Gamma X-2 Two-point mounting system

[tennisINmyBLOOD]

I know it would be wise to purchase a 6-point mounting system, but money just doesn't permit right now. I'm looking at the Gamma X-2 and was wondering if anyone has experienced damage to their frame while stringing with this machine. Does the two-point system get the job done, or should I be warned?

 

[pro_staff]

I've strung 50+ rackets on the Gamma X-2 and NEVER had a racket deform or damage in any way.

 

[Gellin]

I've strung 50+ rackets on the Gamma X-2 and NEVER had a racket deform or damage in any way.

Ditto, no problems here either. :mrgreen:

 

[Cup8489]

no problems here, however i have had some noticeable flex on some of the older frames i've strung (just actually strung one of my Wilson stings with a multi at 64 lbs, and it definitely was bending!)

The X-2 is a great machine, but if you can manage it, I say go for a 6 pt mount with Fixed Clamps, and maybe even go for a crank system.

Most people here would say that it's a waste of money, but as long as you use it, it's worth it.

I'm considering upgrading from the X-2 to an electric constant pull, because (as i see it) why not get the best i can use, might as well if i can save my money.

beats me buying yet more tennis rackets.

 

[COPEY]

When I was doing research to figure out what kind of machine I wanted the line of reasoning that made most sense to me is that you can damage a frame on either a 2- or 6-point mounting system. Mounting on a 2-point is fine, was done for years before the advent of the 6-point system, and is still popular today.

Go with the Gamma X-2 - you'll be fine.

 

[Technatic]

Direct is better than indirect!

I would like to back up Copey in his opinion about the mounting system:

If you do a search on the forums you will notice that there are much more problems with racquets on 6 point (indirect) mountings than on quite simple direct systems. Even the old Ektelon 3 point mounting never gave any problems.

The reason for that is that the 6-point mounting is a fundamental mechanical mistake:
The wrong thought is that there is no stress in the racquet when there is no deformation.

It is the other way around: The force of the outsides supports introduces a stress that is not there on direct systems at all.

The reason that the stress in the racquet is higher in a 6-point mountings is that the force of the outside supports has to be transferred to the position of the main strings, which creates a bending stress in the racquet.

The thing that is of secondary importance is, that the pressure between the mounting and the racquet should be as low as possible. This can be achieved by using a wide “banana kind” of retainer (not too hard).

So go for the 2 point it is fundamentally the better choice.

 

[COPEY]

LOL um...I don't think we're on the same page, Tech. You have an agenda, a "belief" with respect to which system is better. All I said is that it's possible to damage a frame on both. Unlike you, I'm not drawing a line or taking a side.

 

[Technatic]

COPEY LOL um...I don't think we're on the same page, Tech. You have an agenda, a "belief" with respect to which system is better. All I said is that it's possible to damage a frame on both. Unlike you, I'm not drawing a line or taking a side.

Excuse me Copey, I meant to found your advise to go with the 2 point machine. As a mechanical designer I don't have a "believe" that inside direct is better, it is a "conviction" that it is better which is very easy to prove without any high level acracatabra.

The argument behind direct systems in words is easy:
"Prevent the racquet from getting shorter so that it dos not get wider either".

But if more technical prove is desired just let me know.

 

[Bud]

When I was doing research to figure out what kind of machine I wanted the line of reasoning that made most sense to me is that you can damage a frame on either a 2- or 6-point mounting system. Mounting on a 2-point is fine, was done for years before the advent of the 6-point system, and is still popular today.

Go with the Gamma X-2 - you'll be fine.

I keep telling people this... but most are already brainwashed by corporate marketing pushing 6-point machines

I've strung hundreds of frames of all different ages, shapes and sizes on my X-2 and never had a single issue.

 

[Bud]

I would like to back up Copey in his opinion about the mounting system:

If you do a search on the forums you will notice that there are much more problems with racquets on 6 point (indirect) mountings than on quite simple direct systems. Even the old Ektelon 3 point mounting never gave any problems.

The reason for that is that the 6-point mounting is a fundamental mechanical mistake:
The wrong thought is that there is no stress in the racquet when there is no deformation.

It is the other way around: The force of the outsides supports introduces a stress that is not there on direct systems at all.

The reason that the stress in the racquet is higher in a 6-point mountings is that the force of the outside supports has to be transferred to the position of the main strings, which creates a bending stress in the racquet.

The thing that is of secondary importance is, that the pressure between the mounting and the racquet should be as low as possible. This can be achieved by using a wide “banana kind” of retainer (not too hard).

So go for the 2 point it is fundamentally the better choice.

TY for an excellent and concise post! I get tired of repeating this every time the subject arises.

 

[COPEY]

Excuse me Copey, I meant to found your advise to go with the 2 point machine. As a mechanical designer I don't have a "believe" that inside direct is better, it is a "conviction" that it is better which is very easy to prove without any high level acracatabra.

The argument behind direct systems in words is easy:
"Prevent the racquet from getting shorter so that it dos not get wider either".

But if more technical prove is desired just let me know.

Oh no - no more information is needed or desired. I'm not about to turn this thread, which started out asking a basic question about a single machine, into yet another debate over 2- vs 6-point mounting lol. I merely wanted to point out that you are a proponent of 2-point mounting and I advocate having a machine regardless of what type of mounting system it has.

 

[Bud]

Oh no - no more information is needed or desired. I'm not about to turn this thread, which started out asking a basic question about a single machine, into yet another debate over 2- vs 6-point mounting lol. I merely wanted to point out that you are a proponent of 2-point mounting and I advocate having a machine regardless of what type of mounting system it has.

However, what he stated is spot on.

 

[COPEY]

Oh boy. Ok...to the OP, here's what you need to know:

There are lots of pros who get their racquets strung on machines that have 6-pt mounting systems. If they don't seem too concerned about it, I dare say you shouldn't worry about it. I'm not saying Bud and Tech are wrong - I don't really care to go down that road (again). I'm just saying that getting an X-2 would be fine, but if you opted to get a 6-pt system that would be just as good.

 

[lionel_101]

I know it would be wise to purchase a 6-point mounting system, but money just doesn't permit right now. I'm looking at the Gamma X-2 and was wondering if anyone has experienced damage to their frame while stringing with this machine. Does the two-point system get the job done, or should I be warned?

If you don't have the money, the X-2 is a great stringing machine. I too didn't have the money to buy a fancy stringer, and decided to buy the X-2. After stringing 50+ racquetball racquets for friends and me, it is still working great. A lot of people complain about the clamps and mounting system and so on, but I have had no problems at all.

The only damage I can see being done to a racquet is from the careless stringer not mounting the racquets correctly and / or making careless mistakes when using the X-2.

I only charge my friends $10.00 for stringing and thus they have actually already paid for my X-2 and the more expensive strings I use for my racquets.

So, yes in my opinion, the Gamma X-2 does get the job done very nicely....:grin:

 

[autumn_leaf]

the x-2 is a fine machine. i used mine for a year before upgrading to a Gamma 602fc.

the main reason i changed was for the fixed clamps. they're metal (better constructed) and able to hold onto the string better than the plastic ones that comes with the x-2. really i would've been fine if i upgraded to better flying clamps, but i wanted fixed clamps.

unfortunately i don't see many 2 pt mounting systems with fixed clamps without it being overly expensive.

 

[pingu]

OP: you will be perfectly fine with the X-2. Just get it and start $aving.

Good luck !

 

[Technatic]

COPEY Oh boy. Ok...to the OP, here's what you need to know:

There are lots of pros who get their racquets strung on machines that have 6-pt mounting systems. If they don't seem too concerned about it, I dare say you shouldn't worry about it. I'm not saying Bud and Tech are wrong - I don't really care to go down that road (again). I'm just saying that getting an X-2 would be fine, but if you opted to get a 6-pt system that would be just as good.

This is what often happens in stringing-technical discussions, when there are no more arguments the pro- stringers and pro players come in.

The questions are:
- Does a pro stringer know about the mechanics in the racquet during stringing and after that?
- Does the pro player know about the mechanics of racquet stringing?

Or?
Do the pro stringers just go with the flow?

- Would Button know about the mechanical design of his car, or is that Ross Brawns part?

Many years ago on the ISPO in Munich a designer of one of the big names in stringing machine manufacturing admitted that they had made the wrong choice with the outside supports.
But they could not turn back because they would loose a lot of credibility with their customers.

Perhaps it could be useful to go back to the root of the outside support, the bar between 3 and 9 o’clock.
That looked so logic at first sight, preventing the racquet from getting wider.
But it was the worst idea in stringing ever, the racquets broke on the machine.

 

[COPEY]

You know what, Tech? I bet to some people that sort of information is interesting, worthy of further discussion, an exchange of opinions and the like. The op is a high school kid wondering if a Gamma X-2 is a safe buy.

I'm not sure who your target audience is, but I think it's safe to say the op isn't impressed. Confused maybe, wondering what all of your info has to do with her very basic question.

But hey, for the sake of argument let's say you're right; that 2-pt is superior to 6-pt. So what? It's apparently not enough to pull 6-pt mounting systems off the market or use only 2-pt mounting systems at pro tournaments. So again, I personally could care less if you know 2-pt is a better mounting system than 6-pt. What I do know is it's possible to damage a racquet on either. I suppose the only thing I can say in response to your vastly superior knowledge with respect the technical aspects of stringing is, "good for you!"

Back to the OP - pick a machine you can afford, watch Yulitle's videos, pickup whatever information/tips you can from reading about the experiences of others, string your racquets, string for a few teammates/buddies and enjoy playing for your school.

 

[tennisINmyBLOOD]

Thanks Copey for making your advice simple I ended up buying the Gamma X-2 and am excited to string my first racquet! I have watched Yulitle's videos and have learned the basics.

Thanks to all other posters and their input as well, I was a bit confused on whether to get a 2 pt or 6 pt, but since no one has had problems with the X-2 besides the clamps it comes with, I decided it was the best choice. Being a high school student, I don't need anything more than to string for myself and a few friends without damaging the racquet.

 

[Bud]

You know what, Tech? I bet to some people that sort of information is interesting, worthy of further discussion, an exchange of opinions and the like. The op is a high school kid wondering if a Gamma X-2 is a safe buy.

I'm not sure who your target audience is, but I think it's safe to say the op isn't impressed. Confused maybe, wondering what all of your info has to do with her very basic question.

But hey, for the sake of argument let's say you're right; that 2-pt is superior to 6-pt. So what? It's apparently not enough to pull 6-pt mounting systems off the market or use only 2-pt mounting systems at pro tournaments. So again, I personally could care less if you know 2-pt is a better mounting system than 6-pt. What I do know is it's possible to damage a racquet on either. I suppose the only thing I can say in response to your vastly superior knowledge with respect the technical aspects of stringing is, "good for you!"

Back to the OP - pick a machine you can afford, watch Yulitle's videos, pickup whatever information/tips you can from reading about the experiences of others, string your racquets, string for a few teammates/buddies and enjoy playing for your school.

You don't give the OP much credit for having a brain. What Tech is stating isn't rocket science. If the OP isn't interested in a specific post he can simply skip it or ask questions to clarify.

 

[COPEY]

Thanks Copey for making your advice simple I ended up buying the Gamma X-2 and am excited to string my first racquet! I have watched Yulitle's videos and have learned the basics.

No problem at all, tImB. You impress me as someone who loves the game, so my guess is you won't mind the labor involved with stringing your racquet. Your first one may take you a while (almost 2-hours here lol), but it gets a lot easier pretty fast. I'm still a rookie by comparison to most of the people that frequent this forum, so if you get stuck don't hesitate to post a question - someone will help you out, and fast!

Have fun, and congrats on your new machine!

You don't give the OP much credit for having a brain. What Tech is stating isn't rocket science. If the OP isn't interested in a specific post he can simply skip it or ask questions to clarify.

Didn't have to - I simply answered "her" (not him) question. Listen, I don't have a problem with you, Tech or anyone else who assert that they "know" 2-pt is better than 6-pt. Again, maybe it is - I don't care. I just know that either mounting system will allow you to successfully string a racquet and use it for its intended purpose, just as either can damage a frame if used incorrectly. It seemed to me that's all she wanted to know in a nutshell.

This is proof-positive I was correct...

Thanks Copey for making your advice simple

Tech's obviously a very intelligent guy, takes his mechanical engineering pretty serious. In fact, I've read quite a few of his posts and found them very interesting. Without going into detail, my work, and even most of the hobbies I'm into have very technical aspects to them, but sometimes things can be kept relatively simple, basic. I just think sometimes he (Technatic) goes over the top when it isn't necessary. It's nothing personal--just my opinion.