Stringing machine modification

J

John Dimi

New User
I own two Prince P-200 pneumatic stringing machines (with compressor) bought back in 90's. Quite recently, I decided it was time to try something a bit different, so I ordered a Penta Premium 3600 with a Wise 2086 v.14 stringing head from good old England and immediately started to lay out plans how to customize one of the P-200 by adding a Wise head. I used a modified weldment support bar made at a local blacksmith, painted black and I adapted another Wise 2086 v.14 head + a Wise 2086 Low Height Adaptor Plate (attention: if you order a Wise 2086 it comes with a standard Adaptor Plate for crank stringing machines and you have to order low plate additionaly). Although I could, I opted against a full 360 degrees turntable, because I 'd rather have the string coming out from the grommets to the diablo (or the string head clamp) at no angle (i.e. at a straight line) to avoid any friction.

Dimensions:
1.Base plate (with the 4 conical screw holes) =~6,5X7 cm
2.Horizontal arm =~3,8X3,8X30,5 cm
3.Vertical part of arm (from the intersection and up) =~3,8X3,8X6 cm – Two holes for the brake.
4. Horizontal plate =~8X15X0,8 cm – Two holes to accommodate screws which pass through the Wise Low Height Adaptor Plate, where the Wise 2086 tension head is secured by 3 allen screws (below center photo).
The dimensions of the square tube is approximate, because I could not find square tube 4X4 cm. Pay maximum attention on the distances of centers and the diameters of the 4 conical screw holes joining the DIY structure to Prince vertical column.
Of course I removed the whole compressor. The machine is much lighter now.

For photos visit: (sorry I have to resolve this, a bit of patience pls)

https://imgur.com/a/VCp1iJH
(Does this work? Can somebody check and let me know, pls?)
 
Last edited:
John Dimi said:
I own two Prince P-200 pneumatic stringing machines (with compressor) bought back in 90's. Quite recently, I decided it was time to try something a bit different, so I ordered a Penta Premium 3600 with a Wise 2086 v.14 stringing head from good old England (RacquetDepot - excellent service, by the way) and immediately started to lay out plans how to customize one of the P-200 by adding a Wise head. I used a modified weldment support bar made at a local blacksmith, painted black and I adapted another Wise 2086 v.14 head + a Wise 2086 Low Height Adaptor Plate (attention: if you order a Wise 2086 it comes with a standard Adaptor Plate for crank stringing machines and you have to order low plate additionaly). Although I could, I opted against a full 360 degrees turntable, because I 'd rather have the string coming out from the grommets to the diablo (or the string head clamp) at no angle (i.e. at a straight line) to avoid any friction.

Dimensions:
1.Base plate (with the 4 conical screw holes) =~6,5X7 cm
2.Horizontal arm =~3,8X3,8X30,5 cm
3.Vertical part of arm (from the intersection and up) =~3,8X3,8X6 cm – Two holes for the brake.
4. Horizontal plate =~8X15X0,8 cm – Two holes to accommodate screws which pass through the Wise Low Height Adaptor Plate, where the Wise 2086 tension head is secured by 3 allen screws (below center photo).
The dimensions of the square tube is approximate, because I could not find square tube 4X4 cm. Pay maximum attention on the distances of centers and the diameters of the 4 conical screw holes joining the DIY structure to Prince vertical column.
Of course I removed the whole compressor. The machine is much lighter now.
Click to expand...

Why? The P200 is already constant pull albeit you can be more precise with the tension setting and it’s quieter.
 
dak95_00 said:
Why? The P200 is already constant pull albeit you can be more precise with the tension setting and it’s quieter.
Click to expand...
Merry Xmas and Happy New Year.
Thanks for the comment. My idea was to add the Wise head on the Prince P-200 because I had leakage problems (although I replaced tubes and connectors and used lub oil regularly), plus the fact of noise from air buildup and release ( P-200 is not quiet, quite the contrary - the Wise is noiseless) and certain discrepancy between machine tension and Ektelon calibrator indication. Additionaly, I got rid of the excessive weight of the machine. The few things I find P-200 superior to any other machine are: the 3 point racquet support (quick adjustement and steady), the capability of frame prestreching - slight, of course - due to the screw mechanism of the head and throat supports (no other stringing machine can do that), the well designed, slim, one action string clamps (3 different assortments), which reach closer to the racquet frame than in any other stringer. I dont mind about 360 degrees frame support rotation, although I could accomplish that by lowering the height of the vertical part of tension head support, but I have the opinion that the string should always come out of the grommets in straight line to the tension clamp, no angles and no friction.
The cost of a Wise tension head is, to my opinion, the more economic solution if someone wants to upgrade a drop weight, manual crank or old electronic machine ( I have no shares in Wise!).
 
esgee48 said:
Adults can have toys and hobbies too. The only difference is $$$. :happydevil:
Click to expand...
Merry Xmas and Happy New Year! You are quite right, but I guess if you string regularly (for yourself and/or for others) to invest some economies to this project is quite justifiable.
 
Last edited:
John Dimi said:
Merry Xmas and Happy New Year.
Thanks for the comment. My idea was to add the Wise head on the Prince P-200 because I had leakage problems (although I replaced tubes and connectors and used lub oil regularly), plus the fact of noise from air buildup and release ( P-200 is not quiet, quite the contrary - the Wise is noiseless) and certain discrepancy between machine tension and Ektelon calibrator indication. Additionaly, I got rid of the excessive weight of the machine. The few things I find P-200 superior to any other machine are: the 3 point racquet support (quick adjustement and steady), the capability of frame prestreching - slight, of course - due to the screw mechanism of the head and throat supports (no other stringing machine can do that), the well designed, slim, one action string clamps (3 different assortments), which reach closer to the racquet frame than in any other stringer. I dont mind about 360 degrees frame support rotation, although I could accomplish that by lowering the height of the vertical part of tension head support, but I have the opinion that the string should always come out of the grommets in straight line to the tension clamp, no angles and no friction.
The cost of a Wise tension head is, to my opinion, the more economic solution if someone wants to upgrade a drop weight, manual crank or old electronic machine ( I have no shares in Wise!).
Click to expand...

I used a P200 for a handful of years. I posted a video on YouTube of me stringing a POG 110 on it. I still receive questions about that machine even though I sold it to a friend a handful of years ago.

In a nutshell, I understand exactly what you’re talking about. The frame stretch is unique.
 
John Dimi said:
Presto my friend! See my initial post. Thanks.
Click to expand...

I got some error message.

I use the Tapatalk app and it puts the pictures directly into the post. I can even post from safari and then go back in Tapatalk later too.

Here’s my edit and picture:
29d0041000661c02ed20270485ffcd7d.jpg
 
@John Dimi , I keep getting this message when clicking on or cutting and pasting your URL:

404. That’s an error.
The requested URL was not found on this server. That’s all we know.
 
The link wants me to log into Google ... As Irvin stated above, you need to link the jpg file. The file must be public and not require a login to the server/service.
 
Good evening from Athens!
I am glad that my effort intrigued your interest and I can assure you that the experiment really works beyond any doubt. As I stated on the "Prince P200 Mod.pdf" (leaflet on the customization (or customisation!) - photo No 10):

"...if you order a Wise 2086 it comes with a standard Adaptor (or Adapter - depends on what side of Atlantic ocean you reside!) Plate for crank stringing machines, so you have to order the low plate
additionaly."

I ordered mine from RacquetDepot.co.uk with several other items and they charged me £33.29 plus shipping. Now I visited Wise site and I could not locate the low plate adapter.
I must warn you though, that the racquet support assembly does not revolve 360 degrees. If you want to achieve this you obviously have to make the vertical part of the custom made arm shorter by a couple of centimeters. For mine I calculated it around 10 cm in total, so the part above the intersection with the horizontal arm was something like 6 cm. I could have calculated it like 4 cm, should I intended to use a 360 degrees revolution, but I stuck with the original Prince idea.
Don't hesitate to contact me for any further information. I would be delighted to provide any assistance required.

Greetings from Greece!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

L
Best drop weight with good base clamps stringing machine
Replies
8
Views
1K
lazam786
L
D
Wise 2086 Mounting Issue/Question
Replies
3
Views
852
rich s
R
S
Wise install on Gamma x-6FC
Replies
24
Views
6K
Irvin
Irvin
L
Making my Gamma Drop Weight into an electric machine?
Replies
8
Views
3K
USAxSMITTY
USAxSMITTY
I
Best tabletop stringer setup?
Replies
17
Views
3K
Tennis_dude101
Tennis_dude101
Back
Top