Fixed clamp base not locking properly

[bmr0216]

I recently picked up a used Eagnas crank stringing machine, and noticed one of the fixed clamp bases is not locking properly.

Photos

I'll turn the handle to lock it and it just flings right back. I tried tightening both the internal screw (that's only accessible when clamp bases are perpendicular to table) and the two screws on the sides of the lever, but this would either lock the clamps up entirely, or just temporarily provide a weak lock until it loosens up again shortly. A very light push on the lever would be enough to disengage the lock.

The working clamp base makes an audible clicking noise when you've locked it into place - the other one does not.

I took both clamps apart to compare the working one with the non-functional one. One difference I noticed between the two is that they had different "caps" at the end of the gold insert. The base that isn't working has a flat cap (3rd picture), while the one that is working fine actually has a curved cap so it sits flush against the round lever bolt that it's pressing against. I drew a representation of this in red.

Kind of puzzling that they don't have the same exact parts. Could this be the culprit to my issues?

 

[TankHenk]

I have the same baseclamp but its for me impossible to get the green circled thing loose. Shouldn't that be secured against the cone thing the one with the green arrow? I guess you now have the green circled thing only locked with the screw?

 

[bmr0216]

I have the same baseclamp but its for me impossible to get the green circled thing loose. Shouldn't that be secured against the cone thing the one with the green arrow? I guess you now have the green circled thing only locked with the screw?

Yeah they normally are secured against the cone thing, I just took everything apart. If you have the same base, that piece you circled should separate from it with a little force.

I don't think it's related to my issue though.

 

[TankHenk]

Just to be sure. You're familiar with these instructions? I lock mine and the turn a little anti-clockwise. Just a little otherwise it is also loose.

 

[bmr0216]

Just to be sure. You're familiar with these instructions? I lock mine and the turn a little anti-clockwise. Just a little otherwise it is also loose.

Yeah I've tried making this adjustment but it's not fixing anything. No matter what, the lever does not click into the locked position and hold like the working one does. If I do manage to get it into position, the clamp lock is extremely weak. You can move the base without much effort and just a touch on the lever unlocks it.

As I mentioned before, I'm thinking it has to do with the little cap that rests against both the lever screw and internal screw that you adjust (I've pointed it out in that diagram you attached). I'm guessing this is what engages the lock? Well this cap is flat on the one base that does not lock properly, and it is curved (so it sits flush against the large lever bolt) on the other base that is working properly. It's odd that they're the exact same clamp base but this one part is different on each. Perhaps this was a manufacturing mistake?

It's the only cause I can come up with. Nothing else differs between the two bases and nothing appears to be broken with the one that isn't working.

 

[TankHenk]

It isn't a new machine? Otherwise call Eagnas. If it's a used one ask the previous owner if he replaced the part that is different. It's indeed strange that the parts are different.

 

[bmr0216]

It isn't a new machine? Otherwise call Eagnas. If it's a used one ask the previous owner if he replaced the part that is different. It's indeed strange that the parts are different.

Bought it second hand for basically nothing. It was the seller's late father's stringing machine - he said it was barely used and it sure looks that way. Doesn't seem like they would've replaced anything.

I emailed Eagnas, hoping to hear back soon.

Any chance you could disassemble one of your bases and see if this cap I'm speaking of is curved on yours? No worries if not

 

[TankHenk]

Mine are different lol a third option haha

 

[bmr0216]

Mine are different lol a third option haha

Much appreciated!

See how that black piece is slightly curved, so it sits flush against the lever rail? I think that's the problem with my defective one - it's flat. Hopefully Eagnas still sells this exact part ...

 

[jim e]

If they don't sell just the part, possibly tennis machines dot com may. Or you should be any to purchase an entire single base clamp from Eagnas, then you know it would work.

 

[bmr0216]

Are you sure the Swivel Clamp Base spring is not broken? Available from Pro,s Pro. Feel your pain, those swivel base clamps can be annoying as hell.

When the clamp is locked- does the base hold tight?

I'm not exactly sure how to tell if it's broken, but the spring looks fine to me. You can see it in the pictures I left on the first comment of this post.

A few hours ago I screwed an additional nut below the thick black washer that locks the base to the table. I think the original ones were missing. This seems to have increased the locking power a bit for the clamp that hasn't been working right. I am managing to get it to lock right now, but it's definitely not as strong a lock as the other base. You can move the base when it's locked with some force and the lever just doesn't snap in and out of the locked position - a light push on the lever sends it back to the unlocked position. I'm not too confident that it will hold over the course of an entire stringjob. The lock seems to get weaker and weaker the more I play around with it after an adjustment.

Still thinking it has something to do with this slightly different part. I am yet to hear back from Eagnas support after emailing them a few days ago. It might be best for me to just buy a new base altogether instead of trying to diagnose the problem and replacing individual parts.

 

[bmr0216]

if you tighten the nut on the bottom of the rail (very tight so you can’t really string), does the base and lever hold? The lever on mine use to go lose and the temporary fix was adjusting the nut on the bottom of the rail

I have the nut on there as tight as possible - used a wrench. It helped a bit, like I said, but it's just not as securely locked as the working base. It'll move with a moderate push; I can't even get the working base to budge a centimeter when it's locked.

 

[TankHenk]

If you change the not working piece with the curved piece will the clamp then lock? You're then sure it is the curved piece and not something else.

My baseclamps have also a nut with some lock tide or something in it so it can't move easily i secure the washer against the nut and then i lock the clamp with the Allan wrench above first tight ( clockwise) so it cannot move and then one small turn counter clockwise and it is loose en will lock.

 

[jim e]

If you replace the one base clamp, why not go all the way and get a pair of automatic base clamps and make it even easier.
If you do a search, a while back, someone posted using gamma base clamps on an Eagnas machine and was very happy and said better quality. I believe he called them the switch action I think.
Search on this site .. using Gamma clamps on Eagnas machine .... and you should find the posts.
This was a while back, before the automatic bases. I'm sure you will have a number of options if you want to replace both bases. As long as dimensions are the same.
The poster of that search comments how the gamma bases fit perfectly on his Eagnas and was happy. As with the gamma clamps , according to that post, will fit Eagnas rails so no rail swap is needed.

 

[struggle]

PRO'S PRO AUTOMATIC PREMIUM SWIVEL CLAMP BASE & BAR

The Pro's Pro Automatic Premium Swivel Clamp Base is equipped with an advanced triggering mechanism which unlocks the clamp base by itself, once the fixed clamp returns to the base. There is a manual release button located on the lever itself as well, in

www.bigttennis.com

if you have to buy new, you may want to try these instead.

 

[TankHenk]

Not wanting hijack this topic but just curious. Does somebody know how big the difference is between the pros pro and the gammas? Pros pro cost 69 euros the gamma I don't know where to buy

 

[bmr0216]

If you change the not working piece with the curved piece will the clamp then lock? You're then sure it is the curved piece and not something else.

My baseclamps have also a nut with some lock tide or something in it so it can't move easily i secure the washer against the nut and then i lock the clamp with the Allan wrench above first tight ( clockwise) so it cannot move and then one small turn counter clockwise and it is loose en will lock.

I dont know why I never thought of that - will try that out when I get back home later and report back.

 

[Deleted member 369227]

Not wanting hijack this topic but just curious. Does somebody know how big the difference is between the pros pro and the gammas? Pros pro cost 69 euros the gamma I don't know where to buy

Pro’s Pro has two types of clamps - regular, all-metal model and more expensive, diamond dusted clamps with black handles.

My stringing machine arrived with the better, diamond dusted clamps factory installed, but I also purchased an additional pair of Pro’s Pro cheaper clamps with the idea to adjust them for thinner gauge strings to avoid constantly adjusting the gap of the jaws.

Well they work, but they look cheap and feel even cheaper. The more expensive model is so much better by all means. They are relatively expensive, but with this experience, now I would buy them instead.

 

[bmr0216]

Been away for the long weekend, bit of an update:

After cleaning underneath the rails and the clamp base locking parts with isopropyl alcohol - and properly tightening the nut underneath the thick black locking washer - I have managed to get it to lock pretty well. Still not as well as the other base but it seems to be locking stronger and it's not quickly coming loose like it used to.

Eagnas replied to my email and said they do not sell the clamp base for this unit anymore. They are saying because this unit is older the spacing between the guide rails is different than it is now. Does this mean I can't just buy a standard clamp base from another brand? They also didn't think the flat cap was the reason it isn't locking properly. Apparently Eagnas used to use a curved cap, then switched to the flat cap. So previous owner must have replaced it

 

[WNB93]

This started happening to me mid-stringjob.
I was panicking as I did not want to waste the string nor did I want to leave the frame half-strung and bring it to someone else the next day.

But after tearing everything apart and tightening everything...I just pressed the "release" button harder and the clamp works normally now.
So just try that? My base was released but not released enough to lock again it seems...