Clamps deforming strings

[dunvitor]

Hi,

I've started using a Pros Pro Challenger II stringing machine to string my tennis rackets, most of the time stringing with Tecnifibre Black Code.

I'm finding that the clamps are deforming the strings and I'm concerned this will at least reduce the lifetime of the string (not sure about playability?).

I tried altering the setting on the clamps so that they are less tight and I managed to set it up so that I do not get slippage and I only get minimal deformation of the string but there is very little margin.

Is this normal? Would the clamps with five teeth grip the string better with less deformation? I've already abraded the inner surface of the clamps using sandpaper when I first got the machine as was suggested elsewhere.

Thanks,
Andrew

 

[Irvin]

I string with clamps that only have three teeth and don't have any slippage or deformation of the string (I do have ghosting) and I don't adjust the clamps when I go from 18 gauge to 15L gauge or anything in between. I just don't close the clamps as hard when clamping a thicker string. More expensive machine clamps are more expensive for a reason. Of course your clamps could just use a good cleaning. Maybe they slip because they are gummed up and you have to close them too tight on the string.

 

[chrisingrassia]

More surface area of a clamp generally requires less clamping pressure.
What deformation are you describing.....pressure deformations?

 

[MAX PLY]

Clean the clamps--alcohol and a shoe string (lots of thread on that topic-do a search). 95% of the time dirty clamps are the problem. Black code is also a soft and shaped poly so I wouldn't worry too much about some limited indentation. I would not have suggested the sandpaper abrasion but too late.

 

[ElMagoElGato]

I have both five teeth and three teeth of Eagnas. Five teeth has quite small margins. You can go too tight or too loose in subtle difference. Three teeth is a lot easier. It deforms strings, though. I guess it's more obvious on poly.