Buy New or get a Wise???

[Squidward]

OK, Here's the deal. I string between 75-100 annually. No, not a Huge amount, but a fair amount since all my business is word of mouth. Plus it seems to be growing at the moment.

Been stringing on the same machine for 15+ years. A Toalson Model D (Glidebar). I have upgraded it to a 6 point mount and it works Very Well for a crank. I do regular maintenance and check calibration monthly. (Kinda an*l, but I want to keep things consistent for my customers)

Recently, I've been mulling over either getting a Wise Constant pull or going "Whole Hog" and getting Gamma 5800 6 point.

I know buying just the Wise would greatly improve my consistency of string jobs (plus save me a ton of $$$), but I've always wanted a Electronic Machine with swivel clamps. (Plus if I sell my stringer, I could recoup a little of my expense).

So in your opinion, should I save myself $1500 and go with the Wise. Or, make the one time (hopefully) leap into a quality electronic machine?


Pros/Cons other options?

 

[jim e]

If you have been stringing for a while and you now realise that you will be doing this for some years down the road, I would get the most machine you can afford, as it makes it more enjoyable. The more enjoyable, the better your jobs will be , and also be less fatigue on yourself.Also, if you are stringing for others now, I bet that the # of clients you get will be increasing over the years, and you would be stringing more, so I would say go for it and get the best you can.

 

[tennis4]

I am debating the same question myself. I would consider using the Wise addon for one stupid reason: what if the electronic pull system broke down, how much it costs to repair or replace it? With a Wise addon, your current setup can serve as a fall-back support.

Maybe I am worrying too much.

 

[ATP100]

Buy this: Best of both worlds, sits on coffee table or on a stand.



Gamma Progression II ELS Stringing Machine

 

[gmatheis]

Buy this: Best of both worlds, sits on coffee table or on a stand.



Gamma Progression II ELS Stringing Machine

rotational electric machines make me cringe ... dunno why but I dont like em

 

[jim e]

I am debating the same question myself. I would consider using the Wise addon for one stupid reason: what if the electronic pull system broke down, how much it costs to repair or replace it? With a Wise addon, your current setup can serve as a fall-back support.

Maybe I am worrying too much.

A lot of the newer machines have modular replacement parts to make parts replacement easier, or you can remove the electronic head and send it in for repairs if needed, (many here have done that many times with the Wise, so why not with just the tension section of a decent electronic?
My Machine (Pro Master) , now sold by xtremesportsmachines had the LCD screen go dead. In a short time xtreme sent me a replacement screen and touch pad, and it took a short time for me to replace the parts myself, and the USA does not even have a distributor for their machines as the company is in Australia and I was able to fix it in short order.

I was actually going to go with a Star 5 and I ended up getting the Pro Master as the USA distributor lost its distrib. to xtreme in Australia and the US distributor was dumping them off on a big auction site, and xtreme told me that they could keep me going as their machine and mine had same parts, just rebranded, and they would service if need be, so the decision was easy for me, as it was timed just right.For what I paid it was a no brainer.

Everyone has reasons for what they purchase, and what your looking at either way would be a step up and I'm sure that you would be happy with whatever you choose.

 

[blastforehand]

Something you always wanted? String 100 racquets a year? Something you enjoy? $1500? How many things in life are like that? Go for it.

 

[4sound]

I went through the same question a couple of years ago. I upgraded to the Gamma 6004 2pt mount and had a Wise on my old machine (Progression II). I've had the Wise for 10 years now. It paid for itself in a year. Well worth it.

 

[barry]

I have been stringing for years, and the Wise was one of the best investments I ever made. With one machine I could not afford to be down for a week or two, so went Wise / Crank. After 4 years the Wise is still working fine, never a need to drop back to the crank.

I will be upgrading to Prince Neos 1500, tired of the crappy 6 point suspension mounting. For me the Wise and an upright crank machine (2 point) is a better investment than an integrated machine, plus you save a little money up front.

 

[Squidward]

OK, I think I'm goin' with the Wise. Couple o' reasons...

Cost effective (Duh)

Will always have crank as back-up (only if something happens to the Wise. If power goes out, I'll have bigger issues than stringing racquets)

Improved consistancy (#1 reason really!)

Can always upgrade to a Gamma 6004/6 point. ( I think this would be the best of both worlds paired with the Wise. For me anyway)

One last question...Foot pedal or not?

Have a B'day coming up soon. Since I took care of the Mrs. with a 2ct. for our 25th, I should be good to go!!!

Thanks Eveyone!!

 

[Faithfulfather]

One word...........WISE!

 

[rich s]

OK, I think I'm goin' with the Wise. Couple o' reasons...

Cost effective (Duh)

Will always have crank as back-up (only if something happens to the Wise. If power goes out, I'll have bigger issues than stringing racquets)

Improved consistancy (#1 reason really!)

Can always upgrade to a Gamma 6004/6 point. ( I think this would be the best of both worlds paired with the Wise. For me anyway)

One last question...Foot pedal or not?

Have a B'day coming up soon. Since I took care of the Mrs. with a 2ct. for our 25th, I should be good to go!!!

Thanks Eveyone!!

The new Wise have the red button next to the gripper that you touch with the string to activate the tensioner.....it plugs into the same jack as the foot pedal.... no need for the foot pedal IMO.... I have one and haven't used it in years....

 

[Faithfulfather]

The button is right behind the string gripper, so it is easily accessible. I do not have the foot pedal and really cannot think of a situation where I would need one. Maybe someone with a foot pedal may say something different. I string about 20 racquets a month, so I am not high volume. The wise head is great and you will not regret it.

 

[4sound]

I got the foot pedal. I've strung without it but prefer using it. Not really a big deal either way.

One more thing, since you mentioned the 6004 6pt. When I got my 6004, i went back and fourth between getting the 2 point or 6 point mount system. I ended up with the 2 pt and I'm very glad I did. The main advantage is no blocked holes. There's a lot of threads and debate on 2 vs 6 pt mount. You can't go wrong either way.

 

[jim e]

. . I ended up with the 2 pt and I'm very glad I did. The main advantage is no blocked holes.

Not all 6 points are the same.
With my machine ( 6 point) it is impossible to cause a blocked hole on the racquet no matter how you mount it. With a suspension 6 point the side mounts just touch the top and bottom edge of racquet only, so even if you mount the racquet where the mounting pads are in front of the grommet you cannot block a hole.

Just thought I would mention this so others here would not think all 6 points block holes, as you stated this as the main advantage of a 2 point.

I have used a 2 point for years, and I really prefer the 6 point I use now.
Both get the job done, as thats the bottom line.

 

[CDestroyer]

Go Wise.

I have the foot pedal but never used it matter of fact its in the attic. Its just not neccesary.

Think how many racquets you would have to string to recoup the additional 1500 bucks.

 

[gmatheis]

OK, I think I'm goin' with the Wise. Couple o' reasons...

Cost effective (Duh)

Will always have crank as back-up (only if something happens to the Wise. If power goes out, I'll have bigger issues than stringing racquets)

Improved consistancy (#1 reason really!)

Can always upgrade to a Gamma 6004/6 point. ( I think this would be the best of both worlds paired with the Wise. For me anyway)

One last question...Foot pedal or not?

Have a B'day coming up soon. Since I took care of the Mrs. with a 2ct. for our 25th, I should be good to go!!!

Thanks Eveyone!!

Smart man !

 

[SoCal10s]

I'm the same position you are in .. I string very little now,but a few years ago ,I bought a used Wise for my Ektelon .. I've had it for a few years and really had no problems with it at all ... at first the screw mounting were all stripped but I just bought some tiny clamps at the $.99 store and clamped it down instead of messing around with the screw mount,still working strong .. the Wise is a real joy to use ,for me it's been really very dependable ...

 

[oldcity]

A wise investment. Plus if the Feds keep fabricating money on the computer your old stuff will be worth more than your cash.

 

[blastforehand]

Can't believe what I am reading up there. I took a five second look at the OP's dream machine, Gamma 5800, and my eyes almost popped out. He is being advised to carry on for more decades with some clunky glide bar machine that lost all magic long ago? Sure the Wise is absolutely great--I have one on my Revo4000--couldn't play tennis without it. But the OP deserves fabulous. (He already has the wife and she gets the 2ct? Not sure if I will ever be able to wrap my mind around that.) I'm not going to cry, but I feel if this thread stays on this track there is going to be less joy in the world than there might be. Find a way, man!

 

[kimguroo]

If you can afford, go for best machine you can get.
I was same situation and searched about a year.
I checked almost everyday at bay and craigslist. There are several good used machine during that time and Found almost new gamma progression ST II with a stand for $450. When I pick up the gamma, I found Slient partner tried to get out of stringing machine business and got super nice Opus deal. I thought it might be a lifetime chance to get nice electronic machine so I got the opus. (BTW sold gamma for $500 ^_^)
Since I have many prince O-port rackets, the brake makes a lot easier to stringing. Also I don't search anymore stringing machines and I don't think I will be interested in high end stringing machines such as Wilson and babolat sensors. If I use gamma, I might continue to search wise option or other electronic haha. Take time to search more and make a decision. Rarely there are very good deals so just be patient. Used Stringing and ball machine market is a little strange that some people buy those machines and rarely use then sell like new condition for half price.
Good luck with your decision.

 

[Dags]

I have a Wise, and am a big fan. However, there's one area where an integrated machine would have an advantage.

The Wise is mounted on the crank arm, which is relatively long and thin. Certainly on mine, if you grab it by the end and apply light pressure you can move it. For the most part this isn't a problem, but if stringing a Prince O Port racquet using the machine brake, it means pulling the string at an angle. Doing this noticeably bends the arm.

There are workarounds: I use the boomerang tool, and I assume a 50/50 pattern would avoid this? But for me, it's certainly a weakness of a Wise over an integrated machine, even if only a small one.

 

[jim e]

I have a Wise, and am a big fan. However, there's one area where an integrated machine would have an advantage.

The Wise is mounted on the crank arm, which is relatively long and thin. Certainly on mine, if you grab it by the end and apply light pressure you can move it. For the most part this isn't a problem, but if stringing a Prince O Port racquet using the machine brake, it means pulling the string at an angle. Doing this noticeably bends the arm.

There are workarounds: I use the boomerang tool, and I assume a 50/50 pattern would avoid this? But for me, it's certainly a weakness of a Wise over an integrated machine, even if only a small one.

Very good point Dags.

I have an interrated machine, and I use the brake on all O Ports all the time and no issues, as there are no need for boomerangs, 50/50,S hook, other method, just string it up as normal, just lock the table with simple pull of knob.

I heard of issues with Wise units and locking brake giving problems.