Gamma clamp adjustment tool combo?

[zakezake]

Hi all, sorry if this was answered already. I bought a second hand Gamma X ELS and it didn't have the 2 tools shown here:

(neither the socket thing nor the wrench--sorry for using the wrong words). I tried to email Gamma support about it but no response--does anyone have recommendations for replacements or alternatives?
Thanks in advance!

 

[shadow10]

Just use a ratchet wrench with 17mm long socket!

 

[zakezake]

Nice, short and sweet--thank you! Me soon:

 

[struggle]

The socket and ratchet wrench don’t come with the machine.

 

[zakezake]

Ah okay, good to know, thank you as well.

How often do you all adjust them?

 

[alfd]

The tools came with my Gamma X-ST. I have to tighten one base clamp quite often, every 5-10 string job or so. The other maybe between every 20 string job. It is super quick and easy so it doesn’t bother me.

 

[zakezake]

Maybe some include it and some don't. One of mine is much tighter than the other, so I suspect this is a common thing too. Definitely feels like the looser ones needs a little tightening and the tight one needs a little loosening.

 

[struggle]

Perhaps they do, I got plenty of tools with my 6004, but no socket set..... (it's not needed).

Being a more specialized too, i figured it may not be included.

Either way, it's a simple adjustment. Any hardware store will have what you need.

 

[Wes]

@zakezake, @alfd, @struggle,

There seems to be a tiny bit of confusion here.
Hopefully, this should make everything extra clear...

 

[alfd]

Thank you Wes for taking time to make this excellent video. Very useful. Finally I understand the difference between the base clamps. I bought my machine new, so I will follow your advice and buy a new nut

 

[Irvin]

Thank you Wes for taking time to make this excellent video. Very useful. Finally I understand the difference between the base clamps. I bought my machine new, so I will follow your advice and buy a new nut

If I were you I would buy 2 (or more) and replace both nylon lock nuts. Nylon lock nuts are meant to be used only a few times. If you use or adjust them too much they wear out and lose their locking ability.

My old Prince glide bar machine had nylon lock nuts to adjust the clamps and I had to adjust the clamps for different string gauges. I kept a bag of nylon lock nuts on hand, nothing is worse than having a clamp shred your string.

You should be able to get replacement nylon lock nut from any hardware store. Just take the used one in to measure for correct size. @Gamma Tech will be able to tell you the correct size. If he doesn’t respond call Gamma and ask for Tech.

 

[diredesire]

@zakezake, @alfd, @struggle,

There seems to be a tiny bit of confusion here.
Hopefully, this should make everything extra clear...

Nice video. When I was stringing higher volume, I also worked on a gamma machine with the QA clamps. I also had to adjust them quite a bit. I always wanted to add a little loctite to them instead of relying on the insert, but it wasn't my machine... If someone does end up trying this, blue or purple is probably the place to start, i'd avoid green/red loctite.

 

[Irvin]

I’d like to hear @Gamma Tech thoughts on this. Replace one lock nut or both? Thread lock or no thread lock? Size of new locks, and if you use thread lock should you use a standard nut.

EDIT: I’m not sure thread lock is a good idea on nylock nuts.

 

[diredesire]

I’d like to hear @Gamma Tech thoughts on this. Replace one lock nut or both? Thread lock or no thread lock? Size of new locks, and if you use thread lock should you use a standard nut.

EDIT: I’m not sure thread lock is a good idea on nylock nuts.

loctite definitely has interactions with polycarbonate, but I'm not aware of any issue using them with Nylon. Couldn't find any mentions in their datasheets or technical literature. Definitely would like the thread/bolt size documented though!

 

[zakezake]

@zakezake, @alfd, @struggle,

There seems to be a tiny bit of confusion here.
Hopefully, this should make everything extra clear...

This is amazing btw, thank you for making this. Showed it to all my friends and you are a legend of the internet. Thank you.

 

[Wes]

This is amazing btw, thank you for making this. Showed it to all my friends and you are a legend of the internet. Thank you.

No problem, you're quite welcome.

Did you adjust your tighter one to be a tad looser, and your looser one to be a tad tighter?

Do the levers, on both bases, now travel the same amount (roughly half way) to securely lock?

 

[zakezake]

Yes, yes, and yes! The callout to me about that was a good call to action