with new string setups a lot on the never ending quest to find the holy grail of all string setups... yes, this is in addition to trying to find the holy grail of frame setups! What can I say, I'm a busy man! lol

Anyway, I made kind of a spur of the moment decision. I had been looking at the Klippermate, and Gamma X-2 but I came across an Eagnas Hawk 40 in just about new condition. In fact it doesn't look like most of the accessories and parts ever made their way out of the bags they came in. For those of you who haven't seen one before, it's a drop weight stringer similar to the other 2 I mentioned, however it's a 6 point stringer instead of 2.

Here is a link to the manufacturer's info page: http://eagnas.com/hawk40.html

After using a 15% off coupon, I ended up getting it for $130 shipped. It seems like I got a good price, but my unfamiliarity with the brand has me a little nervous. Was this a good purchase, or is it going to fall apart half way through the first string job?

10shoe · Mar 30, 2018

Read through "Bad Stranger Service" on the Eagnas site with the understanding that you are now a "Stranger".

Irvin · Mar 30, 2018

@DanS no matter if it is a good deal or not good luck with your stringer and I hope you enjoy it.

EDIT: ROGER THAT!

MAX PLY · Mar 30, 2018

Good luck and enjoy stringing. Honestly, irrespective of folks' comments, you can only go so wrong or so right on a $130 stringer--heck if you can get through 5 or 6 sticks (and it will last much longer than that), you've pretty much broken even.

am1899 · Mar 30, 2018

$130 is a darn good price.

Eagnas doesn’t have the greatest reputation. Their customer service approach is rather *cough* interesting (as in non-existent, or outright combative). Other common complaints involve quality control - machines and their parts seem not to be built to as tight of tolerances as other brands.

Having said all of that, I’ve seen and heard about a number of people who string on an Eagnas machine, and are perfectly happy.

IMHO - it’s a little bit of a crap shoot. But man, in your shoes...$130 would have been awfully tempting.

DanS · Mar 30, 2018

That $130 was including shipping which usually runs between $30-50 because they are so heavy.

As far as customer service goes, that would be like buying something at a garage sale and expecting it to have a warranty! lol

Thanks for the insight... I can't wait to get it so I can start learning!

jhupper · Mar 30, 2018

Hi, as pointed out at that price you aren't going to go wrong.

I had two eagnas machines previously (still have one as a manual backup), not heavily used but worked flawlessly so customer service was never an issue for me. If anything does do wrong they are fairly simple mechanically and you'l find help here or from a third party.

Get some cheap string, a practice racket and figure out the basics of the process, and crack on. All the best

DanS · Mar 30, 2018

jhupper said:
Hi, as pointed out at that price you aren't going to go wrong.

I had two eagnas machines previously (still have one as a manual backup), not heavily used but worked flawlessly so customer service was never an issue for me. If anything does do wrong they are fairly simple mechanically and you'l find help here or from a third party.

Get some cheap string, a practice racket and figure out the basics of the process, and crack on. All the best

I have a couple old racquets I can practice on, but I will have to try and find some really cheap reels I don't care about. I'm guessing the auction site will be the best place for that.

I know it has the floating clamps in the package (not sure how good they are though), but besides good needle nose pliers, are there any other tools you can think of that are essential for me to get before I can start?

esgee48 · Mar 30, 2018

A reel of Prince Tournament Nylon or Forten Sweet are soft easy strings to practice with. You can even play with them. Review the videos on starting mains. There are several that use floating clamps. If you don't like that, then get a Starting Clamp. That's all you probably need to start using the machine. Oh, and RTFM.

Chadillac · Mar 30, 2018

I still use a eagnas converted drop weight table top (put it on a stand). I had great customer service, some of the people on the phone dont know a whole lot (if you dont have part number), you have to talk with the boss man (forget his name). He is very friendly and knows every part on the machine. I had to replace my spring twice (very hard todo).

Not a fan of floating clamps, but you cannot go wrong at $130. Stringing machines are big pieces of metal basically

DanS · Mar 30, 2018

esgee48 said:
Oh, and RTFM.

RTFM? I'm usually pretty good at figuring that stuff out but you got me with that one.

I'm guessing a starting clamp is something attached to the base somehow? How much do those run, and is there a better brand to look at?

Chadillac said:
I still use a eagnas converted drop weight table top (put it on a stand). I had great customer service, some of the people on the phone dont know a whole lot (if you dont have part number), you have to talk with the boss man (forget his name). He is very friendly and knows every part on the machine. I had to replace my spring twice (very hard todo).

Not a fan of floating clamps, but you cannot go wrong at $130. Stringing machines are big pieces of metal basically

Big pieces of metal and a spring? lol

Did you buy the stand from them, repurpose one, or build it yourself?

v-verb · Mar 30, 2018

Google says it is "read the f***ing manual"

LOBALOT · Mar 30, 2018

For $130, I would say go have fun an learn and determine if this is something you want to do. I started on a used Eagnas Crank a pro gave me 2 years ago as he was moving from a house to a condo and didn't have the space for all his stringers. If you determine you are having fun and want to get into it then you probably will want to move on to something better anyway. Otherwise, you are out only $130.

Just check out all the info out here and you will pick it up quickly. The club I go to gave me an old racquet someone left and I just cut out, restrung, cut out, restrung, cut out, restrung.......

DanS · Mar 30, 2018

v-verb said:
Google says it is "read the f***ing manual"

That's funny... That would be a first for me too! lol

LOBALOT said:
For $130, I would say go have fun an learn and determine if this is something you want to do. I started on a used Eagnas Crank a pro gave me 2 years ago as he was moving from a house to a condo and didn't have the space for all his stringers. If you determine you are having fun and want to get into it then you probably will want to move on to something better anyway. Otherwise, you are out only $130.

Just check out all the info out here and you will pick it up quickly. The club I go to gave me an old racquet someone left and I just cut out, restrung, cut out, restrung, cut out, restrung.......

How long did it take before you were confident enough in your abilities to do your main racquet with good strings?

LOBALOT · Mar 30, 2018

I would say maybe a couple of weeks. I had my share of screw ups along the way but if you take your time and learn from each time you string you will get better.

I had a lot of support and encouragement from son's coach as he was the one that suggested that the other pro give me his stringer.

I remember I was hesitant to do my son's racquets as he is a pretty good tournament player and at the time he played with Luxilon Element (which is stiff and kinks easily) and I was worried I would do a poor job and negatively impact him in a match.

A few months after I started stringing my son broke his strings during a lesson and my son's coach told him "Have your dad string that racquet and bring it back to me tonight".... So I scrambled home after work and restrung the thing and I made a complete mess of it and we took it over to the club and showed him our accomplishment. He looked at it smiled and was pleased. It was kind of like a mother pushing a bird out of the nest.

After that I was rolling. I bought an Alpha Ghost 2 back in December which I am having fun with.

I now string all my pals rackets with whatever odd ball setup they bring my way. I can restring a racquet start to finish in about 45 minutes and that is really just taking my time, listening to music, etc.

I get to experiment with strings and have found I like soft poly string as I am old and have had previous arm issues so I just cut it out after about 6-8 hours of play when they die and restring. I experimented with proportional stringing. I have been stringing with natural gut which is fun.

I am really having a blast with stringing and am glad I started.

Chadillac · Mar 30, 2018

DanS said:
RTFM? I'm usually pretty good at figuring that stuff out but you got me with that one.

I'm guessing a starting clamp is something attached to the base somehow? How much do those run, and is there a better brand to look at?

Big pieces of metal and a spring? lol

Did you buy the stand from them, repurpose one, or build it yourself?

I have one like this but its purple. Can raise and lower the neck so you dont have to bend over. I prefer drop weight over any machine, have strung on expensive electric ones, makes my strings feel softer. Hard to explain

https://www.racquetdepot.co.uk/pros-pro-stringing-machine-stand/

Hmgraphite1 · Mar 30, 2018

There are a few tricks you can use to get better results with the flowting clamps.
It's a good startingstringer. I have a klippermate since 1988.
I started stringing for real right away no practice. If I was to upgrade I'd spend $600 and get a fixed clamp dw but otherwise I'd stay where I'm at.

DanS · Mar 30, 2018

LOBALOT said:
I would say maybe a couple of weeks. I had my share of screw ups along the way but if you take your time and learn from each time you string you will get better.

I had a lot of support and encouragement from son's coach as he was the one that suggested that the other pro give me his stringer.

I remember I was hesitant to do my son's racquets as he is a pretty good tournament player and at the time he played with Luxilon Element (which is stiff and kinks easily) and I was worried I would do a poor job and negatively impact him in a match.

A few months after I started stringing my son broke his strings during a lesson and my son's coach told him "Have your dad string that racquet and bring it back to me tonight".... So I scrambled home after work and restrung the thing and I made a complete mess of it and we took it over to the club and showed him our accomplishment. He looked at it smiled and was pleased. It was kind of like a mother pushing a bird out of the nest.

After that I was rolling. I bought an Alpha Ghost 2 back in December which I am having fun with.

I now string all my pals rackets with whatever odd ball setup they bring my way. I can restring a racquet start to finish in about 45 minutes and that is really just taking my time, listening to music, etc.

I get to experiment with strings and have found I like soft poly string as I am old and have had previous arm issues so I just cut it out after about 6-8 hours of play when they die and restring. I experimented with proportional stringing. I have been stringing with natural gut which is fun.

I am really having a blast with stringing and am glad I started.

Thanks for the good read... And a fellow Michigander as well!

DanS · Mar 30, 2018

Chadillac said:
I have one like this but its purple. Can raise and lower the neck so you dont have to bend over. I prefer drop weight over any machine, have strung on expensive electric ones, makes my strings feel softer. Hard to explain

https://www.racquetdepot.co.uk/pros-pro-stringing-machine-stand/

That looks like a really nice stand. Once I get the stringer and see what the dimensions are I'll go from there. The base looks like it may be around the size of the Klippermate or possibly a tad bigger.

DanS · Mar 30, 2018

Hmgraphite1 said:
There are a few tricks you can use to get better results with the flowting clamps.
It's a good startingstringer. I have a klippermate since 1988.
I started stringing for real right away no practice. If I was to upgrade I'd spend $600 and get a fixed clamp dw but otherwise I'd stay where I'm at.

I was tempted to go with a used drop weight fixed clamp model but it was another $200 more and pretty beat up. I believe it was the Hawk 80.

LOBALOT · Mar 30, 2018

DanS said:
Thanks for the good read... And a fellow Michigander as well!

I didn't see that!!! Chesterfield!!! Awesome!!!

I bet we know each other.

If you want to head over and try out my machine by all means do so just message me.

Chadillac · Mar 30, 2018

DanS said:
That looks like a really nice stand. Once I get the stringer and see what the dimensions are I'll go from there. The base looks like it may be around the size of the Klippermate or possibly a tad bigger.

Can put coasters on it and slide to a corner, better than picking it up and moving, they are heavy. Here is mine

https://s14.postimg.org/4xg1rarbl/0330182052a.jpg

Even if you get a better stringer in the future (fixed clamps) the stand will still be usable

LOBALOT · Mar 30, 2018

LOBALOT said:
I didn't see that!!! Chesterfield!!! Awesome!!!

I bet we know each other.

If you want to head over and try out my machine by all means do so just message me.

I am guessing Peachtree?

We are BRC, Beverly, Franklin.

Hmgraphite1 · Mar 30, 2018

DanS said:
I was tempted to go with a used drop weight fixed clamp model but it was another $200 more and pretty beat up. I believe it was the Hawk 80.

Yeah so if beat up the fixed clamps maybe wouldn't hold. Once your set up and comfortable using the machine , let us know and I'll tell you what I do to Improve the string job.

DanS · Mar 30, 2018

LOBALOT said:
I am guessing Peachtree?

We are BRC, Beverly, Franklin.

I started playing at Clinton Valley when I was 6 until they closed, then followed my instructor to Peachtree. I played there until I was around 19, then life circumstances took over. These days I have courts in my condo complex I fool around on for fun.

I don't recall ever playing at any of those places, but I do know a Franklin cop! lol

DanS · Mar 30, 2018

Hmgraphite1 said:
Yeah so if beat up the fixed clamps maybe wouldn't hold. Once your set up and comfortable using the machine , let us know and I'll tell you what I do to Improve the string job.

Thanks... I really appreciate that!

LOBALOT · Mar 30, 2018

DanS said:
I started playing at Clinton Valley when I was 6 until they closed, then followed my instructor to Peachtree. I played there until I was around 19, then life circumstances took over. These days I have courts in my condo complex I fool around on for fun.

I don't recall ever playing at any of those places, but I do know a Franklin cop! lol

I grew up playing at "the house" a bit directly to the north of you. A fantastic and engaged tennis community. If you are looking for more play let me know.

esgee48 · Mar 30, 2018

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Gamma_Stringers_Starting_Clamp/descpageGAMMA-GCLAMP.html
This is an example of a Starting Clamp. Can be used to help start mains, doing crosses 50/50, provides bridging if your string cannot reach the gripper for the last pull and can be used to tighten knots.

The reason I mention RTFM is because a lot of new stringers don't. You need to assure you mount the frame correctly otw you could squash it or crack it. The manual should tell you the sequence to tighten the mounts as well as how snug the frame should be.

A lot of good and not-so-good institutional knowledge is in these forums. Make up your own mind. Learn to use the Search feature or google using the "site:tt.tennis-warehouse.com" to direct google to search the site.

DanS · Mar 30, 2018

esgee48 said:
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Gamma_Stringers_Starting_Clamp/descpageGAMMA-GCLAMP.html
This is an example of a Starting Clamp. Can be used to help start mains, doing crosses 50/50, provides bridging if your string cannot reach the gripper for the last pull and can be used to tighten knots.

The reason I mention RTFM is because a lot of new stringers don't. You need to assure you mount the frame correctly otw you could squash it or crack it. The manual should tell you the sequence to tighten the mounts as well as how snug the frame should be.

A lot of good and not-so-good institutional knowledge is in these forums. Make up your own mind. Learn to use the Search feature or google using the "site:tt.tennis-warehouse.com" to direct google to search the site.

I got you... I figure between the manual, you guys, and YouTube videos I should be alright.

I also know that quite often manuals, and sales people tell you that you need to buy all these tools to get the job done. Then once you start doing it and getting proficient at it you realize you are never going to use half of what they told you to buy. I was just hoping to cut the extras out before hand.

esgee48 · Mar 31, 2018

Well you could buy a device to help you weave faster! I would never get it because I can weave fairly fast now [15-20 secs per row], but hay, it's an adult toy. You really do need a Starting Clamp because you will use it mainly to start mains. There is a video about starting mains without one, but you need a good set of fixed clamps. You do need the equivalent of wire cutters, an awl with a rounded over point and perhaps the app called Racquet Tune to check tension. Everything else you probably already have at home like measuring sticks, hooks, WD-40, food scales, etc. If you have a gauge for determining how heavy your luggage is, you don't need to get a tension calibrator.

mad dog1 · Mar 31, 2018

10shoe said:
Read through "Bad Stranger Service" on the Eagnas site with the understanding that you are now a "Stranger".

I dealt with victor a number of times and didn’t have any issues. Of course the quality of the machines leave quite a bit to be desired!

gmatheis · Mar 31, 2018

Price may have been good, but I would never want that mounting system.

DanS · Mar 31, 2018

gmatheis said:
Price may have been good, but I would never want that mounting system.

You mean a 6 point? Why not?

mad dog1 · Mar 31, 2018

DanS said:
You mean a 6 point? Why not?

The arms are flimsy. The tolerances are very loose.

Hmgraphite1 · Apr 1, 2018

I have a two point mount, never had any issue, but my racquets aren't made of wood or fiberglass anymore.

Was this a good purchase?

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