AndI
Rookie
Background: Looking to buy a stringing machine for my son and I. We do not plan to do a lot of stringing jobs, just as many as our own needs and perhaps needs of our friends would warrant. Motivation is not as much to save money on stringing, but to be able to install any strings we want when we want them, without 2-5 days wait.
Constraints: Price is not a critical factor, albeit an expensive commercial machine makes no sense for a few racquets per month (if not less). Storage space is a concern - therefore tabletop is somewhat preferred, as long as it can be stored somewhere on a shelf.
Concerns: I am an avid DYI-er. My experience with tools (from Harbor Freight and Ryobi to Makita, Dewalt and Bosch, to Festool) taught me that one usually gets what one paid for... there is no free cheese... and cheap stuff usually becomes wasted money and gets replaced. I no longer consider myself rich enough to buy cheap tools. Likewise, I do not want to make an error of buying a low end machine which I would regret about. But I also do not want to spend more money than I need to (the usual dilemma). Good quality, reliability, and good basic functionality is all that is needed.
Prior stringing experience: unfortunately, none. Therefore, I am asking for help.
I am considering tabletop Gamma X-ELS (or Progression ELS) electronic constant pull machines.
QUESTIONS:
1. What is the size of these tabletop machines? [I understand they are only differ by color and tools drawers, and assume their size is the same]. If I were to store it on a shelf, what is the depth, width, and vertical space on the shelf is needed for it to fit?
2. Has anyone of you had regrets that you did not buy a higher end machine? Has anyone of you sold ELS or X-ELS to buy a higher end machine, and why?
3. Is there anything in its functionality that you think is missing (compared to higher end machines) that you feel like you need and wish your machine would have it?
4. Are there obvious areas where Gamma cut costs with these machines? For example, Gamma 6900 costs almost $800 more, although looks fairly similar (aside from the included stand and pedals which are probably worth $200-250 maximum). I have hard times understanding what differences between machines account for rapidly increasing price as one moves towards upper models, and if these differences are worth the cost (in non-production environment).
Thank you in advance for guidance and help!
Constraints: Price is not a critical factor, albeit an expensive commercial machine makes no sense for a few racquets per month (if not less). Storage space is a concern - therefore tabletop is somewhat preferred, as long as it can be stored somewhere on a shelf.
Concerns: I am an avid DYI-er. My experience with tools (from Harbor Freight and Ryobi to Makita, Dewalt and Bosch, to Festool) taught me that one usually gets what one paid for... there is no free cheese... and cheap stuff usually becomes wasted money and gets replaced. I no longer consider myself rich enough to buy cheap tools. Likewise, I do not want to make an error of buying a low end machine which I would regret about. But I also do not want to spend more money than I need to (the usual dilemma). Good quality, reliability, and good basic functionality is all that is needed.
Prior stringing experience: unfortunately, none. Therefore, I am asking for help.
I am considering tabletop Gamma X-ELS (or Progression ELS) electronic constant pull machines.
QUESTIONS:
1. What is the size of these tabletop machines? [I understand they are only differ by color and tools drawers, and assume their size is the same]. If I were to store it on a shelf, what is the depth, width, and vertical space on the shelf is needed for it to fit?
2. Has anyone of you had regrets that you did not buy a higher end machine? Has anyone of you sold ELS or X-ELS to buy a higher end machine, and why?
3. Is there anything in its functionality that you think is missing (compared to higher end machines) that you feel like you need and wish your machine would have it?
4. Are there obvious areas where Gamma cut costs with these machines? For example, Gamma 6900 costs almost $800 more, although looks fairly similar (aside from the included stand and pedals which are probably worth $200-250 maximum). I have hard times understanding what differences between machines account for rapidly increasing price as one moves towards upper models, and if these differences are worth the cost (in non-production environment).
Thank you in advance for guidance and help!
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