Mutual Power Hercules 680 Review (Pics)

[tennis50]

Nice stand! great workmanship.

My reference sticker came up easy. I used a razor blade to fillet the sticker. I have a calibrator so I used that to position the sticker more accurately. I have heard MP will send you new sticker for free if you ask. YUlittle helped me buy an old Serrano for $31 locally. I match spray painted the Serrano stand, removed the old stringer, bolted my MP to the stand and it's great.

[Max Winther]

oh yeah i remember that thread. He saw it for sale and even though it was cheap, delivery was gonna be a killer right? Well, nice score. And ill remember that when I get a calibrator or borrow my clubs.

[mdjenders]

how exactly do these clamps work? I tried to go without a stringing machine for a few weeks, but my first stringjob I paid for totally sucked, so I bit the bullet and bought a new machine. I have my machine (a MP) sitting here, and I can't figure out how to move the clamp bases around. I lift and turn the lever around, but the base won't move . I am a moron.

[Max Winther]

Originally Posted by mdjenders

how exactly do these clamps work? I tried to go without a stringing machine for a few weeks, but my first stringjob I paid for totally sucked, so I bit the bullet and bought a new machine. I have my machine (a MP) sitting here, and I can't figure out how to move the clamp bases around. I lift and turn the lever around, but the base won't move . I am a moron.

So, your machine is the 680/690 right? Are you positive you are moving them in the direction the sticker says? Dont focus on lifting the lever, just push it counter-clockwise. It may take some force because it may be stuck or something. Make sure nothing is stuck on the underside of the track or if the clamp itself has come out of the track. This sounds weird, and it may be a factory error. I rememeber when I did my first job, it didn't take any thought at all. good luck!

[mdjenders]

it is the 7600. I have tried everything, and the clamp bases seem cemented to the table. so I am supposed to 1) lift up the handle, 2) turn the handle CCW (towards OPEN)..... then what. do I try to move the base around when the handle is still lifted up? I guess I don't even know what the lever is for, or what turning it CCW is doing internally. Maybe I will take a video later on showing the ineptitude.

[kfactor/all/the/WAY!]

hey very nice stand Max! my friend i giving me his klippermate stringer for free since he doesnt play tennis anymore! Do u have any advice for me? hopefully it will be alright for me to use in the time being till i upgrade

[Max Winther]

Originally Posted by mdjenders

it is the 7600. I have tried everything, and the clamp bases seem cemented to the table. so I am supposed to 1) lift up the handle, 2) turn the handle CCW (towards OPEN)..... then what. do I try to move the base around when the handle is still lifted up? I guess I don't even know what the lever is for, or what turning it CCW is doing internally. Maybe I will take a video later on showing the ineptitude.

thats weird. The 7600 clamp bases look to be identical. Well, since these are cone lock bases, its basicially just a lever that tightens and loosens a screw which locks the base to the turntable. Is the lever moving at all? My only other option would be to not focus on lifting up the handle. I dont really see how that could help things. Just grab a lever, and turn CCW, no lifting or pulling verticially. All the action happens horizontally. if that doesn't work, take a short video and post it so that we can further diagnose this problem.

[zidane339]

Very nice stand Max, impressive woodwork. Makes me wish I took woodshop in HS! : )

[Max Winther]

Originally Posted by kfactor/all/the/WAY!

hey very nice stand Max! my friend i giving me his klippermate stringer for free since he doesnt play tennis anymore! Do u have any advice for me? hopefully it will be alright for me to use in the time being till i upgrade

you don't have a stringer now correct? Well, I would look up Yulitle's videos on youtube. Hes also got them in his signature, and there is a sticky in this forum. He shows you the basics of stringing step by step, as well as knot tying and other variations of stringing. I would also watch xtremestarrunnars video of him stringing on an x-2. That will show you the whole stringing process and give you a more physical portrayal of how your hands and arms work the machine. The x-2 is also very similar to the klippermate.

Order like 5 or 6 sets of junk nylon/cheap syn gut string from TW or anywhere else. I did like 5 straight jobs of practice string before I did string that I actually wanted to play with. A reel of Forten Competition Nylon is only like 17 bucks, and can string 17 racquets. Set aside a good 3 hours for your first stringing. That includes getting used to how the clamps work, how to adjust them, mounting your racquet, and measuring strings. Go slowly and think through every move and step. Don't get discouraged if you break a string or measure wrong or something your first or second go around. Its good to make these mistakes in order to correct them.

Make sure your machine comes with the clamps (should be 2) and the awl and needlenose pliers. The original Klippermate manual is also a good thing to have, so ask your friend if hes got it. Also get any string from him that hes got laying around. Its probably a good thing your learning on a machine that is really basic. Nothing to complicate the stringing process. Nice score and good luck!

[Max Winther]

Originally Posted by zidane339

Very nice stand Max, impressive woodwork. Makes me wish I took woodshop in HS! : )

Haha thanks. I'm pretty lucky that my dads a building contractor. Hes taught me a lot as far as design goes and actual building and stuff. This was kind of my test to see if I could do something (that serves an actual purpose) without having to get help or have him rework something.

[Il Mostro]

Max, how...organic. Very well designed and built. Just very, very cool. Saluti!

[Max Winther]

Originally Posted by Il Mostro

Max, how...organic. Very well designed and built. Just very, very cool. Saluti!

Ideally, I'd want it to be metal, but don't have the access to that kind of machinery or material, let alone the knowledge or experience to make one. Wood suffices just fine. No flex, plenty sturdy, and lighter too. Thanks!

[Mansewerz]

Originally Posted by Max Winther

Ideally, I'd want it to be metal, but don't have the access to that kind of machinery or material, let alone the knowledge or experience to make one. Wood suffices just fine. No flex, plenty sturdy, and lighter too. Thanks!

How old are you?

[kfactor/all/the/WAY!]

hey max, thanks for all your help on your thread! enjoy ur stand and stringer. r u thinkning about painting ur stand?

[Max Winther]

Originally Posted by Mansewerz

How old are you?

16 10 char

[Max Winther]

Originally Posted by kfactor/all/the/WAY!

hey max, thanks for all your help on your thread! enjoy ur stand and stringer. r u thinkning about painting ur stand?

Yeah ill probably paint it eventually. Good luck with your free k-mate.

[kfactor/all/the/WAY!]

Originally Posted by Max Winther

16 10 char

do u play high school tennis? i am 15. i play on varsity at Brea, California

[Mansewerz]

I'm 15 as well.

[Max Winther]

Yeah, I was on varsity last year. Played #6-8 on the roster. Next year, I'm looking to get to top 3. It'll be my junior year next year.

[kfactor/all/the/WAY!]

is there any more pros to having a six point mounting system compared to a 2 point other than stability?