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View Full Version : Which machine to buy

Nick G
2004-06-16, 16:31
I am a pretty good junior and im tired of paying to much for stringing job. What is a good machine? Should i go for a drop weight or a spring crank one? And which one exacly.
Jens
2004-06-16, 18:25
The choice you have to make depends mainly on your budget, and if you are planning to string just your own racquets or other people's racquets too.
Usually a solid drop weight machine with two fixed clamps and six mounting points is a good choice for a beginner.
Please browse the machine ratings (http://www.stringforum.net/mforum.php) to view some opinions on the distinct models.
Nick G
2004-06-17, 03:33
Thanks Joe. well I am going into high school tennis next year and I break a good amount of strings and i will be string my tennis friends strings also.
Also i was told by my tennis coach that drop weights are a waist of time and money and that if your going to use it for the long run go for a crank.
Jens
2004-06-17, 08:52
In general I would know no reason why to prefer a crank model over a drop weight model. The drop weight machines are more accurate (constant pull) while the crank machines usually need more service (recalibration etc.). You are not much faster on a crank machine if you have gained some experience on drop weight machines.
Jay Cee
2004-06-17, 23:11
In general I would know no reason why to prefer a crank model over a drop weight model. The drop weight machines are more accurate (constant pull) while the crank machines usually need more service (recalibration etc.). You are not much faster on a crank machine if you have gained some experience on drop weight machines.

Thanks Joe, I agree entirely with your preference for a good drop weight machine.
The problem is more a question of American culture in stringing habits. They have been led to believe that the crank is the best thing ever invented since Prince sold them on the idea about 35 years ago. It is so much part of the US tennis scene since several generations, it will probably take a few more generations to change their beliefs. Unfortunately when Americans really believe in something, then its very very hard to get them to even look at something else, let alone buy it.
So let our young friend be guided by he who obviously knows what's best and we will keep on believing in drop weights.

Don't worry Nick G, millions of strings have been correctly strung in the States with crank machines, and you will be happy to keep the tradition going, but please, don't be influenced by your coach who appears to be a biased know-all when he says that "drop weights are a waste of time and money" not only is he mistaken, quite the contrary a drop weight is probably the most precise means to put tension on a string.
More important is the efficiency of the clamps and the quality of the cradle, plus some serious help to learn how to string a racquet well.
Jaypro
2004-06-19, 23:40
I too have recently bought my first stringing machine. I bought an Ektelon Neos 1000. My buddy owns a pro shop and strings thousands of racquets every year, including some for pros when they play in the area. Anyway, his response when i asked him what machine i should buy was.."theres only 1" so that was that, I'm waiting for it to be delivered next week. $1,200 dollars which to me seems pretty reasonable. I am a teaching pro who has been spoiled all his life by having other people string my sticks, but now i feel that it's something that i must learn to make myself more marketable. wish me luck! Once i get it, i'll post my review of the machine here also.