Hey guys, I'm planning on buying the Klippermate as to it has had high praise and I do not want to pay the fee for stringing labor any longer. Is there any thing I should know for stringing Prince racquets with O-ports like the racquet I use? And would Klippermate be a good starter as I am willing to spend a little more if it is worth it.
Klippermate On Prince Exo3 Tour 16X18
- Thread starter Praprad
- Start date
Lakers4Life
Hall of Fame
You'll need a boomerang or the like to string a side O-port racket, since the Klippermate has no brake.
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Deleted member 232704
Guest
Somebody mentioned using a pen cap as a substitute. It may have been Irvin. Either way, it looks like it works.
COPEY
Hall of Fame
Yep, a felt pen cap works on the Ozone racquets - not sure about the EXOs since their ports may be too small. The problem with the felt pen cap, like the boomerang...probably even more so...it has a tendency to pop out. You can either use the 50/50 method or an s-hook, as demonstrated in this video.
loosegroove
Hall of Fame
Do the 50/50 method, get the boomerang, or find an S-hook. Personally I use the boomerang for my Exo3 Tour. I just called prince and they sent me a few boomerangs.
For example this guy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFgRAePLzVE says you need a flying clamp, is it needed and what else is needed?
mikeler
Moderator
The pen cap does not work in the Exos. The ports are just too small. I like the 50/50 method and will continue to use it.
cknobman
Legend
This is partially wrong. I have a klippermate (got it last year) and it came with a lock pin. I had no trouble stringing the exact racquet OP is asking about.
Irvin
Talk Tennis Guru
The pen cap will work any spacer will work it goes between the string you are tensioning and the last tensioned string.not in the port.
Faithfulfather
Rookie
I also use to have a Klippermate and it does have a pin to lock the turn table. A Sharpie cap works well for the EXO racquets.
Topspin101
Rookie
Call Prince and ask for a set of boomerang tools. You will get them in a few days. End of dilemma. A word of caution from "Irvin" recently posted; wear safety glasses as the tools may pop off racquet under pressure. It happens...
mikeler
Moderator
Machine should have all you need with it, but i'd get a starting clamp also.
I use two sometimes. One would be enough, None works too, but i don't like starting knots....just seems and feels like a bad idea to me.
MikeHitsHard93
Hall of Fame
Comes with two clamps, an awl, pliers, and another tool I can't remember. Klipperusa.com has all the info you need
Lakers4Life
Hall of Fame
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/descpage-GCLAMP.html
^^^Probably the weakest Starting clamp made.
http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/descpage-GFCLAMP.html
^^^Though Stringway flying clamps are said to be better.
cknobman
Legend
The Klippermate comes with two very high quality all metal flying clamps.
It also comes with any other tool needed to string a racquet (including Prince O port racquets).
If you buy a Klippermate stringer you will have everything needed to string racquets. The Klippermate also comes with an excellent guide on how to string racquets for both single and two piece methods.
The only suggestion I have if you buy the Kippermate is to get the stand with it. I absolutely love my stand and could not imagine having to string without it.
Lakers4Life
Hall of Fame
Here is a webpage that will show you the different methods on using flying clamps, with or without a starting clamp.
http://www.stringerspad.com/flying.html
Though any good stringer should not be without a Starting Clamps, IMHO. It's a very versitile tool to have, not just for starting.
http://www.stringerspad.com/flying.html
Though any good stringer should not be without a Starting Clamps, IMHO. It's a very versitile tool to have, not just for starting.
I have a gamma (got with machine) and an eagnas (bought when i bought machine) starting clamps. The eagnas is much stronger, although the gamma works great. I usually use the eagnas to start crosses and the gamma for yanking when needed, knots etc. sometimes i don't follow any rules and grab the first one i see.
as for flying clamps, i don't use them, but i'd say if you're going to buy a third then you should get one of those triple clamps that clamps three strings (someone may correct me here).
gamma starting clamp can be bought here on TW site.
eagnas clamp at their site.
as for flying clamps, i don't use them, but i'd say if you're going to buy a third then you should get one of those triple clamps that clamps three strings (someone may correct me here).
gamma starting clamp can be bought here on TW site.
eagnas clamp at their site.
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Lakers4Life
Hall of Fame
I have the same clamps, but I use the Eagnas/Pro's Pro clamp for pulling knots and bridging. The gamma don't use so much, because I also have two other Babolat clamps. I keep one Babolat Clamp with each machine, which I use with start crosses.
Lakers4Life
Hall of Fame
I don't use Flying Clamps, other than stringing badmintion crosses in the past. So, I really can't say a third flying clamp would be useful. I have two starting clamps with each of my machines, and the second one comes in handy when the other is being used.
When you said you use the second starting clamp when the other is being used, what do you mean by that? Like are you stringing two racquets at the same time?
And where do you suggest to buy starting clamps that are cheap but effective, preferably a place which offers free shipping?
And where do you suggest to buy starting clamps that are cheap but effective, preferably a place which offers free shipping?
Lakers4Life
Hall of Fame
I usually use one as a starting clamp, then comeback after tying off the last cross to tie off the first cross. Bascially one is use just for starting crosses only, the other is for bridging, pulling knots, etc.
Eagnas used to sell thier starting clamps for $16, now it's $26. Gamma is the weaks clamp of the bunch for $40, Alpha is $34.50, GSS sells one for $40,and Babolat sell thiers for $58. My Gamma clamp came with my machine.
Eagnas used to sell thier starting clamps for $16, now it's $26. Gamma is the weaks clamp of the bunch for $40, Alpha is $34.50, GSS sells one for $40,and Babolat sell thiers for $58. My Gamma clamp came with my machine.
Irvin
Talk Tennis Guru
A flying clamp is very useful. You could use the fixed clamps for the top and one flying clamp for the bottom crosses doing a 2 piece 50/50 and there is not clamp dance.
Lakers4Life
Hall of Fame
Mutual Power still around? I see a few used MP machines being listed lately.
db10s
Hall of Fame
Here is a pen cap video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jV_eJbWs4fc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jV_eJbWs4fc
Lakers4Life
Hall of Fame
Thanks for sharing, but that video is flawed. He's practically at the middle of the racket. I'd like to see him try that on the first few O-Port crosses.
Topspin101
Rookie
You are so right! If that pen top pops it could be lethal. I'll take my chances with the blunt boomerang!
Lakers4Life
Hall of Fame
Big T Tennis sells the Pro's Pro starting clamp same as the Eagnas starting clamp. I think if spend more than $59 shipping is free. He ships pretty fast, I usually get my orders in two days. If you were to order from Eagnas you would have to pay shipping so it comes out to the same.
I use my Pro's Pro/Eagnas clamp more than I use my Babolat clamp. It's got a tightest grip than any other clamp I own. Because the clamp is designed to open when squeezed, I'm less likely to hit my self when pulling knots. Though you are not supposed to be gripping the clamp while pulling (you naturally want to sqeeze), I do by habit and speed.
I use my Pro's Pro/Eagnas clamp more than I use my Babolat clamp. It's got a tightest grip than any other clamp I own. Because the clamp is designed to open when squeezed, I'm less likely to hit my self when pulling knots. Though you are not supposed to be gripping the clamp while pulling (you naturally want to sqeeze), I do by habit and speed.
Yep, my Klippermate I bought about 2 years ago has a lock pin also.
Irvin
Talk Tennis Guru
If the KM has a brake (lock pin) you don't need anything else. A starting clamp is nice to have. A KM start pin is nice to have also.
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I also have KM, and it has the locks.
However, when I strung the EX03 Tour, there were 1 or 2 ports that the locks didn't work for me. They were just not positioned well.
Although i tried two adjacent locks the string was at a bad angle and slipped out of the jaws. Any one with the same experience?
Question for those who used the 50/50 - I looked at a uTube video and the guy is using starting clamp. With klippermate, can I do the 50/50 without the starting clamp? Thanks!
However, when I strung the EX03 Tour, there were 1 or 2 ports that the locks didn't work for me. They were just not positioned well.
Although i tried two adjacent locks the string was at a bad angle and slipped out of the jaws. Any one with the same experience?
Question for those who used the 50/50 - I looked at a uTube video and the guy is using starting clamp. With klippermate, can I do the 50/50 without the starting clamp? Thanks!
You can use one of your flying clamps like a starting clamp.
The only trick you need to know is to use the tail end of the string you are using the flying/starting clamp on as the 2nd string in the clamp.
Watch this video starting from 9:25 to see how this works
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IumIyb_SEBA
The only trick you need to know is to use the tail end of the string you are using the flying/starting clamp on as the 2nd string in the clamp.
Watch this video starting from 9:25 to see how this works
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IumIyb_SEBA
Irvin
Talk Tennis Guru
You can use your start pin if you have one.
EDIT: you could also use the the flying clamp near the loop of the string. For example lets assume the pivot point on your turn table is between the 8th and 9th cross. You run in the 9th and 10 th crosses and clamp them inside the frame close to where the string loops. Now double pull the 8th and 9th cross and clamp then the 7th. Then move yo the bottom crosses pull the 10th cross and clamp the 9th and 8th as close to the loop as possible. Remember only the 8th and 7th were really tensioned before. Now tension the 9th and clamp then one more cross on the bottom. Now do two more crosses on top and two more on the bottom and continue to alternate until you're done.
EDIT: Another good option that works well is to use a spacer between your last tensioned string and the one you are pulling. When I first started I used a 3/8 and 1/2 inch socket extension (depending on string spacing.) Anything hard round and smooth should work.
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The boomerang works well but there are some very small ports on some rackets like the rebel. The red boomerang only goes through the first two ports and then it won't fit. There is a smaller boomerang than the red one but I don't have it. My advice is to ask someone to hold the racket at the correct angle until you get to the middle. I also have a klippermate and the so-called brake is inadequate.
