flatenning string by linear string gripper

[keltserg]

About a month ago I bought Gamma Alpha Pioneer DC+ stringing machine. I began using it by stringing couple racquets for my friends and then my own racquets. On my racquet I use Gamma Live Wire Professional 16G. Every time I clamp the string and remove it from the string gripper I find that the string is flat and the color changed to whitish instead of natural yellowish. When I feel the string with my fingers it is flat and has indentations left by metal jaws of the string gripper. I was wondering if anybody had same experience and if there are any solutions to this problem. I called to Alpha rep and he told me there is nothing could be done about that.
Are the linear grippers in general more rough on the string then the rotational/drum grippers?
Are the metal jaws of linear gripper rougher on the string then the black plastic made ones?
Thanks

 

[MAX PLY]

I am not familiar with that particular machine but most linear grippers with which I am familiar can be adjusted to it does not hold the string so tight--some "ghosting" (i.e, the "whitish" effect you mention) is common among soft strings but the gripper should not crush the string. Also, you will want to keep the gripper clean as you can to avoid slippage (and thus having the gripper crush more). See if yours can be so adjusted.

 

[Irvin]

If you look on the back of your gripper there is a spring loaded screw. Turning the screw in limits the travel of the gripper which blocks it from closing too far or tight. If you turn it in too far the string will slip through the gripper. Ghosting on multi strings is not a issue smashing the string or allowing the string to slip is.

Irvin

 

[diredesire]

If you look on the back of your gripper there is a spring loaded screw. Turning the screw in limits the travel of the gripper which blocks it from closing too far or tight. If you turn it in too far the string will slip through the gripper. Ghosting on multi strings is not a issue smashing the string or allowing the string to slip is.

Irvin

I believe there's no set screw for the DC+, so there's not much for OP to do. You could theoretically use a starting clamp or something to limit the travel on the jaws (depending on the design of the linear jaws), but beyond that, you'll just have to live with the issue (ghosting). If your strings are truly getting smashed flat, though, you'll need to email mark.

 

[Irvin]

I believe there's no set screw for the DC+, so there's not much for OP to do. You could theoretically use a starting clamp or something to limit the travel on the jaws (depending on the design of the linear jaws), but beyond that, you'll just have to live with the issue (ghosting). If your strings are truly getting smashed flat, though, you'll need to email mark.

I believe you are correct

And it looks like the newer model has a roational gripper

Irvin

 

[max]

There was, a few years back, an exacting study done on flattened strings. The summary: strings flattened by clamps or gripper are okay; whatever mild "damage" they suffer does not impair their functionality during the normal life of a string set.

 

[keltserg]

Thanks for your suggestion. I checked for it and there is no screw on DC+ to adjust a string gripper.

Irvin, where did you find that new model of Alpha machine? I checked the Alpha website http://www.alphatennis.com/Machines.htm and did not see the green one from your image.

Does anybody know if the linear grippers in general are more rough on the string then the rotational/drum grippers and if the metal jaws of the linear gripper are rougher on the string then the ones made of black plastic?

 

[keltserg]

Does anybody know if "Patented Rotational String Guide" on Gamma Stringing Machines (Progression ST II, X-ST, 5003) helps to reduce chewing/ flattening string during pulling with linear string gripper?

 

[Donny0627]

Does anybody know if "Patented Rotational String Guide" on Gamma Stringing Machines (Progression ST II, X-ST, 5003) helps to reduce chewing/ flattening string during pulling with linear string gripper?

no infact linear grippers are often more string friendly when used properly...

 

[Irvin]

...Irvin, where did you find that new model of Alpha machine? I checked the Alpha website...

All I did was a google search and thought I went to the alpha website too but I didn't the URL on the phone is tennis machines site. So I guess that is really an old model. The link still works but I have no idea of how I found it to tell you the truth.

http://www.tennismachines.com/tennismachines/pioneerdc.gif

Irvin

 

[Masamusou]

And it looks like the newer model has a roational gripper

Irvin

That's actually an old model Irvin. It fits in line somewhere between the Alpha Pioneer 3 and the DC+. If you look at the picture, you see how the shoulder mounts are shaped? Those were the exact same adapters that were on my old Revo 3000, and I had that thing from 2000-2006.