Yes, as stated, in the review, the mounts are hand-made. That's because they are hard to find. Try your local hobby shop or RadioShack or your best best is online here, probably the best place for technical items, McMaster-Carr: http://www.mcmaster.com/#compression-springs/=bb7pxy Again, as stated in the review, those are not PVC endcaps, they are heat shrink tubing.
I recall someone saying they are 1/2" OD x 7/8" L. I've tried to look for it at McMaster's but some of their stock is limited, and the one that seems to fit are $6.06 each. I think I have a local lead, but I may need to buy a 100 for the same price as 2 from McMasters. I was talking about the PVC tubing. They also make Silicone end caps and rectangular PVC endcaps that might look better. If you use PVC tubing for it's friction properties, then PVC endcaps may be the solution, though not a cheap one but at least one that looks nice. It's ugly but it works. Just some constructive criticism, bro.
Uncertain yet. In a perfect world: Victor C-7030 (no mods necessary) The next best thing: minorly modified Victor C-7027 with Wise Tensioner Reality: probably something similar to what Panda current has.
Link/e-mail to the 2011 Victor Catalog please...curious about some other equipment. Also, if no more C-7030, then the ExThree AM-600 is the same machine, just different name.
Panda can get it from Victor Taiwan for at least $1,000 less, shipped to the U.S. At this point, Panda is still thinking C-7027 with the Wise. Would need to be slightly modded but no big deal. Would save another $1,300 easy.
Please post info, thanks! EDIT: nevermind, saw the image. The mounting system is not as good as the C-7030; the 7032 doesn't have the 12 and 6 lock down.
posted the pictures of the 3 machines here: http://www.badmintoncentral.com/forums/showthread.php/95287-Victor-2011-Stringing-Machines
Thanks, yes, familiar with the 7031 which is excellent too but Panda believes its for tennis/badminton/squash. Panda needs badminton only...7030.
better give Lei a call to see if he still has stock. he has 2 or 3 of the C7030 in his shop. they have 5 electronic machine there. pretty impressive.
That's wierd, Victor USA only has one racquet for sale but RacketSupply has a full line of Victor rackets and machines. As for C-7031, which is the same Eagnas Combo 8010, but the Plus 8000 is a better deal at $1295. Too bad the C-7030 is a badminton only machine.
why weird ? Victor USA may be only as representative while RacketSupply would be distributor, and RacketSupply shall be getting all Victor line from Victor USA, I believe .... this is a very common in the logistic-chain. And 7031 is totally different with Combo-8010 I've seen in before. Eagnas also has copy of 7030 : http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t45ShSmB3sg/TOX4Y5xZBUI/AAAAAAAAAB4/76mrV5qUWuM/s1600/ST-1000.JPG
But the point that kwun was saying was that Racket Supply and VictorUSA was one in the same, but the both websites offerings are much different and limited. Eagnas Combo 8010 ($1645 USD) Eagnas Plus 8000 (same tensioner, different turntable), $1295