Maverick16
New User
I've ordered the Gamma X2 and was wondering if the clamps ever wear out, will any other manufacturers floating clamps work with the X2?
Who makes the best floating clamps?
Who makes the best floating clamps?
floating clamps
- Thread starter Maverick16
- Start date
Anyone's floating clamps will work.
Klippermate's are bombproof and fairly cheap, but industrial looking. They're a little small in length. Very functional, though, and quite affordable.
Stringway's floating clamps are really nice, particularly the triple.
I've heard that the plastic Gamma's wear out over time, but I've heard other folks say they've held up fine. I'd stick with the stock clamps 'til you are able to prove that they're slipping. (Do a string job where you mark the string with a pen at the clamp on every main, see if the mark moves relative to the clamp).
Klippermate's are bombproof and fairly cheap, but industrial looking. They're a little small in length. Very functional, though, and quite affordable.
Stringway's floating clamps are really nice, particularly the triple.
I've heard that the plastic Gamma's wear out over time, but I've heard other folks say they've held up fine. I'd stick with the stock clamps 'til you are able to prove that they're slipping. (Do a string job where you mark the string with a pen at the clamp on every main, see if the mark moves relative to the clamp).
Peppershaker
Rookie
I used the X2 to learn on, the clamps work fine and w/good care should last a long time. I found them to work rather well, and seemed sturdy enough for the task.
Only advice would be that before using them you check for any sharp edges or ridges on the handles and smooth these out, or wrap some excess overgrip around the handle. Will save a bit of skin on your fingers.
Outside of that make sure you clean the clamps every 4-5 string jobs or more often. Depending on the strings you may want to do so more often than that.
Enjoy your stringer.
Only advice would be that before using them you check for any sharp edges or ridges on the handles and smooth these out, or wrap some excess overgrip around the handle. Will save a bit of skin on your fingers.
Outside of that make sure you clean the clamps every 4-5 string jobs or more often. Depending on the strings you may want to do so more often than that.
Enjoy your stringer.
Steve Huff
G.O.A.T.
ALL clamps wear out over time. Even the most expensive ones. Some just take longer than others. I think poly strings wear grooves in the clamps too.
One thing I noticed about the Gamma floating clamps. Once I had some experience using them, I could tell when they were adjusted properly by how tight they felt when I closed the clamp. Recently, I had a couple string jobs come off a little soft. Hmmm. I went back to checking my clamp tension by marking the strings after clamping, and sure enough they were slipping slightly. So I tightened them up. They continued to slip. WTH? I tightened the clamp up even further. Still it slipped, and it wasn't leaving "white marks" on the gut that appear when the string is clamped hard.
It turns out the tension I was feeling when clamping wasn't from the string, it was from dirt that had collected under the clamping lever. When I clean my clamps, I clean the teeth where the clamp grips the string, but never thought to clean the clamping lever. Once I cleaned and relubricated the lever, I was again able to judge gripping pressure through the clamping lever.
Stupid me.
It turns out the tension I was feeling when clamping wasn't from the string, it was from dirt that had collected under the clamping lever. When I clean my clamps, I clean the teeth where the clamp grips the string, but never thought to clean the clamping lever. Once I cleaned and relubricated the lever, I was again able to judge gripping pressure through the clamping lever.
Stupid me.
I wasn't happy with the clamps that shipped with the X-2. I had to lock them down pretty tight to keep a hold of the string and I got tired of the amount of force it took to release them from that state.
I'd previously used and liked the KlipperMate clamps, so I bought a pair of them. Big improvement. The KlipperMate clamps are vice grips with appropriately shaped steel plates welded onto the jaws with a spacer:
http://www.klipperusa.com/products/productdetail.php?catnum=A330
I can't compare them to other replacement clamps, but I like them a lot better than the OEM X-2 clamps.
I'd previously used and liked the KlipperMate clamps, so I bought a pair of them. Big improvement. The KlipperMate clamps are vice grips with appropriately shaped steel plates welded onto the jaws with a spacer:
http://www.klipperusa.com/products/productdetail.php?catnum=A330
I can't compare them to other replacement clamps, but I like them a lot better than the OEM X-2 clamps.
I would love to do that, but those two clamps together cost about the same as I paid for my stringer in the first place!
That's one reason the Klipper floating clamps are a good choice-- great functionality at a good price.
While I 'upgraded' to Stringway clamps for JET stringing, I find I still really like the Klipper clamps. Sometimes I use them just because I miss them, even though the Stringways are nicer clamps.
One minor complaint with the Klippers: They're short-- 3 teeth. I noticed I was more likely to scar string with them than the much longer Stringways, because of the comparatively reduced surface area of the Klippers.
Peppershaker
Rookie
You have a very solid setup coming, try it for awhile before purchasing new components. Before long your stringer will have paid for itself, and as your experiance increases you'll be able to determine your next move.
Have fun and be patient if you've never strung a racquet before the first couple can take awhile but your time will improve quickly with subsequent racquets.
Have fun and be patient if you've never strung a racquet before the first couple can take awhile but your time will improve quickly with subsequent racquets.
Lsmkenpo
Hall of Fame
IMO, Stringway makes the best flying clamps.
No matter the clamp it is important to keep them clean, frequently clean your clamps with alcohol to remove residue and the silicone that so many poly companies are now wiping on their strings.
You can fix worn out clamps by just using a bent business card in the jaws,
they will actually hold better than new with this trick.
I have heard Stringway makes very nice floating clamps. There are a little expensive though.
What is expensive with 10 years guarantee..
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