Final summer time (2019) I took the leap of religion and purchased the professional’s-pro Tomcat (with MT-400).
I’ve been utilizing it now for about 6 months and needed to share my expertise with you, since there aren’t any critiques about it but.
Take my phrases with a grain of salt as a result of I by no means used one other machine at this stage or above earlier than and due to this fact I can’t actually make a comparability. I’d fairly attempt to choose the machine by itself.
Nonetheless, I’m an expert craftsman, so I’d know a factor or two about high quality of instruments and machines.
First off – Somewhat extra Background.
I began stringing in Summer time 2018 with an inexpensive, used (and crappy) professional’s-pro Challenger I.
It was adequate to get me began however required some modding/tweaking (and persistence) to make it work.
After a couple of 12 months of stringing I obtained sick and uninterested in the dangerous high quality of the machine and figured that if I need to proceed stringing (which I did) I would wish a good machine, preferable an digital one.
Not solely to make stringing extra pleasant but additionally to provide higher jobs.
I used to be solely stringing my very own rackets at the moment.
I used to be eager about stringing for associates and club-mates (with a greater machine) however since my membership already had a stringer I didn’t know if it might work out.
So I used to be nonetheless uncertain if a brand new machine was justified for me and did not need to spend an excessive amount of cash.
After a number of concerns between every kind of machines I lastly gave the PP´s Tomcat a shot as a result of on the time it provided the most effective worth for cash.
After my expertise with the Challenger I by no means thought I might purchase a machine from professional’s-pro once more however since their new machine was clearly one thing else (totally different manufacture) I lastly settled for it.
Order, Supply, Setup
I do know that professional’s-pro doesn’t have a popularity for good buyer help however not less than with me all the pieces went alright. They answered my questions in an affordable manner however since I had no actual points with the machine I can’t actually touch upon how they deal with such issues.
Supply went with out issues regardless of the burden.
The machine got here in 3 packages (no.1: machine, no.2: pressure head, no.3: stand)
Though there was no guide or something it was apparent the best way to put the machine collectively.
I simply needed to join the baseplate with the stand, the turntable and the strain head through the use of the offered screws. Some documentation (particularly concerning the pressure head) would nonetheless be preferable.
The machine
I’ll attempt to hold this quick as a result of the entire thing is (so far as I can inform) made by AEF and actual the identical as different machines from that manufacturing unit. They’ve been reviewed earlier than and are already well-known, so I gained’t describe all options intimately however fairly deal with the issues I seen.
Principal options are:
– 6-point mounting system
– self centering aspect help
– c-shaped aspect helps
– self centering movable towers
– diamond dusted common clamps (5-teeth, adjustable)
– automated clamp bases
The machine out of the field was effectively oiled up, too effectively…
After touching it I had greasy/slippery arms which is completely not helpful for stringing.
I needed to swipe the outlet machine (even clamps and bases) with fabric and particular cleaner to eliminate it. The primary 2-3 jobs have been nonetheless a little bit slippery however after that all the pieces felt alright. I feel the final stays of the oil simply obtained carried out by my hand through the first jobs.
All the pieces else was working effectively from the beginning and I did not must make main changes.
Earlier than I ordered the machine I particularly requested for badminton clamps (4-teeth) which I do know can be found from AEF. Sadly professional’s-pro does not provide them as choice and instructed me that the clamps offered are common use. I thought-about getting different clamps however after attempting the 5-teeth ones I figured there isn’t any want to switch them. When doing the crosses on some rackets they will squeeze the mains a tiny little bit however that is about it. If I ever get a racket the place there isn’t any area for the clamps I’ll give it some thought once more however thus far it has been all good. Locking and unlocking the clamps and bases is a pleasure and provides a reassuring suggestions that all the pieces is working as supposed.
Total the standard and performance is incredible (particularly contemplating the value).
The helps are strong and maintain the racket very effectively. The clamps and bases work easy and maintain the string tight with out damaging it. The turntable rotates simply however does not bend or tilt in any path when pulling the strings.
Though at first the clamp-bases moved a bit clunky, it obtained manner higher after a while. I am unsure whether or not the sides of the rails have been a bit tough and obtained grinded in or if I simply wanted a while to search out the appropriate angle to maneuver the bases.
One small draw back of the linked (self centering) towers is that you could’t change the place of the side-supports an excessive amount of. The space between tower and 6/12 o clock helps can solely be adjusted by about 1cm. That is completely high-quality however I simply needed the 6/12 arms to get extra room for changes, so I did modify them a bit and now have about 3 cm to work with. This was not obligatory. Simply one thing I believed could be good to have.
For the aspect help there are adapters (optionally available) for badminton. They’re c formed rubber items that you simply simply put over the common help. I attempted it however discover them kinda ineffective. They restrict the entry to the racket a bit and are a little bit to mushy for my style. I simply use the common (onerous) help and by no means had issues with them damaging a racket. Nonetheless the sides of the helps had a little bit sharp edge. In all probability leftovers from the molding course of. They weren’t onerous or large enough to break the body of a racket however to be protected I sanded simply the small areas which are in touch with the racket.
To sum this up I can say that on the essential components this machine actually has nice high quality, nevertheless some small particulars and the general end are missing a bit.
The clamp bases might transfer a little bit smoother and there are some flaws within the paint right here and there however completely nothing to be anxious about.
Yet another factor I wanna point out is the rubber mat that lies within the tool-tray. It had a loopy rubber scent and after a number of hours the room smelled like a tire manufacturing unit. I Put the mat on my balcony and it stayed there for six months. The odor lessened quite a bit however I’ll wait some extra time earlier than I put it again in.
The strain head
Right here it will get attention-grabbing.
The MT-400 appears to be a brand new gadget solely for the professional’s-pro tomcat.
In case you take a look at the design of the interface it appears like it’s from the identical manufacturing unit because the MT-300, which is terrible much like the superstringer gadgets (eg. E90) which once more is alleged to be popping out of the identical manufacturing unit because the well-known WISE2086.I by no means used a WISE so I can hardly evaluate it.
What I can say tho is that it really works completely high-quality.
You bought all of the options you want:
– prestretch
– pressure adjustment by 0.1 lbs or kg
– adjustable pull-speed
– knot perform
– fixed pull
– reminiscence perform
The gripper holds even the thinnest strings with out issues and the calibration is on level.
The strain course of feels easy and even 20 kg (44lbs) are usually not difficult to the gadget in any respect.
Total the tensioner performs higher than I even imagined. We´ll must see the way it will stand the check of time however thus far I’ve no considerations on this regard.
To begin the tensioning course of you have got three choice.
– 1 a button subsequent to the show (I by no means use that)
– 2 a swap proper behind the string gripper (I exploit that principally for launch)
– 3 simply shut the string gripper and it begins mechanically
I do not know whether or not level 3 is commonplace on different machines however I simply discover that to be tremendous handy.
Here’s a quick video of the strain head:
The stand
Effectively, it’s a stand…
I imply it does its job in holding the machine in place but it surely simply feels a little bit low-cost.
You’ll be able to alter the peak however it’s a ache within the a** and I like to recommend getting somebody to assist with it.
Attempting to carry this heavy machine with one hand whereas tightening the stand with the opposite was absolutely not one thing I’d love to do common.
Additionally, the adjustable top is sort of restricted. For me (about 1,9m tall) it sits on the highest place and is nearly the appropriate top. Would not harm to have the ability to get it even increased.
If you have to change the peak of the machine repeatedly and even transfer it round you must undoubtedly get a unique stand.
However is has a Hook to retailer some string reels which turns out to be useful.