Stringing machine recommendtaion

[devoker]

I like playing with soft poly or hybrids and I get mine and wife's restring at least once or twice a month and it feels like it is time to buy a machine. I also want to try new strings but the tennis shops charge alot and local stringers don't have many choice of strings.
I live in Australia and unfortunately there is no hope for a used machine.
My options are
Gamma Progression 200- 600 AUD
Gamma Progression II 602 FC-1000 AUD
Pro Stringer Platinum 2 - 1500 AUD
I live in a small apartment so the size of pro stringer makes it more appealing, however it looks like it is not as good as doing a constant pull. I am also worried it might damage the frame
Progression 200 comes with floating clamps and 2 point while Progression II has fixed clamps and 6 point mounting. As I am new to stringing I thought fixed clamps would be easier but are they worth the price difference?
Is it possible to find a more budget friendly alternative considering the shipping from overseas?

 

[Wes]

@devoker,

Of those choices, I would suggest getting the Gamma Prog. 602FC

However, I may have a couple other leads/options for you, given that you're located in Australia.

I'll send you a PM (called "Conversations" on here), so check your inbox.

Cheers,
Wes

 

[esgee48]

The Spinfire brand, oem from Siobasi and perhaps the Stringway Auto DW are perhaps options. I think Penta is also available in Australia.

 

[devoker]

The Spinfire brand, oem from Siobasi and perhaps the Stringway Auto DW are perhaps options. I think Penta is also available in Australia.

I could find spinfire and aef but not the others. Siboasi only sell electric tension head models on Amazon au.
Those are
AEF flyer 200 - 800 AUD
Spinfire Flame- 900 AUD
They both look similar to gamma progression 602

 

[loosegroove]

If space is really at a premium, a basic 2 point mount dropweight with flying clamps or a Stringway MS140 would be my choice. The 6 point machines with fixed clamps take up a fair amount of real estate in the closet and are cumbersome to move around. I know some people will disagree and will suggest getting more machine. I had a Gamma X-2 (like the Progression 200) when I was living in a 1 bedroom with my now wife.

 

[Sardines]

I like playing with soft poly or hybrids and I get mine and wife's restring at least once or twice a month and it feels like it is time to buy a machine. I also want to try new strings but the tennis shops charge alot and local stringers don't have many choice of strings.
I live in Australia and unfortunately there is no hope for a used machine.
My options are
Gamma Progression 200- 600 AUD
Gamma Progression II 602 FC-1000 AUD
Pro Stringer Platinum 2 - 1500 AUD
I live in a small apartment so the size of pro stringer makes it more appealing, however it looks like it is not as good as doing a constant pull. I am also worried it might damage the frame
Progression 200 comes with floating clamps and 2 point while Progression II has fixed clamps and 6 point mounting. As I am new to stringing I thought fixed clamps would be easier but are they worth the price difference?
Is it possible to find a more budget friendly alternative considering the shipping from overseas?

Your concerns about the PS2 damaging your frame is unwarranted, unless there is user error. I've seen a college kid not secure the mount properly, which resulted in the frame slipping over the PS2 and damaging the paint. Otherwise, if you setup properly, there is no damage to the frame, as we have restrung 2-4 sticks a week on average, and 4-6 during tournament time, for the last 3 years. I've badly damaged 2 racquets hitting slice backhands in the same time.I don't think any other stringer packs as small and quickly like the PS2, although I would keep it in a dry room to protect the electronics.
Budgetwise, the Eagnas, Pro's pro, Penta drop weights are competitively priced against the Gamma machines. I've only seen the Penta and Pro's Pro electronic ones, but the kids did research the drop weights.
Of course, if you're really into DIY, there is this:

https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/my-diy-tennis-racquet-electric-stringing-machine.759383/#post-17720897

 

[A Defenseless Creature]

I live in a small apartment so the size of pro stringer makes it more appealing, however it looks like it is not as good as doing a constant pull. I am also worried it might damage the frame

I find the Pro Stringer system produces a consistent stringbed. It is closer to lock out results than traditional constant pull. No need to worry about frame damage as long as you assemble and use everything properly.

Progression 200 comes with floating clamps and 2 point while Progression II has fixed clamps and 6 point mounting. As I am new to stringing I thought fixed clamps would be easier but are they worth the price difference?

With Progression 200 I would not worry about 2 pt mount vs 6 pt mount. Also, you can get outstanding results with quality floating clamps. Not sure about the Gamma floating clamp quality.

 

[loosegroove]

I find the Pro Stringer system produces a consistent stringbed. It is closer to lock out results than traditional constant pull. No need to worry about frame damage as long as you assemble and use everything properly.



With Progression 200 I would not worry about 2 pt mount vs 6 pt mount. Also, you can get outstanding results with quality floating clamps. Not sure about the Gamma floating clamp quality.

Gamma floating clamps are okay, I like them better than the Klippermates. But when I had an X-2 I upgraded to some Stringways and it was totally a worthwhile investment. Now the Pro Stringer Claws are also out which many here have reported very positive things about.

 

[Tennis_dude101]

Hi devoker, I'm in Australia as well, where do you live? I'm in Melbourne and have been using a Pro Stringer since 2014, very happy with how it strings my racquets.
If you live near by I'd be happy to string a racquet for you to try.

TD

 

[USMC-615]

Late to the party but like Wes mentioned, my two pennies out of what‘s originally listed…Progression II 602-FC.

 

[Irvin]

If you’ve never strung before, and you’re only going to be stringing once or twice a month, I wouldn’t want to drop too much money on something I may find I don’t like. DWs are constant pull and fixed clamps are easier to use than floating clamps. I’m not saying good floating clamps are difficult to use.or won’t do a good job.

 

[devoker]

Hi devoker, I'm in Australia as well, where do you live? I'm in Melbourne and have been using a Pro Stringer since 2014, very happy with how it strings my racquets.
If you live near by I'd be happy to string a racquet for you to try.

TD

Thanks mate, I'm in Sydney though.

If you’ve never strung before, and you’re only going to be stringing once or twice a month, I wouldn’t want to drop too much money on something I may find I don’t like. DWs are constant pull and fixed clamps are easier to use than floating clamps. I’m not saying good floating clamps are difficult to use.or won’t do a good job.

I am an engineer who likes gadgets and manual labour, so there is no way that I won't like it I have watched all your videos already
I still can't decide if I should get fixed clamps or floating clamps. If I buy Gamma 200 and buy better clamps (prostringer claws), they would almost cost the same as fixed clamps (600+180).
I have eliminated pro stringer platinum (a bit over the budget) and aef flyer (build quality is lower than spinfire) but still can't make the final decision.
Would a machine with floating clamps (gamma 200) give the same consistent results as fixed clamps (602 FC) apart from the ease of use? Also I might consider upgrading to a wise elec. tensioner in the future so I can restring others racquets for some extra income.

 

[Irvin]

Would a machine with floating clamps (gamma 200) give the same consistent results as fixed clamps (602 FC) apart from the ease of use?

Clamps are very important, but consistent results comes from technique. Is the dynamic tension I not what you want change the reference tension.

Also I might consider upgrading to a wise elec. tensioner in the future so I can restring others racquets for some extra income.

If your techniques are sound the Wise is no more consistent than any other tensioner. You may get different DTs and a Wise is faster, but as long as your techniques are sound your results should be consistent.

 

[devoker]

Clamps are very important, but consistent results comes from technique. Is the dynamic tension I not what you want change the reference tension.

If your techniques are sound the Wise is no more consistent than any other tensioner. You may get different DTs and a Wise is faster, but as long as your techniques are sound your results should be consistent.

Thanks for the info. Between Spinfire Flame and Gamma 602FC which one would you choose? The only difference I can see is the gripper. Other than that they look very similar.

 

[struggle]

Thanks for the info. Between Spinfire Flame and Gamma 602FC which one would you choose? The only difference I can see is the gripper. Other than that they look very similar.

The spinfire gets you nicer options in this price range. Linear gripper and switch action base clamps.

it's a no brainer here, IMO........

Gamma owner here, but this is self evident.

 

[Winners or Errors]

If space is really at a premium, a basic 2 point mount dropweight with flying clamps or a Stringway MS140 would be my choice. The 6 point machines with fixed clamps take up a fair amount of real estate in the closet and are cumbersome to move around. I know some people will disagree and will suggest getting more machine. I had a Gamma X-2 (like the Progression 200) when I was living in a 1 bedroom with my now wife.

Agreed that the 6-point, fixed clamp machines are more of a pain to lug around. That said, they are much better at delivering consistent results than 2-point flying clamp models like the Klippermate or Gamma X-2. Having strung with both, I can definitely confirm that. Much does depend on whether or not the person buying has the space to put the heavier stringer on a cart or something. The smaller, lighter stringers are much easier to store if that option is needed and do an OK job stringing.

 

[loosegroove]

Agreed that the 6-point, fixed clamp machines are more of a pain to lug around. That said, they are much better at delivering consistent results than 2-point flying clamp models like the Klippermate or Gamma X-2. Having strung with both, I can definitely confirm that. Much does depend on whether or not the person buying has the space to put the heavier stringer on a cart or something. The smaller, lighter stringers are much easier to store if that option is needed and do an OK job stringing.

I found I could get consistent and repeatable results with my Gamma X-2, based on RacquetTune measurements. Though admittedly I didn’t use the app for an extended period of time.

 

[Tennis_dude101]

I used to get my racquets strung professionally at the local pro shop (they use Wilson Baiardo stringing machines). Could I tell the difference when playing a match between their $55 restring and the restrings I do myself on my Pro Stringer using a 2-Point and Stringway Flying clamps? No I could not.....

Plenty of Pro level player use the Pro stringer with Flying clamps on the Futures/Challenger tours, if its good enough for them its good enough for me(being an average club hack).

 

[devoker]

Thanks to everyone, I was able to find a used 6 point machine with wise tension head for a good price.