Looking for Stringing Machine

Sheraz, I'd go with an Eagnas 300:
http://www.eagnas.com/eag300.html#al2000

Or if you can, the Eagnas 350:
http://www.eagnas.com/eag350.html#ag603gb

They are all professional quality stringing machines at 1/2 to 1/3 the relative price of other comparable stringing machines.

My coach has had an Eagnas 300 series for 5 years now and he's strung over 8,000 rackets in that time and no problems (yes, that's like 4 rackets per day).

Highly recommended and probably the best-bang-for-the-buck pro stringing machine.

Good luck.

 

I'm by no means an expert, so take what I say with a bucket of salt.

There are a lot of factors you can consider when you're shopping for a stringing machine. But, after doing a little research of my own by reading posts and articles on various stringing discussion boards, it seems that the two factors that experienced stringers keep coming back to are the mounting system and the clamps. And I'll add one more to those and that is whether or not you want to string other frames/racquets other than badminton racquets (e.g., tennis, racquetball, squash).

With a 300-dollar budget, I think you can get a decent 6-point mount, dropweight machine that'll serve your purpose admirably. You just need to make sure that the mounting system will be able to fit a badminton frame securely, because most machines are made to fit tennis racquets and you can't mount a badminton frame on it without some modifications.

As for specific brand/manufacturer and model, if you stick with the well-known ones (e.g., Alpha, Gamma, Silent Partner), I don't think you'll be disappointed. I've had very good experiences dealing with Alpha. So, I can only recommend them. Of their machines, you may want to look at their Pioneer dropweight models. But, I've heard a lot of good things about Gamma and Silent Partner and their machines as well.

FWIW, HTH.

 

I brought my Gamma Progression II 602 from ATS Sports. They have excellent service. I have no problem with my Gamma Progression II 602. If you are not going to put high tension to your racquets, I think Gamma X-2 is good enough for you.
I brought Gamma because I heard good review and bad review about Eagnas, but never read anything bad against Gamma. Althought Eagnas is a lot cheaper, I just don't want to take any chances.

No matter what model you are going to purchase, please keep this in mind. NEVER USE UPS for shipping. Use USPS instead.

Also, Gamma badminton clamp sucks. I got 2 from ATS. It does not work well. I brought 2 badminton clamp from www.mybadmintonstore.com. It looks exactly like Yonex badminton clamp. I could string my racquets up to 28 lbs without any problem. There is NO SHIPPING cost from them. Check out the web site. The BG65 is a bargin there. 10 pack for $40US and no shipping. Better than ebay.

 

FWIW, out of the above, I'd go with the Gamma X-6 which, I think, is the replacement for the Progression model. I agree with the cards_pro, the composite floating clamps look like trouble. Some posts in other stringing forums seem to confirm it. So, I'd spend an extra $60 for a couple of better clamps made out of metal and diamond-dusted, if possible.

You may also want to look at the Alpha Pioneer line. I don't know how much they are, but they should be comparable to the X-6 and X-2. Send a mail to Mark Gonzales at Alpha (mark@alphatennis.com) for some info. Very nice sales rep. and very knowledgeable.

HTH.

 

I also have a Gamma Progression II 602 from ATS Sports.
Good customer service. The only niggle I had was that they wouldn't replace the tennis clamps that come with the machine for badminton clamps, so I payed extra for their badminton clamps. Do not do that. You can get better badminton clamps from elsewhere.

When I was first looking for a stringing machine I looked at Eagnas for a long time, but decided against them because of the number a bad reports about them in other places.

I have bought tools and clamps from Eagnas though, and I think they are good value (that's compared to UK prices though, everything is overpriced here).

I have strung badminton and tennis racquets (up to 62 lb) without any trouble. The Gamma tennis floating clamps are no good either. I got some better ones from Eagnas.

Don't get the Gamma tension calibrator either. It's more for tennis tension ranges than badminton. You can get some more accurate fisherman type scales from specialist scales websites.

 

If you are going to string higher than 25lb, Eagnas flex 740 will be my choice. It is also good for tennis also. If not, Klipper m140 for the complete tool set and lifetime warrenty. I will skip Gamma x-2 because of the clamps.