How to: Buying/making a stand for a table-top machine

[Redflea]

Seems like we could use a thread about buying/making a stand for table top machines.

I recently ordered an Alpha Pioneer DC table top machine, and realized after the purchase that the weight (46 lbs) meant that lugging it between a closet and where ever I wanted to string, or even putting it on my kitchen table maybe wasn't such a good idea for my back or my furniture (or my marriage).

So....what do you do if you've ordered a table top model and decide you really want/need some sort of dedicated stand for it? Buy what? Make what and how?

Couple of threads that have ideas/info in this area:

Interesting thread on using a hospital overbed table and a couple other ideas:

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=102196&highlight=stand

Thread that starts out about my purchase decision but ends up more about potential stand options part-way through:

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=103861&page=7

If you've made a stand, bought something to use as a stand, have some links or ideas to share, and best of all, pictures - please fire away! Thanks.

 

[raiden031]

I use a coffee table to do my stringing.

 

[varuscelli]

I've got a bunch of stuff bookmarked that I'll add to this thread.

One of the things I've found (research-wise, that is) is that there are a lot of nearly ideal or nearly ideal seeming options out there, but many of them are very expensive.

Something that I like about the concept of using a tabletop stringing machine is that you could customize it's "stand" to whatever your personal needs are. To me, a my idea of my own ideal stand/cart/table would be that it would serve partly as storage for tools, strings, etc. If I were looking for one, I'd want it to have a drawer to two, a shelf, and maybe a closing cabinet (as long as the cabinet part did not get in the way of getting my legs close to the stand/machine).

It seems like it would be important for the stand to have a proper configuration at ground/knee/thigh level. My concern about lots of carts, etc., is that if you can't get comfortably close to them (that is, get your toes/feet under) and if you have to bend forward at all, it could take an ergonomic toll on you (just my guess from working with other similarly mounted types of equipment). Look at how floor model stringing machine stands are designed (like any good equipment stand that you have to work at for long hours at a time). You can get very close to the machine, very comfortably. You can stand up straight while working at it.

So it seems if you are going to spend perhaps hundreds or even eventually maybe thousands of hours standing at your stringing machine, you should have the work space as ergonomically friendly as possible. And it should LOOK good, too...

More later (some links to things I've found).

 

[varuscelli]

I use a coffee table to do my stringing.

I'm curious: Does that mean you sit at a couch or on a small footstool or something to do the stringing? And do you do lots of stringing that way or just the occasional racquet? I'm really just curious as to how that works out, comfort-wise.

Also, do you leave it on the coffee table, or put it up there and take it down each time you use it?

Thanks!

 

[Back210s]

I picked up a table for my LF MS200TT made by Lifetime at a local BJ's Wholesale.
It has an adjustable height (up to 28") and folds down for storage.
http://www.amazon.com/Lifetime-28241-30-Inch-Personal-White-Granite/dp/B0006D50RO/sr=1-1/qid=1163094575/ref=sr_1_1/102-6794416-5262519?ie=UTF8&s=garden

Works well for me at 5'8" and leaves the racket at a comforable height for stringing.

 

[raiden031]

I'm curious: Does that mean you sit at a couch or on a small footstool or something to do the stringing? And do you do lots of stringing that way or just the occasional racquet? I'm really just curious as to how that works out, comfort-wise.

Also, do you leave it on the coffee table, or put it up there and take it down each time you use it?

Thanks!

I have a small klippermate so its easy to move around. I put it away when I'm done. I sit on the couch but sometimes when clamping the strings I will have to stand up and bend over briefly. I have never done more than 2 racquets in a row. And I have only strung a total of 6 in the past 3 weeks since I got it.

I have chronic lower back pain that comes and goes and this doesn't bother me, so I'd say the comfort level is pretty good.

 

[varuscelli]

For those with no budget limitations (and an extra room in their house dedicated to stringing):



Height adjustable (electric, hand crank, or slide leg options), best wheels available, various surface lengths and depth configurations, storage space built in, ready for overhead lights, etc.

So what if it's unrealistic? Just had to throw it out there because I saw it.

 

[varuscelli]

Rolling cabinet and drawer style carts could be really great, but the ergonomics (how close can you get?) might be a problem (as well as high cost). These kind are also very "industrial," so for in the home, I doubt it would be exactly acceptable. And of course, the lower right one would be out of consideration with its back panel.

 

[varuscelli]

Rubbermaid makes some nice cart options, available from various places and at various prices. This kind looks as if it has a small drawer built in. I like that these are made of very hard, durable plastic rather than steel. But once again, they have sort of an industrial look (good for some, bad for others). And once again, could you get comfortably close enough from the ergonomic standpoint?

 

[varuscelli]

How about a crank adjustable table for the parent-child stringing team so you can easily vary the height according to who will be using it? How about taking on a separate bank loan to pay for it?

 

[LttlElvis]

Eagnas sells racquet stringer stands for about $90. I can't find it on the website but I have seen it posted here several times. You either get an H base or an X base.

I think at $90 it's a great deal and you can make your table top function and look just like a stand alone.

 

[varuscelli]

Some other simple, sturdy cart/stand solutions. But ergonomics again...(?). And again, these are just for ideas. There are many sources other than the linked one.

 

[varuscelli]

A kind of simple, mobile, height-adjustable option. And hey, for $40...(but no extra storage).

 

[varuscelli]

Computer and peripheral carts could work, too, and they have the right configuration to work close to them. Designs like this could be ideal. And this one is height adjustable. A tray could be used on top of a keyboard pull-out for storing all kind of tools and other small stuff.

 

[varuscelli]

Here's a cool looking little rolling stand (industrial style, heavy duty, but not run-of-the-mill in appearance). Would be really easy to work next to (but no extra storage).

 

[varuscelli]

Audio-visual (AV) carts could also work. How about a very expensive ( ) telescoping cart?

 

[varuscelli]

Copied from another thread (one of my personal favorites from Anthro). They make great home-office stuff.

Here's an option that looks really practical (but once again, really expensive). This thing is usually $299 but on "sale" for $185 at the moment (I always get their "on sale" announcements since I've requested their catalogs before).





Oh, yeah...and the Anthro stuff is pretty sturdy as well (but did I mention expensive, yet?).

 

[Redflea]

A kind of simple, mobile, height-adjustable option. And hey, for $40...(but no extra storage).

That actually looks pretty cool...holds up to 200lbs, height adjustable 33"-48", metal casters...

 

[varuscelli]

That actually looks pretty cool...holds up to 200lbs, height adjustable 33"-48", metal casters...

What I also wonder about on that one is the small seeming wheels. With a lot of weight on it and used in the home with home-style floors...hmmm...I wonder about the possibility of leaving floor marks or anything.

Then again, it might be just fine.

 

[mellofelow]

Funny stuff!! Fogetaboutit. Get a Black&Decker Workmate. And if you're handy, it's an excellent portable workbench. You'll be surprised how useful it is besides a stringing stand.

 

[Redflea]

Funny stuff!! Fogetaboutit. Get a Black&Decker Workmate. And if you're handy, it's an excellent portable workbench. You'll be surprised how useful it is besides a stringing stand.

Yabbut no wheels....I needed something that I can roll about the house to terrorize my wife. Below is working like a treat so far. Almost as if someone knew I was going to need it for my stringer. $48 bucks, storage baskets, and in a pinch can be used to serve drinks.

 

[ryohazuki222]

I'm liking that red one..... if only it wasnt soo.... red..... if I don't find anything maybe I'll order then when I'm home for the holidays and give it a revo paintjob or something.

 

[rod_b]

You could try a bench-grinder stand. You might have to customize it a little but it would work.

 

[flash9]

My Cart for the REVO4K

I noticed that quite a few people who have table top model stringers have posted asking, where they could find a nice stand/cart for their stringer? I know that Gamma makes a custom designed stand that their table top models will fit on. I have seen it selling for about $100 at different online stores.

I have found that an Audio/Video Cart that is a very nice option. The top of the carts are 18x24 inches, and can adjust from 26 to 42 inches in 4 inch increments. I ordered one and this is what I have been using. I purchased the Apollo 51007 model and if you do a search on that, you will find a company called Camcor that is selling it for $106 plus shipping. I like it because it has a storage area underneath that I can store strings and other stuff.

With my Alpha REVO4k I did have to move two of the feet about three inches, but with cheep tap and die kit, I just created threads as shown.

 

[varuscelli]

I noticed that quite a few people who have table top model stringers have posted asking, where they could find a nice stand/cart for their stringer? I know that Gamma makes a custom designed stand that their table top models will fit on. I have seen it selling for about $100 at different online stores.

I have found that an Audio/Video Cart that is a very nice option. The top of the carts are 18x24 inches, and can adjust from 26 to 42 inches in 4 inch increments. I ordered one and this is what I have been using. I purchased the Apollo 51007 model and if you do a search on that, you will find a company called Camcor that is selling it for $106 plus shipping. I like it because it has a storage area underneath that I can store strings and other stuff.

With my Alpha REVO4k I did have to move two of the feet about three inches, but with cheep tap and die kit, I just created threads as shown.

I had a bunch of AV carts bookmarked as well, and I think I had also found some that were wider than average (of course, probably at a cost that was "higher" than average to go with the "wider" than average size... ). I'll see if I can link a couple of those today.

 

[varuscelli]

One of the AV carts I had found was a SnapEase cart. Usually these things are pretty expensive at over $300. But there's a place that apparently sells them as scratch-and-dent at $159 (Abtec.com Carts). The SnapEase carts are kind of like RubberMaid, made of really hard plastic rather than metal. There are actually several versions, but there are two -- the AV Cart and a Service/Transportation Cart -- that both seem to have an adjustable top shelf and they are longer than average (21" W x 38 1/2" D x 42" H, according to specs).

SnapEase cart specs can be seen here at Iceberg Enterprises, where they are made:

Iceberg Enterprises SnapEase Carts

Here are a couple of photos of the two most likely candidates (remember, top shelf adjustable).

 

[jonolau]

I would also like to suggest that the moderators sticky this page. It is an excellent resource to provide ideas on portable stands for stringing machines.

Excellent effort and contributions made especially by redflea and varuscelli.

 

[Redflea]

I noticed that quite a few people who have table top model stringers have posted asking, where they could find a nice stand/cart for their stringer? I know that Gamma makes a custom designed stand that their table top models will fit on. I have seen it selling for about $100 at different online stores.

I have found that an Audio/Video Cart that is a very nice option. The top of the carts are 18x24 inches, and can adjust from 26 to 42 inches in 4 inch increments. I ordered one and this is what I have been using. I purchased the Apollo 51007 model and if you do a search on that, you will find a company called Camcor that is selling it for $106 plus shipping. I like it because it has a storage area underneath that I can store strings and other stuff.

That, is a sexy beast! I like that one a lot, it looks very sturdy w/good wheels, and the price is pretty reasonable for what you get. If I didn't already have a cart that fits my machine/closet so perfectly, I'd put that one on my short list.

I actually came online to update that I am really happy w/the kitchen cart I'm using (pictured a few messages above in this thread, and on Varuscelli's stringer machine web page). It has turned out to be a really good choice for me. I love the big baskets for holding all sorts of stringing and misc. tennis-related stuff, and the size of the cart is just right...fits my Pioneer DC perfectly, and just as importantly is compact enough to fit in a small closet space I cleared out for it.

I haven't had time to make some mods I want to, including attaching the cutting board top to the cart frame and using some machine bolts up through the board to attach the machine. It's very stable as-is, but since my somewhat absent-minded younger son's going to be using it, I'm going to go the extra mile.

 

[Redflea]

I would also like to suggest that the moderators sticky this page. It is an excellent resource to provide ideas on portable stands for stringing machines.

Excellent effort and contributions made especially by redflea and varuscelli.

Thanks...nice to be able to give something back to a forum that has provided me so much help over the years...

 

[Redflea]

[/QUOTE]

I attached my Alpha Pioneer DC Plus to my cart (above) today. I created a template and drilled four holes in the board that sits on top of the top shelf. Then I removed the four short bolts holding the rubber feet to the bottom of the Alpha, bought for replacement bolts long enough to go up through the board from the bottom and into the bolt holes on the Alpha. Set the board back on the cart, put the Alpha on the board, aligned the bolt holes on the bottom of the Alpha w/the holes in the board, slipped the rubber feet back under it, put the new bolts up through the bottom (w/washers to hold to the metal shelf below the board) and screwed the bolts in. Voila - the machine is bolted to the board and the board is held to the metal shelf below by the washers on the bolts...

Sometimes I amaze myself with how much ego-inflation I can get out of doing something this simple.

Some pics below...I'll have to add more later when I have more time.

Feet on the bottom of the Pioneer.

Made a template so I could drill holes to match in the board on top of the top shelf of the cart:

 

[Redflea]

Removed feet...

...and tested my replacement bolts (8mm, 1.25 x 40mm). Oops...I had played around w/some bolts that didn't fit and scratched things up a bit. My bad...

The old and the new...

 

[Redflea]

The prepared board...underside shown...rubber feet sitting next to the holes.

Prepared board sitting on the cart

Shot of bolts from below shelf.

 

[varuscelli]

Hey, great!

Looking forward to the finished product! I'm betting it's going to look pretty good. And certainly will be well anchored by the looks of it. You have my attention.

 

[Redflea]

Close-up showing more detail on the bolt than could possibly be required or desired.

How it looks...no different from before (tah-dah!), yet now it's solidly attached to the cart. Stealth mode...

The cart is:

- Shelf-terrific...three deep sliding shelves w/tons of room for all kinds of stuff
- Compact and space-efficient...takes up very little space, just has enough to hold the machine safely
- The perfect height (for me, anyway, at 6'2", though my 5'1" son uses it w/no problems)
- Inexpensive...$48! Available on-line from Target, and in their stores

It claims to hold up to 25lbs, but it is very solid and is holding the 43lb Alpha w/no problems...no strange wigglies, sagging, or any other issues. The mounting for the three shelves provide it a lot of stability top-to-bottom. I roll it about 40 feet or so from the closet where I keep it to the family room, over wood and tile floors...smooth as silk.

I thought this might be a temporary solution, but I think I'm going to be sticking w/this for the forseeable future. Its only weakness is that it doesn't exactly look cool...hmmm, maybe some racing stripes?

 

[Redflea]

Hey, great!

Looking forward to the finished product! I'm betting it's going to look pretty good. And certainly will be well anchored by the looks of it. You have my attention.

As I just posted...tah-dah!

Well-anchored indeed...I'm very pleased w/how it turned out. I'm not the most handy guy with a saw or drill-press, but I managed to get this done w/out drilling a hole in anything by accident, so it's all good!

 

[O2TourMS]

Hi this is my LaserFibre setup:
http://www.dako.us/kite/Tennis/TTsetup2.jpg

 

[varuscelli]

This is a great shot. I'd like to add this one to the image library. May I go for it? And if so, do you want to send me any others as additions or replacements to the original photos I got from you?

Thanks!

Al Ruscelli
www.photostringer.com

 

[varuscelli]

Hi this is my LaserFibre setup:
http://www.dako.us/kite/Tennis/TTsetup2.jpg

Hi, O2TourMS...

We're in somewhat desperate need of LaserFibre images for the stringing machine photo project we're working on.

Want to contribute any of your setup and machine? I'd sure appreciate it, if so.

If you haven't already seen in, please check out the images here:

Tennis Racquet Stringing Machine Photo Reference Library

The LaserFibre page is definitely in need of filling out, although we have a few shots in the queue and more on the way. But we'd welcome any additional photos you might want to contribute.

Al Ruscelli
vruscelli@houston.rr.com
www.photostringer.com

 

[Redflea]

This is a great shot. I'd like to add this one to the image library. May I go for it? And if so, do you want to send me any others as additions or replacements to the original photos I got from you?

Thanks!

Al Ruscelli
www.photostringer.com

You can always grab anything you want...all images I post here will be on my photobucket site...

http://s137.photobucket.com/albums/q202/RedfleaBucket/

I want to take some new pics in general, but haven't gotten to it yet...I'll see if I have time this weekend.

 

[varuscelli]

You can always grab anything you want...all images I post here will be on my photobucket site...

http://s137.photobucket.com/albums/q202/RedfleaBucket/

I want to take some new pics in general, but haven't gotten to it yet...I'll see if I have time this weekend.

Thanks, Redflea. No hurry, since I've got my hands pretty full between this project and and what I like to call "real" work...

But I did really like the angle/view on that last one and think it would make a good addition.

Eventually, I'll put a page on the site that shows solutions for tabletop machines and this kind of shot will fit right in. On that page, I might post some "suggested" solutions like we've wondered about, but I'd like to focus on "real" solutions and photos of what people are actually using. This is a perfect example.

Thanks!

 

[O2TourMS]

Al
Email send.

 

[varuscelli]

Al
Email send.

E-mail received. Fantastic!

Those will make a great addition. And nice sized images, too! (That gives me much better options for using them.)

If it's all right if I ask here, is that your own private site where you're posting the images? I have to guess that it is, and if so, I have to have a closer look at the rest of it. That's some great looking stuff (sorry, I had to look at some of the photos, uninvited). I won't mention the nudes...

 

[Swissv2]

thanks for the ideas! I am buying my own table top soon *maybe for christmas*

 

[O2TourMS]

Nude
Where?

Any question or comment are welcome, good or bad
About the site, it's open to public anyway.
I took the stringer to my drive way to get those pictures, just a old camera, does not take good indoor pictures.
Anything I can do here to help, please let me know.

 

[varuscelli]

Nude
Where?

Any question or comment are welcome, good or bad
About the site, it's open to public anyway.
I took the stringer to my drive way to get those pictures, just a old camera, does not take good indoor pictures.
Anything I can do here to help, please let me know.

Oh, sorry. No nudes. I must be thinking about another site.

I looked over a lot of the photos on you Kite site. Nice looking stuff! My brother is a very serious kite surfer (living in Thailand right now), and I find that stuff fascinating.

Yeah, on your driveway shots, that's probably a good way to go for lots of people. In that outdoor light, you get lots of depth of field on the shots, they come out VERY clear, and there are no worries about low light. The shots you did will work out really well for what we need.

Thanks for your help and if I see anything that I need (another angle or closer up on something), I'll let you know. But at first glance, it looks like you got everything I need.

Nice work.

 

[Redflea]

Outdoors is my plan for the additional shots I want to take as well...good to hear that will be a good way to go.

My wife and I are watching Fed play Nadal at Shanghai, I have my racquet in hand (what my wife calls "fondling the racquet"), and am ordering some string packages online on TW.

Could life be any better? I THINK NOT!

 

[varuscelli]

Outdoors is my plan for the additional shots I want to take as well...good to hear that will be a good way to go.

If you do outside shots, likely the very best way to go will be to have the machine where it's not in direct sunlight.

If the sun is shining directly on the machine, it will cast hard shadows that can interfere with viewing. Best to find a side of the house where the sun is not shining directly (either early or late in the day) and use diffuse/filtered light (i.e., not direct sun). You want as bright of light as you can get, but short of the sun shining directly on the machine, if that makes sense.

And by the way, thanks for the free advertising in your signature! I just noticed that. Answer me one question, though: How come I didn't think of that?

 

[Redflea]

If you do outside shots, likely the very best way to go will be to have the machine where it's not in direct sunlight.

If the sun is shining directly on the machine, it will cast hard shadows that can interfere with viewing. Best to find a side of the house where the sun is not shining directly (either early or late in the day) and use diffuse/filtered light (i.e., not direct sun). You want as bright of light as you can get, but short of the sun shining directly on the machine, if that makes sense.

Good...that's what I planned...our back yard patio gets some shade about 3:00 PM or so...

And by the way, thanks for the free advertising in your signature! I just noticed that. Answer me one question, though: How come I didn't think of that?

You're just humble, that's all....

 

[varuscelli]

Good...that's what I planned...our back yard patio gets some shade about 3:00 PM or so...

Good, that's perfect. (I'm never sure whether to throw in my two cents on the photo stuff or not...)

You're just humble, that's all....

Wrong!

It's just that my brain is full. No room left for things like, for instance, "thinking."

 

[me is bored]

Yabbut no wheels....I needed something that I can roll about the house to terrorize my wife. Below is working like a treat so far. Almost as if someone knew I was going to need it for my stringer. $48 bucks, storage baskets, and in a pinch can be used to serve drinks.

what cart is that and where u get it???