Anyone has experience with AEF Flyer 2?

[fieryoOo]

Looking to buy my first stringing machine and the AEF flyer 2 seems like a decent budget machine. Sells for $370 on e**y and seems equivalent to alpha pioneer dc/gamma 602fc or alike. There isn't much info/specs/description available online so wondering if anyone here have info/opinions about it.

I'm new to stringing and I'm not planning on spending more than $500 on my first machine. Also considered a used gamma/alpha but there isn't much being sold around me.

 

[USMC-615]

Never heard of such an animal so had to look it up on the Bay. My issue would be parts availability if anything goes south on it. Does have a linear gripper though and a rather fancy green paint job. I’d spend ballpark $400 elsewhere but that‘s just me.

 

[fieryoOo]

My issue would be parts availability if anything goes south on it.

Im a bit concerned about parts/repairs too but arent DW machines usually pretty reliable? AEF seems like a reputable brand within the badminton community and in some other countries so thought I might risk it if DW machines like this doesn't usually have much problems.

 

[USMC-615]

Im a bit concerned about parts/repairs too but arent DW machines usually pretty reliable? AEF seems like a reputable brand within the badminton community and in some other countries so thought I might risk it if DW machines like this doesn't usually have much problems.

I don't know of any major problems with any drop weights and as far as reliability, they're pretty straight forward, no frills stringing machines. I just know sometimes with my luck, everything on it would fall off or tear up and I'd have a lime green, 30+lb boat anchor sitting around doing nothing for who knows how long...a gamble I'm not willing to take.

 

[foggie]

I have this machine and the company has every parts for sale.

But lately I found that the platform are not sturdy enough and the arms would curve inward when stringing mains.

After stringing the racket is about 1/8 to 2/8 inch shorter.

 

[Irvin]

I have this machine and the company has every parts for sale.

But lately I found that the platform are not sturdy enough and the arms would curve inward when stringing mains.

After stringing the racket is about 1/8 to 2/8 inch shorter.

Try using the StringWay Tension Advisor for tension difference between the mains and crosses. I have found that this method reduces a lot of frame distortion. Also, it could be the racket mounting method used on your machine.

 

[fieryoOo]

I have this machine and the company has every parts for sale.

But lately I found that the platform are not sturdy enough and the arms would curve inward when stringing mains.

After stringing the racket is about 1/8 to 2/8 inch shorter.

That sounds like a serious problem. Have you tried contacting the manufacturer to see what they have to offer?

 

[USMC-615]

That sounds like a serious problem. Have you tried contacting the manufacturer to see what they have to offer?

This right here is a perfect case in point and would be all the evidence I would need to steer clear. First of all, this is not a machine for high volume stringing in any sense of the definition, so who knows how many racquets foggie has strung prior to this problem surfacing. Second...what's the warranty timeframe on something like this machine? Third...when you do need parts under warranty or not (of course the not situation means you now pay out of pocket for anything), how long before the parts get to you?

You need to look at other options before absolute aggravation comes knocking and decides to take up residence with you, if you following what I'm saying. This 6-pt, fixed clamp machine is basically $375 new on the Bay for a reason. I'm eager to hear how many string jobs foggie has put on his and then this problem he's having currently showed up on his front doorstep.

Then again it's your money, spend it like ya want and it's going out of style.

 

[fieryoOo]

This right here is a perfect case in point and would be all the evidence I would need to steer clear. First of all, this is not a machine for high volume stringing in any sense of the definition, so who knows how many racquets foggie has strung prior to this problem surfacing. Second...what's the warranty timeframe on something like this machine? Third...when you do need parts under warranty or not (of course the not situation means you now pay out of pocket for anything), how long before the parts get to you?

You need to look at other options before absolute aggravation comes knocking and decides to take up residence with you, if you following what I'm saying. This 6-pt, fixed clamp machine is basically $375 new on the Bay for a reason. I'm eager to hear how many string jobs foggie has put on his and then this problem he's having currently showed up on his front doorstep.

Then again it's your money, spend it like ya want and it's going out of style.

I totally get what you're saying. I'm checking with the seller to see what kind of custom service/warranty they provide in the US.

My other option would be a new/used gamma progression 200 or klippermate but I just really want that 6 pts fixed clamp. A new alpha pioneer dc+ is not completely off the table but I haven't strung before and $600 is a lot to pay for something that I could potentially give up on.

 

[USMC-615]

I totally get what you're saying. I'm checking with the seller to see what kind of custom service/warranty they provide in the US.

My other option would be a new/used gamma progression 200 or klippermate but I just really want that 6 pts fixed clamp. A new alpha pioneer dc+ is not completely off the table but I haven't strung before and $600 is a lot to pay for something that I could potentially give up on.

I would absolutely go the Alpha/6-pt mount route over this thing. Even if you give up stringing, which I doubt will happen but it could I suppose, you’ll get your share out of an Alpha stringer in good shape a heap quicker than you ever thought about getting pretty much nothing out of that lime green machine. Amuh-zon had brand new Gamma X-6FC‘s the last two weeks for $614 and some change, check that out and see if it’s still the same.

 

[foggie]

Try using the StringWay Tension Advisor for tension difference between the mains and crosses. I have found that this method reduces a lot of frame distortion. Also, it could be the racket mounting method used on your machine.

First I'm already stringing the crosses a few pounds higher than mains.

Second, I tested the arms independently (I mount a string directly to the hooks). Under 80lbs tension, the hooks come closer to each other for about 1mm.

I also did some more tests and the culprit should be the base platform curve upwards under stress.

I'll contact the factory and see how much is the replacement.

BTW I suspect this machine is just another OEM of Alpha Pioneer DC.

 

[fieryoOo]

Under 80lbs tension, the hooks come closer to each other for about 1mm.

1mm @80lbs doesn't sound like too big a deal?

BTW I suspect this machine is just another OEM of Alpha Pioneer DC.

That's what I'm wondering too because they look identical. Also why I'm considering risking it. If they are the same machine it's basically >$230 for a 5 years limited warranty.

Please let us know what you find out about the replacement cost

 

[foggie]

1mm @80lbs doesn't sound like too big a deal?



That's what I'm wondering too because they look identical. Also why I'm considering risking it. If they are the same machine it's basically >$230 for a 5 years limited warranty.

Please let us know what you find out about the replacement cost

As you string more mains, the effective stress on the hooks are multiple of the tension. It's much more than 80lbs.

I attached the string to the lower hook (the one closer to the tensioner) and loop it around the upper hook before attach to tensioner.

80lbs is the highest tension the machine has, so the effective stress between the hooks is 160lbs minus friction.

 

[fieryoOo]

As you string more mains, the effective stress on the hooks are multiple of the tension. It's much more than 80lbs.

I attached the string to the lower hook (the one closer to the tensioner) and loop it around the upper hook before attach to tensioner.

80lbs is the highest tension the machine has, so the effective stress between the hooks is 160lbs minus friction.

Oh you meant the mount. I thought you were talking about the clamps.

 

[MathieuR]

With 16 mains each 40# makes 640# in total.
But with the right Xtension you can balance the distortion again.

 

[devoker]

With 16 mains each 40# makes 640# in total.
But with the right Xtension you can balance the distortion again.

Isaac Newton is crying in his grave after this comment...

 

[MathieuR]

Isaac Newton is crying in his grave after this comment...

Please explain...

 

[Irvin]

Please explain...

The outer mains are pulled towards the side widening the frame and shortening the frame. When you’re done with the mains, the center mains are not at reference tension, because the string shortened too with the frame. Because of friction the outer mains aren’t at reference tension either.

EDIT: Of course with any RT there’s still a lot of tension compressing the frame, but not 16*RT. I don’t see where Isaac Newton comes into play either.