Can someone explain the base clamp terminology?

S

sstchur

Hall of Fame
I realized that I THOUGHT I understood it all, but apparently I don't.

Can some explain the various terms to me: spring-assisted, cone lock, swivel, etc...?

Swivel I'm pretty sure I get (as opposed to glide bar).

What is cone lock? If your base clamps are cone lock does that imply they are NOT spring assisted?

I emailed Mutual Power asking if my machine could be upgraded to spring-assisted base clamps, and the reply was that they ARE spring assisted.

Maybe I am a complete idiot and using them wrong (entirely possible!)

The MP web site says:

// I get this part
Adjustable width linear ball bearing string gripper.

// I get this part
2 diamond-coated spring assisted aluminum alloy thumb-adjustable swivel tennis clamps.

// I don't get this part
Easy operate cone lock swivel clamping system with durable carbon-steel handle.

I thought that if it was cone lock, it was NOT spring assisted?

My understanding is screwed up.
 
S

sstchur

Hall of Fame
D

David123

Hall of Fame
yep cone lock means not spring assisted lol. And spring assisted are the best. I wouldnt buy a machine without one due to some people complaining about cone lock and wanting to upgrade which will cost 200$ id rather spend a bit more and get it all in one bundle.
 
S

sstchur

Hall of Fame
David123 said:
yep cone lock means not spring assisted lol. And spring assisted are the best. I wouldnt buy a machine without one due to some people complaining about cone lock and wanting to upgrade which will cost 200$ id rather spend a bit more and get it all in one bundle.
Click to expand...

Well you know it's interesting. I've never used spring assisted, but I think I would like them. This is coming from someone who has been using the cone lock for several weeks now.

Interestingly, I don't know why I want to try spring assisted, except to maybe "find out what I'm missing," b/c to be honest, the cone lock hold well and actually require very little force. Maybe it's all in my head.

Actually, if anything I would say I'd almost prefer self-centering mounts over the spring assisted base clamps.
 
D

David123

Hall of Fame
lol i wouldnt if you don't do a high volume of tennis rackets why would you want self centering mounts? I'd rather make something that last around half an hr more enjoyable than something that only lasts a minute or less. I mount my racket on a gamma progresion 602 in less than a minute. So why does it matter? spring assisted clamps to go!
 
S

sstchur

Hall of Fame
David123 said:
lol i wouldnt if you don't do a high volume of tennis rackets why would you want self centering mounts? I'd rather make something that last around half an hr more enjoyable than something that only lasts a minute or less. I mount my racket on a gamma progresion 602 in less than a minute. So why does it matter? spring assisted clamps to go!
Click to expand...

Given how little force is required for my cone lock clamps, it's hard for me to imagine much difference in effort or time savings with spring assisted.

But getting the racquet centered properly (which I am anal about) is a little annoying.
 
Lakers4Life

Lakers4Life

Hall of Fame
The Eagnas and MP Cone locks are the same thing. It's a screw/bolt with a repositionable lever. Even the later model are just bolts without the ability to reposition.

You do want the Switch action or lever action base clamps over the Cone Lock. Don't ask me why they call it a Cone Lock, but it's a bolt with T-nut.

As for spring asisted, there is a spring in the repositionable levers, but it just pushed the lever down to lock in to the bolt. You pull it to reposition.
 
D

David123

Hall of Fame
sstchur said:
Given how little force is required for my cone lock clamps, it's hard for me to imagine much difference in effort or time savings with spring assisted.

But getting the racquet centered properly (which I am anal about) is a little annoying.
Click to expand...

it takes like a minute why do u care if you don't do high volumes?
 
S

sstchur

Hall of Fame
Lakers4Life said:
The Eagnas and MP Cone locks are the same thing. It's a screw/bolt with a repositionable lever. Even the later model are just bolts without the ability to reposition.

You do want the Switch action or lever action base clamps over the Cone Lock. Don't ask me why they call it a Cone Lock, but it's a bolt with T-nut.

As for spring asisted, there is a spring in the repositionable levers, but it just pushed the lever down to lock in to the bolt. You pull it to reposition.
Click to expand...

What does switch action mean? Why do I want it over Cone Lock?

Switch action doesn't use a bolt with T-nut?
 
S

sstchur

Hall of Fame
I can't really pinpoint why, but I'm feeling some buyer's remorse with the MP Titan 7700.

I don't know why, b/c I can't really find anything wrong with it. The cost wasn't bad and the machine seems to be exactly as advertised.

It's almost like I'm just now realizing that I want features I didn't know I wanted. I didn't think I cared about SC mounts or spring-action base clamps or 3-tooth clamps. But I was coming from an SP Swing (drop weight with flying clamps), so I didn't really KNOW that those features were indeed important to me.

It's unfortunate, b/c I stand firm that the Titan 7700 is a fine decision for anyone who want a machine with ITS features.

It's just that I'm realizing (after the fact) that I actually wanted DIFFERENT features. It's not a knock against the machine; it's me not realizing what I really wanted.

I feel stuck now. :-(

I shouldn't though -- it's still much more pleasant to string on than my SP Swing was.

What to do... what to do...
 
D

David123

Hall of Fame
How much did you get the machine for? Then again you would have to pay way more for the features you wanted. Self centering mounts if generally found in machines over $1000 for those who are really looking at stringing high volumes of rackets. I still didnt buy my machine but i am considering the Revo 4k. The only thing it doesnt have that you were talking about is the self centering mounts. But why would i want to pay double the machine for self centering mounts when i won't be stringing a lot of rackets. It's a quite minute set up and not worth it. Revo 4k comes in 3 tooth, spring assisted and is a very rough machine :p That's why ive been reseaching so much so that i purchase a machine that i don't regret. Then again, think about the price you'd have to pay for self centering mounts, adn if the cone lock is not a big deal, then don't worry about it. For those comlpainging it is a big deal :p
 
S

sstchur

Hall of Fame
David123 said:
How much did you get the machine for? Then again you would have to pay way more for the features you wanted. Self centering mounts if generally found in machines over $1000 for those who are really looking at stringing high volumes of rackets. I still didnt buy my machine but i am considering the Revo 4k. The only thing it doesnt have that you were talking about is the self centering mounts. But why would i want to pay double the machine for self centering mounts when i won't be stringing a lot of rackets. It's a quite minute set up and not worth it. Revo 4k comes in 3 tooth, spring assisted and is a very rough machine :p That's why ive been reseaching so much so that i purchase a machine that i don't regret. Then again, think about the price you'd have to pay for self centering mounts, adn if the cone lock is not a big deal, then don't worry about it. For those comlpainging it is a big deal :p
Click to expand...

Really important to me was to have an upright. I don't want a make-shift stand or a utility cart, which ruled out the Revo for me.

That's a feature I didn't want to compromise on.

I paid $670 for the machine (which included shipping).

I ruled out Eagnas just based on feedback on these forums, but I'm second guessing that a little bit, honestly. Looks like that Combo 910 has just about everything I wanted (maybe it doesn't have SC mounts), but it's upright, with spring-assisted base clamps, and even has a disc break (the MP is a screw break, but does seem to hold perfectly well, even for O3 racquets).

But the Eagnas is cheaper.... perhaps I should not have ruled that particular model out just b/c it was Eagnas, since it seems to get mostly positive reviews.

Ah well, what can I do...
 
D

David123

Hall of Fame
You'd feel remorse for basically any stringing machine thats not the babolat star 5 or a stringing machine thats $1000+ if it really matters then raise your budget. Why does it have to be an upright? Revo is perfect in my opininon. Has everything you want except non SC mounts but still mounting should not take more than a minute.
 
Lakers4Life

Lakers4Life

Hall of Fame
sstchur said:
What does switch action mean? Why do I want it over Cone Lock?

Switch action doesn't use a bolt with T-nut?
Click to expand...

Switch action is a lever that you "switch" to lock and unlock. Very common on high end machines. Somthing like this:
c38swb.jpg

or this:
MSAC_large.jpg


Cone locks are like this:
fhsbb2.jpg


Switch action sort uses a T-Nut to hold hold it down, but it's preset.
 
S

sstchur

Hall of Fame
David123 said:
You'd feel remorse for basically any stringing machine thats not the babolat star 5 or a stringing machine thats $1000+ if it really matters then raise your budget. Why does it have to be an upright? Revo is perfect in my opininon. Has everything you want except non SC mounts but still mounting should not take more than a minute.
Click to expand...

Because I like to stand and watch TV while my wife knits. I don't want a utility cart or anything cumbersome that gets in the way, and I like that the uprights have adjustable height.
 
S

sstchur

Hall of Fame
David123 said:
table lol???
Click to expand...

It's just personal preference and what I find to be convenient.

The same way you can't live without spring assisted clamps. While that's a nice-to-have in my mind, I'm more or less fine with my cone lock clamps.

The lack of SC mounting annoys me more, but it sounds like it doesn't bother you.

We're just different in what criteria is important to us, which is fine -- to each his own.
 
mad dog1

mad dog1

G.O.A.T.
imo, stand mount is the only way to go when stringing...

regarding your buyer's remorse...i've used both the cone lock & spring loaded base clamps...spring loaded is a little more convenient and saves a few secs/pull, but i would be fine w/ either honestly. at least you have fixed clamps. if you had flying clamps, you'd have serious buyer's remorse. your MP Titan is a fine machine & will serve you well for many, many years...my suggestion is just use if for a few years then sell it & upgrade to something better. u can practice perfecting your technique & consistency on a "inferior" machine. when you upgrade to a high end model, your string jobs will just be better. happy stringing. :)
 
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S

sstchur

Hall of Fame
mad dog1 said:
imo, stand mount is the only way to go when stringing...

regarding your buyer's remorse...i've used both the cone lock & spring loaded base clamps...spring loaded is a little more convenient and saves a few secs/pull, but i would be fine w/ either honestly. at least you have fixed clamps. if you had flying clamps, you'd have serious buyer's remorse. your MP Titan is a fine machine & will serve you well for many, many years...my suggestion is just use if for a few years then sell it & upgrade to something better. u can practice perfecting your technique & consistency on a "inferior" machine. when you upgrade to a high end model, your string jobs will just be better. happy stringing. :)
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's kinda where I'm settling (emotionally) as well. Thanks for your input. It helps, and I /am/ happy with the machine. It is very well built and is 100% as advertised, so no real complaints -- just a momentary bit of buyer's remorse, but it is passing :)

(I think also, that I may have actually been tightening the cone locks more than necessary.)
 
S

struggle

Legend
combo 910 gets the most features for the least money.

i looked up and down before purchasing.

it doesn't have SC mounts, but that doesn't bother me at all.

i agree with the wanting an integrated stand part, anything else was a compromise to me, PLUS once you buy a cart stand you may as well have bought a stand-up model.
 
S

sstchur

Hall of Fame
tbuggle said:
combo 910 gets the most features for the least money.

i looked up and down before purchasing.

it doesn't have SC mounts, but that doesn't bother me at all.

i agree with the wanting an integrated stand part, anything else was a compromise to me, PLUS once you buy a cart stand you may as well have bought a stand-up model.
Click to expand...

Yeah, a part of me regrets not considering the Combo 910. It truly has everything I wanted -- or now realize I wanted -- minus the SC mounts.

I was just scared away from all the negative comments about their service. But it sounds like the 910 is the real deal.

I'm now considering buying 3-tooth clamps and spring assisted bases from Alpha, which would actually just put me back at the price of the Apex, which I suppose I should have just gone with to begin with (either that or a Combo 910 -- had I realized a month ago that these other features were important to me, that is.)

It's a shame Eagnas won't sell me spring assisted clamp bases...

Oh well, hindsight is 20/20 I guess.
 
S

struggle

Legend
sstchur said:
Yeah, a part of me regrets not considering the Combo 910. It truly has everything I wanted -- or now realize I wanted -- minus the SC mounts.

I was just scared away from all the negative comments about their service. But it sounds like the 910 is the real deal.

I'm now considering buying 3-tooth clamps and spring assisted bases from Alpha, which would actually just put me back at the price of the Apex, which I suppose I should have just gone with to begin with (either that or a Combo 910 -- had I realized a month ago that these other features were important to me, that is.)

It's a shame Eagnas won't sell me spring assisted clamp bases...

Oh well, hindsight is 20/20 I guess.
Click to expand...


eagnas will sell you the clamp bases, you just have to get creative (barely).
 
Lakers4Life

Lakers4Life

Hall of Fame
^^^ I agree, just tell them you are upgrading a Flex 940. If they ask where you got it from, tell them you bought it used.
 
D

David123

Hall of Fame
sstchur said:
Yeah, a part of me regrets not considering the Combo 910. It truly has everything I wanted -- or now realize I wanted -- minus the SC mounts.

I was just scared away from all the negative comments about their service. But it sounds like the 910 is the real deal.

I'm now considering buying 3-tooth clamps and spring assisted bases from Alpha, which would actually just put me back at the price of the Apex, which I suppose I should have just gone with to begin with (either that or a Combo 910 -- had I realized a month ago that these other features were important to me, that is.)

It's a shame Eagnas won't sell me spring assisted clamp bases...

Oh well, hindsight is 20/20 I guess.
Click to expand...

I feel bad for you. Thats why I've been doing tons of research and waiting before i bought a machine. People were yelling at me on the forums to just buy a machine already, but i didnt give in. I want to make sure i am buying exactly what i want. Its hard i know, but if i already have a borrowed machine from a friend (progression 602) why rush? Even if i didn't i wouldn't rush. Even though any machine is better than no machine, i would rather get the machine i want right the first time instead of having to upgrade which costs more, or selling and buying again which takes a lot of time and effort. but then again, MP is a great machine. How often do you string?
 
S

sstchur

Hall of Fame
David123 said:
I feel bad for you. Thats why I've been doing tons of research and waiting before i bought a machine. People were yelling at me on the forums to just buy a machine already, but i didnt give in. I want to make sure i am buying exactly what i want. Its hard i know, but if i already have a borrowed machine from a friend (progression 602) why rush? Even if i didn't i wouldn't rush. Even though any machine is better than no machine, i would rather get the machine i want right the first time instead of having to upgrade which costs more, or selling and buying again which takes a lot of time and effort. but then again, MP is a great machine. How often do you string?
Click to expand...

Much of what you say makes sense. There is a balance to achieve between researching infinitely and buying too quickly.

I feel like this is something that I probably couldn't have really gotten right the first time, to be honest.

I feel like I DID make the right decision with the information I had at the time.

I didn't know I would be stringing this many racquets (it's not a ton, maybe 5 to 8 per week), but I generally promise whatever turnaround my customers want, so sometimes I'll have 3 or 4 to do in an evening. And because of my work and family schedule I cannot usually start until about 9pm (and I usually get up at 5am).

Had I realized much of this up front, I would have gone with spring-assisted clamps. I also didn't think 5-tooth vs 3-tooth matter much (and if it's just a few racquets a month, then I still think it doesn't). But when doing several in a row, I'm starting to appreciate the "little" things.

Also, it's worth pointing out, for anyone following my posts on the forums, that I am an especially fussy person (I should have taken THAT into account when purchasing!). Most people, to be honest, are probably not as fussy as I am. I sometimes joke that it is my "never-ending quest in life to remain miserable 100% of the time, no matter what my situation is" :)
 
D

David123

Hall of Fame
sstchur said:
Much of what you say makes sense. There is a balance to achieve between researching infinitely and buying too quickly.

I feel like this is something that I probably couldn't have really gotten right the first time, to be honest.

I feel like I DID make the right decision with the information I had at the time.

I didn't know I would be stringing this many racquets (it's not a ton, maybe 5 to 8 per week), but I generally promise whatever turnaround my customers want, so sometimes I'll have 3 or 4 to do in an evening. And because of my work and family schedule I cannot usually start until about 9pm (and I usually get up at 5am).

Had I realized much of this up front, I would have gone with spring-assisted clamps. I also didn't think 5-tooth vs 3-tooth matter much (and if it's just a few racquets a month, then I still think it doesn't). But when doing several in a row, I'm starting to appreciate the "little" things.

Also, it's worth pointing out, for anyone following my posts on the forums, that I am an especially fussy person (I should have taken THAT into account when purchasing!). Most people, to be honest, are probably not as fussy as I am. I sometimes joke that it is my "never-ending quest in life to remain miserable 100% of the time, no matter what my situation is" :)
Click to expand...

Wow 5-8 rackets per week. That's a lot i wish i would get that much business for myself too. Now its starting to make sense why YOU would complain about not having SC mounts. I would assume it does get tedious having to do 3-4 rackets in a row on a non-sophisticated machine with cone lock clamps and non SC mounts. Now i truly understand (or hoping i understand) the position you're in. Hopefully your customers bring you enough income :) Did you know that you were going to string so much before you bought the machine? How much did you think you were gonna string before you bought the machine? Speaking personally, i think i have come to the decision that i will purchase the Alpha Revo 4k. I got the measurements for the Revo, and i think i've found a perfect place to put it so that its an ideal height.

The reason why i am buying a Revo is that it contains all of the things (except SC mounts) that a lot of the higher end machines have. For example really good clamps (3 toothed and spring assisted). So therefore i wouldn't have to spend money on upgrading. The only thing i may want in the future is to make it eletric and i can do that by buying a wise 2086. That would be the only addition in my opininon that i could make to the machine that will leave me with no regrets.

What i am trying to do, and hopefully you can undertsand what i am getting at is to try to buy everything i need in a machine at the beginning so that i wouldn't have to upgrade (except for electric since buying one at the start is expensive, and the wise is very very good) For example, i wouldn't buy cone lock base clamps EVEN if i tried them and liked them, because maybe in the future i'd realize that i want better (even if theyre working great, because that's what humans are, always wanting more even if things are already easy) and then i'd have to pay 200$ for upgrade of the clamps if not more. You get what i am trying to say? I tried to describe it to the best of my ability.
 
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D

David123

Hall of Fame
this is why i would never purchase a machine with cone lock, even though ive never tried them or flying clamps. I want fixed clamps, spring assisted and crank. Everything a nice machine should have. Although the Revo doesn't come with a stand, and you may think its something i may regret, i got the measurements from mark and i think i found a table for an ideal height that suits me. Hopefully you can see what i am trying to get at with my decision of buying the perfect machine for me.
 
S

sstchur

Hall of Fame
David123 said:
this is why i would never purchase a machine with cone lock, even though ive never tried them or flying clamps. I want fixed clamps, spring assisted and crank. Everything a nice machine should have. Although the Revo doesn't come with a stand, and you may think its something i may regret, i got the measurements from mark and i think i found a table for an ideal height that suits me. Hopefully you can see what i am trying to get at with my decision of buying the perfect machine for me.
Click to expand...

You may very well get it right on your first shot. I hope you do.

I suspect that a lot of people do. I even suspect that 9/10 times I would have also. Like I said, hindsight is 20/20.
 
S

sstchur

Hall of Fame
David123 said:
Wow 5-8 rackets per week. That's a lot i wish i would get that much business for myself too. Now its starting to make sense why YOU would complain about not having SC mounts. I would assume it does get tedious having to do 3-4 rackets in a row on a non-sophisticated machine with cone lock clamps and non SC mounts. Now i truly understand (or hoping i understand) the position you're in. Hopefully your customers bring you enough income :) Did you know that you were going to string so much before you bought the machine? How much did you think you were gonna string before you bought the machine? Speaking personally, i think i have come to the decision that i will purchase the Alpha Revo 4k. I got the measurements for the Revo, and i think i've found a perfect place to put it so that its an ideal height.

The reason why i am buying a Revo is that it contains all of the things (except SC mounts) that a lot of the higher end machines have. For example really good clamps (3 toothed and spring assisted). So therefore i wouldn't have to spend money on upgrading. The only thing i may want in the future is to make it eletric and i can do that by buying a wise 2086. That would be the only addition in my opininon that i could make to the machine that will leave me with no regrets.

What i am trying to do, and hopefully you can undertsand what i am getting at is to try to buy everything i need in a machine at the beginning so that i wouldn't have to upgrade (except for electric since buying one at the start is expensive, and the wise is very very good) For example, i wouldn't buy cone lock base clamps EVEN if i tried them and liked them, because maybe in the future i'd realize that i want better (even if theyre working great, because that's what humans are, always wanting more even if things are already easy) and then i'd have to pay 200$ for upgrade of the clamps if not more. You get what i am trying to say? I tried to describe it to the best of my ability.
Click to expand...

I didn't know I would do this many. And it isn't this many every week. It comes and goes in phases.

I started stringing for a few friends at my club with my SP Swing (so flying clamps, drop weight). I didn't mind. I enjoyed it actually.

I figured the Titan 7700 was a HUGE upgrade over the SP Swing and there was no way I could need more than that (especially since my comparison point was a much lesser machine.)

But I started advertising a bit and word of mouth... how could I have known...
 
D

David123

Hall of Fame
hmm i hope I do too. Your machine is still good! I hope your buyers remorse gets removed soon. and you didnt answer some of the questions from the previous post :p

Edit: nvm just refreshed page :p
 
D

David123

Hall of Fame
sstchur said:
I didn't know I would do this many. And it isn't this many every week. It comes and goes in phases.

I started stringing for a few friends at my club with my SP Swing (so flying clamps, drop weight). I didn't mind. I enjoyed it actually.

I figured the Titan 7700 was a HUGE upgrade over the SP Swing and there was no way I could need more than that (especially since my comparison point was a much lesser machine.)

But I started advertising a bit and word of mouth... how could I have known...
Click to expand...

I get what you're getting at. Its difficult. It was especially hard to see from the position you were in, comparing it to the swing. Hopefully you do w/e upgrades you deem necessary to remove the buyers remorse!
 
P

papa

Hall of Fame
base clamp

I have a Eagnas 911 machine and do a moderate amount of stringing - not a huge amount. One of the spring assisted swivel clamp bases is a problem - difficult to adjust and probably needs to be replaced. Suggestions.
 
J

jim e

Legend
papa said:
I have a Eagnas 911 machine and do a moderate amount of stringing - not a huge amount. One of the spring assisted swivel clamp bases is a problem - difficult to adjust and probably needs to be replaced. Suggestions.
Click to expand...

After a decent amount of time, I'm sure that the springs wear out.
I have a different machine, but it has the spring assisied bases, and I got some extra springs so when they do wear out I would not be down waiting for replacements. You may wish to contact the distributor of your machine and see about parts.

Then again, I string a moderate amount, and still have the original springs,the machine has strung a good # of racquets and they still function properly.But I do have the extra springas as in time I would assume all springs would wear out.

Are you adjusting them properly?
You do know that on many spring assisted base clamps, there is a little plug on the side of the base that you remove, (position the base at a 90 degree angle to the track, and insert the proper size hex wrench to adjust) .You turn clockwise very slightly (approx. a quarter turn or less at a time) , to snug up the adjustment.It should not be difficult to adjust at all.You turn that adjustment screw till when you flip the switch to about the 1/2 way point it holds.You do not want to overtighten it, just enough when you flip the lever to the center point it holds the way it should.

On this video link below it shows on the 28 min-30 min mark on disassembling and adjusting the base clamps on a Babolat machine, which is similar to many base clamps out there.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpZ7si_J-5s&feature=gv
 
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