glide bars and clamps sliding

[Hill]

I have a rather old stringing machine (alpha pioneer iii) and it has glide bars and fixed clamps. On one of my string jobs this weekend I noticed that I was loosing a lot of tension on my strings. I checked to see if the string was slipping on the clamps and it was not. I then looked that the linear gripper and it was okay too. Then I noticed my clamps slowly sliding on the glide bars. I tighted the clamps more and the clamps held their positions better, but the clamps were pretty tight and as a result slightly flattened the strings. But if I loosed the clamps a little bit they would slide on the bars again. Does anyone know how I can fix this? I've already tried cleaning the glide bars with rubbing alcohol.

thanks

 

[barry]

Hill

In the old days, we used half of a business card made into a V to keep the tension from slipping. Slip it into the clamp opening, then put the string in, and clamp it. You may have to either clean the clamps, or buy new ones depending how old the machine is.
Also depending on the string you are using, some strings are a lot oilier than others and may cause this condition.

 

[Gaines Hillix]

I have a rather old stringing machine (alpha pioneer iii) and it has glide bars and fixed clamps. On one of my string jobs this weekend I noticed that I was loosing a lot of tension on my strings. I checked to see if the string was slipping on the clamps and it was not. I then looked that the linear gripper and it was okay too. Then I noticed my clamps slowly sliding on the glide bars. I tighted the clamps more and the clamps held their positions better, but the clamps were pretty tight and as a result slightly flattened the strings. But if I loosed the clamps a little bit they would slide on the bars again. Does anyone know how I can fix this? I've already tried cleaning the glide bars with rubbing alcohol.

thanks

Hill, I would give Alpha's customer service a call. They have always been very helpful for me and I think they'll help you too even if you aren't the original owner of the machine. Their url is www.alphatennis.com . You may need to take some emory cloth and roughen the surface of the bars or the clamp bases may need to be reconditioned.

 

[Hill]

Thanks for the input. I guess the best place to start is the manufacturer.

 

[Gaines Hillix]

Thanks for the input. I guess the best place to start is the manufacturer.

It never hurts to start here, but if all else fails and the manufacturer is still in business(lots of them aren't), then they may be able to help. In Alpha's case, I am sure they will. You can also email Mark Gonzalez, mark@alphatennis.com .