Linear gripper scuffing?

[Brocolt]

I have an older alpha crank machine and the linear gripper on the lock-out tends to scuff the string. I have tried loosen it and tightening it. Are there any tricks, do they get wore out, can I get a diffrent one? I have used a credit card on one side when I was stringing some gut once but that is a pain.

Thanks

[Irvin]

To get the best answer and find out how to replace the gripper contact alpha. 1.800.922.9024

I took mine apart but there are two spring and 32 ball bearings that make it difficult to put them back together. It fixed my problem but I would not recommend it.

[Brocolt]

What did you do to fix it? Alpha said they are not replaceable and to put a buisness card in the gripper

[Irvin]

I took mine apart and used a tooth brush and alcohol to clean the plates and bearings very good. Put it back together and it worked fine. If it is just an adjustment the screw on the back is just a stop screw. When you screw it in the plates will not close as far. When you screw it all the plates travel farther and close closer together. When in doubt take it out and see if it closes far enough for the staring not to slip. If it does not then an adjustment is not you problem.

[bugeyed]

Brocolt: I hate to ask, but did you clean the gripper well? I mean without disassembling it.

Cheers,
kev

[Irvin]

Over and over again but nothing seemed to help until I disassembled it and used a toothbrush. There was a lot of buildup in the groves of the mill marks on the gripper surfaces I could not get out while it was assembled that came right out after I took it apart.

[MAX PLY]

If normal cleaning doesn't work, I suggest you pick up a cleaning stone from Gamma. I suggest using it carefully and deliberately but that might smooth out your gripper. GammaTech may be able to chime in here?

[Irvin]

Yes the Gamma Gripper Cleaning Stone may work but they are $12 and you would have to wait for delivery. Not so sure they would get the build up out of the groves in the gripper plates either but worth a try. If you decided to take the gripper apart make sure you have something to catch all the bearings and springs. Don't just use a flat surface they will roll forever. I would put two pieces of tape on the top back of the gripper too before you take them apart and make sure you get them back together the same way. It is possible to put it back together backwards but it won't work.

[Gamma Tech]

I agree with what Irvin is saying. It sounds like you have something stuck in the texture of the gripper plates. Brushing will remove some of the “gunk” but what gets left behind is probably causing the problem. Using a stone will grind away the really gritty debris. If you don’t have one handy you can try using an emery board, (those finger nail files that look like sand paper cover Popsicle sticks), and gently rub both sides of the jaws with that. Then use a brush & alcohol to flush everything out.