Upgrading to Lockout Machine

[UQ_Student]

I've been stringing for a few years now with my trusty Gamma 200. Pretty recently, I used my mate's Prince crank and even though it was my first time using a crank, I found that it was just much quicker and less fiddly than my drop-weight, so I am now looking to get a decent crank machine. I'm thinking that I could also maybe restring for other people to help pay for my court hires, strings, etc.

After doing some research, I'm looking at the following machines:

1. Spinfire Inferno AUD 1299
2. Spinfire Blaze AUD 1499
3. AEF Egret 200 AUD 1200
4. TOA (Toalson) X-Sti AUD 1699
5. Gamma Progression ST II AUD 1540
6. Eagnas Flex 840 AUD 1000
7. Eagnas Flex 920 AUD 1150

What are people's thoughts/experiences (or recommendations) on the above machines?

I've read many bad reviews on Eagnas machines so I'm thinking of staying away from them.

Also, I'm leaning towards the Spinfire Inferno as I've seen a lot of threads recommending Alpha Revo 4000 and that the Inferno is basically the same machine.

 

[esgee48]

Where are you located? Do the prices include shipping? Would you do factory direct or dealer?

Does a Used Machine market exist in your area? In the US, Tennis Machines is probably the No. 1 source of reconditioned machines. There are probably similar outfit(s) elsewhere throughout the world.

TBH, most of the machines you listed above probably come out of the same factory. The only major differences are the finish and the QC on the various parts, i.e tighter tolerances. There is very little that can go wrong on LO since they are a proven well understood design. Complaints about EAG are mainly with CS, which should not be an issue. Complaints exist due to posters wanting parts for older machines or for other machines.

 

[UQ_Student]

Where are you located? Do the prices include shipping? Would you do factory direct or dealer?

Does a Used Machine market exist in your area? In the US, Tennis Machines is probably the No. 1 source of reconditioned machines. There are probably similar outfit(s) elsewhere throughout the world.

TBH, most of the machines you listed above probably come out of the same factory. The only major differences are the finish and the QC on the various parts, i.e tighter tolerances. There is very little that can go wrong on LO since they are a proven well understood design. Complaints about EAG are mainly with CS, which should not be an issue. Complaints exist due to posters wanting parts for older machines or for other machines.

I'm in Australia. All of the prices include postage. I'd be willing to go through a dealer or the factory, but I'm not sure if I can go through the latter as it seems most things are brought in overseas first and sold through dealers.

I tried looking for used crank machines, but have had no luck; I think most people use stringers down here.

 

[esgee48]

Got it. So the prices are all comparable, i.e. machine plus delivery. What was your friend LO model? Did your friend's LO have single action clamps or double action clamps? Single action clamps are those that lock the clamp base at the same time as you clamp the string. Which on the list has the "best" clamping system based on reviews? I preferred levers for the base over knobs and double action vs single action. But this is my preference due to my short claws. Then evaluate the mounting system. Self Centering makes it easier to mount the frame, but not by that much. Now you can decide based on price and features. You are not making the decision based just on price, which is not what I am implying. Your choice is at the lower end, but is not the lowest cost. If you went thru this process, then you're more likely to make better decisions. All have the capability of accepting a WISE upgrade, so that issue is moot. Enjoy the machine whichever you get. Maintain it and definitely clean it periodically.

edit: Have you considered getting a low-end Stringway model? Their floating clamps are comparble to a lot of fixed clamp systems.

 

[UQ_Student]

Got it. So the prices are all comparable, i.e. machine plus delivery. What was your friend LO model? Did your friend's LO have single action clamps or double action clamps? Single action clamps are those that lock the clamp base at the same time as you clamp the string. Which on the list has the "best" clamping system based on reviews? I preferred levers for the base over knobs and double action vs single action. But this is my preference due to my short claws. Then evaluate the mounting system. Self Centering makes it easier to mount the frame, but not by that much. Now you can decide based on price and features. You are not making the decision based just on price, which is not what I am implying. Your choice is at the lower end, but is not the lowest cost. If you went thru this process, then you're more likely to make better decisions. All have the capability of accepting a WISE upgrade, so that issue is moot. Enjoy the machine whichever you get. Maintain it and definitely clean it periodically.

edit: Have you considered getting a low-end Stringway model? Their floating clamps are comparble to a lot of fixed clamp systems.

My mate's was a Neos 1000. I think it had single action clamps because the clamps (un)locked the string and the base with one lever action.

I intend to keep whatever machine I get forever so it's nice to know that all in my list are compatible with WISE head in case I go down that route, thanks.

Cheers for the tips. I'll have a look through and make a decision by the end of the week.

 

[Wes]

I intend to keep whatever machine I get forever...

Do you ever plan on stringing racquetball or squash racquets, or only tennis racquets?
Do you ever plan on using various Around The World patterns?
Will you be stringing only your racquets... or other people's racquets also?

Your answers, to those questions, will likely factor into whether you might want a machine with swivel clamps vs. glide bar clamps.

 

[Rabbit]

@UQ_Student The NEOS is a fine machine and you can do all of what @Wes mentioned on it.

 

[UQ_Student]

@UQ_Student The NEOS is a fine machine and you can do all of what @Wes mentioned on it.

I'd be happy to get one, but sadly I can't find any distributors or used ones in Australia, and it costs > USD300 to bring one in from overseas.

 

[4-string]

I also started on a Gamma 200 dropweight, and after a couple of years I got a Gamma Progression STII and also the Gamma stand.

Huge upgrade - mounting, tensioning and clamping all so much quicker and more convenient.

I would get the LO machine that makes most sense where you are, I think they are more similar than different so availability, customer support and pricing should decide imo.

BTW, IF you end up keeping your DW I highly recommend getting a triple and double clamp combo from Stringway. Such an improvement over the composite Gamma clamps.

 

[UQ_Student]

I also started on a Gamma 200 dropweight, and after a couple of years I got a Gamma Progression STII and also the Gamma stand.

Huge upgrade - mounting, tensioning and clamping all so much quicker and more convenient.

I would get the LO machine that makes most sense where you are, I think they are more similar than different so availability, customer support and pricing should decide imo.

BTW, IF you end up keeping your DW I highly recommend getting a triple and double clamp combo from Stringway. Such an improvement over the composite Gamma clamps.

I was at the checkout at TennisOnly with the ST-II but then the price updated to 1695... I think they were having an end-of-FY sale that just finished.

I ended up going with the Spinfire Inferno because for about the same price as the ST-II, I also get the Spinfire auto-base clamps. I do lose the Diablo and 3 years in warranty though.

 

[Karma Tennis]

I ended up going with the Spinfire Inferno

@UQ_Student, I think you made a pretty good choice from the options available here in Australia. That machine should serve you very well. I have seen a couple of them here in Melbourne that have been upgraded with the Wise Head. So you also have that upgrade option available to you later on. But I think, once you master the crank, you will be happy with that machine for years to come.

 

[UQ_Student]

I just got my machine today and I've got three questions.

1. What are these parts are for? The manual doesn't mention them at all.
2. When tightening the side support arms, the racquet lifts up from the 12 and 6 o'clock flast surface with a ~1cm clearance; is this supposed to happen with 6-point mount machines? I've only ever strung with 2-point mount machines.
3. Is it necessary to lube the clamp pole and crank track? The manual doesn't mention anything about this but I've read some TT threads advising to do so. Otherwise, the parts seem to move pretty freely.

Here's a photo of the machine.

Edit: Fixed the first link.

 

[Irvin]

1 - Link does not show parts

2 - That depends on the mounts

3 - No, but I do lightly lubricate the posts of the clamps occasionally

 

[UQ_Student]

1 - Link does not show parts

2 - That depends on the mounts

3 - No, but I do lightly lubricate the posts of the clamps occasionally

I've just updating the first link. I know that the twp aqua-coloured plastic pieces are for the 12/6 o'clock support pins, but am not sure about the rest.

Regarding the mounts, they are V-shaped supports.

 

[Irvin]

Looks like some are load spreaders and the springs are used in the tensioner somehow.

 

[Karma Tennis]

I've just updating the first link. I know that the twp aqua-coloured plastic pieces are for the 12/6 o'clock support pins, but am not sure about the rest.

Regarding the mounts, they are V-shaped supports.

Indeed, the aqua plastic pieces are load spreader supports. The large ones are for tennis racquets or squash racquets. The smaller ones are for badminton racquets.

The light blue bits are spare mounting post support pads at 12 and 6.

The black V shaped pieces are spare inserts for the V-shaped support brackets. It is interesting that you received V-shaped support brackets rather than the C-shaped ones. The V-shaped brackets are hybrids that allow you to string tennis, squash and badminton racquets. The C-shaped ones would probably keep the racquet flatter on the machine at the 12 and 6 points. But the C-shapes ones are primarily for tennis racquets. You can purchase them as spare parts from the place you purchased the machine from.

The small springs are spare arm springs. The big ring springs are spare Clamp Base handle springs.