Gamma 6004 frame support broke

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cap.phillips

Rookie
Stringing up a racquet today. Midway through the mains a heard a "snap". Sounded like the string had snapped. Turns out it it was the 6 o'clock frame support that had broken... http://i1172.photobucket.com/albums/r567/phillips661/IMG_0001-1.jpg Don't have any idea why. Wasn't overtightened and mounted like I've done a couple hundred times..
I checked Gamma's website but don't see a replacement part for this. Does anyone know where I can get one and relatively fast? I'm sure with a little research I'll find it but thought someone might know and save me a little time. I don't want to string 118sq/in Prince O3 frame on my old Klippermate...
 
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cap.phillips

Rookie
Thanks. I haven't had any experience with Gamma tech support. Are they easy to deal with? Do you think this may be a warranty issue. (Not that it matters as I need the part so will buy it either way...)
 
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rich s

Hall of Fame
cap.phillips said:
Thanks. I haven't had any experience with Gamma tech support. Are they easy to deal with? Do you think this may be a warranty issue. (Not that it matters as I need the part so will buy it either way...)
Click to expand...

Between my 602FC and my 6004, I've never had machine issues, only questions and they have been more than responsive and helpful with my questions.....

I would think warranty is going to depend on how old the machine is.....
 
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cap.phillips

Rookie
Machine is less than a year old. Probably have around 150ish jobs on it. Until now has been rock solid. I was stringing a larger frame (118sq in stupid Prince oversize O-port). The support broke as I was getting ready to do the main tie-offs. I was stringing at 62lbs. I would think the support should withstand, especially being a 6pt mount. Do you think the frame would distort enough to put enough stress on the 6/12 o'clock mounts to break? Could it have distorted enough for the side supports to lose contact with the frame and cause undue stress on the 6 O'clock support?
 
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rich s

Hall of Fame
Looking at the picture, it looks like a failed weld.... if the machine is less than a year old it should be covered by the warranty.... take a look at page 2 of your owners manual... it sounds like it is a covered defect....
 
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cap.phillips

Rookie
Thanks Rich. You are correct...right there on page 2. I bought it through TW last year. Not sure where receipt is. Do you think serial number would be all they need?
 
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jim e

Legend
While you are waiting for replacment part, you can if you decide to is, go to Lowes or comparable hardware store, go to plumbing dept. and get a stick of Oatey Fix-it-stick. It is an epoxy putty, you cut off a piece and mix with hands and once both colors blended together (be sure mixed well very important!!, you have plenty of time to mix. ) I would place some in the opening, push pieces together and place more putty aroung the outsde of where the joint broke and it sets relatively fast. It should last for a few jobs to get you by while waiting on part if you so desire. That putty material works nice for a variety of issues, I have not used it on tennis items as yet, but I can see it working here . Just a suggestion. Good luck Jim
 
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cap.phillips

Rookie
SwankPeRFection said:
JBWeld is a much better option for metal parts like that.
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Funny you should mention that. Stopped by Home Depot today. Couldn't find Oatley so I picked up JBWeld. I did glue the mount but as I think more about it I probably won't attempt to string with it this way. Odds are it would hold ok but I just don't want to take a chance with a customer's frame. I think I'll call Gamma Monday and see if I can expedite the part. Thanks for the suggestions!
 
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jmpsmash

New User
i am always skeptical of gluing things back like this, esp when we are talk about hundreds of pounds in less than a square centimeter of glued surface area.

but do try it out and see how well it holds. i would be very surprise and impress if it does.
 
SwankPeRFection

SwankPeRFection

Hall of Fame
I've used JBWeld on engine blocks before where we an engine mount point had broken off halfway. JBWelded the half back on, let it cure completely, retapped it and it held no problem. It didn't break off for at least a couple of years afterwards... dunno after that because I lost touch with the friend who had the car. It wasn't babied either. JBWeld will hold a lot, especially if it was mixed properly, if enough was used to form a good bond on a large enough surface and if it's cured.

To test it, you could always loop a piece of string around the arm and pull tension at the highest load in multiple ways and see what happens. If it's going to break, it'll break like that. Of course, it broke to begin with, so the weakpoint is probably the design of that arm/mount anyway. Crappy aluminum will do that.
 
mad dog1

mad dog1

G.O.A.T.
SwankPeRFection said:
I've used JBWeld on engine blocks before where we an engine mount point had broken off halfway. JBWelded the half back on, let it cure completely, retapped it and it held no problem. It didn't break off for at least a couple of years afterwards... dunno after that because I lost touch with the friend who had the car. It wasn't babied either. JBWeld will hold a lot, especially if it was mixed properly, if enough was used to form a good bond on a large enough surface and if it's cured.

To test it, you could always loop a piece of string around the arm and pull tension at the highest load in multiple ways and see what happens. If it's going to break, it'll break like that. Of course, it broke to begin with, so the weakpoint is probably the design of that arm/mount anyway. Crappy aluminum will do that.
Click to expand...

yep. i've used it on motorcycle crankcases that need to hold to lots of oil pressure and it didn't fail. the method you suggested to test it is the way i'd would do it.

although gamma is probably already sending OP a replacement part as they should since it's under warranty still.
 
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cap.phillips

Rookie
Just to update...Called Gamma Monday morning. The part was on my front doorstep when I got home today (Tuesday). I couldn't have asked for better customer service. They even threw in a set of Gamma Professional string. I have a whole new respect for Gamma. Many thanks to John and Ron.
 
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rich s

Hall of Fame
cap.phillips said:
Just to update...Called Gamma Monday morning. The part was on my front doorstep when I got home today (Tuesday). I couldn't have asked for better customer service. They even threw in a set of Gamma Professional string. I have a whole new respect for Gamma. Many thanks to John and Ron.
Click to expand...

you can't ask for much more that that!
 
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sstchur

Hall of Fame
cap.phillips said:
Just to update...Called Gamma Monday morning. The part was on my front doorstep when I got home today (Tuesday). I couldn't have asked for better customer service. They even threw in a set of Gamma Professional string. I have a whole new respect for Gamma. Many thanks to John and Ron.
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That's awesome! Gamma Professional is a really nice string too!
 
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bigmalik76

Rookie
What did Gamma say about the part. Was this an isolated incident or does this happen occasionally as part of wear and tear?
Did the break cause any issue to the racket?
 
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cap.phillips

Rookie
bigmalik76 said:
What did Gamma say about the part. Was this an isolated incident or does this happen occasionally as part of wear and tear?
Did the break cause any issue to the racket?
Click to expand...
I was told that there had been a few reports on this but not a lot. I think it was just a random thing. I think it may have been a weak point in the alloy as I would really not expect this to happen from normal wear and tear. I was just glad that the "snap" I heard was the mount breaking and not the customers frame.
 
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bigmalik76

Rookie
cap.phillips said:
I was told that there had been a few reports on this but not a lot. I think it was just a random thing. I think it may have been a weak point in the alloy as I would really not expect this to happen from normal wear and tear. I was just glad that the "snap" I heard was the mount breaking and not the customers frame.
Click to expand...
I can only imagine that moment :)
 
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