New Stringing Machine < AUS$600

Tpro

New User
I have a strict budget of AUS$600 and am considering these models

http://www.t e n n i s w a r e h o u s e .com.au/equip/machines/tst/traveller20.htm

http://www.t e n n i s w a r e h o u s e .com.au/equip/machines/tst/traveller60.htm

Also the guy from TW Australia also says he can also sell me a second hand machine for $520 which is an Epsilon brand with no way to distinguish the model. It is a cheaper equivalent to something like this:

http://www.t e n n i s w a r e h o u s e .com.au/equip/machines/SAM/g-force-r2.htm

Doing some background research it seems that Epsilon is actually a rebadged Eagnas so it will probably be something along the lines of an Eagnas Hawk 80. From what I hear this machine seems to pull anywhere between 5-10 lbs more than what it says and since I already string at a high tension (65/62). Could this potentially damage my racket (Aeropro Drive +) if it actually pulled 75lbs? Also I hear that Eagnas has inconsistent reviews and quality control. However the machine has fixed clamps and what they claim to be better features.

Also I would like to know if it is worth it to get a 6 pt mounting system over the 2 pt mounting system at a AUS$100 premium.

I will be stringing anywhere between 1-4 rackets a month, mainly for myself and occasionally my friends so I do not want to get a machine that could be potentially damaging to any racket.

Thanks in advance
 

Tpro

New User
Yeh thanks for the reply. Unfortunately at AUS$690 it is out of my price range. It looks like a great machine though. For all you racket stringers. Would you reccommend a 6 point frame mounting system? Even if it is at a AUS$100 premium (about US $70-ish). Also does the 2nd hand Epsilon/Eagnas seem a good buy?
 

equinox

Hall of Fame
I've been in there some months ago, just after he'd setup shop.

The owners name is Claude. His wife is former world number 4, Dianne Balestrat. Who i've seen coaching up at coachranes rd indoor tc.

He's an engineer and inventor. He's a very friendly chap and more than williing to show you around and discuss issues you may have about eagnas equipment. He'll let you string up a few rackets to test the machines.

It's worth having a look inside.
 

Tpro

New User
Thanks you guys for replying so quickly. Unfortunately I do not live in or near Melbourne. I live in Sydney, which is a bit of a pity because I can't go watch the Aus open every year as I am still in school. The TV coverage on channel 7 and FOX sports is still good though. You guys are lucky to have stringing machines. I only started considering one after browsing this forum for a while. And I wish my budget was higher because I am sure that in a year I will have already saved that much. (I break poly strings every 2-3 weeks). And prices for restrings here in Sydney tend to be at comparatively high prices. (Anywhere between $16-$20 for labour, even before taking into consideration the amount they mark up on the price of the string):( . So more than once a month I would drop off a racket to have it restrung with Luxilon ALU for $56.

However if thats the price I have to pay for living in such a great country then i'm OK with that. ;)
 

aussie

Professional
Hi Tpro. Perhaps I can give you some advice because I live in Brisbane and have just ordered a table top drop weight string machine from the USA. I play a lot of tennis and am fed up with the exorbitant prices the prop shops charge for restrings and decided to order my own machine for both cost benefit and also with experimentation with hybrids, tensions etc.

My major criteria when selecting a machine was the best price for a reasonable machine. After reading many reviews and comments and sending emails to various companies I settled for the Klippermate. The Klippermate may not be the best portable drop weight on the market, but most users rate it a reasonable machine to use with a reasonable quality string job at the end. Others may be faster, more accurate and possibly easier to use but, following my emails with several companies, none were as cheap.

Following several emails to Klipper, I took the plunge and ordered via the web by credit card the Klippermate. The big issue with ordering from the US is the type of shipping you want (and this is what knocked the Gamma X-2 out of the race). Shipping express via Fed Ex or the US Postal Service to get it here witin 2 weeks is around USD $170. I am in no particular hurry, so I requested Economy Surrface Post through the USPS for USD $70.60. It is slow - around 8 to 12 weeks Klipper told me, but reliable. Importantly, the $70.60 includes insurance so if the package is lost, I'm covered. (the Gamma X-2 shipping had one rate only - USD $270 to Brisbane International Airport where I had to collect it!!!) I ordered my Klippermate 10 weeks ago and it hasn't arrived yet. Klipper have been very good to talk to via email and have told me to keep in regular contact and to inform them if it doen't show up by the end of week 12.

Okay, so what did it cost me? I've ordered the Klippermate, 2 reels of Synthetic Ultra Fibre gut, 2 packets of overgrips, string tubing and string savers which came to in Australian dollars AUS $385. That is the all up cost for all items, shipping and insurance.

To answer your question about the TST Traveller 20 string machine. If I was to buy a portable drop weight machine in Australia I would buy that one. Why? Because as far as I can tell it is exactly identical to the Silent Partner Swing - just with a different paint job and stickers. Plus the TST 20 comes with the 6 point internal mounting system which is (was?) a USD $50 option on the SP Swing. The Swing has received many good reviews and comments and is generally regarded as superior to the Klippermate. Go to the Silent Partner website and check out the details of the Swing (and also download a copy of the manual in PDF as well as downloading the string video which is very good) at: http://www.sptennis.com/stringer.asp

So your decision may well be whether to spend AUS $385 for a Klippermate with 2 reels of string etc and wait 3 months to get it or to pay AUS $495 + AUS $30 for postage to have an arguably better machine (with no string etc) delivered within a week. Either way, you will have a stringing machine that you can string your own sticks with have a lot of fun doing it.

Hope this helps and I'll post my opinion of the Klippermate when I start to use it hopefully within a few weeks.

Go Lleyton at Wimbledon!!!!
 
Tpro said:
Thanks you guys for replying so quickly. Unfortunately I do not live in or near Melbourne. I live in Sydney, which is a bit of a pity because I can't go watch the Aus open every year as I am still in school. The TV coverage on channel 7 and FOX sports is still good though. You guys are lucky to have stringing machines. I only started considering one after browsing this forum for a while. And I wish my budget was higher because I am sure that in a year I will have already saved that much. (I break poly strings every 2-3 weeks). And prices for restrings here in Sydney tend to be at comparatively high prices. (Anywhere between $16-$20 for labour, even before taking into consideration the amount they mark up on the price of the string):( . So more than once a month I would drop off a racket to have it restrung with Luxilon ALU for $56.

However if thats the price I have to pay for living in such a great country then i'm OK with that. ;)
 
Tpro

looking at the TST 20
Sportmachines.com.au sell a drop weight model with Two lock down point and four additional supports (in's or out) for only $395.00 with all tools and GST.
The difference is their machine has a lineal string gripper and not the cam type gripper that destroys your multy and poly monos strings.
Any one with stringing knowledge will agree a lineal gripper is the best there is.
and at that price is unequaled.
 

Tpro

New User
Thanks guys for the input. I'm mainly gonna be stringing polyester on the machine. Is this particularly difficult on a dropweight and should I practice with a normal nylon or synthetic string several times before I attempt stringing poly? Also, what should I be careful about when I do string the poly to avoid breakage and what can I do to make the process easier?
 

equinox

Hall of Fame
Polys not much harder to string. It's little more difficult to handle and weaving the crosses is slower.

Just don't kink the string and you'll be fine.

I'd buy a linear gripper if stringing lots of poly. Gentler on the string.
 

equinox

Hall of Fame
tennis mongrel said:
looking at the TST 20
Sportmachines.com.au sell a drop weight model with Two lock down point and four additional supports (in's or out) for only $395.00 with all tools and GST.
The difference is their machine has a lineal string gripper and not the cam type gripper that destroys your multy and poly monos strings.
Any one with stringing knowledge will agree a lineal gripper is the best there is.
and at that price is unequaled.
Hi,

You should really disclose that you're the owner of that particular site.

It's the right thing to do.
 

Tpro

New User
Bought a Stringer!!

I went and bought the TST traveller 60. I wanted to be safe with the mounting systems so I decided upon the 6 point mounting system. I have already strung 2 rackets. A babolat aeropro drive+ with prince synthetic gut (I took about 1.5 hours to do this) and a head liquidmetal prestige mid with kirshbaum super smash (This was much harder but still took about 1.5 hours). Overall I am very happy with it.

I would just like to personally thank you equinox for being so helpful and offering such good advice.

(And if tennis mongrel really is the owner of the sportsmachines.com.au I think that it is very dishonest. Many people such as myself often come here to find good, unbiased advice based on experiences and help when making decisions, whether it be on rackets or stringing machines.)
 
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