Alpha Clamp failure

[ryushen21]

I guess it's a fortunate thing that I ordered new clamps for my machine because as I was stringing a racquet yesterday, my clamps appeared to fail.

I had pulled tensionon the string, set the clamp, and locked the base but when I released the string from the gripper block, it started to slip back through the clamp. I have never had something like this happen before and was really caught off guard.

Yes, my clamp was set to hold the string and had not experienced any issues during the stringing process before. And yes, I am sure that the base of the clamp was locked in position as well.

Has anyone else had an issue like this before? These are the stock clamps that came on the Alpha Axis Pro.

 

[loosegroove]

I'm sure this has happened to most of us at one point or another. I'm assuming this is a string, gauge, tension you are familiar with, so I'm not going to address that. Are your clamps clean? Over time they can become coated and gunked up, and thus not grip as well. 91% alcohol is your friend. Also, are you sure the clamps were adjusted correctly? Sometime during the course of a string job the clamps can loosen. Even if they didn't loosen, it could be that they should have been set a bit tighter to begin with. Though normally slipping in the clamps is more problematic when starting, not in the middle of a string job.

 

[kabrac]

Echo the other^^. If you string alot of syn gut, there are brands that feel practically "oily". Use alcohol and look up under the clamp bases and check with an Allen wrench if they need tightening. I have experienced this on Alpha machines and the clamps that come with some of the models. Still think Alpha is a great company though and they build good machines.

I love me some flying clamps and have actually preferred using them over some clamps on a lockout. That's just me.

 

[kabrac]

Good flying clamps and the clamping system on a Prince Neos 1000, when I use to own one, was my favorite clamps I've ever used. Just my preference but you can always upgrade to better clamps from Alpha or other brands and put them on your Alpha.

 

[Irvin]

Good flying clamps and the clamping system on a Prince Neos 1000, when I use to own one, was my favorite clamps I've ever used. Just my preference but you can always upgrade to better clamps from Alpha or other brands and put them on your Alpha.

NEOS 1000 uses Clyde bars and clamps, the Alpha Axis Pro uses swivel clamps.

 

[ryushen21]

I'm sure this has happened to most of us at one point or another. I'm assuming this is a string, gauge, tension you are familiar with, so I'm not going to address that. Are your clamps clean? Over time they can become coated and gunked up, and thus not grip as well. 91% alcohol is your friend. Also, are you sure the clamps were adjusted correctly? Sometime during the course of a string job the clamps can loosen. Even if they didn't loosen, it could be that they should have been set a bit tighter to begin with. Though normally slipping in the clamps is more problematic when starting, not in the middle of a string job.

Echo the other^^. If you string alot of syn gut, there are brands that feel practically "oily". Use alcohol and look up under the clamp bases and check with an Allen wrench if they need tightening. I have experienced this on Alpha machines and the clamps that come with some of the models. Still think Alpha is a great company though and they build good machines.

I love me some flying clamps and have actually preferred using them over some clamps on a lockout. That's just me.

I have cleaned them, but I haven't taken alcohol to them. I string pretty exclusively with poly but it'll be good to clean everything out thoroughly.

 

[LOBALOT]

I have had a slip or two on my Alpha Ghost 2. I clean them with Isopropyl alcohol and a rag or shoe lace and they hold fine. I especially do this before stringing gut where a slip can be expensive problem to encounter.

 

[kabrac]

NEOS 1000 uses Clyde bars and clamps, the Alpha Axis Pro uses swivel clamps.

I know. I was just stating my favorite clamps to use and have worked on. You still have to clean the glide bar and clamps on the Neos as well.

 

[esm]

I have had a slip or two on my Alpha Ghost 2. I clean them with Isopropyl alcohol and a rag or shoe lace and they hold fine. I especially do this before stringing gut where a slip can be expensive problem to encounter.

Yep. I also kept some of my kids 3+ Small tooth brushes… I give the inner clamps a good brush after ran the inner clamps with alcohol/shoe lace.

 

[the_faceless_player]

How old are the clamps / how much use? I had the same setup and started getting regular slipping no matter how much I cleaned and adjusted them. Think the Diamond coat surface just got too worn down over time. Bought a set of Tourna clamps last year or 2020 that are just textured (no DD insert) and they’ve been fine.

 

[ryushen21]

How old are the clamps / how much use? I had the same setup and started getting regular slipping no matter how much I cleaned and adjusted them. Think the Diamond coat surface just got too worn down over time. Bought a set of Tourna clamps last year or 2020 that are just textured (no DD insert) and they’ve been fine.

Less than a year old. They've gotten pretty constant use as I have my players on a stringing schedule plus stringing my own racquets every 7-10 days. They are the stock diamond coat/dusted clamps that came with the Axis Pro.

I've posted another thread that I just purchased the new Tourna universal clamps. Perhaps @Irvin or some of the other stringers who've purchased the 700-ES can provide insight on how those clamps compare.

 

[the_faceless_player]

Less than a year old. They've gotten pretty constant use as I have my players on a stringing schedule plus stringing my own racquets every 7-10 days. They are the stock diamond coat/dusted clamps that came with the Axis Pro.

I've posted another thread that I just purchased the new Tourna universal clamps. Perhaps @Irvin or some of the other stringers who've purchased the 700-ES can provide insight on how those clamps compare.

yeah I saw you got their new clamp version so I’ll be curious how those are. I have a Stringmaster Deluxe SE on its way from Germany that looks like it has the same clamps and the Xpider bases but who knows when it’ll show up.

 

[Irvin]

Perhaps @Irvin or some of the other stringers who've purchased the 700-ES can provide insight on how those clamps compare.

I’ve strung about 350 rackets with my clamps And have not had any issues. I’ve had to adjust the bases on each side but after minor adjust they’re work great.

 

[LOBALOT]

I’ve strung about 350 rackets with my clamps And have not had any issues. I’ve had to adjust the bases on each side but after minor adjust they’re work great.

Same here... No issues.... I will need to get some help at some point on how to adjust bases. I did it once but there appears to be a very fine adjustment to get them just right.

 

[AceyMan]

I also kept some of my kids 3+ Small tooth brushes

baby toothbrushes ftw!

 

[Irvin]

Same here... No issues.... I will need to get some help at some point on how to adjust bases. I did it once but there appears to be a very fine adjustment to get them just right.

This worked perfect for me. My vases would unlock as I pressed the lever down occasionally. A slight turn fixed the issue.

 

[Rabbit]

I have to say that I agree with Irvin. As long as I keep water in them, I've never had a problem with my vases either. Flowers stay fresh and aromatic.

 

[Irvin]

LOL fat fingers

 

[LOBALOT]

Learning from Mr. Howell I thought it was a Vahhhs

 

[Wes]

This worked perfect for me. My vases would unlock as I pressed the lever down occasionally. A slight turn fixed the issue.

Umm... @LOBALOT 's Ghost's base clamps AREN'T going to adjust the way an Xpider base does.


SMH

Learning from Mr. Howell I thought it was a Vahhhs

Yep... Thurston had it right.

 

[LOBALOT]

Umm... @LOBALOT 's Ghost's base clamps AREN'T going to adjust the way an Xpider base does.


SMH



Yep... Thurston had it right.

Thanks, I didn't say they did.

 

[CVT]

Does anyone know is there are good alternate gravity clamp bases like ones that work with the alpha pioneer dc+ ? Preferably at reasonable cost… Not likely to change soon, but just wondering.

 

[Wes]

Does anyone know is there are good alternate gravity clamp bases like ones that work with the alpha pioneer dc+ ? Preferably at reasonable cost… Not likely to change soon, but just wondering.

Yes, there are gravity-release base clamps that are compatible with the Pioneer DC+ (Alpha has them [since they come stock on the Apex Speed] but they can also be found elsewhere on the internet too).

See @dak95_00's thread here...

I put lipstick on my Pig!!! (And I love it too!!!)

So a handful of weeks ago you guys talked me out of buying a Neos 1500 for $900. That would be my ideal machine if it had gravity release base clamps. I already have a Wise TH. I prefer the 2 point over the 6 point mount. I currently have a Neos 1000 and a cheap, half broken 6 point Eagnas. The...

tt.tennis-warehouse.com

Additionally, you can see some suggestions that I provided (for a different machine) here as well...

Upgrade of Base Clamps for Gamma 5003

What are the best options to upgrade the clamp bases (not the clamps) on a Gamma 5003 (not the recently released turntable)?

tt.tennis-warehouse.com