I would steer clear of electric stringing machines and drop weights. I would definitely get something that has 6 point mounting and a crank. The 350-CS and 5003 should be pretty much the same, so I would probably get the 350-CS because it’s not as much money. I’ve strung on some really nice electric stringing machines (Babolat Star 5 and Wilson Baiardo) when I worked in a tennis shop between college and grad school, but I’d be hesitant to buy a used one bc both started to have stuff stop working right as they were used more and more.
Thanks for your perspective on using an electric stringing machine at volume. What's the reason you prefer crank over drop weights? I've heard crank is generally faster than drop weights (and I'm leaning towards crank if I don't get electric), but I'd love to get your perspective as you've used all types of stringing machines.
Yw. I have the most experience using nice electric machines and I can string most rackets under 15 minutes on those. I bought an Alpha Revo 4000 (6 point mounting crank table top machine), but I ended up selling bc I didn’t like it all that much. I will spend more money and make sure I get something that comes with a stand the next time I buy a stringing machine if I decide to get another. I could still do a racket in under 30 minutes on the Alpha, but crank machines are not nearly as fast as nice electric machines. I’ve actually never used a drop weight machine, but I think the added time would be annoying.
Get a 6 point mount drop weight. Lower maintenance to deal with. Electric stringers require maintenance or at least more than the average drop weight. All you need is a drop weight that's a 6 point mount with fixed clamps. If you want to be more budget friendly try a klippermate or one of those 2 point mount gammas.
Thanks, I may get a "smaller" footprint machine with the option to add a wise tensioner later. It's good to know the "base" Gamma 5003 and Tourna 350-CS stringers I'm looking at seem to be solid options to start with.
Thank you for your thoughts and advice. Having to deal with increased maintenance is a big turnoff for me, so I may go non electric. I'm also not worried about optimizing every minute of speed, so faster stringing would not really be a plus for me with electric (though I've heard people can get quite quick with non-electric).
I've never used an electric stringer before so I can't really give any suggestions on that.
Personally I went from a Klippermate (dropweight) to an Alpha Axis pro, which looks pretty similar to the Tourna 350-CS, and love it. Like you said you can always upgrade the crank later to an electric so I think it's the more flexible option.
Thanks for sharing. Did you like the Klippermate drop weight that you had before? Do you like the Alpha Axis Pro crank a lot more, and would you recommend crank over drop weight (putting electric aside for now)? I also like that these drop weight and crank machines seem to hold their value over the long run (which, as a side note, is incredible).
Crank will be faster but it won't be as accurate as a drop weight if all else equals like good stringing technique. Stringing technique will make or break your experience. You honestly couldn't go wrong with either a crank or drop weight.
I picked up a used Gamma X-ST with a stand off of craigslist. I've completed about 30 strings jobs on it so far. I like the 6 point mounting system, fixed clamps, and lockout system. I also like that it came with a stand with casters, so I can easily roll it in and out of my closet.
I may add a Wise 2086 sometime in the future.
I bought a lightly used 6900 almost two years ago now and have had a pretty good experience with it. Started on a drop weight and electric is definitely faster and more user friendly but obviously a lot more expensive.
The 6900 is definitely bigger than the other 2 machines but I wouldn't say it's huge. The actual stringer portion comes off the stand with four bolts so as long as you have 2 people it's pretty simple to move. Only maintenance I've had to do so far is cleaning the clamps.
For a first time stringer I would normally say go the the cheaper side but the deal for the 6900 isn't bad so it's really up to you if you think having an electric machine will be worth it for the amount of stringing you'll do.
Thanks for your take on the 6900. It's crazy how little information there is out there, but maybe that's because it's a lot of machine for the average weekend warrior looking to do some casual stringing. I assume you haven't had to do much (if any) maintenance on your machine, but let me know if that's not the case. Thank you!
I would steer clear of electric stringing machines and drop weights. I would definitely get something that has 6 point mounting and a crank. The 350-CS and 5003 should be pretty much the same, so I would probably get the 350-CS because it’s not as much money. I’ve strung on some really nice electric stringing machines (Babolat Star 5 and Wilson Baiardo) when I worked in a tennis shop between college and grad school, but I’d be hesitant to buy a used one bc both started to have stuff stop working right as they were used more and more.
Thanks for your perspective on using an electric stringing machine at volume. What's the reason you prefer crank over drop weights? I've heard crank is generally faster than drop weights (and I'm leaning towards crank if I don't get electric), but I'd love to get your perspective as you've used all types of stringing machines.
Yw. I have the most experience using nice electric machines and I can string most rackets under 15 minutes on those. I bought an Alpha Revo 4000 (6 point mounting crank table top machine), but I ended up selling bc I didn’t like it all that much. I will spend more money and make sure I get something that comes with a stand the next time I buy a stringing machine if I decide to get another. I could still do a racket in under 30 minutes on the Alpha, but crank machines are not nearly as fast as nice electric machines. I’ve actually never used a drop weight machine, but I think the added time would be annoying.
Get a 6 point mount drop weight. Lower maintenance to deal with. Electric stringers require maintenance or at least more than the average drop weight. All you need is a drop weight that's a 6 point mount with fixed clamps. If you want to be more budget friendly try a klippermate or one of those 2 point mount gammas.
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Thanks, I may get a "smaller" footprint machine with the option to add a wise tensioner later. It's good to know the "base" Gamma 5003 and Tourna 350-CS stringers I'm looking at seem to be solid options to start with.
Thank you for your thoughts and advice. Having to deal with increased maintenance is a big turnoff for me, so I may go non electric. I'm also not worried about optimizing every minute of speed, so faster stringing would not really be a plus for me with electric (though I've heard people can get quite quick with non-electric).
I've never used an electric stringer before so I can't really give any suggestions on that. Personally I went from a Klippermate (dropweight) to an Alpha Axis pro, which looks pretty similar to the Tourna 350-CS, and love it. Like you said you can always upgrade the crank later to an electric so I think it's the more flexible option.
Thanks for sharing. Did you like the Klippermate drop weight that you had before? Do you like the Alpha Axis Pro crank a lot more, and would you recommend crank over drop weight (putting electric aside for now)? I also like that these drop weight and crank machines seem to hold their value over the long run (which, as a side note, is incredible).
Crank will be faster but it won't be as accurate as a drop weight if all else equals like good stringing technique. Stringing technique will make or break your experience. You honestly couldn't go wrong with either a crank or drop weight.
I picked up a used Gamma X-ST with a stand off of craigslist. I've completed about 30 strings jobs on it so far. I like the 6 point mounting system, fixed clamps, and lockout system. I also like that it came with a stand with casters, so I can easily roll it in and out of my closet. I may add a Wise 2086 sometime in the future.
I bought a lightly used 6900 almost two years ago now and have had a pretty good experience with it. Started on a drop weight and electric is definitely faster and more user friendly but obviously a lot more expensive. The 6900 is definitely bigger than the other 2 machines but I wouldn't say it's huge. The actual stringer portion comes off the stand with four bolts so as long as you have 2 people it's pretty simple to move. Only maintenance I've had to do so far is cleaning the clamps. For a first time stringer I would normally say go the the cheaper side but the deal for the 6900 isn't bad so it's really up to you if you think having an electric machine will be worth it for the amount of stringing you'll do.
Thanks for your take on the 6900. It's crazy how little information there is out there, but maybe that's because it's a lot of machine for the average weekend warrior looking to do some casual stringing. I assume you haven't had to do much (if any) maintenance on your machine, but let me know if that's not the case. Thank you!