Klippermate starting pin?

tovli

New User
In reading the Klippermate manual, it mentions starting the mains with the use of a "starting pin".

Does this method have any advantages or disadvantages compared with the starting method of using the next string with flying clamp described in the Gamma X-2 or Progression II manual (and YouTube videos)?
 

loosegroove

Hall of Fame
Yeah. With the latter, your mains will be different tension because you'll be double pulling one of the mains. So one of your strings will be under-tensioned. With the starting pin, although you start with a double pull, you end up equalizing the tension when removing the pin.

You can easily make a starting pin using some scrap string and a keychain ring.
 

brownbearfalling

Hall of Fame
By using a starting pin, you are continuously tensioning 1 string at a time because the starting pin allows you to anchor you floating clamp when you only have 1 string tensioned. Theoretically, this gives you the best/ most consistant (as good as you can get with floating clamps and klipper mate machine) string job.

By using the x2, the first mains you are tension, you are tensioning 1 and 1/2 mains so you have a little less tension there than the rest of the racquet where you are tension 1 at a time.

It is up to you to decide if this difference is enough to justify buying and using a starting pin.
 

Wikky

Rookie
just buy a starting clamp, it will make things a lot easier and is worth the money and the hassle you will save yourself.
 

tovli

New User
Metal starting pin in clamp ok?

Using a flying clamp with diamond dust on a metal pin seems like it might shorten the life of the gripping surface, but perhaps not.

Using a bit of string and a key chain ring makes good sense though, as I was really trying to figure out how to eliminate double pulls, or the "1-1/2 pull".

I think it might also solve my dilemma of how to tension the bottom (first) cross in the around the world pattern my pro shop uses, but wouldn't solve the top cross because the pin would be in the hole the string needs to go into next.

But ATW is a different topic, so I'll put that in a separate thread with a picture. (Not even sure how a starting clamp solves that double pull.)
 

max

Legend
You can make a starting pin. I don't see how a starting clamp could be superior to this. Consult the Kmate stringing instructions and you'll see why.
 

Irvin

Talk Tennis Guru
You can make a starting pin. I don't see how a starting clamp could be superior to this. Consult the Kmate stringing instructions and you'll see why.

Try starting a cross where the string goes through the grommet and bends.

EDIT: or use a start pin for a bridge, tying knots, etc...
 

jgrushing

Rookie
Pretty sure he was just talking about standard starting situation; I know I was. Obviously, a starting clamp has uses--no argument.
 

Irvin

Talk Tennis Guru
^^I agree if you are just starting your mains a start pin is as good as a starting clamp and maybe better.
 

jswinf

Professional
I liked the idea of a starting pin and got one from Klipper when I started stringing with my gamma x-2, but found my clamps wouldn't grip the pin without slipping. I tried using a scrap of string with a washer or something and had the same slippage problem, I don't really understand that, string is string, right?
 

tovli

New User
@jswinf - I got my X-2 this week, but the starting clamp was delayed a day, so I used some spare string of the same type as I was going to string to make a "starting pin". It worked wonderfully.

One of the reasons I started this thread was questioning the use of a clamp on a piece of metal - I was wondering about damage to the clamp, but perhaps grip/slippage is an even bigger concern.
 

tovli

New User
You can easily make a starting pin using some scrap string and a keychain ring.

Thanks for this. When my X-2 came a day before the starting clamp, I remembered your tip, and used some of the string I cut out from the racquet and a 10-24 machine nut with the string tied to the nut in such a way that the knot was against the racquet, not the metal. It worked great.

(Much of the string was notched, but the center two mains looped at the throat when cut out formed a nice long piece. As it turned out I had several feet excess from the 40' set, so I could just as easily used some of the set, but I didn't know how much excess I would have as this was my first stringing for this racquet.)
 

jswinf

Professional
@jswinf - I got my X-2 this week, but the starting clamp was delayed a day, so I used some spare string of the same type as I was going to string to make a "starting pin". It worked wonderfully.

One of the reasons I started this thread was questioning the use of a clamp on a piece of metal - I was wondering about damage to the clamp, but perhaps grip/slippage is an even bigger concern.

Maybe I'll try it again and tighten up the clamp so it doesn't slip--I kind of hate to fool with them once they seem to be holding OK for the rest of the stringjob. :confused:
 

KerryR

Rookie
If I used a starting pin, I'd prefer one made from string, as mentioned above. This allows the starting pin gauge to match the string gauge, avoiding slipping, and also relives my anxiety about clamping the metal pin with my clamps...
 
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