EAGNAS stringing machines are manufactured in Taiwan by Lily-Lee & Co., Ltd. Lily-Lee & Co, Ltd. is one of the largest OEM manufacturers of stringing machines in the world, and has been recognized as a full line supplier of stringing machines since 1981. See attached Good Product Design Award and Certificate of Excellence, issued by Taiwan government. EAGNAS is a registered trademark of Lily-Lee & Co., Ltd.

Stringing machines sold by Alpha Sports (also known as New Tech Tennis) and Gamma Sports are imported from Taiwan and manufactured in Taiwan. The spring tension head of Gamma ST stringing machine is an OEM product of Lily-Lee & Co., Ltd. Ektelon Neos 1000 and Prince Neos 2000 models are also manufactured in Taiwan. Czech Sports stringing machines are imported from Czechoslovakia.

The professional stringing machines with manual crank spring tensioners are "clones" of the Ektelon H model stringing machine. The earliest clone of the Ektelon H model is EAGNAS EAG-500 model. In 1992 Czechoslovakia began to manufacture stringing machines. Czech stringing machines use a similar design to those manufactured in Taiwan.

There are only two types of mounting systems: the hold-down (press-down) mounting system and the suspension (air-support) mounting system. The suspension mounting system uses the 4 V-shaped side-support arms to support the racquet. See Figure 3-1. The head and throat mounting posts are only hold the racquet in place.

For the hold-down mounting system, the supports are the head and throat mounting posts. See Figure 3-2. The side-supports are only to hold the racquet in place to prevent from distortion. The hold-down mounting systems are more secured and stable than the suspension mounting systems.

Current model stringing machines use one of three possible support systems: two-point, four-point or six-point mounting systems. Two-point mounting systems offer both head (tip) and throat supports. The mounting supports are at the 6 clock and 12 clock positions. See Figure 6-1.

Four-point mounting systems also provide a pair of supports to the side of the frame to prevent the racquets from distortion. The side supports are at the 3 clock and 9 clock positions. See Figure 6-2.

The six-point systems offer 2 pair (or a total of 4) side supports. The side supports are at the 2 clock, 4 clock, 8 clock, and 10 clock positions. See Figure 6-3.

The six-point mounting system provides the maximum supports and eliminates any racquet distortion. But it has the less operating space. The four-point mounting system provides excellent side supports to eliminates the racquet distortion. And it has excellent the operating space. The two-point mounting system provides only head (tip) and throat supports. There is no side support. But it provides the maximum operating space.

There is no such thing as six-point inside mounting system. It is 2-ponit mounting system with 2 extra support points at head and throat mounting stocks. See Figure 8-1. The extra supports are at the 1 clock, 5 clock, 7 clock, and 11 clock positions. The purpose of the multiple side supports is to prevent the racquet from distortion. The inside supports could not prevent the racquet distortion. Besides that the support points of all the six-point system systems are adjustable to accommodate all types of racquets except this inside support system. The position of the inside suports could not be adjusted. Therefore, it only can mount certain racquets. It could not accommodate all types of racquets. Sometimes the inside supports will block the grommet holes. See Figure 8-2. This inside mounting system is created by a startup company. In May 2000 this company began to manufacture the stringing machines. (If you are thinking about a stringing machine with the six-point inside mounting system, check with the vendor about its inside supports. You'll need to know how many types of racquets this inside mounting system can accommodate.)

Models with a floating clamp (also called a flying clamp or speed clamp) tend to be less expensive, but they need to clamp two strings at a time to maintain proper string tension.

Fixed-clamp stringing machines are categorized as either glide bar-clamp or swivel-clamp models. Glide bar-clamp stringing machines have two glide bar clamps attached to the glide bar tray table; swivel-clamp stringing machines have two swivel clamps attached to the swivel turntable.

String clamps are typically made of two kinds of materials - either metal or composite resins. Metal clamps are better, but they are more expensive. Composite resin clamps are less expensive, but occasionally they won’t be able to hold the string over 65 pound tension.

The single-action clamp is a one piece assembly - both the clamp and the base are attached to the turntable. Unfortunately, the brake of the single-action clamp wears out with frequent use, requiring regular maintenance.

In 1990, the Wilson Sporting Goods Co. introduced its Pro Staff (Prestige) stringing machine, which was manufactured in Taiwan. It utilized the single-action swivel clamp assembly, and it had brake problems (as mentioned above). Wilson Sporting Good Co. discontinued its production 2 years later. Current model stringing machines, utilizing the single-action clamp, are actually clones of this particular Wilson Pro Staff (Prestige) stringing machine. (If you are thinking about a stringing machine with a single-action clamp, check with the vendor about its brake assembly. You'll need to know how often the brake assembly needs to be serviced).

The dual-action swivel clamp has two parts. One is the clamp itself; the other is the swivel base, attached to the turntable. Stringing machines that utilize the dual-action clamp offer the advantage of being relatively maintenance-free (they do not have the brake assembly problems of the single-action swivel clamp stringing machines).

There are two types - those with spring-action levers and those without it. The dual-action swivel clamp bases that have spring-action levers are better, because they are both faster and much easier to use. Without the spring-action lever, the swivel base will occasionally catch the string.

The dual-action swivel clamp bases with spring-action levers make stringing much faster and easier, because they have the built-in springs. You do not have to use muscle to operate them. You just need one-eighth turn to lock and release the base. Without the spring-action lever, you need to use muscle to latch the clamp base to the turntable. The disadvantage of not having spring-action levers is: not easy to latch the clamp base, need half turn to lock and release the base, time consuming.

No, you can not install the spring-action lever on the clamp base without spring-action function. They are not compatible. You have to get a set of the spring-action clamp bases to install on the turntable.

The linear ball bearing string gripper is better, because it is much quicker and easier to use. All the professional stringing machines use the linear ball bearing string gripper.

The linear ball bearing string gripper consists of two metal blocks, 16 balls and a gripper housing. Two metal blocks are mounted against these 16 balls, 8 balls are for each metal block. Therefore, these two metal blocks will be able to slide to the left or right side smoothly. When they are at the left side, the gap between these two metal blocks is narrow. When they slide to the right, the gap is wide. When you place the string between these two metal blocks, these metal blocks will slide to the left and grip the string automatically. There is no bolt needed or muscle to use. The linear ball bearing string gripper will grip the string even before the drop weight rod is pulled. Therefore, you only need to use one hand to operate the linear ball bearing string gripper.

The cam string gripper will grip the string only when the drop weight rod is pulled. You always need to use two hands to operate the cam gripper: one hand has to pull the string with muscle, and the other hand to operate the drop weight rod.

The cost of the linear ball bearing string gripper is much higher than the cost of the cam string gripper. All the professional stringing machines use the linear ball bearing string gripper.

The manual crank spring tensioner is much quicker and much easier than the drop-weight tensioner. The fixed clamp is better than the floating clamp. The glide-bar clamp is faster than the swivel clamp. The linear ball bearing string gripper is quicker and easier than the cam (parallel jaw) string gripper. The linear ball bearing stringing gripper with spring clutch (ratchet) is better than the gripper without spring clutch.

The glide-bar clamping system is faster than the swivel clamping system. But you have to use the floating clamps to handle the fan-patterned racquets. The swivel clamping system can handle fan patterns. But it will be slower. If you do not have the fan-patterned racquets, the glide-bar system will be better.

The basic stringing tools are the needle nose pliers, diagonal cutter, and tennis awl (or badminton awl). Most of the stringing machine's packages do not include these 3 basic stringing tools. Some packages include the stringing tools. For example, The ST-200 has 2 awls, 1 diagonal cutter and 1 needle nose pliers. The packages of the EAG-90 II, PRO HELPER and PRO CRYSTAL include these 3 stringing tools and one starting clamp.

The ST-106 tool kit has the basic stringing tools.

There is another very useful tool. It is the ST-101 string guide. It is a very useful tool for guiding string through the shared grommet hole.

The stringing machine is adjusted and calibrated properly before shipping out of the factory. But the tension setting might be off due to the ocean shipment and inland trasnportation. It is a good idea to get a tension calibrator to check the tension setting and to calibrate if necessary. In the future you eventurally will need the calibrator to calibrate the tension head.

You need to purchase the additional two badminton string clamps (PN-3091P, PN-3091, PN-7066, PN-1004, or PN-1007) and the badminton awl (BS-909). Some of the stringing machine's packages include the badminton string clamps, such as EAG-550, EAG-700, EAG-700A, EAG-860, EAG-900, EAG-960, EAG-2120 and EAG-3120.

One V-shaped side support provides 2-point supports; one point is on the top edge of the racquet frame and the other is on the bottom edge of the racquet frame. Four V-shaped side supports will provide 8 supporting points. One half V-shaped side support provides 1-point support; the support is on the top edge of the frame. One K-shaped side support has 2 half V-shaped supports. The Large half V-shaped side support is for the tennis racquets; the small half V-shaped side support is for the badminton racquets. One plastic stopper side support provides 1-point support; the support is on the outer side of the frame. The large L-shaped shoulder support provides the top edge edge support.

The universal V-shaped side support has 3 V-shaped jaws: The large jaw is for oversized tennis racquets, the middle jaw is for mid-sized tennis racquets, and the small jaw is for badminton racquets. It can accommodate any shape of the racquet frame. The single V-shaped side support can only handle the tennis racquets.

The X-shaped base has 4 legs made of cast aluminium. See Picture 32-1. Although the gross weight is not heavy, but the material cost is higher. It is mandatory for stringing machine factory to design and create the mold in order to cast the legs. The H-shaped base utilizes 3 iron pipes welded together which forms the base. See Picture 32-2. Since a mold is not required, it is cheaper to produce a H-shaped base than an X-shaped base. The gross weight of the H-shaped base is heavier and may increase the shipping cost. The X-shaped base is far more attractive than the H-shaped base.

We have the step by step illustrated stringing tutorial guides for all Eagnas stringing machines. You shall be able to follow the tutorial guide step by step and learn how to string the racquets. It is not difficult to string a racquet. Basically you have to go through the learning period.

It will take about 1 to 2 hours to learn and string the first racquet on any stringing machine. Then it will be much easier to string the second or third racquets.

To choose a stringing machine, you might take into consideration the following factors.

1. What is your budget? How much money would you like to spend on stringing machine?

  A.  About $100.00 to $200.00:
      You can get a drop-weight stringing machine with 2-point mounting,
      cam string gripper, 1 drop weight and 2 floating clamps.

  B.  About $200.00 to $300.00:
      You can get a drop-weight stringing machine with 6-point mounting,
      linear ball bearing string gripper, 2 drop weights and 2 floating
      clamps.

  C.  About $400.00 to $500.00:
      You can get a drop-weight stringing machine with 6-point mounting,
      linear ball bearing string gripper, 2 drop weights, 1 turntable
      and 2 fixed clamps.

  D.  About $500.00 to $1000.00:
      You can get a crank stringing machine with 2 to 6 point mounting,
      1 crank spring tension head, 1 turntable and 2 to 6 fixed clamps.

  E.  About $1000.00 to $5000.00:
      You can get an electronic stringing machine with 6-point mounting,
      1 electronic tension head, 1 turntable and 2 fixed clamps.

2. How many racquets are you going to string every year?

For example, you have 30 racquets to string yearly. The average stringing charge of the pro shop is about $20.00 per racquet. The total cost to string 30 racquets is about $600.00. Therefore, you could purchase a $600.00 stringing machine, and get your investment back within one year. If you have few racquets to string, you might get the less expensive stringing machine.

Yes, it is a good idea to get a stringing machine. You will get your investment back within one year. Otherwise, you have to pay for the re-string service anyway.

The characteristics of the deop-weight machines are cheaper, constant pull, not easy to use, very slow process, time consuming, and relatively maintenance-free.

The characteristics of the electric machines are cheap, constant pull, varied tension on every pull, AC voltage deviation affecting every tension pull, very slow process, time consuming, and maintenance needed.

The characteristics of the crank machines are not cheap, not constant pull, precise tension on every pull, very easy to use, very fast process, and relatively maintenance-free.

The characteristics of the electronic machines are expensive, constant pull, precise tension on every pull, slow process, and maintenance needed.

There is no difference between them. The 1 drop weight is only for the tennis racquets. The 2 drop-weight machines have 1 drop weight for the tennis racquets; the other drop weight is for the badminton racquets.

The standard package of the floating clamp system has one oversized and one standard floating clamps. The oversized clamp is very easy to handle the cross strings around the head and throat area because the gap between the strings are wide.

The electric stringing machine is not worth to mention. Please refer to the FAQ for the answer. The advantage of the electronic stringing machines is constant pull, no muscle needed and precise tension on every pull. The disadvantage of the electronic stringing machines is slow process, and maintenance needed.

The advantage of the manual crank machines is precise tension on every pull, very easy to use, very fast process, and relatively maintenance-free. The disadvantage of the manual crank machines is not constant pull, manual crank needed.

The Neon tension head is the electronic tension head, which makes stringing much faster and easier:

• It has the microcontroller chip to control and monitor the tension; it provides 1 pound tension accuracy
• Latest Operating System 2.0: total software control, no switch setting, just push tension switch to select 3 functions:
  1. Single pull mode
  2. Pre-stretch mode: double pull
  3. Self test mode
• Easy to calibrate the electronic tension head.
• The two-way DC motor to pull and release the string. You do not have to use muscle to operate. You just need to push the button to pull and release the string.
• The voltage deviation of the local AC power line has no affection on every tension pull.
• Fuse protection
• LED tension readout to display the tension setting
• Pound/kilogram selection switch to select the pound or kilogram operation
• Precise tension on every pull
• All-metal diamond-coated string gripper
• 1 years warranty on the electronic tension head
• The characteristics of the electronic tension head are constant pull and precise tension on every pull.

The Silent Partner tension head is the electric tension head:

1999 to 2001 model:

• The Silent Partner uses the 1977 General Electric AC motor speed control circuitry. This circuitry is used to control the speed of the AC motor, not the torque of the motor. Therefore, the tension is varied on every motor pull. The tension deviation is about 5 - 10 pounds on every pull. When the AC motor gets warm, it lowers tension.
• Can not calibrate the electric tension head. There is no way to calibrate the tension head.
• The AC motor only turns clockwise; can not turn counterclockwise. Therefore, The string gripper can only be able to pull the string, it can not release the string. You have to use the hand to re-wind the string gripper counterclockwise to release the string. you need to use muscle to re-wind the string gripper. (Click here to view the Silent Partner's own statement, which is in its user's manual.)
• The voltage deviation of the local AC power line affects the AC motor turns. Therefore, the AC voltage deviation affects every tension pull.
• No fuse protection
• No LED tension readout
• Only has pound selection switch
• Varied tension on every pull
• Plastic string gripper
• 1 year warranty on the electric tension head
• The disadvantage of not having two-way DC motor and LED tension readout is: varied tension on every pull, not easy to release the string, no way to calibrate, and time consuming.

Present model:

• The Silent Partner latest electric tension head uses a toggle switch and an AC motor with 2 coils. See attached diagram of this electric tension head. (The previous model has an AC motor with single coil. While the coil energized, the motor can only turn clockwise; it can not turn counterclockwise.) With 2 coils, the benefit is: when the toggle switch flippes to the right, the primary coil is energized. It will turn the AC motor clockwise. When the toggle switch flippes to the left, the second coil is energized. It will turn the AC motor counterclockwise. This approach solves the string gripper re-winding issue. (Click here to view the Silent Partner's own statement, which is in its 2002 user's manual.) But it still uses the General Electric AC motor speed control circuitry. For the performance, see the test report by a professional stringer.
• No fuse protection
• No LED tension readout
• Only has pound selection switch
• Plastic string gripper
• 1 year warranty on the electric tension head

The DC (direct-current) motor needs more hardware to operate:

• Need a transformer to convert the 110 volt (or 220 volt) AC input power to the low-level 12 volt (or 24 volt) AC power.
• Then the regulator and filter convert it to the stable 12 volt (or 24 volt) DC power.
• To use the DC voltage, it has the benefit:
• The voltage deviation of the local AC power line has no affection on the motor operation. Therefore, The voltage deviation of the local AC power line has no affection on every tension pull.

The AC (alternating-current) motor does not required to have the transformer, regulator and filter:

• The 110 volt AC input power directly energizes the AC motor.
• The voltage deviation of the local AC power line affects the AC motor turns. Therefore, the AC voltage deviation affects every tension pull.

No, the Hawk electronic tension head utilizes the DC (direct-current) motor. It does not need any warm up tume at all. You just need to turn on the power switch and start to pull the tension immediately.

Actually the AC motor does not need any warm up tume at all. You can connect the power input and start to pull the tension immediately. But when the AC motor gets warm, it lowers tension. It means that when the AC motor is cold, it put higher tension. When the AC motor is warm, it put lower tension.

On the front panel of Silent Partner's AC motor electric tension head, it indicates that "RUN FREE FOR 5 MIN TO WARM UP". What is the reason? Just because the AC motor gets warm, it lowers tension. Silent Partner uses this statement to cover up this fact.

The drop-weight machines are much cheaper than the manual crank machines. Generally speaking, the price of the portable machines shall be lower than the floor models'. Therefore, most of the portable machines have the drop-weight tensioners. The advantage of the drop-weight machines is: simple construction, cheap, constant tension-pull. The disadvantage is: not easy to operate, time consuming.

No, you can not upgrade a drop-weight machine to the manual crank machine. They have different construction. If you really want to upgrade it, you have to purchase the manual crank tensioner, tensioner track, etc. They are very expensive parts. And you have to do some engineering works.

Yes, you can change it to a swivel clamp machine. Basically you have to purchase the turntable, two mounting stocks, two swivel clamp bases and two swivel clamps. But they are very expensive parts.

The gilde bar system is a very good system. It offers the fastest clamping and the fastest process speed. But this system has been on the market for over 20 years. There were models with the EAG-960 turntable on the Pro helper. But the factory does not produce this configuration anymore.

The stringing machine was calibrated in the factory. But we do not know whether the shipment will affect the tension setting. Normally you do not need to re-calibrate the tension setting of the tension head when you set it up. But it is a good idea to verify the tension setting by use of the TCG-100 tension calibrator.

The oversized clamp (PN-3089) is much easier to clamp the cross strings on head or throat side of the racquet due to the wide distance between 2 strings.

The hold-down mounting system is more stable comparing to the suspention system; but the suspention system is faster.

You can use 2 floating clamps to handle the fan-pattern racquet stringing.

All the Eagnas stringing machines have been assembled and tested in production line. After passed the inspection by the quality control department, the stringing machines were disassembled into a few major components and packaged into boxes for shipment.

The 6-point mounting system provides more supports on the shoulder to prevent the racquet distortion.

This a a very good question. We can not give you a definitely volume answer. But you can Click here to view customers' comments on our stringing machines. There are lots of customers using our machine to string thousands of racquets.

The glide-bar clamp system is an old configuration. It has been on the market over 25 years. It is fast; but it will not handle the tear-shaped racquets. The swivel clamp system is the new configuration. The speed is a little bit slow; but it can handle the tear-shaped racquets.

The portable machines are designed to be light-weight; the table-top machines are heavier than portable machines

There is no such thing called the beginner's model. All the machines will do the same job. You will need to consider what is your personal preference.

You could Click here to view comparison of machine features on our stringing machines.

The body and 2 bases are made of iron pipes. The tensioner post is cast steel. The mounting stocks are made of cast aluminium. The swivel bar and string gripper are steel.

No, the HAWK 10 does not need to be clamped onto the table. You just need to place the Hawk 10 on the table, then start to operate. No bolt needed either.

No, no assembly needed.

The HAWK 10 can handle all the oversized racquets.

The tension range of the Hawk 10 stringing machine is from 20 pounds to 80 pounds. If your badminton racquet is in this tension range, you can use the Hawk 10 stringing machine to handle the badminton stringing.