Thanks - I hope so...btw, what do you say on this PP model Tomcat vs. Comet --->
https://www.pros-pro.com/de/pros-pro-tomcat.html
I'm concerned about the tension accuracy with manual crank machines like Comet...
A colleague of mine has the Tom Cat and loves it. He uses it as a 'mobile' stringing machine for one of our clubs as well. It has a rather nice table.
I'm just not the electronic type. I have had two machines give me a lot of trouble in the past. I also love the feel of a crank.
I own a manual transmission truck and a Harley. I'm weird that way. But it means I like the fact that the Comet is put together with standard nuts, bolts, washers, and bearing races. If something is off, needs replacing, or adjustment, it's all done easily with simple tools and parts.
This Comet I bought on a whim because it was on sale for about half what they are asking right now. I was just about to spend €1400 on a Gamma crank. Both would have paid for themselves by now. The Gamma is a slicker machine in use, tho. The crank head on the Comet I had to adjust so it would ride the rail well.
I suggest you put a slick lithium grease on the rail where the crank spends most of it's time, and a machine oil(very light oil) on the hard chromed base after you use it without oil to break it in a bit. I am not fond of the base plates on the Comet - they should be smoother. And since it is curved - it's hard to find a replacement.
The tension calibrates spot on for mine until I reach 27KG, then it goes high by about 1lb up to 30kg. I just keep this in mind and leave it set where it is. Folks who ask for a 27KG string job want it super tight anyways in my experience. I don't do tournaments or pros, though. So my advice may be worth the cost.
I have never had to calibrate it. According to the manual, it is just a turn of a hex screw in the head.
A crank is very sensitive to how you use it - how fast you clamp, whether you pre-stretch, double pull, set the tension higher for a quick single pull, etc etc. So keep this in mind and try to be consistent when stringing a client's racquet.
If I am doing a customer, I ask all the pertinent what who and how questions and try to match what they are looking for or expecting. After owning a Comet for years, and seeing string jobs from other stringers here and abroad, I know how to set it and how to string with it to get there.
I only string a few dozen sticks a year. If I did dozens a month all year, my attitude about ECP machines might likely change.
I would like nicer clamp bases, but the teeth are second to none. Never slip and never molest and don't have to be very tight to hold a string.
If I upgrade, it will likely only be new bases. I don't see another machine in my life unless I am gifted one.
I almost forgot to add - I hated doing Prince O ports in the past. With the clutch and it's long handle on the Comet, I actually enjoy stringing Prince O ports. You only need to use the clutch for 7-8 of the crosses depending on where your ports and braces are(at the 5th or 6th cross on my 98 Tours, the braces are aligned so the string slides right along the slick polymer sides without touching the corners, and it's a straight shot to the puller with almost no angle, requiring no clutch). After a few stringjobs you know how to position the racquet around by pulling the string as you apply the clutch and feed the puller in one motion.
And since it's such a big handle, it is very easy to just flick it off as you are pulling the string through the massive ports after you've clamped it off. Since they have huge ports, it's very easy to insert the string through the ports, and over all the string job doesn't take hardly any more time with one of these. Because of this Comet, I own and use 4 Prince ported racquets and enjoy using and stringing them.