What is the best crank stringer for < $500

[jonolau]

try this

Thanks, yoga. Can you recommend any specific online companies that handle international sales of Gamma stringers?

 

[yoga]

Thanks, yoga. Can you recommend any specific online companies that handle international sales of Gamma stringers?

i dont know much about this. but matters as such they are the experts. or if you grasp a tennis magazine from your local bookstore, you can find tons of ad info at the back

 

[barry]

I'm very surprised when I found out the cost of the Gamma Progression II 602FC in Singapore, it is US$750. Looks like I might have to think twice about this investment. Thanks for all your help and will let you know if I change my mind about the purchase.

Surprising since almost all machines are built for Gamma in Asia. Gamma does not produce their on machines; they are value added dealers not manufacturers, so they put the Gamma logo on other manufacturer’s products.
For $750 you could get a much better machine. Buy something off the big auction site, ask them to document it as a gift, saves import tax. You could get a used Alpha Revo 4000 for $400 or so, I think there are some in the For Sale or trade section on TW.

Buy a crank machine with a linear gripper, spring assisted clamps, 6 point mounting system, etc.., you will not regret it. Linear grippers are far superior to rotational. You normally see them on higher end machines. Plus with a crank machine you get 360 degree rotation, on drop weight machines the bar is often in the way.

I have owned both, and like the ease and results crank machines produce. You should be able to get a quality crank machine with shipping for Under $500.

 

[jonolau]

Surprising since almost all machines are built for Gamma in Asia. Gamma does not produce their on machines; they are value added dealers not manufacturers, so they put the Gamma logo on other manufacturer’s products.
For $750 you could get a much better machine. Buy something off the big auction site, ask them to document it as a gift, saves import tax. You could get a used Alpha Revo 4000 for $400 or so, I think there are some in the For Sale or trade section on TW.

Buy a crank machine with a linear gripper, spring assisted clamps, 6 point mounting system, etc.., you will not regret it. Linear grippers are far superior to rotational. You normally see them on higher end machines. Plus with a crank machine you get 360 degree rotation, on drop weight machines the bar is often in the way.

I have owned both, and like the ease and results crank machines produce. You should be able to get a quality crank machine with shipping for Under $500.

Thanks for the reply, barry.

Is there much to worry about buying a second hand crank machine? Is there anything to look out for?

My concern is that I live in Asia, and I have great concerns about backup service. I'm not sure if Alpha has a service centre here. But I guess there isn't much to worry about so long as it's not an electric stringer.

 

[barry]

Thanks for the reply, barry.

Is there much to worry about buying a second hand crank machine? Is there anything to look out for?

My concern is that I live in Asia, and I have great concerns about backup service. I'm not sure if Alpha has a service centre here. But I guess there isn't much to worry about so long as it's not an electric stringer.

If you purchase a mechanical machine like a drop weight or a crank then there are very little that can break. If the crank breaks, or a clamp goes bad, you simply remove it and mail that part back under warranty. Most companies turn it around in under 10 days.

Doubtful you will break the stand or six point mounting system, so sending parts is much easier, faster, and cheaper than sending the entire unit. 90% of the weight is in the base / mounting system. Main moving parts on stringing machines are the clamps and tensioner.

After stringing well over a 1000 frames and in all that time (8 years), one clutch spring broke on my drop weight. Replaced it for $14, I did not send anything back to the manufacturer, ordered the spring and it arrived in 4 days. Crescent wrench and a screw driver, and a few choice words, and it went back together.

On a used machine like a Revo 4000, I would try and get one that is less than 1 year old. You can usually find one discounted $100 or $200. Many times people decide stringing is not for them or update to a more expensive machine. Shipping could be expensive, not sure what rates are from the states. You might talk with some local tennis shops and ask how and where they purchased their stringer.

 

[jonolau]

Thanks, barry for your kind replies which are extremely helpful. So far the only one I've found is Gamma with their own office here, and even so, the only models they carry are electric stringers. There isn't a DIY mentality here, and all shops have ES.

When I really have the time, I must make more calls and scout around locally.

 

[RPcoltrane]

I'd be careful about declaring something as a "gift" if it really isn't. You might get away with it, but you can also get your shipment seized.

 

[jonolau]

I think droppies are off my list for the fact that it takes much longer than cranks or ES.

I might just go with the cranks or electrics. I was reading about Eagnas and they seem to have machines which are so much cheaper than the competitors. is Eagnas any good?

 

[Mr. Blond]

Eagnas is a gamble. Here in the US we have to get them from a distributor called Maxline. Maxline has a pretty bad rap for costomer service. I know your in singapore, so you might not have any trouble. I know that Eagnas makes sells a clone of the Gamma Progression 602 Machine. You might want to take a look at this and see for yourself. Here is the comparison of the gamma and eagnas machines with just different labels on them

ht tp://www.ea gnas.com/fla sh767.html#p602fc

(just remove the spaces for the address to work)

 

[yoga]

I think droppies are off my list for the fact that it takes much longer than cranks or ES.

Thanks, yoga. It's a little daunting reading about 1pc/2pc, mains skip, tie off mains, start x, last x, tie off etc etc.

jonolau, i found you this rather detailed instruction manual. i am aware that drop weight is now off your list, but this is just to ease your concerns about those no big deal jargons

the file is in pdf format, you got to have adobe acrobat reader to view it

 

[jonolau]

yoga, you are truly a man of your word. I really appreciate the effort you've gone through.

Thanks!

Jon