Alternative flying clamps to stringway/gamma x2 default?

[dwhiteside]

I got the Gamma X2 and I can not STAND the clamps so I'm either returning the entire machine or getting new clamps. The rest of the machine sans clamps seems to be a fine tool as far as entry level dropweights go but I can't tolerate the bulky clamps.

People have recommended stringway, but are there any alternatives, possibly cheaper? I know that one guy kept saying stringway floating clamps were the best clamp out there but I haven't really heard from anyone else that that's the case.

What other options am I looking at? Pretty much anything at all would be better than these.

 

[Lakers4Life]

Spend more? I thought the idea of buying an X-2 was for the price of the machine. I would have recomended buying a X-6FC or Progression 602 II-FC.

Some people are willing to settle for a sub par string job, I just hope they are not charging other people for it as well.

 

[dwhiteside]

Well, the price of the x2 + upgraded clamps will still be a good amount less than the next upgrade option, which would be either a crank or a more expensive dropweight with fixed clamps. I think $350 is the next upgrade range after the x2/klipper so even if I spend 80 on clamps I'm still saving at least $100.

 

[Lakers4Life]

There are a lot of decent USED machines for $200-$300, with fixed clamps. But that's another thread.

 

[FedererForehand]

I got the Gamma X2 and I can not STAND the clamps so I'm either returning the entire machine or getting new clamps. The rest of the machine sans clamps seems to be a fine tool as far as entry level dropweights go but I can't tolerate the bulky clamps.

People have recommended stringway, but are there any alternatives, possibly cheaper? I know that one guy kept saying stringway floating clamps were the best clamp out there but I haven't really heard from anyone else that that's the case.

What other options am I looking at? Pretty much anything at all would be better than these.

Just curious why you don't like the clamps. I've had my X-2 for about a month now and have had no issues with them. Sure they aren't the greatest in the world but I think they work just fine.

 

[tennisINmyBLOOD]

I agree with FedererForehand. The Gamma clamps work fine. I have no issue with slippage, or the fact that they are hard to open/close. Sure, they are bulky but you can work around that.

If you must buy new clamps... Silent Partner has them for 30 dollars each. http://www.sptennis.com/stringer.asp#accessories

Laserfibre makes pretty good clamps too... not sure if they sell them anymore though.

 

[Bud]

Spend more? I thought the idea of buying an X-2 was for the price of the machine. I would have recomended buying a X-6FC or Progression 602 II-FC.

Some people are willing to settle for a sub par string job, I just hope they are not charging other people for it as well.

An X-2 will produce as high quality a stringjob as any other machine available.

 

[jmverdugo]

Gamma flying camps are fine but there are better out there. Eagnas have the PN3080 clamps which are not bad at all but you have to do some work to them after you receive them from eagnas as the finishing is not good and they make some damages to the strings, that is my experience any way.

 

[Icedorb217]

There is always the klippermates clamps they sell it for about 30 buck and i love mine they work and on the 12 rackets ive strung with them havent damaged the string and dont slip at all. and u almost nver have to just them between string sizes

 

[FedererForehand]

Some people are willing to settle for a sub par string job, I just hope they are not charging other people for it as well.

An X-2 will produce as high quality a stringjob as any other machine available.

I agree with Bud- an X2 is just a good as any other machine out there. Afterall, its not the machine, its the stringer! Just a like a racquet is only as good as person using it, the string job is only as good as the person who put the strings on the racquet.

 

[jswinf]

X-2 clamps are a lot easier to use if you cover sharp parts with tape so they won't rip your flesh and put some wax on the area where the lever contacts the back of the clamp. It made a big difference for me. Might be worth a try before buying other clamps.

 

[dwhiteside]

I was put out of tennis for 3 weeks because I didn't cover up the clamps and made a huge cut in my index finger. I've heard from at least 5 other people they've cut themselves by the clamps as well without taping them... pretty annoying.

 

[SirGounder]

How do you guys cut your hands with the X2 clamps? I've been using the machine for a couple months and have never noticed a sharp edge on the clamp. If it is common then I don't want to chance it.

 

[VGP]

The Stringway floating clamps look nice....

Here's a TTW thread on these.....

Here are the product pages for the double and triple clamps for ordering in the US.

 

[Deleted member 25923]

Gamma clamps were super bulky and annoying. Hated them. (I used the ATS super stringer ones, same thing)

 

[Kot_Bigemot]

An X-2 will produce as high quality a stringjob as any other machine available.

That is right.
Me and my friend, who has Babolat Star 5, did a little experiment. I strung a racquet on my X-2 and he strung a racquet on his Star 5. Then we compared string bed consistency on both racquets. Results were identical. Then i strung a racquet on Star 5 and he strung a racquet on X-2. Same results.
Both machines are constant pull machines and if you know how to use DW, you can produce results as accurate as if you were using Star 5.
As one of the posters here said - it is not the stringer, it is the man behind it that makes a difference.
I have been using X-2 for about 1.5 years now and never thought about upgrading. Although, i must say, Star 5 is always available to me if i need it. May be that is why i never had a need to upgrade
But now i am looking at new Laserfibre DW machines. They look sweet. I talked with Ted from Laserfibre today and he answered every single question i had. Very knowledgeable and polite man. In fact, he told me that Laserfibre is having a sale on their machines in 3 weeks. So, i may upgrade.

 

[Deleted member 25923]

That is right.
Me and my friend, who has Babolat Star 5, did a little experiment. I strung a racquet on my X-2 and he strung a racquet on his Star 5. Then we compared string bed consistency on both racquets. Results were identical. Then i strung a racquet on Star 5 and he strung a racquet on X-2. Same results.
Both machines are constant pull machines and if you know how to use DW, you can produce results as accurate as if you were using Star 5.
As one of the posters here said - it is not the stringer, it is the man behind it that makes a difference.
I have been using X-2 for about 1.5 years now and never thought about upgrading. Although, i must say, Star 5 is always available to me if i need it. May be that is why i never had a need to upgrade
But now i am looking at new Laserfibre DW machines. They look sweet. I talked with Ted from Laserfibre today and he answered every single question i had. Very knowledgeable and polite man. In fact, he told me that Laserfibre is having a sale on their machines in 3 weeks. So, i may upgrade.

DONNNNNNNNNNNNNN'''''''''''''TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT! Do NOT, I repeat do not go to Laserfibre.

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=285669&highlight=laserfibre

 

[Kot_Bigemot]

DONNNNNNNNNNNNNN'''''''''''''TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT! Do NOT, I repeat do not go to Laserfibre.

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=285669&highlight=laserfibre

I read it. Thanks for the advice.
Here is my take on it. What do i have to loose? Money? I do not think so. I can always charge back. Time without a stringer? I have my X-2 and Star 5 available any time.
Also, Laserfibre is only 1 hour and 20 minutes away from me. Driving distance.
So, if anything, my friend (the one that has a Star 5) also keeps few spare bicycle chains in his garage :twisted:. You know what i mean? I can always take a ride down there and try to solve situation at premises and directly with Ted or whoever is available at the time.
Now, on the positive side, IF the stringer arrives on time, we have a sweet stringing machine. I looked at it, did some research, talk to Ted and more i read about it, more i want it. It is a unique machine for only $500 with 10 years warranty. And, practically next door to me.
I think i like my chances

 

[nacolo]

X2 flying clamps are bulky, yes, but they do the job just fine.
I just wrapped the release handles with several inches of old grip, simple like that.
If you want to spend $60 to $80 for a better pairs of clamps, it is your option.

 

[jswinf]

How do you guys cut your hands with the X2 clamps? I've been using the machine for a couple months and have never noticed a sharp edge on the clamp. If it is common then I don't want to chance it.

Could be not all the X2 clamps have the same issues. Mine initially were very hard to unclamp, as others have noted. So when unclamping, with hands necessarily confined under a racquet and within a bunch of metal stringer parts, I wasn't able to just smoothly lift the lever, I would pull on it some, scrabble around to get a thumb or finger under the thing, sort of get a grip, pull with no result, work to get a better grip pull harder, pull HARDER...and the clamp would open and the violent after-effects of the pulling effort would smack my hands into things they didn't want to encounter. As noted before, after reading another post somewhere I put some wax on the area where the back of the clamp contacts the base of the lever and it was much easier. Maybe some of the new clamps are already "smooth" and work easy, or maybe some people have much stronger fingers and hands than others (like me.)

 

[Deleted member 25923]

I read it. Thanks for the advice.
Here is my take on it. What do i have to loose? Money? I do not think so. I can always charge back. Time without a stringer? I have my X-2 and Star 5 available any time.
Also, Laserfibre is only 1 hour and 20 minutes away from me. Driving distance.
So, if anything, my friend (the one that has a Star 5) also keeps few spare bicycle chains in his garage :twisted:. You know what i mean? I can always take a ride down there and try to solve situation at premises and directly with Ted or whoever is available at the time.
Now, on the positive side, IF the stringer arrives on time, we have a sweet stringing machine. I looked at it, did some research, talk to Ted and more i read about it, more i want it. It is a unique machine for only $500 with 10 years warranty. And, practically next door to me.
I think i like my chances

Bike chains, eh? :twisted:

Well I guess in your case it's a safer bet. I just thought it was necessary to let you know of the situation.

 

[Kot_Bigemot]

Bike chains, eh? :twisted:

Well I guess in your case it's a safer bet. I just thought it was necessary to let you know of the situation.

Oh, i do appreciate the info. Always good to know the facts. You and many others are saying same thing about them. But, i always liked to bet on a long shot. Especially when i CAN get the money back.
Not sure if we will use bike chains (but sometimes i really want to let my dark side loose for an hour of so :twisted: ) but, at least i know where they are located and that i think will help a lot.
Again, i really want that stringer . The whole idea of just one pull, regardless of arm's level, it is just awesome man. I have got to see how it works. Their older models are extremely popular so, i imagine this new Quantums are just as great.

 

[SirGounder]

Could be not all the X2 clamps have the same issues. Mine initially were very hard to unclamp, as others have noted. So when unclamping, with hands necessarily confined under a racquet and within a bunch of metal stringer parts, I wasn't able to just smoothly lift the lever, I would pull on it some, scrabble around to get a thumb or finger under the thing, sort of get a grip, pull with no result, work to get a better grip pull harder, pull HARDER...and the clamp would open and the violent after-effects of the pulling effort would smack my hands into things they didn't want to encounter. As noted before, after reading another post somewhere I put some wax on the area where the back of the clamp contacts the base of the lever and it was much easier. Maybe some of the new clamps are already "smooth" and work easy, or maybe some people have much stronger fingers and hands than others (like me.)

Ok that makes a lot more sense. I probably don't have this issue because I bought X2 used and the clamps might be somewhat broken in perhaps? My clamps never slip and release relatively easily. I know for a fact my hands aren't particularly strong but releasing a clamp was never a problem.

 

[dwhiteside]

For me, on the x2 clamps, there's a little hollow part on the back of the clamp lever, an indentation, and when I pulled open the clamps my finger just brushed up against it and because I was applying so much pressure to unclamp it it dug into my finger and pulled a piece out. That's why people sometimes wrap the lever with tape, so it no longer is an indentation but a solid surface that won't cut into you when you apply pressure to it. Learned this the hard way, unfortunately.

 

[Bud]

That is right.
Me and my friend, who has Babolat Star 5, did a little experiment. I strung a racquet on my X-2 and he strung a racquet on his Star 5. Then we compared string bed consistency on both racquets. Results were identical. Then i strung a racquet on Star 5 and he strung a racquet on X-2. Same results.
Both machines are constant pull machines and if you know how to use DW, you can produce results as accurate as if you were using Star 5.
As one of the posters here said - it is not the stringer, it is the man behind it that makes a difference.
I have been using X-2 for about 1.5 years now and never thought about upgrading. Although, i must say, Star 5 is always available to me if i need it. May be that is why i never had a need to upgrade
But now i am looking at new Laserfibre DW machines. They look sweet. I talked with Ted from Laserfibre today and he answered every single question i had. Very knowledgeable and polite man. In fact, he told me that Laserfibre is having a sale on their machines in 3 weeks. So, i may upgrade.

Thanks for the post Kot! Some people have been brainwashed by glitzy ad campaigns and hype.

The only advantage of higher end machines is slightly lower effort and a quicker job.

If I was stringing 10+ frames a day I'd want the quickest, easiest machine to do that.

 

[Bud]

I read it. Thanks for the advice.
Here is my take on it. What do i have to loose? Money? I do not think so. I can always charge back. Time without a stringer? I have my X-2 and Star 5 available any time.
Also, Laserfibre is only 1 hour and 20 minutes away from me. Driving distance.
So, if anything, my friend (the one that has a Star 5) also keeps few spare bicycle chains in his garage :twisted:. You know what i mean? I can always take a ride down there and try to solve situation at premises and directly with Ted or whoever is available at the time.
Now, on the positive side, IF the stringer arrives on time, we have a sweet stringing machine. I looked at it, did some research, talk to Ted and more i read about it, more i want it. It is a unique machine for only $500 with 10 years warranty. And, practically next door to me.
I think i like my chances

If it were me, I'd arrange to pick it up directly... and spend the gas/time driving to Laserfibre's facility.

 

[Kot_Bigemot]

If it were me, I'd arrange to pick it up directly... and spend the gas/time driving to Laserfibre's facility.

I was thinking the same thing Bud. But there is a small factor involved. If i pick it up in RI, i must pay 7% sales tax :?
And that is extra $42.

 

[Kot_Bigemot]

Thanks for the post Kot! Some people have been brainwashed by glitzy ad campaigns and hype.

The only advantage of higher end machines is slightly lower effort and a quicker job.

If I was stringing 10+ frames a day I'd want the quickest, easiest machine to do that.

Bingo!
But even if you do 10 frames a week, X-2 still a good choice. I do on average about 15 frames per week and it works fine. If i do get urgent order, i walk 2 blocks to my buddy's shop and just string it there.
On my X-2 i string a racquet in about 40-45 minutes. On Star 5 i do same frame in about 25 minutes. And that is the only difference.

 

[Bud]

I was thinking the same thing Bud. But there is a small factor involved. If i pick it up in RI, i must pay 7% sales tax :?
And that is extra $42.

It would be worth it!

 

[cpajack]

I've got a serious cut on my finger too, it's bleed a lot(I actually lost little of my meat: YUCK). But I still think it's a very good buy of the X-2 machine. The back of the handle of the clamp is extreme sharp, just wrap the handle of the clamp with electrical tape then it'll work perfect(no more injury and better grip).
Basically, it's a $150 machine with solid build and everything does work perfectly once you wrap the handle with something like the electrical tape. (Do this before you get hurt)

 

[jgrushing]

This has been talked about many times on here. I have the Gamma clamps and my Klippermate clamps. The Klippermate visegrip clamps are great--I hate the Gamma ones. I never use them. The Klippers are small, easy to clamp and unclamp and are virtually indestructible. Don't know why anyone needs anything else.

 

[origmarm]

Personally I quite like the silent partner flying clamps. They are not really any different in size to the Gamma clamps but just metal instead of plastic, not razor sharp and seem to grip the string a lot better. The stringway flying clamps are by far the best I've used (though I've only used them twice), in fact that goes for the whole dropweight frankly. The Klipper ones are also fine, if a little mecano feeling.

Cheers, Orig

 

[nacolo]

X2 flying clamps are bulky, yes, but they do the job just fine.
I just wrapped the release handles with several inches of old grip, simple like that.
If you want to spend $60 to $80 for a better pairs of clamps, it is your option.

X2 machine is for low volumes personal stringing hobby, a few times a month.
You do not want to string several customer's rackets a day on X2 for money.
You need a better machine, not X2.

 

[aussie]

Get the Klippermate clamps. Look ugly but work flawlessly and allow you to clamp close to the frame which is a good feature. And if you're American, they're made in the USA which is supporting home grown business which is a big plus.