Entry level machine question

[Schrodinger]

Hi, I've been thinking about getting into stringing so I've watched some videos and done a little research on machines. I don't have a huge budget so the machines I was looking at were the gamma progression 200, gamma progression 602 and the gamma progression 602 FC. They are all drop weight but the 200 has a 2 point system and floating clamps with the 602 having a 6 point mounting system and the FC is the same as the 602 but with fixed clamps. I was wondering if it is worth paying the extra 200 to 300 dollars for a better mounting system or fixed clamps. I found some fixed clamp systems that I could add later on but I would have to stick with the mounting system. Any thoughts? Thanks

 

[am1899]

Buy the best machine you can afford.

Spending extra to get fixed clamps is definitely worth it - if you can afford the additional expense.

 

[Hmgraphite1]

I'd get the fixed clamp model. Floating clamps suck except maybe tripples.

 

[esgee48]

602FC is the best of the three cited. Clamps really make a difference unless you pull long enough to remove drawback. The 602 is a hybrid and not worth the cost. Your real other choice is the 200 even though it has floating clamps. There's nothing wrong with 2 pt mounts unless you mis mount the frame. [And you can mis mount 2 or 6 pt mounts. The NEOS 1000 is basically a 2 pt mount.] With the 200, you have to pay attention to how much the clamps move back when you clamp the strings. You want to recover as much as this drawback as possible. You can pull longer or use a higher ref tension. Do not be disappointed if the first few string jobs do not feel right. It will take a few for you to get use to the machine and to get the feel you want. 3 cents.

 

[Deleted member 503267]

I purchased an Alpha Reve 4000 and I am very happy with it. I am new to stringing and this machine makes it easy. A few years ago I tried a drop weight machine, I think it was a klippermate, and it was very hard for me.

 

[graycrait]

There is a what appears to a dandy Prince Neos on the auction site for only 700.00 and it looks complete, has casters installed and looks in very nice condition. Have to drive to FL to get it though.

 

[krisdrum]

I'd go for either the 200 and immediately replace the floating clamps with either the Klippermate clamps or the Stringway clamps, or I'd go for the 602FC. I have an older version of the 200 and found the clamps very difficult to use without either crushing the string or being too loose and slipping. So I picked up a pair of the Klippermate metal clamps, and have found them to be MUCH easier and reliable.

In hindsight (about 6 racquets in), I wish I would have waited and found a used fixed clamp machine, but it is what it is. My machine has already paid for itself in saved trips to the shop for restrings.

 

[loosegroove]

The base 602 is a complete waste in my opinion. Even the 602 FC I'm not too keen on given how much it costs: it's still a dropweight and I'm not a huge fan of the mounting system. I'd be no faster with that than the lowly 200. Personally I'd go with the 200 (you can sell it if you decide to upgrade and you'd only be out $50 or so), or I'd skip ahead and get a decent crank, particularly if you can find one used.

The 602 FC is neither here nor there: Not super inexpensive for a tight budget (and you take a decent ding if you sell later used since it costs more to begin with), but not a machine you'd keep for the long hall if you get serious about stringing and want a fast machine.

 

[Deleted member 23235]

klippermate... best $100 my dad spent (tennis wise).
i'm still using it 30+ years later. only ever had to change out the clamps, once.
you can buy a separate case, which makes it portable (which i've used at tournaments, or summer driving vac, or camps (driving distance),...

 

[Big_Dangerous]

I'd get the fixed clamp model. Floating clamps suck except maybe tripples.

If you do go floating clamps, Stringway makes the best floating clamps I've ever used.

 

[Big_Dangerous]

klippermate... best $100 my dad spent (tennis wise).
i'm still using it 30+ years later. only ever had to change out the clamps, once.
you can buy a separate case, which makes it portable (which i've used at tournaments, or summer driving vac, or camps (driving distance),...

Honestly, I splurged and got a crank tension machine and it was well worth the extra money. The dropweights will take longer on average.

 

[Big_Dangerous]

I purchased an Alpha Reve 4000 and I am very happy with it. I am new to stringing and this machine makes it easy. A few years ago I tried a drop weight machine, I think it was a klippermate, and it was very hard for me.

Same here, but its been 5 years lol. I would never go back to dropweight once you've gone up to a crank. You could maybe go up to an electronic one if you're stringing a ton of rackets and have the money, otherwise that Alpha should last you for a while, a long while.

There is a what appears to a dandy Prince Neos on the auction site for only 700.00 and it looks complete, has casters installed and looks in very nice condition. Have to drive to FL to get it though.

Yep, had to drive up to College Station to get my Revo, but it was well worth it! Actually bought from a guy on here, but I don't think he posts anymore.

 

[myke232]

I found some fixed clamp systems that I could add later on but I would have to stick with the mounting system.

Really? Where? I'd be interested...

 

[Deleted member 23235]

Honestly, I splurged and got a crank tension machine and it was well worth the extra money. The dropweights will take longer on average.

lol, i've been going back and forth on whether to upgrade... but saving an extra 15-20 minute per week wsa not enough for me to drop 500 or so

 

[NuBas]

If you do go floating clamps, Stringway makes the best floating clamps I've ever used.

klippermate... best $100 my dad spent (tennis wise).
i'm still using it 30+ years later. only ever had to change out the clamps, once.
you can buy a separate case, which makes it portable (which i've used at tournaments, or summer driving vac, or camps (driving distance),...

Where you guys get the clamps by themselves and what price range are they in?

 

[Deleted member 23235]

Where you guys get the clamps by themselves and what price range are they in?

check the klippermate website

 

[eelhc]

Also look at the Alpha Pioneer DC plus. $30 less than the Gamma with better base clamps.

 

[CosmosMpower]

+1 on the crank over drop weight. I started on a drop weight and quit after 2 frames. Bought a drop weight a few months later and haven't looked back.

 

[Irvin]

+1 on the crank over drop weight. I started on a drop weight and quit after 2 frames. Bought a drop weight a few months later and haven't looked back.

That’s confusing! LOL

 

[CosmosMpower]

That’s confusing! LOL

Oops mean to say bought a crank lockout a few months later. I will never use a drop weight again.

 

[Schrodinger]

Yeah, that would not work at all...

I think it would, You could get peice of something like half inch plywood and attached that to the center bar of the gamma x 2, then use two of the pros pro swivel clamp base and bars on top of that attached with some spacers and screws and the pros pro clamps. all you would have to figure out is what spot to mount the base to get it to be able to reach all the strings

 

[loosegroove]

I think it would, You could get peice of something like half inch plywood and attached that to the center bar of the gamma x 2, then use two of the pros pro swivel clamp base and bars on top of that attached with some spacers and screws and the pros pro clamps. all you would have to figure out is what spot to mount the base to get it to be able to reach all the strings

Uhhhhhhhh..........please someone step in for me.

 

[Hmgraphite1]

Uhhhhhhhh..........please someone step in for me.

Make sure you measure correctly and have space. Might want to use steel instead of plywood. It can't move more than 0.1mm

 

[Rabbit]

I think it would, You could get peice of something like half inch plywood and attached that to the center bar of the gamma x 2, then use two of the pros pro swivel clamp base and bars on top of that attached with some spacers and screws and the pros pro clamps. all you would have to figure out is what spot to mount the base to get it to be able to reach all the strings

Why not just use some old milk cartons and rubber bands?

IT IS ALWAYS WORTH IT TO SPEND MORE MONEY FOR A BETTER MOUNTING SYSTEM AND FIXED CLAMPS.

From this day forward, let that be your mantra.....learn it, love it, live it. There is a really, really good reason you don't see many stringing machines made out of plywood any more. Spend a few extra dollars, get a decent mounting system and fixed clamps. You won't regret it and your frames will thank you for it.

 

[myke232]

I think it would, You could get peice of something like half inch plywood and attached that to the center bar of the gamma x 2, then use two of the pros pro swivel clamp base and bars on top of that attached with some spacers and screws and the pros pro clamps. all you would have to figure out is what spot to mount the base to get it to be able to reach all the strings

Good luck with that. Post some pics when you do it...

 

[esgee48]

Take a good detailed look at the turntable assemblies of a simple 2 pt DW vs what is needed for the 602FC. You can't replicate the more complex assembly with wood. It is not stiff enough, not thin enough for the FC to mount and not durable enough for the metal parts that have to slide over it. By installing the widget of your own make will also hinder how the towers can move. That's why people are saying "BAD IDEA."