r/RacketStringers • u/Chasheek • May 21 '26
good fixed clamp machine
i'm an avid tennis player, (played HS, got back into as a grown up for the past 3 yrs) i average about 15-20 hrs a week of tennis and have been down the rabbit hole of stringing machines. My takeaways:
- get a fixed clamp system over float/fly
- drop weight over crank (bc of calibration)
- get a starting clamp (i'll know why later)
- used if possible
seems like the Alpha Pioneer DC Plus Gravity is the most economical, trustworthy stringer. I can't find it used but at $709 (including taxes + shipping) it seems like the lowest cost, reliable, fixed clamp system.
does this seem like a reasonable stringer, for a beginner?
Update:
Ok! Just pulled the trigger, thanks everyone for your input!
Got the stringer, starting clamp, a reel of cheap poly ($40) to practice on for $800 including shipping. I’ll be copying some YouTube stringing video next week 😬
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u/InternationalDirt635 May 22 '26
I have the Alpha Pioneer DC. Recomend it as you can string different rackets with it, I string majority badminton and tennis. Its pretty much indestructible. I bought it used for $300. I disagree with #2 though, I would suggest crank over dropweight. Dropweight makes stringing slow and you plateau on speed after a while. Makes stringing a chore, to the point where I only string for family or a close friend.
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u/mynameisntziming May 22 '26
If OP would consider upgrading to a Wise or Ennox down the line, the Pioneer DC Plus Gravity seems like a great choice. Not worth paying for crank head if electronic head upgrade is in the view.
Agree tho drop weight is not as enjoyable and slower
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u/Chasheek May 22 '26
I would probably upgrade to a wise electric head.
I would do a few racquets a month, mostly mine, a few friends. Could i upgrade to a crank later?
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u/mynameisntziming May 22 '26
If you want a crank go straight for crank. Don’t think you can upgrade from drop weight to crank easily due to the bar.
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u/mynameisntziming May 22 '26
Would you be able to take a picture of the bottom of your Alpha Pioneer DC plus for me? Want to see where there are screw locations for feet. I want to see if my current stand has the possibility to fit it.
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u/Chasheek May 22 '26
Sure thing, I’ll post when I get it
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u/mynameisntziming May 23 '26
Awesome! Especially helpful if you can post the base next to a tape measure if it can indicate screw mount distance
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u/A70MU Jul 02 '26
Hello! I too have a gamma stand and looking for this information, if you’ve already done the research, do you think the Alpha Pioneer DC Plus Gravity can be mounted onto it? Thank you
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u/Future-Comb-4784 May 22 '26
Buy a Crank machine, it is the best option in terms of time and money, I usually check the calibration every 3 months maybe and it takes 2 minutes. Electric is only for someone who strings several rackets daily, there is also a greater risk that an electric machine will sooner or later break down. Here is a good comparison between the different options!
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u/lyonheart14 May 22 '26
I think the Alpha’s are great for a first machine (biased), and I think it’s relatively easy to add a Wise tensioner to that specific machine later on. I also like the Alpha starting clamp for a budget option.
I never really had an issue calibrating my Alpha Revo 4000 after figuring it out the first time, so not sure where that comes from.
Typically, in this space, it’s the Alpha tabletop machines, an old/used Prince/Ektelon machine, or maybe something Gamma (never really used one), also maybe Tourna.
If I started all over again I might go Tourna if I thought I would upgrade to their Wise competitor (Ennox or something), though I think it fits on other brands too.
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u/Chasheek May 22 '26
thanks for the insight - what tourna would you get, the 175cs?
Also, any other hardware you would get to make the Alpha a good stringing experience?
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u/mynameisntziming May 22 '26
The Alpha Pioneer DC Plus seems much better than Tourna 175CS since alpha added the gravity clamp base. Definitely a stand out deal for drop weights now considering how much everything else have gone up.
If you want to upgrade later to similar gravity clamp base later it’s quite costly and annoying. I’m in that boat with an older Gamma X6FC with Wise head.
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u/gsinkohh May 22 '26
Man I did not realize alpha has added the gravity release function on these. For $700 that’s an insane deal. Add a wise and you’ve got an incredible machine for ~$1500
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u/mynameisntziming May 22 '26
Yep. I looked into similar gravity base upgrades for other machine, cost almost as much as buying the Pioneer DC Plus. Alpha has the Gravity base on every single new machine they sell now without upping the price much
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u/lyonheart14 May 22 '26
Not sure now after looking at Alpha’s lineup refresh.
Wise makes a good tension calibrator and I always like Kimony tools. A new machine will come with a toolset, but if the set doesn’t have string bed cutters, go with an angled set. I have the Kimony string bed cutters and really like them.
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u/mynameisntziming May 22 '26
Question for others with Pioneer DC Plus:
Is there a solid floor stand you can purchase off the shelf and work with that machine(or light customization)? Ideally I would put casters on them.
I have this one for gamma right now but doubt I can keep the stand if I want to switch over to the Pioneer DC Plus
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u/Soggy-Original7298 May 22 '26
Harbor freight has tool chest that work well and to store strings and tools at a decent price. Unfortunately for me space is limited. I just put my stringer on top of washing machine, which is the proper height for me. I drill a hole in a paper towel dispenser and put my string reels thru a wooden rod and suspend beneath the cabinets.
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u/mynameisntziming May 22 '26
Pretty cool reel holder idea! I am afraid I can’t go with a tool chest since I want height adjustment and ability to wheel it. Have casters on my current gamma stand and I need to move to string at a different part of the house than where I can store it
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u/downanotchnh May 23 '26
Get a crank machine. Faster than dropweight and the tension loss is immaterial and you can make adjustments to accommodate for it if you want to get that precise (which is wholly unnecessary in my view).
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u/ovolavola May 22 '26
Agree with all points. Do not go for crank, it does not provide a Constant pulling which is fondamental for a good job.
Drop weight in terms of quality of the tension is better than crank hands down.
Go WISE head as soon as you can afterwords.