REVIEW: Alpha Shuttle Express Stringing Machine

Discussion in 'Badminton Stringing Techniques & Tools' started by kwun, Apr 6, 2009.

  1. Michal

    Michal Regular Member

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    One of the members (ASE user) suggested to show the pictures in this thread too.
    Sorry for cross-post, or rather "cross-pictures".

    2013-05-24_00-04-29_336.jpg 2013-05-24_00-04-47_661.jpg
     
  2. dbswansea

    dbswansea Regular Member

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    What is the difference between the Alpha and the Pro's Pro Shuttle express?
     
  3. DarthHowie

    DarthHowie Regular Member

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    Pro's Pro has a hold down clamp for 12 and 6'oclock positions vs none for the Alpha (& Fleet in above picture). I believe AEF makes both types. Hi-Qua's version is similar to the Pro's Pro.
     
  4. dbswansea

    dbswansea Regular Member

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    So the Pro's Pro is as good as the Alpha?
     
  5. yan.v

    yan.v Regular Member

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    No. The ASE is better. I'm not sure if they still make that machine though, if they do, it's pretty damn hard to find.
     
  6. dbswansea

    dbswansea Regular Member

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    In what way is it better?
     
  7. yan.v

    yan.v Regular Member

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    The main difference is the clamp down system. It makes it so it takes more time to clamp your racket and also often gets in the way for the top cross strings.

    There are also a couple more differences like the rails being of different length (I don't remember the other ones), but they're not that big of a deal.
     
  8. dbswansea

    dbswansea Regular Member

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    So for a beginner doing it for his own rackets, it would do the job?
     
  9. yan.v

    yan.v Regular Member

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    Yep

    10chars
     
  10. dbswansea

    dbswansea Regular Member

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    Thanks, just need to convince wifey now.
     
  11. DarthHowie

    DarthHowie Regular Member

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    Just remember that you need to calibrate the tensioner FIRST before you start trying out the machine!

    A fish scale should suffice.
     
  12. bobbinbette

    bobbinbette Regular Member

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    Is it normal for me to have to calibrate my PPSE tensioner every day?
    I will string at 25 x 28 lbs on day and drop the tension to the minimum to save the life of the spring after I'm done. The next day, the tension of 25 lbs reads 29lbs on my electronic fish scale and I have to calibrate again.
     
  13. vajrasattva

    vajrasattva Regular Member

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    actually i've been thinking of getting the AEF with the handcrank, is it a problem if the distance between the "crank" and the racquet is nearer?

    it seems that if the crank/tensioner is nearer the racquet at the tension specified, the racquet seems to be strung with a higher tension than when the tensioner is far away from the racquet.

    since its for my own usage and not for mass stringing for others, would you recommend me to go electronic or would i become easily frustrated with cranking? i've seen some girls working at a local sports shop happily cranking
     
  14. thegrobi

    thegrobi Regular Member

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    Hi Kwun and all other stringers,
    thank you for the excelent review and the individual ideas.

    I have the Pros Pro Shuttle Express since 4,5 years, and am happy with it.
    Had problems with some mechanical parts over the years but get them repaired by myself.

    Have some questions for your changes:
    What is the advantage of the wase vs. crank in your eyes?
    a) It needs electrical connection everywhere you wish to string, or has it an accu?
    b) I see no speed advantage in pushing a knob vs. rotate the crank one round.
    c) Is the tension exacter if both are calibrated?

    Wise + Shuttle Express seams expensiv vs. only Shuttle Express. So in my opinion it is only worth, if it has some advanteges, wich i don´t see at the moment.
    Would be nice, if someone can explain.

    bye,
    thegrobi
    www.badminton-tips.de (german)
    www.badminton-tips.de/en (english)
     
  15. yan.v

    yan.v Regular Member

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    There is plenty of information about crank vs electronic everywhere on the forums, but here's a non exhaustive summary:

    1) Electronic machines are faster
    2) Electronic machines are constant pull machines, which means more precise tension and less tension loss
    3) Electronic machines like the Wise have pre-stretch options, which helps stringbeds lose less tension over time
    4) The wise autocalibrates itself every start up. I haven't found my wise to be decalibrated in YEARS. The tension is always right on the spot

    There is much more information in this thread:
    http://www.badmintoncentral.com/for...llo-Constant-Pull-(Wise-2086-aka-Tennis-Head)

    If price is an issue, just charge 1 or 2 more euros per string job and you'll recover fast. If people complain, just tell them it is because the quality of the string job is now better. If they don't care about quality, just buy some strings that will cost you 1-2 less euros like the HiQua strings for those people. It will cost them the same as before and they don't care about their strings anyways.
     
  16. silentheart

    silentheart Regular Member

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    Actually,
    1) I find Crank is faster compare to many electronic tension head. However, the difference is about 2-4 min which I don't care.
    2) Not exactly true. There are many cheaper electronic tension head that is not constant pull. Check out the Eaganus website.
     
  17. thegrobi

    thegrobi Regular Member

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    Never tested one, but don´t understand, why.

    That is an argument.

    Thanks for the link. I read 3 fist sides, but not everyone seems to think there, that electronic is better.

    bye,
    thegrobi
     
  18. yan.v

    yan.v Regular Member

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    1) If you only pull once and if you pull very quickly, which is not advised, then yes, crank will be faster. However, you will sacrifice A LOT of consistency and accuracy.

    2) Those are called electric machines and not electronic machines. Electric machines are like crank machines, they pull to the required tension and stop. Those are not worth buying. Electronic machines have computer boards that will allow more complex functionalities like constant pull.
     
  19. yan.v

    yan.v Regular Member

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    See above post for speed.

    As for your last point, in short, any professional stringer worth something will tell you that electronic machines are better. Reading 3 posts is not enough, and you also need to consider the experience of the stringers speaking. A LOT of stringers are just basement stringers who have learned by themselves. They sometimes don't have proper techniques and are just looking to string for cheap, ignoring the quality of their work. These guys easily represent 70% of the stringers out there.

    Like I said, if neither you or your clients care about the quality of your string jobs, crank machines are just ok for that.
     
  20. dbswansea

    dbswansea Regular Member

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    I've just gone from crank to the wise and the differences are significant. For a start, the tensions are always accurate. I've found it to be a bit faster as you can prepare the clamps as the tension head works "hands-free". ECP makes a massive difference to the tension, most of my customers have reacted positively to the change and are happy to pay a few extra pounds for the more consistent string job.
     

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