Clamp Pops Off!
 

Stringing with 18G Gamma and halfway through the X's the flying clamp pops off. I should have tightened the clamp before beginning.... Question; was it OK to re-tension and clamp or did I need to redo X's from the beginning? It seemed to be alright but am I just kidding myself?

Thanks.

aren't you using two clamps?

Just using 1 clamp per Klippermate instructional manual. I've done over 40 racquets so far w/o incident. Maybe I better re-read instructions!

When you clamp the mains the string goes farther into the clamp. I ALWAYS adjust my clampS for the correct pressure before starting the mains and again when starting my crosses. I tighten it up just a bit for the crosses even when using the same gauge as mains.

Well at that rate about 96% of your string jobs will be fine. Or you can ignore that part of the manual and use two clamps.

Is there a correct way to determine proper tension of clamps or is it trial and error? My problem stemmed from stringing the previous racket with 15G and not re-adjusting clamps to accommodate the thinner 18G string...

I go by clamp pressure, I want the same feel when I clamp any string. If I strung 15L string and followed with an 18 gauge they would slip for sure.

i "feel" for slippage at the start of each job......usually.
once confident my clamps are adjusted properly, i ignore it.

as Irvin stated, you'll get used to the clamp pressure to a certain extent and
thus feel confident about it. when in doubt you can use a sharpie and make a small mark on string at clamp and check for movement that way (mark will move relative to clamp....you could als0 use a piece of tape).

Yea I use dry erase markers

My question was actually 2. Did I need to start the X's from the beginning?

Thanks/Don

If it is your racket do what you want and you will know the answer the next time. if it belongs to someone else start from the beginning.