Ektelon Model H
- Thread starter Sappruski
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Cobra Tennis
Professional
325 is a fair price for it, considering it is good working order. The H is basically the same as a NEOS 1000.
I would get it if I were in the market for a crank machine.
I would get it if I were in the market for a crank machine.
At $325, I would expect a clean and rust-free machine ... more importantly, have the seller demonstrate it's working condition
Run your fingers along the glide bars and feel for any sections that may have worn excessively and gone out of round ... each bar costs $55 to replace.
Replacement clamps are $65 each.
Post some pics if you can.
Run your fingers along the glide bars and feel for any sections that may have worn excessively and gone out of round ... each bar costs $55 to replace.
Replacement clamps are $65 each.
Post some pics if you can.
Cobra Tennis
Professional
Ad says -$450? $450 is a little much looking at the condition of the tension head (which can be rebuilt) and the wear on it.
I never liked the big cabinet base on my old DE, but that's just me.
Cobra Tennis
Professional
It has seen better days. It has some rust on it and definite wear, but they are pretty easily rebuilt and refurbished (tennis mach i nes.com) ball park $100.
What about the clamps? If the clamps are rusted or are really worn out, they can be replaced but may be expensive.
A lot of rust can come off with the right agent. There was a thread not too long ago with someone who bought an H that had the base just the same as this one.
for $450 (tension head rebuilt) and if it cleans up, you'll have a solid machine. Tennis Ma ch ines sells refurb Model H's for $650ish I believe. You can call them and they can tell you more about parts and what not for the H.
Or your option is maybe a gamma or alpha drop weight or table top crank.
marco forehand
Semi-Pro
The Model H is a war horse. If something is broken it can be fixed. The $650 retail for a H from Tennis Machines dot com sounds about right. If all the parts are there you are at 50%, and you don't have to deal with shipping.
Seems to me to be a good deal.
Seems to me to be a good deal.
My H was in even more neglected condition than yours and it still cleaned up very well (refer to my scrap metal thread) ... these machines are truly robust.
It is odd that the glide bars and clamps are not shown ... those are the components that I chose to replace and upgrade.
On a side note, my cabinet came with a Dunlop template.
It is odd that the glide bars and clamps are not shown ... those are the components that I chose to replace and upgrade.
On a side note, my cabinet came with a Dunlop template.
Sappruski
Rookie
Well, I met with him last night and I was really happy with what I saw. I am just getting started in stringing but it did have the two glide bars with clamps which both seemed to work nicely with no dents or dings in glide bars. it also had smaller for lack of better term, glide bar for the crosses and a small tool box of spare parts for it... It looked a lot cleaner than the pictures looked, so overall I am very happy with the purchase.
So now I just need to learn how to use it......
So now I just need to learn how to use it......
Cobra Tennis
Professional
Awesome. We're all here to help. Irvin's videos are great for learning. Just take your time and don't sweat it. You can always cut out the strings.
Soon you'll be forking out a few $1000s for that electronic machine... it's addicting.
Sappruski
Rookie
Ok. I managed to get a racquet strung, knots were the hardest to get right but I will get that with time... I hope... I have a luggage scale that I have weighed my wife's suitcase to within a pound of the airport so I felt somewhat comfortable that it is close?.?
I pulled tension against the scale and at 30lb I read 26 on scale
At 40 lb I read 34 and at 50 I read 41 on the scale.
Does it just need calibrated?? If so how do I do this???
I pulled tension against the scale and at 30lb I read 26 on scale
At 40 lb I read 34 and at 50 I read 41 on the scale.
Does it just need calibrated?? If so how do I do this???
sappruski,
I have not used an Ektelon H or a Neos 1000, but the calibration is probably the same, take a look at page 14? Hope it helps, at least.
http://img.tennis-warehouse.com/pdfs/NEOSManual.pdf
I have not used an Ektelon H or a Neos 1000, but the calibration is probably the same, take a look at page 14? Hope it helps, at least.
http://img.tennis-warehouse.com/pdfs/NEOSManual.pdf
Irvin
Talk Tennis Guru
Maybe, how did you make the measurement? What I mean is if you scale was inside the racket between two (or more grommets) there will be friction loss where the string bends around the grommet reducing the tension on the string. Then there is the issue of the angle of the string pulling on the gripper. The more the angle matches the average angle of the string being pulled from the racket the more accurate your measurement will be. The gripper rotates or rocks on a pivot point. When it rocks far enough the lock out lever engages and pulling stops. If the string is pulling on a line perpendicular to a line drawn to the pivot from the gripper you will have the lowest tension.
A better example may be to explain the patented string guide on the gamma. The spool that looks like a Diablo. The purpose OG the string guide keeps the string at a constant angle so the tension is always the same at lockout.
Sappruski
Rookie
Jamey@richardsonplumbinginc.com is my email.
I don't know if I did the test correct but I just mounted the scale on the bracket that holds the head of a racquet and tied a piece of Kirs. PL2 from the hook of scale straight to the tension head and pulled the different weights???
Thanks for the manual guys and all of the help..
I don't know if I did the test correct but I just mounted the scale on the bracket that holds the head of a racquet and tied a piece of Kirs. PL2 from the hook of scale straight to the tension head and pulled the different weights???
Thanks for the manual guys and all of the help..
Irvin
Talk Tennis Guru
That's a good enough technique (the main concern is to not put anything between the gauge and the tension head that would reduce tension) I would adjust the tension head at whatever the average tension you measre is. The manufacturers recommend a tension of 60# which is about average. If you think you average is 55# used that. It is good to use tension +/- 5/10# too so you know what your working with.
Gamma has an advanced procedures to making the tensions linear not sure if Prince/Ektelon has a procedure or not but you could call tennis machines if there is a large deviation in tension as you go up/down 5-10#.
EDIT: You also want to use the initial tension when the tension locks ou and not the tension the machine settles to. Either way is acceptable because you like the feel with a racket stung at a certain number and as long as you're consistent I guess it's ok.
Gamma has an advanced procedures to making the tensions linear not sure if Prince/Ektelon has a procedure or not but you could call tennis machines if there is a large deviation in tension as you go up/down 5-10#.
EDIT: You also want to use the initial tension when the tension locks ou and not the tension the machine settles to. Either way is acceptable because you like the feel with a racket stung at a certain number and as long as you're consistent I guess it's ok.
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Rabbit
G.O.A.T.
I think the H is a bit more complicated to adjust than the Neos, but not sure. The Neos manual advises to set your tensioner to 50 pounds and then test. Based on my experience, I know you can get your tensioner dead on. I agree you might want to give TM a call. They might also be able to sell you an H manual.
Those readings would have me consider having the head reconditioned at tennis machines.
For my pre-owned H, the readings on my calibration scale are around 3 lbs off the mark (higher than indicated on the head) at 30, 40 and 50 lbs ... I haven't bothered to calibrate, but rather factor it into the settings since the discrepancy is consistent across all applicable tensions.
Irvin
Talk Tennis Guru
IMO best idea yet. It should not take long for turn around and if there are any problems you can't recognize they more than likely will.
sovertennis
Professional
Good catch, and congrats. I bought an H about 12 years ago that was well used but well cared for and it's been great. There have been no mechanical problems and very little maintenance. The money I've saved (and, to some extent, made) by stringing for myself has enabled me to buy a Porsche. Hopefully, it will work out that way for you.
MAX PLY
Hall of Fame
Just sent you the H Manual. Good luck.
Sappruski
Rookie
I really didn't want to send it off unless I must. I want to try to calibrate first myself and if I keep getting bad readings then I will send it off.
Question: Do you make the adjustments with tension pulled or release tension and make adjustment and re-tension and check out results??
Max PLY - I don't know why it does that. if you don't mind would you try Jsapp7733@aol.com
Thanks
Question: Do you make the adjustments with tension pulled or release tension and make adjustment and re-tension and check out results??
Max PLY - I don't know why it does that. if you don't mind would you try Jsapp7733@aol.com
Thanks
Rabbit
G.O.A.T.
OK, here's a link to the NEOS manual. In there you will find how to calibrate/adjust the newer tension head.
http://www.mediafire.com/?w23271g9368km
If things look different on your tension head, call tennis machines and they'll step you through how to adjust yours.
http://www.mediafire.com/?w23271g9368km
If things look different on your tension head, call tennis machines and they'll step you through how to adjust yours.
From the way I interpret the manual, you perform the latter ... adjust the catch and then pull to see how much closer your head and scale match-up.
The process seems rather imprecise to me which is why I prefer to compensate for the discrepancy rather than attempt any actual adjustment.
I wonder if the original owner knew that his machine was way off. My machine came with a calibration scale and so tension was the first thing I checked when I brought it home and assembled it (it was sitting partially disassembled in the seller's garage for around 7 years).
Good luck with the adjustments ... I can appreciate why you wouldn't want to sink anymore coin into this right now.
Sappruski
Rookie
I bought a calibration device and tested again and it was just one pound off on 40&50 lbs. so I feel much better about my purchase. I have been getting the hang of my machine and blew through some nylon trying to learn and now I just bought some beads to try the weaving trick with the bead.... That looks like a nice tip but all in all I am very happy with my machine..... Thanks for all of the help!!!
