$1k to spend on the Stringing machine, but what to buy?

[lindaz6961]

$1k to spend on the Stringing machine, but what to buy? Need help

BTW: Does anyone use the Gamma X-ELS (6-Point Mounting System & Constant pull tensioner ) stringing machine? No reviews on the TW site as of yet?

 

[Rabbit]

If you're in the States, call tennis machines. They can direct you as to the best value for your money.

 

[esgee48]

Read the top sticky. You have a lot of options for $1K if you're in the US. If you are in Europe, I would go with Stringway or Alpha. 2 cents.

You can do a search on the Stringing Forum re X-ELS. Some posters have used this machine though I am not one of them.

 

[lionel_101]

Read the top sticky. You have a lot of options for $1K if you're in the US. If you are in Europe, I would go with Stringway or Alpha. 2 cents.

You can do a search on the Stringing Forum re X-ELS. Some posters have used this machine though I am not one of them.

I was going to say the same thing. Maybe the sticky needs to be in a bigger font and color.

I am surprised the same people here are not tired of writing the same replies over and over and over again.

You haven't given any information about you situation and basic needs/ requirements to even start suggesting a stringing machine.

 

[Irvin]

That would depend on what type clamps, tensioner, mounting system, desktop, stand, new, or used machine you want. Then when you have an idea of what you want the machine option narrow down a great deal.

 

[McLovin]

I am surprised the same people here are not tired of writing the same replies over and over and over again.

But then our post count would be ~ 18...

 

[struggle]

Pro Stringer Platinum.

 

[gamerluke]

I wish I could "like" posts.

 

[lionel_101]

Pro Stringer Platinum.

LOL, I thought this "dog" was dead. Please let it R.I.P.

 

[Tennis_dude101]

Pro Stringer Platinum.

I second that thought!

 

[MAX PLY]

I second the R.I.P.

 

[Irvin]

I wish I could "like" posts.

Why can't you?

 

[JBH]

Why can't you?

Tiene usted "facebook" ?

IMO the X-ELS is about as good as it gets for the home stringer who doesn't mind spending a grand or so. Most here will disagree though.

 

[AHJS]

Alpha Axis Pro is my vote. Great machine and great customer service.

 

[Irvin]

Tiene usted "facebook" ??...

Unlike Facebood there is a dislike button. LOL I have no idea what Tiene usted means.

 

[eelhc]

$1k to spend on the Stringing machine, but what to buy? Need help

BTW: Does anyone use the Gamma X-ELS (6-Point Mounting System & Constant pull tensioner ) stringing machine? No reviews on the TW site as of yet?

I would not purchase an X-ELS just to have an electronic tensioner. it does not have Gamma's best turntable and clamps.

If you can stretch the budget the 6004 has a much better turntable, clamps, a brake... The tensioner can always be upgraded with a Wise later. With an X-ELKS, you're pretty much stuck with the stock turntable and to upgrade the base+machine clamps to the equivalent of a 6004 will cost an arm and a leg.

The Alpha Apex Plus is worth considering too.

 

[JBH]

I would ask the knowledgeable posters to consider the intension and ultime skill level of those like myself and likely lindaz.
My goal is to maximize my racquet's performance by reducing stringing variation. I don't care if the system can't string a thousand racquets a year for twenty years. I don't know if I'll ever string a hundred.

I'll also never string enough racquets to produce the timing and touch required on a manual system to rival what I can produce with a constant pull electric. For me, the electric head is indeed the key to reducing variation. Without it, I would just let the shop do it.
The X-ELS may not have the world's best clamps, but they are more than adequate for modern tennis racquets. It has a fine turntable for a table top model, and it and I prioritize the ability to put it in the closet rather than to require a dedicated floor space.

 

[gamerluke]

I would ask the knowledgeable posters to consider the intension and ultime skill level of those like myself and likely lindaz.
My goal is to maximize my racquet's performance by reducing stringing variation. I don't care if the system can't string a thousand racquets a year for twenty years. I don't know if I'll ever string a hundred.

I'll also never string enough racquets to produce the timing and touch required on a manual system to rival what I can produce with a constant pull electric. For me, the electric head is indeed the key to reducing variation. Without it, I would just let the shop do it.
The X-ELS may not have the world's best clamps, but they are more than adequate for modern tennis racquets. It has a fine turntable for a table top model, and it and I prioritize the ability to put it in the closet rather than to require a dedicated floor space.

You'd be better off with an X-ST and a Wise tension head for about the same price, IMO.

 

[lionel_101]

Isn't it strange that the OP hasn't replied to any posts and / or gave more details of what he/she wants to do with it, their stringing experience and so on.

Maybe just a troll (if that is the right term) trying to get a rise out of some people.

 

[lindaz6961]

You'd be better off with an X-ST and a Wise tension head for about the same price, IMO.

Thanks everyone for your input w/ the exception of the few mentally unstable individuals that think they are better than anyone else and simply can't stay away from the insults.

I am now leaning towards X-ST + Wise setup as well now. I love the idea of the machine that can be put away and stored in the closet when not used, but mostly important provide the consistent results with each strung frame, since I will be stringing 2 to 3 frames a month tops.

My only concern was the reliability of Wise 2086 head itself. They only come with 2 year warranty. I read some horrible failure stories in the past. Do they fail often?

 

[eelhc]

Thanks everyone for your input w/ the exception of the few mentally unstable individuals that think they are better than anyone else and simply can't stay away from the insults.

I am now leaning towards X-ST + Wise setup as well now. I love the idea of the machine that can be put away and stored in the closet when not used, but mostly important provide the consistent results with each strung frame, since I will be stringing 2 to 3 frames a month tops.

My only concern was the reliability of Wise 2086 head itself. They only come with 2 year warranty. I read some horrible failure stories in the past. Do they fail often?

These are tabletop machines... not exactly portable. 2~3 frames/month tops? then lugging them out of the closet each time wouldn't be too bad.

Since you're not really stringing large volumes... Why do want an electronic tensioner?

 

[Irvin]

Buy the X-ST. and use that for a while. If you feel like later on you want a Wise buy that later. I know it nothing more than a point for arguments, but nothing is faster or more accurate than a LO for the price.

 

[lionel_101]

LOL, people like you crack me up and are good for a laugh now and then. Your reply is typical for fourms and any place were comments about a topic are made.

An experienced stringer can be very consistent on any machine from a cheap drop weight to the best electronic. A noob stringer putting out 2 racquets a month will not be consistent on any machine. You might even forget how to properly string or even how to use the stringing machine you decide to get from month to month due to lack of stringing.

If you got the bucks, buy whatever you want, but it won't make you a consistent stringer that you believe it will right off the bat or even maybe for the years to come.

 

[gamerluke]

Buy the X-ST. and use that for a while. If you feel like later on you want a Wise buy that later. I know it nothing more than a point for arguments, but nothing is faster or more accurate than a LO for the price.

I agree. If you're stringing 2-3 racquets per month, just start with the X-ST, then decide after a few months whether you still feel like you want to upgrade to an electronic head.

That's the nice thing about a Wise -- you can add it on any time if you'd like. Plus, if it breaks down, you still have a manual tension head as a backup while your wise is repaired.

By the way, the reliability of the Wise, from what I've read overall, is very very good. And if you have any issues outside of warranty, you can pop the old manual tension head back on your machine, pay some money and ship back the Wise for repair (I don't believe I've seen any reports myself about heads they refused to or couldn't fix). But you might be out some additional money after warranty.

And by the way, the Gamma 6004 is a nicer machine than the X-ST to start with (much better base clamps and mounting), but it's about $500 more expensive. If you don't mind a model on a stand, you could start with the 6004 and then sometime down the road decide whether the Wise is a worthy upgrade.

 

[Irvin]

LOL, people like you crack me up and are good for a laugh now and then. Your reply is typical for fourms and any place were comments about a topic are made.

An experienced stringer can be very consistent on any machine from a cheap drop weight to the best electronic...

How did I know I'd start a debate? If you have a dropweight and the bar is perfectly level you may have the reference tension for a short period of time. If you have an electronic the reference tension is only there for an instant. More often than knot it is in between pulls and may be on the third or fourth pull by the time you clamp the string. No CP is ever going to have the accuracy of a LO.

 

[Cobra Tennis]

GUYS GUYS GUYS...obviously you haven't seen the "EXTREME" accuracy and tension of the PRO STRINGER!


How to start a stringing argument on Talk Tennis:
1. debate LO versus / CP
2. 1 piece or 2 piece?
3. Parnell knot versus any other

 

[Irvin]

You forgot 2 point v 6 point, or best whatever.

 

[lindaz6961]

These are tabletop machines... not exactly portable. 2~3 frames/month tops? then lugging them out of the closet each time wouldn't be too bad.

Since you're not really stringing large volumes... Why do want an electronic tensioner?

I was thinking: If I have a stringing machine at my disposal, I'd start playing with more of my frames and not just 2-3 that I carry always use.

But even from a money savings perspective: here in Austin TX, since ********* closed their tennis store, everyone started to charge between $20 to $30 to have the frame restrung. Multiply that by the number of rackets I play with and it will come out to over $800 a year.

So either I get ALPHA REVO 4000 or GAMMA X-ST with wise 2086 will pay for itself in less than 2 years.

Your thoughts?

 

[Irvin]

...So either I get ALPHA REVO 4000 or GAMMA X-ST with wise 2086 will pay for itself in less than 2 years.

Your thoughts?

If you string for a few friends it is not hard to string ~7 rackets a week. At $10 a racket your could pay for a Babolat Star5 in a year. ~4 rackets a week and you could pay for an Alpha Ghost. ~1 racket a week pays for an X-ST. Etc...

 

[lindaz6961]

If you string for a few friends it is not hard to string ~7 rackets a week. At $10 a racket your could pay for a Babolat Star5 in a year. ~4 rackets a week and you could pay for an Alpha Ghost. ~1 racket a week pays for an X-ST. Etc...

Babolat Star5:shock: - I need to start saving... But then how can I save if I keep giving money to the local stringers every single month? Damn this machine looks HOT!!!

 

[Irvin]

Babolat Star5:shock: - I need to start saving... But then how can I save if I keep giving money to the local stringers every single month? Damn this machine looks HOT!!!

If you only string one racket every couple of weeks you could buy an inexpensive drop weight (<$200) and save a lot on what you're paying now. Then string a few more rackets and make a lot towards whatever ever you want.

 

[lindaz6961]

Just looked at Star5 machine and it's now just under 4K shipped. I might be mistaken, but it used to cost less just a few years back, no? Plus they try to sell you Babolat's own Tool Kit (Model #P2054) for $400.00????

Complete stringing tool kit includes :

2 Awls
1 Awl Setting
1 Scissors
2 Starting Clamps 1.27mm
1 Repair Pliers
1 Clippers
1 Curved Jaw Pliers

Do people actually need this expensive kit to use the Star5 machine. Gamma provides the tools for free - why not Babolat?

 

[Irvin]

I don't use awls except to replace grommets, and nothing is free if Babolat gave those tools away they would add the price to the stringer.

 

[TennisCJC]

Get a Stringway drop-weight. It is just under $1,000.

1. Constant pull at any angle - you don't have to have parallel tension bar like other drop weight machines
2. No electric motor to degrade over time
3. Machine is made of heavy metal parts that will last decades
4. 2 action fixed clamps of high quality - fast and easy to use
5. Decent mounting system
6. Accuracy has been tested by many and it is spot on.

The only minor compliant I have is the process to mount the racket takes about 30 seconds longer than some other machines but this is a very minor compliant.

Personally, I trust heavy metal more than tiny electric motors. And, I trust heavy metal more than crank tensioners that depend on springs.

 

[lindaz6961]

Get a Stringway drop-weight. It is just under $1,000.

1. Constant pull at any angle - you don't have to have parallel tension bar like other drop weight machines
2. No electric motor to degrade over time
3. Machine is made of heavy metal parts that will last decades
4. 2 action fixed clamps of high quality - fast and easy to use
5. Decent mounting system
6. Accuracy has been tested by many and it is spot on.

Yes, thank you for the advice. I am looking at Stringway MS200. Looks awesome & it is built like a tank. I think the exclusive US dealer is also here in Austin TX. My main concern is that there's no pre-stretch option for GUT & ASHWAY strings w/ Zyex which I will be using a lot. Does anyone know of workaround for pre-stretching w/ Stringway setup?

 

[esgee48]

Depends on what type of prestretch you want to do. Count to 5 or not if you want to just remove coil memory. Then clamp. Count to 20 if you want to remove or lessen tension loss from elastic deformation. It will increase the string job time. Then clamp. What you're doing is keeping the string under tension for a longer period of time. This does not remove all losses from string relaxation, but it does remove (IME) at least 50% of it. Losses from impact deformation is not controlled by this. 2 cents.

 

[Wes]

Just looked at Star5 machine and it's now just under 4K shipped. I might be mistaken, but it used to cost less just a few years back, no? Plus they try to sell you Babolat's own Tool Kit (Model #P2054) for $400.00????

Complete stringing tool kit includes :

2 Awls
1 Awl Setting
1 Scissors
2 Starting Clamps 1.27mm
1 Repair Pliers
1 Clippers
1 Curved Jaw Pliers

Do people actually need this expensive kit to use the Star5 machine. Gamma provides the tools for free - why not Babolat?

No. You don't need any expensive kits to string using the Star 5 or any other machine for that matter.
The only tools you really need (regardless of which machine you end up choosing) are the following:

1 good pair of needle nose pliers for pushing/pulling string through shared/blocked holes (many, including myself, prefer the bent nose pliers)
1 good pair of cutters (for obvious reasons)
1 regular awl (seldom used, but helpful for certain occasions)
1 Starting clamp (not absolutely necessary, but makes many things much easier/more enjoyable if you have one). A 2nd starting clamp is a nice luxury, but is only slightly more useful if you already own 1 starting clamp.

Even stringers, who have a pile of tools, tend to keep these 3 or 4 key tools in their tool tray.