Gravity Release Clamps

[Rabbit]

It was a slow day at work and someone had reposted the Richard Parnell YouTube on how to do an ATW. I was sort of half way watching and something struck me. RP was definitely taking advantage of his gravity release clamp bases. I had to string 4 Head Radicals last night after work and figured what the hell. I released the first clamp, down it went unlocking the base for me. I smiled and thought "This is neat". I noticed something else, it was a lot faster too. I also watched the video enough to notice that when he tied the knots, he didn't use the feature.

I had not used the gravity release because it had been pooh poohed on the boards. But I have to tell you now that it is a great feature and one I'll use religiously going forward. At the end of the 3rd frame, I was beginning to wonder how I strung before without the feature. The Mighty Sensor's clamps were designed to minimize the number of movements you have to make and to decrease time spent manipulating clamps. I have to say that it is a great design.

Here is the aforementioned video:

 

[LOBALOT]

I was not aware folks didn't like them. I use mine all the time on my Alpha Ghost 2.

They are very handy.

 

[1HBHfanatic]

Yeah, its been on my mind as well,
its because of the string damage at release,,,
I see that side of the argument, and if I had a screw down type of base clamp, I think I would def use the base/clamp method only
but I have a prince 5000 machine with gravity release,
gravity release clamps where designed for that reason, clamp/auto.release method,,,
the prince 7000 machine clamps are different,, more of an emphasis on the base/clamp release method,,, but still keeping the gravity release function,,

I do find myself using it gravity release more when in a hurry,, so yes, to support you point OP, it is faster..

 

[Rabbit]

its because of the string damage at release,,,

And I can see that if you're stringing natural gut and need to be extra careful. But, 85% of my stringing now is non-natural gut (I would have said synthetics but the nit picking crowd would have been all over it ) and the way the Mighty Sensor works, there is no negative impact on the string.

 

[Herb]

Use the feature all the time. The thousands of racquets I have strung over the years, I have never had a string break from gravity release clamp damage, nor have I had a customer at any level complain about micro abrasions on the string (even natural gut). I have used machines in the past with the clamps, my Gamma machines did not, but the Wilson does. I am the same at the knot as RP. I release the base first then the clamp on the tie off string.

 

[struggle]

Having never used gravity release clamps, or even seen them in person.
Can someone, in a nutshell, tell me how they work?
The video didn't really clear it up for me ( i didn't watch it all), but it's clear
(as mud) that it seems more of a "one motion" type clamping/unclamping?

 

[Rabbit]

@Herb, great to hear! I shall use them regardless of string.

@struggle, gravity release clamps are built so that the weight of the clamp will cause the base to unlock. It is activated by simply releasing the clamp from the string by pulling the lever used to close the clamp.

 

[struggle]

So you still have to lock the baseclamp when clamping, correct?

 

[am1899]

So you still have to lock the baseclamp when clamping, correct?

Yes.

 

[LOBALOT]

I think my release is pretty slick. I am not in front of my machine and am working from memory but I am pretty sure when I unclamp all I do is press a button on the clamp base and it releases the clamp from the string the clamp falls and releases the clamp base. I then just move the clamp to the next string, re-clamp, tighten the base...... etc., etc.

 

[esgee48]

The best stringing machine is one that strings the racquet for me. All I have to do is mount the frame and lay the string out. When I find it, I will buy one. NO MORE MANUAL labor!

 

[LOBALOT]

I think my release is pretty slick. I am not in front of my machine and am working from memory but I am pretty sure when I unclamp all I do is press a button on the clamp base and it releases the clamp from the string the clamp falls and releases the clamp base. I then just move the clamp to the next string, re-clamp, tighten the base...... etc., etc.

I might add that the time saved on the quick release makes up for the time spent with my cruddy weaving skills!!!!

 

[mmk]

The best stringing machine is one that strings the racquet for me. All I have to do is mount the frame and lay the string out. When I find it, I will buy one. NO MORE MANUAL labor!

There are a number of organic machines that will do all that and mount the frame as well.

 

[SavvyStringer]

It was a slow day at work and someone had reposted the Richard Parnell YouTube on how to do an ATW. I was sort of half way watching and something struck me. RP was definitely taking advantage of his gravity release clamp bases. I had to string 4 Head Radicals last night after work and figured what the hell. I released the first clamp, down it went unlocking the base for me. I smiled and thought "This is neat". I noticed something else, it was a lot faster too. I also watched the video enough to notice that when he tied the knots, he didn't use the feature.

I had not used the gravity release because it had been pooh poohed on the boards. But I have to tell you now that it is a great feature and one I'll use religiously going forward. At the end of the 3rd frame, I was beginning to wonder how I strung before without the feature. The Mighty Sensor's clamps were designed to minimize the number of movements you have to make and to decrease time spent manipulating clamps. I have to say that it is a great design.

Here is the aforementioned video:

Only time I wouldn't use them is on gut. Release the base first then the clamp. Otherwise who cares? With yours being a bab it probably won't impact your clamps but with my ghost, the prince 5k I used extensively, and even the baiardo I feel like gravity release is what makes the clamps loosen a bit as I string. I end up re-adjusting my clamps during string jobs. It isn't a big deal because I've been doing it forever and can visually see how tight my clamps need to be/are on my machines. Gravity release = speed.

 

[1HBHfanatic]

There were a few old threads discussing this issue, and how releasing the base is "better", for the string (, due to the drawback and micro abrasions,,, as mentioned above),, iF YOU CARE ENOUGH FOR MICRO ABRASIONS,,,
whether you use it or not, thats a different personal choice
However, You do have to give credit to that logic,, its correct if you think about it,, more potencial for string damage, when you release "clamp, then base",,

but as ive stated above,, machines likecthe prince 7000, are evolving to allow this change "base, then clamp",,

Having said that, i also struggle to choose one over the other in a "consistent bases", And it might end up being a non issue, since speed and minimal string damage outweights correct release process of "base than clamp",,,

 

[1HBHfanatic]

Only time I wouldn't use them is on gut. Release the base first then the clamp. Otherwise who cares? With yours being a bab it probably won't impact your clamps but with my ghost, the prince 5k I used extensively, and even the baiardo I feel like gravity release is what makes the clamps loosen a bit as I string. I end up re-adjusting my clamps during string jobs. It isn't a big deal because I've been doing it forever and can visually see how tight my clamps need to be/are on my machines. Gravity release = speed.

Agree with you,, I use both the 5k and 7k and see the differences
I tend to use the clamps as intended per machine,, I like both,, but it buggs me a bit that I have to change base on machine,, in a field where consistency is premium above everything else,,,

 

[1HBHfanatic]

I think my release is pretty slick. I am not in front of my machine and am working from memory but I am pretty sure when I unclamp all I do is press a button on the clamp base and it releases the clamp from the string the clamp falls and releases the clamp base. I then just move the clamp to the next string, re-clamp, tighten the base...... etc., etc.

Thats the "base, then clamp" method,, which Is the "better", method,, is on the newer machines,,
The other method, "clamp, then base", is what gravity release clamps are designed for, its easy and most important FAST,,

 

[1HBHfanatic]

Having never used gravity release clamps, or even seen them in person.
Can someone, in a nutshell, tell me how they work?
The video didn't really clear it up for me ( i didn't watch it all), but it's clear
(as mud) that it seems more of a "one motion" type clamping/unclamping?

Your machine on your signature(gamma 6004),, its got the fixed clamps correct?!,, do you release clamp first or base first?

 

[struggle]

Your machine on your signature(gamma 6004),, its got the fixed clamps correct?!,, do you release clamp first or base first?

String clamp first.

 

[Irvin]

String clamp first.

Bad idea no advantage to clamp first on 6004

 

[struggle]

Bad idea no advantage to clamp first on 6004

do what you like.

 

[1HBHfanatic]

String clamp first.

I worked with similar clamps before as well,, but do to posts here in the past, they outlined and expressed the concerns on the damage the string gets from releasing the clamp first while the base is still tight,,, I changed my process then with those basic clamps to be "base, then clamp",,, check it out and see for yourself if eitherway seems better, to you!,, as expressed above, their is "minimal micro scratch", damage that stringers can live with,, I do it myself when in a hurry and when using some stringing machines,,, but I know that there is another way aswell,,

gravity release clamps have the benefit of auto-base release when you let go of the clamp release lever; when it falls to the bottom, it cliks and it releases it self, so we dont need to release the base manually (unless you want to, their is a small manual release butyon as well),, neat feature for speed 1second less, but issue still their,, we release clamp first..

 

[Steve Huff]

That's exactly how I string Babolat rackets.

 

[Rabbit]

@1HBHfanatic @Steve Huff I've been using them now and have seen zero negative effect on strings. As others have stated in the thread, there is no damage to the string.

 

[lwto]

It was a slow day at work and someone had reposted the Richard Parnell YouTube on how to do an ATW. I was sort of half way watching and something struck me. RP was definitely taking advantage of his gravity release clamp bases. I had to string 4 Head Radicals last night after work and figured what the hell. I released the first clamp, down it went unlocking the base for me. I smiled and thought "This is neat". I noticed something else, it was a lot faster too. I also watched the video enough to notice that when he tied the knots, he didn't use the feature.

I had not used the gravity release because it had been pooh poohed on the boards. But I have to tell you now that it is a great feature and one I'll use religiously going forward. At the end of the 3rd frame, I was beginning to wonder how I strung before without the feature. The Mighty Sensor's clamps were designed to minimize the number of movements you have to make and to decrease time spent manipulating clamps. I have to say that it is a great design.

Here is the aforementioned video:

I can't imagine it anyother way... one handed stringing all the way..lol