GrilledBurgers
Rookie
I have been looking for 2-3 months now as I want to get into stringing. Looking for a cheaper used machine rather than buying an entry level drop weight, but I am having trouble. How do you guys find used stringing machines?
How do you guys find used stringing machines?
- Thread starter GrilledBurgers
- Start date
tennytive
Hall of Fame
I found mine on Craigslist, but they are listed sporatically so you have to keep looking and have some patience. You might also try posting on the TT Wanted section and see if anyone is selling there. Edit: I entered tennis racket/racquet as my keywords, found the stringing machine by happy accident. $150 for an Alpha DC.
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Jay Winzenz
New User
Ditto on Craigslist. I actually found a used Eketelon machine (the predecessor to the Prince Neos) about 2 hours away advertised for $100, but when I got there the guy gave it to me for free! It needed a little TLC but has worked flawlessly for 6 years. I also used a 3rd party Craigslist search engine to be able to search across the U.S.
loosegroove
Hall of Fame
Another good place to look is Facebook Marketplace.
GrilledBurgers
Rookie
Ah okay, I've been checking Craigslist and FB Marketplace, but no luck so far. All I see is racquet stringing for people when I search up "Stringing machine."
That's an awesome deal! What 3rd party search engine did you use?
GrilledBurgers
Rookie
loosegroove
Hall of Fame
It's all luck and timing, so really you just have to be patient and persistent. Heck, I've even seen some good deals on eb@y when people offered free shipping. What's your budget?
GrilledBurgers
Rookie
Awesome, will do!
GrilledBurgers
Rookie
Oh really, I will add that to the list. I'm looking around $300-$500 for a good condition crank machine
Jay Winzenz
New User
I think it was mentioned, but I used "search tempest". I used search terms such as "tennis stringer", "stringing machine", "neos", "ektelon"
Papa Mango
Professional
Recent Craiglist haul 
But I was looking in a ~500 mile radius of me so I had to go pick up too as the seller did not want to ship.
But I was looking in a ~500 mile radius of me so I had to go pick up too as the seller did not want to ship.
Rabbit
G.O.A.T.
I got my only used machine at da Bay. From time to time, JC at tennis machines has used machines that they put in new condition for a steal. You might give them a call. At one point, they had a Star 3 that I called him about. He is so honest, he warned me off it saying he would rather someone local buy it in case it needed work. JC is a great guy.
Abel
New User
Yes as everyone says be patient and check Craigslist or offer up. I’ve been able to buy 2 great working Ektelon machines for great deals but on the flip side I’ve had 2 guys flake out on me for prince neos machines after they agreed to sell to me. So it’s hit or miss sometimes. Where are you located? I might be selling my Ektelon model F in the future
GrilledBurgers
Rookie
Ah okay, I will keep my look out. I am in the central Texas area.
dak95_00
Hall of Fame
Always search with the terms “Tennis Machine” because stringing machines are called stringers and all other weird names. Typically tennis machine will be covered in the posting somewhere.
Where do you live? I’ve seen some GREAT machines for $200-400 within a few hours of my home.
GrilledBurgers
Rookie
That's good advice, I'll use that. I am in Central Texas. What area are you finding those machines?
GrilledBurgers
Rookie
Is this the right way to do tempest searches?
That's good advice, I'll use that. I am in Central Texas. What area are you finding those machines?
Irvin
Talk Tennis Guru
There are some good ideas here but there are also Tennis groups on FaceBook. One group, I know of, specifically created to buy and sell anything tennis. I walked through a store once and noticed a Star 5 sitting off to the side. I inquired about it and ended up buying it for $175. The only thing wrong with it was the chain came off the sprocket. I ended up getting a reconditioned tension module from Babolat for just over $400 so I ended up with my Star 5 for about $600.
There is another local chain near me that used Start 5 machines. Last year they upgraded 20 Star 5 machines Baiardos. I Inquired about the Star 5s and the guy said the last thing he new they were sitting in a warehouse.
There is another local chain near me that used Start 5 machines. Last year they upgraded 20 Star 5 machines Baiardos. I Inquired about the Star 5s and the guy said the last thing he new they were sitting in a warehouse.
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Abel
New User
Oh ok. I’m in California. Good luck on your search! I’m sure you’ll find one
$500 for a used crank is very doable on CraigsL if you wait and expand your geography to say 300 miles (I think that would be my max distance). It's the type of item that doesn't come up often but I would say over the course of a year 4-5 machines will pop up that fits that profile so it's just a matter of waiting. I wouldn't compromise on a dropweight if you have the funds.
GrilledBurgers
Rookie
Ah sounds good, thank you for the advice. I was thinking about if I should just compromise for the drop weight instead, but I'll just wait it out!
If it's not too much hassle just buy used drop weight first. Then you can keep looking. Sell the DW once you get your crank/electronic machine. The good thing with a used machine is you won't lose much money in the end.
I will sell you mine. Gamma II progression ELS electric in great shape for $700 (good deal). Im in South Fl so we will need to work outsome shipping costs or pick up etc.
GrilledBurgers
Rookie
I've got the manual if you need it. Combo 910 was my last machine. although mine had switch action base clamps.
Had a different turntable as well. Yours appears abit older. although it should service you just fine.
Seems like a good buy. How much did you get this for?
Folsom_Stringer_Musa
Professional
Someone posted for sale:
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/spo/d/hayward-gamma-tennis-stringing-machine/7267200337.html
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/spo/d/hayward-gamma-tennis-stringing-machine/7267200337.html
Folsom_Stringer_Musa
Professional
Why do transaction via fb?
You check the item in person. If you like it and the price, then buy it.
Without seeing the item, hard to buy used machine. For low end machine, it may be ok.
fb is the place for used machines unfortunately. I have bought 2 on there in last 4 months. Both great deals. You can see the photos above
LocNetMonster
Professional
Coach for one of our high school team went to practice one day last fall at a public court and found one with a sign on it that said free. All the tools were included. From his description it was a drop weight machine, probably a Gamma model since the color was red. Yeah, he snatched it up.
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