Down Press Clamp Base

[dgdawg]

Does anybody know where to get these things?
I know "The Mighty Sensor" had them, and Xpider makes the ones released on some Tourna machines. Unique Sports claims they need to come mounted on the rails. I'm a little suspicious of that. How do you take them off and clean them? When I was first made aware of these things, it was on a YouTube video where a guy mounted them to a gamma machine.
Are there any others out there?
I need to bolt these up to an upgraded Gamma 6004 table. Any assistance or tidbit of info is greatly appreciated!

 

[esgee48]

Ask @Gamma Tech if they sell upgraded clamps and bases.

 

[dgdawg]

I've already talked with Ewan

 

[the_faceless_player]

The TennisMan site in Germany lists them since they are used on Stringmaster machines (I have a Stringmaster Deluxe with these clamps that I got from them). However they are expensive and listed as out of stock.

 

[dgdawg]

The TennisMan site in Germany lists them since they are used on Stringmaster machines (I have a Stringmaster Deluxe with these clamps that I got from them). However they are expensive and listed as out of stock.

Thank you!

 

[Irvin]

Does anybody know where to get these things?
I know "The Mighty Sensor" had them, and Xpider makes the ones released on some Tourna machines. Unique Sports claims they need to come mounted on the rails. I'm a little suspicious of that. How do you take them off and clean them? When I was first made aware of these things, it was on a YouTube video where a guy mounted them to a gamma machine.
Are there any others out there?
I need to bolt these up to an upgraded Gamma 6004 table. Any assistance or tidbit of info is greatly appreciated!

You can buy them from Unique Sports, and yes, they do need to be mounted on the rails. The bottom portion is built with a spacer than allows the push down clamp bases to work properly. There are 2 screws in the bottom of the clamp base that hold the spacer block on the rails. There is a seal covering the 2 screws. Remove that seal and you cannot return them. But you can remove the seal if you want and clean all the surfaces, as I do.

If you can find the bases only, you will also need to know exactly what size base blocks you need for the bases to work for what every thickness the turntable is you're mounting the bases on. Once you take the bases off the rails you have forfeited the right to return them.

 

[am1899]

@dgdawg you might consider reading this thread and potentially reaching out to the OP in it.
Maybe he would have some insight.

https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/ind...-stii-with-tourna-bases.741074/#post-17000186

 

[WYK]

A base clamp is basically a brake. It functions just like a disc brake would. The pads/shoes simply need to be adjusted to fit the disc/rails.
Sometimes the base itself has enough adjustment, sometimes you need to plane the pads, sometimes you need to plane the base.
Now, if the passage is not wide enough for the bolts, that's when things get painful.

 

[dgdawg]

I'm weighing the pros and cons of mounting the Xpider clamp bases to my 6004 table. After watching vids, reading posts & comments & talking to stringers, I'm now leaning towards just purchasing the 700-ES. There is no doubt it can be done. I have no doubt I could pull it off as well. I've built various machines over the years using pieces parts from various distributers and always a Wise tensioner. I just don't have the time nor patients for it these days.
I believe I really need down press due to Rheumatoid Arthritis issues. Down Press clamp bases undoubtedly will buy me some more stringing time. Plus, it looks like the 700 can be broken down into 4 parts for mobile stringing: stand, table, base and tensioner. Throw the table, tensioner and base in the back seat of my truck and away we go. I use a plastic fold up table to put the 3 parts to the 700 on......if that makes sense.
Anyway......someone convince me otherwise.

 

[fritzhimself]

......... sounds very reasonable to me.............. good luck and happy stringing.

 

[dgdawg]

A base clamp is basically a brake. It functions just like a disc brake would. The pads/shoes simply need to be adjusted to fit the disc/rails.
Sometimes the base itself has enough adjustment, sometimes you need to plane the pads, sometimes you need to plane the base.
Now, if the passage is not wide enough for the bolts, that's when things get painful.

I seriously don't think it would be that big a deal. You basically just need shims and/or spacers and/or washers to compensate for the thinner "rails", in this case it's the table. The 6004 doesn't have "rails".

 

[Irvin]

I seriously don't think it would be that big a deal. You basically just need shims and/or spacers and/or washers to compensate for the thinner "rails", in this case it's the table. The 6004 doesn't have "rails".

Let me preface by saying you can put Xpider base clamps on a 6004. No doubt about that. But probably most of the good commets you’ve heard about the bases are coming from users that have been using the rails with the bases are paired with. The turntable and rails on a 700 and over 1/2” thick and they’re not flexible. That is not the case with a 6004. I think there may be other issues, beside the turn table thickness, you’ll encounter with putting the push down bases on a 6004.

 

[dgdawg]

Let me preface by saying you can put Xpider base clamps on a 6004. No doubt about that. But probably most of the good commets you’ve heard about the bases are coming from users that have been using the rails with the bases are paired with. The turntable and rails on a 700 and over 1/2” thick and they’re not flexible. That is not the case with a 6004. I think there may be other issues, beside the turn table thickness, you’ll encounter with putting the push down bases on a 6004.

I hear what you're saying, but I don't think that would be an issue. No matter whether you're sandwiching a 1/4" piece of steel, or 1/8" or 1/16" piece of steel, It gets compression fitted between two flat surfaces. I'd much rather mount down press clamp bases to my 6004 table for a few hundies, than purchase an entire machine for a few G's. At this point though, I'm ready to just say f*ck it and spend $3,500. These push down clamp bases are going to definitely keep me stringing longer so I have to do something

 

[am1899]

f*ck it and spend $3,500.

If you have the means, I say go for it.

 

[dgdawg]

Yeah, I think I'm going to. This is where I'm at. I play tennis, I'm a USTA umpire, a USRSA Certified Stringer and 62yrs old lol. That's actually relevant because I'll be eligible for full retirement benefits in 5 years. I want to ramp up my stringing business to be stringing 15 frames a day again, by that time. I have a Google presence, a pretty stupid website and getting more calls every day. I used to string for nearly every player in town, but that has dropped off since the advent of pickleball and some Junior players graduating high school. I love building machines, but I'm kind of tired. I sure do wish these down press clap bases would just bolts up without modification, I'd definitely do it then. I'm still contemplating

OK.......... Today.... Fri 10/6, I'm going with purchasing the entire machine. It just makes the most sense. 2 warranty, ready to go, it's mobile ready, doesn't look like a "pieces parts" cobbled together unit. Zero frustration and vulgarity. After all, I do have an image to uphold. There's absolutely no doubt in my mind this 6004 mobile machine I built is every bit as accurate as anything out there. It just looks like parts weren't made for each other, which they weren't. When the inexperienced player is watching me string their racquet, I want them to see a pro shop quality looking machine, not something from a Mad Max movie. Although, in all seriousness.. if I walked into a pro shop and saw a Stringer using the machine that I built, I'd say he's above average

 

[Wes]

I sure do wish these down press clap bases would just bolts up without modification, I'd definitely do it then. I'm still contemplating

As I explained to you... they can/do mount onto the 6004's turntable - without any modification.
I'm unclear why you still think some kind of modification is necessary.

As long as you have the correct size shims and then adjust the bases (as you would with any other base clamp), it works.

Just ask @Alexrb

If you want to get a new Tourna 700, then go for it.
I'm just saying that what you claim to want to do is possible.. and without modification.

 

[dgdawg]

.. and without modification.

Wes - adding shims, washers, etc.....is modification. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind it can be done.
In 62yrs I've done enough of this shyt to know, the experience could be somewhere btwn a nightmare & a stroll in the park.
I'm just not sure 4 or 5 days of swearing, ******** and moaning is worth it, when I could just purchased a new machine. I'm really torn here man! This 6004 build I have, with these clamp bases would be the best machine I think I've ever strung on. That's weighing pretty heavy as well

 

[Wes]

Wes - adding shims, washers, etc.....is modification. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind it can be done.
In 62yrs I've done enough of this shyt to know, the experience could be somewhere btwn a nightmare & a stroll in the park.
I'm just not sure 4 or 5 days of swearing, ******** and moaning is worth it, when I could just purchased a new machine. I'm really torn here man! This 6004 build I have, with these clamp bases would be the best machine I think I've ever strung on. That's weighing pretty heavy as well

I didn't realize that adding a mere couple of shims constitutes as a "modification".
My mistake, and my apologies.

 

[Alexrb]

I didn't realize that adding a mere couple of shims constitutes as a "modification".
My mistake, and my apologies.

I used those Gamma blocks (too if I remember right) + shims/washers, don't forget the block variable!

Responded to @dgdawg privately, and recommended alcohol to be close by.

 

[jim e]

Responded to @dgdawg privately, and recommended alcohol to be close by.

You Mean like bourbon or vodka , or just a cold case of beer?

 

[MikeCrowChip]

i was just talking to someone online about this!
we bought these and the factory in China customized them for our Alpha and different Gammas. My 3 worked (one i will need to sand down slightly).

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32861639320.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.10.21ef1802JKYouT

The big button automatic clamp work.

if someone has a push down clamp, we could swap block bolt patterns to see if it will fit. then you can ask them to make them to specific dimensions.

My big button automatic clamps fit on the three different turn tables, no shims or mods (other than the custom block). one is 0.8mm too wide at the corners so i will have to try to shave a bit off.

 

[Alexrb]

You Mean like bourbon or vodka , or just a cold case of beer?

Definitely bourbon. Cold case of beer is kicking your feet up on the patio on a warm day, this is 1 am going on your 4th hour of swapping washers/shims and tightening bolts wondering how all those youtube videos made it seem so easy.

 

[struggle]

i was just talking to someone online about this!
we bought these and the factory in China customized them for our Alpha and different Gammas. My 3 worked (one i will need to sand down slightly).

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32861639320.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.10.21ef1802JKYouT

The big button automatic clamp work.

if someone has a push down clamp, we could swap block bolt patterns to see if it will fit. then you can ask them to make them to specific dimensions.

My big button automatic clamps fit on the three different turn tables, no shims or mods (other than the custom block). one is 0.8mm too wide at the corners so i will have to try to shave a bit off.

How did you contact these folks?

 

[MikeCrowChip]

There's two stores that will customize. That one and an AEF one: https://www.aliexpress.com/store/1102802706?spm=a2g0o.cart.0.0.138d38daMgx0ww
You login, and then there's a contact option when you hover over their name. this will enable you to message then within the aliexpress platform.

 

[ryushen21]

I'm weighing the pros and cons of mounting the Xpider clamp bases to my 6004 table. After watching vids, reading posts & comments & talking to stringers, I'm now leaning towards just purchasing the 700-ES. There is no doubt it can be done. I have no doubt I could pull it off as well. I've built various machines over the years using pieces parts from various distributers and always a Wise tensioner. I just don't have the time nor patients for it these days.
I believe I really need down press due to Rheumatoid Arthritis issues. Down Press clamp bases undoubtedly will buy me some more stringing time. Plus, it looks like the 700 can be broken down into 4 parts for mobile stringing: stand, table, base and tensioner. Throw the table, tensioner and base in the back seat of my truck and away we go. I use a plastic fold up table to put the 3 parts to the 700 on......if that makes sense.
Anyway......someone convince me otherwise.

The 700-ES is a great machine but considerably more expensive than replacing the clamp bases.

 

[dgdawg]

The 700-ES is a great machine but considerably more expensive than replacing the clamp bases.

Yeah, but i got the green light from the boss. (my wife)

 

[am1899]

Yeah, but i got the green light from the boss. (my wife)

Years ago my Dad and I used to go together to the same barber. The barber was quite a character. He referred to his wife as, “the warden,” or, “the rear admiral.”

Sadly, my Dad passed a few years ago. And Covid took the barber and a few months later his son too. Fond memories, RIP guys.

 

[dgdawg]

OK so..... I picked up my 700 yesterday, unpacked it, took it all down to my basement, moved my gamma out of the way, and set it up. I strung two frames on it and I am less than impressed. I absolutely love the clamp bases, which is why I purchase this machine.... but honestly, that's about the only thing I like about it. Load spreaders at 6 and 12 are so short, I could totally see myself having to move the towers every couple frames just because of the short threaded shaft on the load spreaders. The clamp bases dont move very smoothly at all. After I strung two racquets, I took the rails off and cleaned them top and bottom, stuck a little alcohol cloth between the rail and spun the clamp base around to clean that. They were filthy, after two frames! I'm sure it's going to take 50 or so frames to break this bad boy in, so somebody tell me it'll get better........

 

[Irvin]

It’ll get better but will take more than 50 frames.

 

[dgdawg]

I was kind of thinking that too. I think the clamp base movement will loosen up and get more smooth. The one thing that really bothers me are the load spreaders at 6:00 and 12:00. They're so short, I can totally see myself having to move those Towers quite often. I'm not sure what game with yours, but included with mine was an extra pair of load spreaders designed for racquetball. The threaded shaft is about 2" longer than the ones that came installed. The only problem is, the upright part that makes contact with a frame is much thinner than what came with it. I can only surmise that's because they're designed for racquetball, would you string at considerably lower tension. Anyway..........

 

[gvsbdisco]

I was kind of thinking that too. I think the clamp base movement will loosen up and get more smooth. The one thing that really bothers me are the load spreaders at 6:00 and 12:00. They're so short, I can totally see myself having to move those Towers quite often. I'm not sure what game with yours, but included with mine was an extra pair of load spreaders designed for racquetball. The threaded shaft is about 2" longer than the ones that came installed. The only problem is, the upright part that makes contact with a frame is much thinner than what came with it. I can only surmise that's because they're designed for racquetball, would you string at considerably lower tension. Anyway..........

Please keep us posted on your experiences with the machine. I am considering buying one.

 

[Rabbit]

Thanks a lot for the update @dgdawg. As @gvsbdisco please keep a diary for us. So far, not so good.

 

[dgdawg]

It seems I'm the only one with negative comments about the 700. I'll just watch & read for a while

 

[Soundbyte]

Out of curiosity, how much did pay for it? I paid $2750 two years ago. Only other comparable machine was the Alpha Ghost 2.

But it looks like prices have gone up about a $1000, putting it in Baiardo L territory.

If you can swing it, the Baiardo L may be preferred by many.

I prefer the Tourna over the Ghost (my dad has ones). And for what I use mine for, it wasn't at the time worth the premium to "upgrade" to the Baiardo or Baiardo L

 

[Dags]

The clamp bases dont move very smoothly at all. After I strung two racquets, I took the rails off and cleaned them top and bottom, stuck a little alcohol cloth between the rail and spun the clamp base around to clean that. They were filthy, after two frames!

Different machine, but silicone spray on the rails makes my base clamps move much more smoothly. It was recommended in my manual, never had a problem with slippage when the clamps are locked.

 

[Tennisman.de]

There is a video from xpider where they show how to mount the xpider clamp bases on Gamma machines: click here

 

[dgdawg]

Out of curiosity, how much did pay for it? I paid $2750 two years ago. Only other comparable machine was the Alpha Ghost 2.

But it looks like prices have gone up about a $1000, putting it in Baiardo L territory.

If you can swing it, the Baiardo L may be preferred by many.

I prefer the Tourna over the Ghost (my dad has ones). And for what I use mine for, it wasn't at the time worth the premium to "upgrade" to the Baiardo or Baiardo L

I've been stringing for 15+ years on a star 5. I was recently diagnosed with a rather severe case of rheumatoid arthritis. I really want to start using down press clamp bases as much as possible hoping it will buy me a couple more years of stringing.

I'll pm you re:the price

 

[mad dog1]

It seems I'm the only one with negative comments about the 700. I'll just watch & read for a while

Should have just sprung for the ghost 2. The ghost 2 base clamps are fairly light action to operate

 

[Soundbyte]

Should have just sprung for the ghost 2. The ghost 2 base clamps are fairly light action to operate

I think the Ghost 2 and Tourna 700 are comparable. But he wanted the press down clamps. He also got the machine for $500+ less than the Ghost 2. So can't blame him.
But if you have a hookup for getting the Ghost 2 well below MSRP...let us know!

 

[Standupnfall]

I think the Ghost 2 and Tourna 700 are comparable. But he wanted the press down clamps. He also got the machine for $500+ less than the Ghost 2. So can't blame him.
But if you have a hookup for getting the Ghost 2 well below MSRP...let us know!

Yes, Would alsoike to know the best price on a Ghost 2 while I think about upgrading down the line.

 

[NoobWannabe]

I don’t know about Alpha machines but I can probably help you with Tourna. PM me.

 

[Irvin]

Yes, Would alsoike to know the best price on a Ghost 2 while I think about upgrading down the line.

Just talked to Mark Gonzales. He said they had a couple of Ghost 2 machines left until spring, and he doubted Greg would be offering any discounts.

 

[dgdawg]

I think the Ghost 2 and Tourna 700 are comparable. But he wanted the press down clamps. He also got the machine for $500+ less than the Ghost 2. So can't blame him.
But if you have a hookup for getting the Ghost 2 well below MSRP...let us know!

I actually got the 700 for nearly $1000 less than the G2. I love alpha. I've purchased pieces parts from both Mark and Gerg over the years.
More than likely, id have purchased a G2 if it came with down press clamp bases. Rheumatoid Arthritis pushed me towards down press c-bases. It's kind of weird, weaving crosses doesn't bother me much, but the twist action Star 5 C-bases and the paddle activated C-bases mess with my wrists. The 700 is turning out to be a really nice, bare bones rig. I'm loving it.