THIS REVIEW COMES FROM THE STRINGWAY USERS CLUB ON THE TENNISWAREHOUSE FORUM.
A year ago I bought a Stringway ML100, fixed clamps, tennis/badminton, cross stringing gadgets etc. I’m really happy with the purchase, so I wrote to Fred to let him know. Figured I ought to post it here too. Not mentioned in the review, but oh, so important, has been Fred’s own attentive service, patience, and responsiveness.
Hi Fred,
It’s been about a year since I purchased an ML-100 with tennis and badminton fixed clamps and accessories. I’ve strung about 200 racquets since then, about 50/50 tennis and badminton. Some of my customers are quite discerning. I do stringing for 3 of the the province’s top ten tennis players as well as the reigning provincial champion in badminton.
I’d just like to report that my Stringway ML100 has performed flawlessly, not even the slightest deficiency in that time. I’ve done regular maintenance as required and all moving parts are functioning like brand new. Naturally, over that time I’ve become more efficient at setup, stringing and switching between tennis and badminton modes, but efficiency matters little to me since I so thoroughly enjoy the pleasure this hobby brings me. Good tools enhance that pleasure.
I’ve also become quite confident using the cross-stringing tools. Now I can’t imagine doing without them! What I like most is what I believe is a bump in overall quality because there is no string burning or even minor friction. It means that crosses and mains are getting virtually the same, non-intrusive handling. This is especially important with natural gut. An added bonus is I never make any weaving errors, meaning I can enjoy the process of cross-stringing without having to concentrate so intensely on avoiding slip-ups. Discovering an inadvertent double-under or double-over error with the conventional cross-stringing technique isn’t a big deal to fix, but it does disrupt work flow. When you think of the hundreds of cross-sections, up and down, the stringbed, the tool really goes towards a more relaxed approach to doing crosses.
So, in summary, after one year of regular use of my Stringway ML100, I’d like to let you know that this stringing machine and tools are the best investment I’ve ever made, in terms of fun, reliability, toughness, accuracy, and yes, financially too. Mine is just a micro-business type of hobby for me, but I’ve managed to earn enough in revenue to completely pay for the machine.
I’ll get back to you in again with a 5-year review or maybe a 10-review. I suspect it will be really easy, just copy/paste this one and change the date!
I’m one very happy customer!
Best of luck in your business. I hope Stringway is doing well and will continue to do well for many years.
Bob
Summerside, Prince Edward Island, Canada
THIS COMES FROM A NEW USER:
hi Fred,
I was about to send a reply to you. I was waiting to assemble and do couple of stringing before I reply. Yes, the machine was delivered on Monday evening and I have done 2 stringing so far. The package and items were fine. After the string job, I really appreciate the high quality of the product and its engineering. I am highly satisfied. I should’ve got rid of my gamma drop weight and bought this sooner.
Thank you,
Prem
THESE ARE SOME GENERAL OPINIONS FROM USERS ABOUT THE MS140 light weight traveller.
- Van de Stringway users club on the Tenniswarehouse forum come these opinions:
From Joe Doe:
I’m happy owner of MS140 and I would like to put my 5 cents in.
MS140 is compact, professional level machine with constant pull.
The machine is well built, easy to use and stringing results are very consistent.
Fast clamp is a nice feature, but if you don’t like it, there is a version MS140 with the hooks.
Stringway MS140 vs Gamma X-ELS electronic stringing machine:
Price for Gamma X-ELS is over $1200 vs $600-$700 for Stringway MS140.
Gamma X-ElS is 20 kg vs 7 kg Stringway MS140.
Stringway flying clamps are better than Gamma clamps. I think the diamond powder on Gamma clamps is too aggressive for the strings.
Stringway has outstanding customer service and I’m very grateful to Fred Timmer for his support and his patience.
From Mr Smith:
I agree, MS140 is an excellent stringer. I changed my mind about fast clamps. It took me some time to figure out how to use it properly.
- About the “string-store-hole” in the suppor plate:
Ah, now I know what it is for!
That’s an excellent idea, this machine is really “designed by stringers for stringers”!
* Next time I use the string end holder and make note about it. Just a feedback to you that I did several stringing this week with the traveler machine and I find it really fantastic. Simple, fast and stable racquet fixing together with very reliable flying clamps and constant pull !
- I feel that the stringer is very sturdy, and my first time using flying clamps. Glad I got the Triple and Double combination.
- Gisteren heb ik de bespan machine ontvangen waarvoor mijn dank; ziet er geweldig fraai uit.
In English: Yesterday I received the stringing bespan machine for which my thanks; looks great.
- I have successfully strung 5 racquets and would like to give my brief feedback.
Stringing was real pleasure, your clamps are amazing. I’m really happy with the machine.
- French agent: All 5 clients are pleased with their new machine, me too !!!
Thanks Fred, a great job mate.
- Prettig bespannen op de traveler. En je kunt mooi zuinig bespannen het spanmechanisme zit dicht bij het racket.
In English: Pleasantly stringing on the traveler. And you can string economically the tensioner is close to the racket.
*As I mentioned to John, I think this portable machine will be an excellent solution for a multitude of players and racket stringers, it’s a truly great concept.
I can envision customers purchasing this machine not only for travel but for home as well, it’s just a great marriage of efficiency, functionality and precision at an affordable price.
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p class=”style10″ align=”left”>THE DISCUSSIONS BELOW ABOUT STRINGWAY CAN BE FIND ON THE FORUMS:
Visit the “Stringway machine users club” on the Tenniswarehouse forum”
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=461190
About our machines:
In English:
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=306401
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=215185&page=3
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=274280
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=215185
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=213946
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=275821
About our clamps and cross stringers:
http://www.gutsandglorytennis.com/blog/2011/11/stringway-cross-stringing-tool-revisited/#comment-2148
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=146036
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=296347
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=230562
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=294844
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=6787
In German:
http://www.saitenforum.de/board/showthread.php?t=18275
http://www.saitenforum.de/board/showthread.php?t=20103&page=9
http://www.saitenforum.de/board/showthread.php?t=22262
http://www.saitenforum.de/mforum.php
In onderstaande teksten geldt:
LASERFIBRE MS200TT = STRINGWAY ML100 / 90
LASERFIBRE MS200DX = STRINGWAY MS200
diredesire
Hall Of Fame
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Vancouver, WA
Posts: 2,651
Quote:
Originally Posted by SC in MA
My understanding is there is some drawback with both the double action and single action clamps, with a bit more drawback with the single action. However, any drawback is taken up by the next pull so I personally think drawback is a non-issue, though I believe others think it is. This was a hot topic in the past. Do a search for more details.
Yep, there is a slight amount of drawback, I think this would be eliminated if the clamp jaw/heads were machined, they look to be cast or something similar. The way they fit onto the base shaft is fairly loose for something that expensive. This is not to say the clamps are not good, IMO they are of excellent quality, but the drawback is noticeable. I don’t mind much, though, since as has been said, the drawback is pulled out in the next pull. The only time this will matter is on the last string before tie off.
As far as price, i think anything around $700 is an excellent price. The constant pull (and the consistency of the said constant pull) is simply amazing. It’s hard to really understand what one means by it until you’ve strung with one. I just have the utmost confidence in my machine.
One major gripe (ok, two) i have is/are: Lack of 360 degree rotation (I miss it really, really bad). There have been people who modify their machines to “enable” 360 degree rotation, but i think you have to store the tensioner down, in which case you lose the convenience of the clam shell jaw.
The other gripe i have is that there is no turn table brake. This seems like it would be easy to implement, but sadly enough, there is none. This is almost a requirement to string O3 style racquets… (I don’t like the boomerang tool).
Hope this helps.
3x Fischer Pro #1 FT
Laserfibre MS200TT DA
mongo
New User
Join Date: May 2004
Location: East of the Mississippi
Posts: 27
Laserfibre MS200 DX?
LaserFibre not as popular? On what are you basing your comments?
More expensive? Maybe price is SUBJECTIVE rather than OBJECTIVE. You get what you pay for. A machine which is constructed to exacting tolerances and performs at a near pro level WILL cost more. The cheap machines that are from the orient are just that, CHEAP. But at what price? Crack a few frames on those pieces of junk and you can then decide which machine is “cheaper”!
If you’re serious about your game and need to “invest
” in it, then buy the “best” machine you can. Why compromise?
Comparing a constant pull machine to a static pull, or as Power Game refers to them, crank, is a mistake. There is no static pull machine that can compare with the consistency of a constant pull machine. PEROID!
Be sure you check out mounting systems. If the frame cannot be supported properly, you will do damage the frame due to distortion. This will effectively reduce the life and performance of the racquet.
Stringing is not rocket science, BUT you need to understand the physics that dictate the forces that will effect the final outcome.
Professional
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 831
Totally agree, it’s because of the price. At its price point you can go electronic and get all the bells and whistles and “wow” factor.
Michael Chaho, however, prefers the MS200DX in this prince point he said because he thinks the mounting system is better for the frame albeit a bit slower (I agree, though 6 pt. is perfectly fine too) and also most imporantly because he likes the feeling of total control he has over the tensioning on the DX, I’m guessing because the pedal is pressure sensititve, whereas with an electronic machine the instant you tape that pedal or that button, that’s it, you no longer have any control over the string or the sensation of tensioning.
I think the DX would be great for when those grommets pop out on the last main strings or when securing the starting knot on the first cross string.
All in all, I would seriously consider the DX over the electronic options in this range, simply because once you become a believer in the Laserbire mounting system, it’s hard to give it up. Also, because I like that it doesn’t requie electricity and has a clean, uncluttered look in the room, and the pressure-sensitive foot pedal. I also love the clamshell gripper design, never any worries about slipping and it’s so gentle on every kind of string. What I don’t like about the DX is that it has no option for machine pre-stretch and that angle/height at which the string is pulled varies a little each time as the “sensory jaw” adusts to the slack in the string. I don’t know how much of a difference this will make coming out of the grommet, but my sense is that it would make a slight difference. The height at which the string is pulled with the sensory jaw can very as much as an inch or so from what I recall the last time I checked.
BTW, if I were a shop; I’d lean toward electronic just in case someone requests machine prestretch and because people tend to be impressed by anything that is digital, beeps, and talks smart like Kit the computerized car with feelings.
SocalTennis
Amateur
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 281
Get it…if money is not an issue for you , this machine would definitely worth every penny. I had it for 4 months now and love it. I have the single action clamps also. I figured, if I have already spend tons of money on this bad boy, I might as well go for the best. Regarding performance – it took me almost an hour on my first string job because I wasn’t use to have the foot pedal as the tensioner. Now it took me less than 30 min. to string one racquet. The tension is so accurate and consistent. Single action clamps is very helpful if you’re first time stringer. You can definitely get your investment back in no time if you string for other as well.
Ang again, go with the single action clamps because it will last you for a while. Personally I think the double action don’t look too good on the DX. Single action just give it a much more professional feel and look.
“We don’t see things as they are; we see things as we are.”
UHS
New User
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Sweden
Posts: 38
MS 200DX Should I?
Started looking for a quality crank + Wise after I got a tip from Gaines Hillix. I started looking for the Neos 1000, but changed my mind to the Alpha Apex. Problem is (1) it is hard to find Alpha in Europe, and (2) there are no distributors of the Wise head. So, I am now about to order a Stringway MS200 (LF MS200DX in US), the one with the foot pedal operation. I have read through tons of posts regarding LF machines, and it seems to be a nice product, BUT…a lot of the LF advocates remind me of Apple Macintosh followers, so I am not really sure what to think. Anyway, I have almost decided to buy the Stringway and was wondering if you have any comments before I hand over my credit card details to Stringway. Also, any tips, good-to-know’s, about this machine.
Last edited by UHS : 01-26-2005 at 06:30 AM.
01-26-2005, 06:24 AM
#2
SunDog
Amateur
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 294
For hassle free, safe, constitent stringing for years to come, I cant imagine how the MS200 could disappoint you. I have the MS200TT DA – and my friend has the MS200DX SA. They have the same mounting system and clamp options. The only real difference is the tensioning mechanism. Word on the street is that the foot actuated system is somewhat faster than the drop weight. I would personnally not spring (no pun intended) for the extra cash required to own the DX over the TT. If I were spending $1500 on a stringing machine though – the DX would be at the top of my list.
Ten year warranty, totally safe mounting system (albeit probably not as quick as a NEOS), great clamps, and an always reliable tensioning system (with hands free tensioning on the DX). All that adds up to very consistent results – and that is what stringing is all about.
A while back – somebody posted a total dislike of the machine – in favor of a NEOS, if I recall correctly. I cant remember his name. When he did, I asked my friend with the DX if he would prefer the NEOS over his DX (he has stung on both) and he looked at me as if I were nuts.
tennisforlife
New User
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 22
I have the Laserfibre MS200DX stringing machine. I’ve been stringing for over 20 years using a variety of machines from the old cheap Tremont, various drop-weights and crank systems, and electronic Prince and Babolat machines. In my opinion the Laserfibre MS200DX is right there near the top in terms of the best stringing machine.
If you have any questions on your MS200DX please post a message and I’ll be happy to answer. You could also call Tim Sullivan at Laserfibre. Tim is an A+ rep who is always more than happy to chat.
RacquetDoctor
Amateur
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 322
Laserfibre for these reasons:
1)Simply the fastest machine I ever worked on (I own a Sensor).
2)10 year warranty
3)direct mount..more working room than a 6 pt mount
4)no electricity needed for direct pull
Would prefer single action clamps to dual action…they are faster.
Despite some of the criticisms people have had on their service, My dealings with Tim over the years have been beyond reproach…
Mark
07-16-2006, 10:55 PM
#9
kaztennis
Rookie
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 106
Quote:
Originally Posted by RacquetDoctor
Laserfibre for these reasons:
1)Simply the fastest machine I ever worked on (I own a Sensor).
2)10 year warranty
3)direct mount..more working room than a 6 pt mount
4)no electricity needed for direct pull
Would prefer single action clamps to dual action…they are faster.
Despite some of the criticisms people have had on their service, My dealings with Tim over the years have been beyond reproach…
Mark
Thanks for sharing your experience/feedback Mark. Compared to the Sensor, what’s the big difference(negativeness) about the DX? Have you had the chance to try the DA clamps? I’ve read on this thread that SA has drawbacks but is it not true? Can you also tell me more about the Direct Mount…how is it different from other mounts? Lastly, are there a big difference in the string job done with your Sensor and MS200DX?
Thanks!
Head Flexpoint Radical Tour(2) Wilson NXT OS 16@60lbs
(retired below)
Wilson HyperCarbon Pro Staff 6.1 OS(2)
Prince Michael Chang Graphite OS
Prince Graphite 90
Prince Graphite Pro
Yonex RD-22
Head Aluminium
Donnay woodie…
07-18-2006, 12:37 PM
#10
kaztennis
Rookie
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 106
LaserFiber MS200DX (upright model) is catching up! I heard that it’s one of the fastest machine from some of the members here but if anyone has strung with both the DA and SA clamps and can tell me which one they liked with reason, that’ll be helpful. Reading the past posting, it seems like people like the DA better because it has less drawback compared to the SA but is that really true? I know that guy at LF, Txm uses SA and TxD uses DA.
07-18-2006, 12:43 PM
#11
SunDog
Amateur
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 294
I have two LF machines (MS200TT and MS200Tour Pro (DX predecessor). One has DA (TT) – one has SA (Tour Pro). I would spend the extra money on the SA. The amount of drawback is indistinguishable on my two machines. The SA clamps might be the coolest clamps ever. But then again – they might not be. How would I know?
Racketeer
New User
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 25
I’ve been using my MS200TT for over 5 years now, never experienced racket head distortion. Make sure that the main mounting brakets are tight, and that they are snug against the frame. The frame mounts should also be tight enough so that the racket does not move in the mount. I use to have an Alpha Prioneer 2 point mount and had some issues with the frame distorting, but never with the Laserfibre.
