hey guys. Relatively new to stringing (I've finished probably around 150 rackets) and wanted to purchase my own machine, so I bought a used gamma 5003 on ****. At first glance the machine looked ok, but upon arrival I realized it was not ready out of the box. all the parts arrived complete and undamaged, however there are issues with the string tensioner. the tension is significantly off after adjustment, by about ~10-15 lbs. the crank is wobbly and rolls loose on the tension track. my guess is this has something to do with adjusting the brake? The machine was not very expensive and I'm now realizing why lol. What do you guys think? should I just purchase a new tensioner assembly or is it possible get this working again? I will include videos of the machine rolling and pulling tension on the track
used gamma 5003 issues
- Thread starter ajw470
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- gamma 5003 help stringing tensioner
Steve Huff
G.O.A.T.
Time to call Wise.
The tension head will wobble on the track, it's not a Porsche. There are some
adjustments, but lockout heads do have movement.
Calibration should be straight forward. Do you have the manual?
Got a scale of some sort that you trust?
BAM!!
@ajw470,
It's tricky to say just what might be out of adjustment (possibly multiple things).
So, perhaps we'll have a better idea of the issues once you post your video.
It's not too likely that you'll need to purchase a new tensioner.
Chances are decent that you will be able to adjust things to how they should be.
Now, IF the machine merely needs to be calibrated, I've thoroughly covered that here...
It's tricky to say just what might be out of adjustment (possibly multiple things).
So, perhaps we'll have a better idea of the issues once you post your video.
It's not too likely that you'll need to purchase a new tensioner.
Chances are decent that you will be able to adjust things to how they should be.
Now, IF the machine merely needs to be calibrated, I've thoroughly covered that here...
lol, yes definitely not a porsche. I'm familiar with this machine, and what I've got isn't normal. I'll post the video shortly.
ok so finally got home to the stringer. I think the issue is the crank arm- it moves around and is visibly loose on the track. It easily falls off.
(apologies for my extraordinarily messy room)
I did download the user manual, and adjusted tension accordingly. the tension actually seems sort of ok. Its around 50 lbs when I set it, though it differs slightly depending on where on the track tension is pulled. meaning if I start from the part of the track closest to the clamps, its different than if I pull tension from the back.
Also saw something in the manual about adjusting the 'tensioner brake' but it does not state when you might want to adjust that.
(apologies for my extraordinarily messy room)
I did download the user manual, and adjusted tension accordingly. the tension actually seems sort of ok. Its around 50 lbs when I set it, though it differs slightly depending on where on the track tension is pulled. meaning if I start from the part of the track closest to the clamps, its different than if I pull tension from the back.
Also saw something in the manual about adjusting the 'tensioner brake' but it does not state when you might want to adjust that.
Irvin
Talk Tennis Guru
Maybe @Gamma Tech can shed some light on the subject.
MAX PLY
Hall of Fame
Definitely check with @Gamma Tech but it looks like you are missing a part of the stablizing wheel--I thought there was an additional circular device that keeps the tension head stable on the rail as it moves back and forth--you seem to just have flat wheel with no larger rim (see p. 10 of the 5003 manual)--but def. check with the folks at Gamma.
There's a "lever" that should hang down below the track. It swivels on a bolt. It is levered when needed to
lift the tension head to position it where you wish on the track. I'm thinking it is missing? (I've had my Wise on for
too long and can't recall exactly...)
said lever, I think, also prevents that wobble.....
Does that exist on your unit? Your videos are from above...
lift the tension head to position it where you wish on the track. I'm thinking it is missing? (I've had my Wise on for
too long and can't recall exactly...)
said lever, I think, also prevents that wobble.....
Does that exist on your unit? Your videos are from above...
You shouldn't even be able to crank the head that close to the table with that stop extended, as it appears to be??
(or maybe it's the other way around, been awhile)
Make me think the lever i referred to above is missing. Maybe I'll dig out my tension head. At the same time, hmmmmmmm.
edit: nah
(or maybe it's the other way around, been awhile)
Make me think the lever i referred to above is missing. Maybe I'll dig out my tension head. At the same time, hmmmmmmm.
edit: nah
Last edited:
I'm looking at my Gamma 6004 crank. I assume they should be very similar. That lead roller doesn't have edges on it like mine for the rail to ride on. There should be 2 rollers on the top and one on the bottom. Yours looks like it doesn't have a bottom roller, but it is unclear from the angle of your videos. I will try to post a pic, but this looks like the problem
dak95_00
Hall of Fame
If @Gamma Tech isnt available, reach out to tennismachines.com as they can rebuild your tension head and have it working as good as new.
graycrait
Legend
Holy Moly! I have seen so few other stringing machines besides my NEOS I didn't realize how steep the string angle is from the racket to the diabolo. However, it is just racket stringing. But one would think more level and shorter reach would be better, but maybe it is inconsequential. Is 360 worth that angle and length of pull? Forget I wrote all that. I am stuck with my NEOS and Wise and will not ever spend another dime on a stringing machine for all my two machines' inherent "issues".
hey guys. thanks for all the replys. took a photo of the tensioner on the side. it's an older model so it looks different than the one in the linked videos.
it actually seems to be rolling on the track a bit better. there are some minor fluctuations in tension as shown in this video:
so... professional opinions? is it my technique or is this machine completely fine?
thanks alot guys
it actually seems to be rolling on the track a bit better. there are some minor fluctuations in tension as shown in this video:
so... professional opinions? is it my technique or is this machine completely fine?
thanks alot guys
Irvin
Talk Tennis Guru
It’s not a diabolo it’s a string guide / roller, meant to maintain a constant angle going into the LO gripper which maintains a constant tension. Without the string guide / roller as the distance from the gripper to the frame changes the angle into the gripper changes which changes leverage. As leverage changes, the pull on the gripper changes, which changes tension. The roller (on a ball bearing axle) is meant to spin freely so the tension on both sides, to gripper and racket, are equal. A diabolo / diablo does not spin, creates a lot of friction, and reduces the tension on the tensioner gripper side so there is less pressure on the string by the gripper plates.
You will only see this on (Gamma) LO machines because the gripper on other types of tensioners does not tilt to engage a locking device. The string guide does increase the length of string needed to reach the gripper.
Irvin
Talk Tennis Guru
You pull tension and it locks out, but after it locks out the gauge drops in tension because the string / spring is stretching. Watch the gauge closely as your tensioner locks out and you can see this. The stiffer the string on the tensioner the less the drop will be and that's why some people use Kevlar instead of the SG (recommended by Gamma) that comes with the tensioner. But the tension the tensioner pulls when it locks out, as you're using it, is not the actual tension it is something greater than your calibrated reference tension. And as you use different strings, with more / less stretch, your actual tension will be different. Your calibration may be consistent but it is actually consistently inconsistent with different strings.
yes, I fixed those on loosely and lubricated the track.
Thanks ya, noticed that happening but I wasn't sure! using the tennistension app to test the results... strung my boom pro w/ hyper g and that was spot on @ 52 lbs. however my dunlop w a 17g SG came up 5 lbs short.
Gamma Tech
Professional
@ajw470 looks like you have a bent break disc, these can be replaced failry easily. Sorry I missed something else I read through this thread pretty quickly. Feel free to reach out to me for assistance: 412-323-0335 x224, support@gammasports.com.
hey @Gamma Tech emailed you at the address you provided.
