New to stringing, opinions needed

[jorge306]

machines, machine$, MACHINE$$
I'm new to stringing and it seems that I'm leaning toward the ATS SS II, the Laser ECO with double fixed clamps, and dare I plunge further with the MS TT. I'v read good and great reports on these, as well as the Alpha Revo 4000.
I keep reading that tension consistancy, mounting system, and ease of use are most important.
Since I will be stringing mainly for myself, perhaps a few others once word gets out that I am stringing, what would be the wisest choice to make?
And is the MS TThat much better than the ECO, both with with double fixed clamps? I think the main difference$ between the two, is the sensory tensioning system, and the possibly the mounting system as well.
For the money, the ATS obviously wins out. But for accuracy and ease are the Lasers and Alphas worth the jump up for someone jumping in?
Please let me know what you guys think.
Thanks

 

[Gaines Hillix]

In my case, I bought a low end machine(ATS SS II) so I could try stringing without a big investment. I really had no idea whether I'd end up liking it or not. I've upgraded 3 times since I bought my first machine. If you buy an entry level machine you can easily resell it here or on e-bay for more than 1/2 of what you paid for it and then move up. My first machine was a table top model. I find stringing on a stand mounted machine to be much more convenient, if you have the room. I upgraded to an Alpha Axis Pro, then added a Wise Tension head and then to an Alpha Apex with the Wise head. The ECO and TT are the Cadillac of drop weight machines and are unique in that the arm doesn't have to be horizontoal to achieve the set tension. However, they are still drop weight/table top machines. They have excellent build quality and customer service. I would also look at the Gamma 5003/6004 and newer X model's and the Alpha crank machines(Axis Pro, DC Blu and Apex). If you want a table top, then besides the ECO and TT look at the Gamma Prog ST II or Alpha Revo 4000. You can't go wrong with any of these, IMO.

 

[jorge306]

Gaines,
You always seem to give out good advice, much appreciate.
But when you say ...' they are still drop weight/table top machines,' it sounds as though you may consider the drop weight system as so so.
It seems that I'm narrowing down my choices to either the ECO with fixed clamp$, or either the ATS SS or the new Gamma X2. I've read elsewhere on these posts where several people have used and liked the SS, does that make it a better choice over the Gamma?
What do you think?
thanks

 

[Gaines Hillix]

jorge306, for me using a crank machine was a better experience than the drop weight. I could insert the string into the gripper on the crank machine with my right hand and crank the handle with my left hand. I never found the need to switch hands like I did with the drop weight. I also found that no matter what kind of table I put the table top machine on, there were always more things to catch the string on than with my stand mounted machine. I finally solved that problem with my table top machine by putting it on a B&D workmate and I tied an old sheet around the base of it to cover all the areas the string could get caught on.