Eagnas Stringing Machine - Professional

Lower build quality and not so great customer service. Not a terrible machine if on a budget. A decent initial stringing machine.
 

gmatheis

Hall of Fame
Thanks.

is there any other company that you would recommend for an economical stringer?


Gamma and klippermate both have entry level stringers for under $200 new. Both are capable of providing quality string jobs. Neither have 6pt mounting or fixed clamps.
 

gmatheis

Hall of Fame
In terms of build quality, Klipper is the winner. Gamma has too much plastics.

The plastic on gamma machines is just a cover over the metal base, so Klippermate really has no advantage in build quality. The main differences with those machines is metal vs composite clamps and ratcheting vs non ratcheting tension mechanism.

I'm trying to look for a stringer around the $500 range.
Any thoughts ?

How much will you be stringing ?

Alpha Pioneer DC+ is $469
Gamma Progression II 602 FC is $499

Both are dropweight machines. Which is fine for results, but probably a bit slower than a crank (lockout), so if you're doing 1-2 a day a dropweight is great while if you're doing 5+ a day you may want a crank.

If you are doing a large volume and feel you need a crank then you have to decide if you want to:
1) pay $650-750ish for alpha or gamma
2) Look around for a used Neos 1000 type machine
3) Try Eagnas (many people have used Eagnas without problems, but if you have a problem, people seem to agree you're up a creek without a paddle)

p.s. I've ignored electric tensioning machines because at this price range I think most people will tell you to stay away from them.
 

Steve Huff

G.O.A.T.
I agree, don't get a cheap electronic machine. If you get a nice crank, you can always upgrade with a Wise tennis head later.
 

Lakers4Life

Hall of Fame
Though most issues can be fixed, the most problematic are the base clamps. It's an old design, and when it wears out it's a PITA to get parts. You are better off getting new clamps. Even the screw type clamp are better in the long run. They do make updated clamps, easier to adjust, but Eagnas does not sell them. Like these:
10756.gif
 

hyperion99

Semi-Pro
Though most issues can be fixed, the most problematic are the base clamps. It's an old design, and when it wears out it's a PITA to get parts. You are better off getting new clamps. Even the screw type clamp are better in the long run. They do make updated clamps, easier to adjust, but Eagnas does not sell them. Like these:
10756.gif

Question I got an old Eagnas professional Stringer that I got a while ago around 2007.
My major problem is when I'm sliding the clamps up and down the racket the base of the clamps lockup on me. preventing me to move the clamp.
After several tries it loosens up.
I always clean my stringer like 1 a week and put teflon lubricant on the sliders.

Is that what you mean when the base of the clamps wear out?
Is this a problem with most swivel clamps?

Thanks
 

Lakers4Life

Hall of Fame
Question I got an old Eagnas professional Stringer that I got a while ago around 2007.
My major problem is when I'm sliding the clamps up and down the racket the base of the clamps lockup on me. preventing me to move the clamp.
After several tries it loosens up.
I always clean my stringer like 1 a week and put teflon lubricant on the sliders.

Is that what you mean when the base of the clamps wear out?
Is this a problem with most swivel clamps?

Thanks

Not exactly, the base clamp will not lock completely when you move lever. It's usually a cam adjustment, but there comes a point when an adjustment does not help. As for your problem, it's binding, which can be attributed to the same adjustment, but if you loosen it, it might not lock properly.

There are two adjustments, a Coarse adjustment and a Fine Adjustment. The Coarse adjustment is the nut at the bottom of the machine. There are two nuts, the bottom nut (closes to the end) is a lock nut, and the other is the adjustment nut. The fine adjustment is the one inside the base clamp, that you access with a 3mm allen wrench.

Many of the newer clamps have the Fine adjustment screw on the outside, like the Gamma Switch Action Clamps.
 

Fearsome Forehand

Professional
If you do a search for Eagnas, you will find many threads like this. Although, it seems this thread is consistent with the others.

I think it boils down to how much you string. Are you stringing just for yourself and maybe a few friends? Or, are you planning on being the next Nate Ferguson?

For the casual stringer, I think Eagnas is fine. If you are a pro and will be stringing hundreds of frames, then go with Alpha or Gamma.

I have had several Eagnas machines and the only one I would not recommend is the Hawk 10, their cheapest one. The cam gripper tended to bite strings and the hold down clamps were marginal at best. But, for $89 or whatever I paid for it, not so bad. I upgraded several times and now have a Hawk 800 which is an upright crank with six point mounting and good clamps. I got a great deal on it used and so far, so good.

As mentioned above, the guy that runs the Eagnas warehouse in the LA area is kind of a character. I will say in my limited dealings with him via email, buying a few things here and there, he has been fine. But, he apparently does not suffer fools well and if you make ridiculous requests he will tell you to get lost. Sort of the opposite of someone like Mark at Alpha who is Mr. Customer Service.

If you want a great machine and great customer service ante up the $800 and buy the Alpha Axis Pro upright crank. If you want to save several hundred dollars and plan on stringing only for yourself, you should be okay with an Eagnas.

As far as your clamp problems, it sounds like you have to loosen the nuts on the underside of the turntable. If they are too tight that would interfere with the gliding back and forth. If the rest of the machine is sound, you could send the clamp assemblies to the place in Missouri for a tuneup. Name escapes me, but they have a good rep for servicing stringers. Tennis Machines? They are in the St. Louis area. or, you could buy new base assemblies from Eagnas assuming the clamps themselves are good.
 
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hyperion99

Semi-Pro
Not exactly, the base clamp will not lock completely when you move lever. It's usually a cam adjustment, but there comes a point when an adjustment does not help. As for your problem, it's binding, which can be attributed to the same adjustment, but if you loosen it, it might not lock properly.

There are two adjustments, a Coarse adjustment and a Fine Adjustment. The Coarse adjustment is the nut at the bottom of the machine. There are two nuts, the bottom nut (closes to the end) is a lock nut, and the other is the adjustment nut. The fine adjustment is the one inside the base clamp, that you access with a 3mm allen wrench.

Many of the newer clamps have the Fine adjustment screw on the outside, like the Gamma Switch Action Clamps.

Ok,thanks a bunch!
 

hyperion99

Semi-Pro
If you do a search for Eagnas, you will find many threads like this. Although, it seems this thread is consistent with the others.

I think it boils down to how much you string. Are you stringing just for yourself and maybe a few friends? Or, are you planning on being the next Nate Ferguson?

For the casual stringer, I think Eagnas is fine. If you are a pro and will be stringing hundreds of frames, then go with Alpha or Gamma.

I have had several Eagnas machines and the only one I would not recommend is the Hawk 10, their cheapest one. The cam gripper tended to bite strings and the hold down clamps were marginal at best. But, for $89 or whatever I paid for it, not so bad. I upgraded several times and now have a Hawk 800 which is an upright crank with six point mounting and good clamps. I got a great deal on it used and so far, so good.

As mentioned above, the guy that runs the Eagnas warehouse in the LA area is kind of a character. I will say in my limited dealings with him via email, buying a few things here and there, he has been fine. But, he apparently does not suffer fools well and if you make ridiculous requests he will tell you to get lost. Sort of the opposite of someone like Mark at Alpha who is Mr. Customer Service.

If you want a great machine and great customer service ante up the $800 and buy the Alpha upright crank. If you want to save several hundred dollars and plan on stringing only for yourself, you should be okay with an Eagnas.

As far as your clamp problems, it sounds like you have to loosen the nuts on the underside of the turntable. If they are too tight that would interfere with the gliding back and forth. If the rest of the machine is sound, you could send the clamp assemblies to the place in Missouri for a tuneup. Name escapes me, but they have a good rep for servicing stringers.

Would it be better to just buy a new set of bases/clamps from eagnas?
 

Fearsome Forehand

Professional
Depends on how much they are versus just having the old ones adjusted if you can't fix them yourself. Eagnas may, or may not sell the parts depending on how old the machine is. But, I imagine whatever bases they have are interchangeable.
 

hyperion99

Semi-Pro
Depends on how much they are versus just having the old ones adjusted if you can't fix them yourself. Eagnas may, or may not sell the parts depending on how old the machine is. But, I imagine whatever bases they have are interchangeable.

I"ll probably check to bases of my stringer tomorrow.
If they still have that problem I will check on Eagnas about the some new bases.

Thanks again
 

Lakers4Life

Hall of Fame
I just remembered, it's been a while since I've purchased from Eagnas, ala Victor. I had asked how much to upgrade my base clamps, and he told me, $70 each, which I thought was overpriced. He then told me it's cheaper to sell my machine and buy another machine with better clamps. Victor is easy to talk to if you know his character, if you are going to an A hole about it then he will treat you like an A hole. I would do the same.

The base clamps I recently posted are about $100 for the pair, shipped form Austria.
 

hyperion99

Semi-Pro
I just remembered, it's been a while since I've purchased from Eagnas, ala Victor. I had asked how much to upgrade my base clamps, and he told me, $70 each, which I thought was overpriced. He then told me it's cheaper to sell my machine and buy another machine with better clamps. Victor is easy to talk to if you know his character, if you are going to an A hole about it then he will treat you like an A hole. I would do the same.

The base clamps I recently posted are about $100 for the pair, shipped form Austria.

Supposing if I'm going to sell my stringer what stringer would you recommend me from Eagnas?

Who is Victor?
 

Lakers4Life

Hall of Fame
Supposing if I'm going to sell my stringer what stringer would you recommend me from Eagnas?

Who is Victor?

Why stick with Eagnas? If they offered newer base clamps and such, why not, but they don't.

Victor is the General Manager of Eagnas USA, it used to be called Maxline. Most people when they call Eagnas, talk to Victor, an older Chinese (err Taiwanese) fellow with a heavy Chinese accent. Those of us who live in Los Angeles and have gone to the office to pick up products, know it's a small hole in the wall warehouse with a office in the front, with disassembled machines all over the place. It's been rumored that Victor is a close relative of the owner of Lily-Lee the Company that makes Eagnas and other brands. I think they also make Lobster Ball machines.
 

hyperion99

Semi-Pro
Why stick with Eagnas? If they offered newer base clamps and such, why not, but they don't.

Victor is the General Manager of Eagnas USA, it used to be called Maxline. Most people when they call Eagnas, talk to Victor, an older Chinese (err Taiwanese) fellow with a heavy Chinese accent. Those of us who live in Los Angeles and have gone to the office to pick up products, know it's a small hole in the wall warehouse with a office in the front, with disassembled machines all over the place. It's been rumored that Victor is a close relative of the owner of Lily-Lee the Company that makes Eagnas and other brands. I think they also make Lobster Ball machines.

Then what stringer would you recommend?
 

Lakers4Life

Hall of Fame
Gamma, Prince, Alpha, Pro's Pro, and Stringway, in that order.

The reason I put Stringway last is by usefulness. Though there are many loyal followers who would disagree, just like Prince Neos/Ektelon owners.
 

struggle

Legend
sounds to me like you need to adjust your base clamps, although I haven't tried to cipher how they become tighter and bind up, vs. becoming looser. Perhaps the cam/switch/whatever action vs the threads could that.

adjust them. use the machine, learn etc. then next go round don't stop short of Gamma or Prince. Anything more is just butter.
 

hyperion99

Semi-Pro
sounds to me like you need to adjust your base clamps, although I haven't tried to cipher how they become tighter and bind up, vs. becoming looser. Perhaps the cam/switch/whatever action vs the threads could that.

adjust them. use the machine, learn etc. then next go round don't stop short of Gamma or Prince. Anything more is just butter.

Thanks.
I adjutsed the base clamp yesterday.
Now it's working like grease lightning!
 
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