Rehab worn clamps

[happyandbob]

I recently upgraded to a fixed clamp machine and the stringer came with the original Alpha fixed clamps and a pair of additional fixed clamps. When I asked the guy about the second set of clamps, he said they were worn out and slipping so he replaced them.

I got the machine home and gave the original clamps a good cleaning and confirmed that they do slip (there is a line worn into the rough surface of jaws).

Question -- what can be done with these clamps? Seems like a waste to discard them because the clamps themselves are in good shape, it's just the rough surface that is worn. I left a message for Alpha to see if they refurbish old clamps but haven't heard back yet.

 

[graycrait]

@happyandbob , could you take an up close pic of the worn part of the clamps and post it?

 

[happyandbob]

@happyandbob , could you take an up close pic of the worn part of the clamps and post it?

 

[graycrait]

I have no first hand experience but that looks like some sort of bonded insert. I'm sure there is a clever machinist who could tinker with that but I have a feeling those clamps might be considered throw aways. It is a shame though seeing as the rest of the clamp probably works as intended. Maybe someone or Alpha will have a solution.

 

[Irvin]

Contact Tennis Machines, they refurbish clamps.

 

[happyandbob]

Contact Tennis Machines, they refurbish clamps.

sent them an email!

 

[jim e]

Contact Alpha, as it looks like the diamond clamps have a plate that is glued to the surface. If that's the case they just may have new diamond dusted plates that you can glue back to place.

 

[happyandbob]

No dice. Tennis Machines says they don't sell clamps with inserts because there were too many problems and they don't fix them anymore. Talk to Alpha.

 

[foggie]

It's a replacement part which u glue onto the clamp.

Not sure if alpha sell it separately, but I rmb there's a site selling them. Not from alpha brand but I believe they are the same OEM.
Let me check and revert back here later.

 

[foggie]

Search Spinfire V50 Hybrid Clamp Diamond Dust Plate

 

[graycrait]

@foggie , dang! You solved it. Congrats and thanks.

 

[brownbearfalling]

Is it possible to clamp the string below or above that line? Or if you are able to remove those plates and keep them intact, you could possibly reposition them.
of course getting the new plates would be the best option.

 

[happyandbob]

Search Spinfire V50 Hybrid Clamp Diamond Dust Plate

Update, it looks like the spinfire dust plates have a decent chance of fitting the Alpha clamps. Interestingly, the only place I found that sells them is TW-Aus, but alas they don't ship to the US.

I reached out to Spinfire Aus and they sold me some (even though they're not listed on their website). Keeping my fingers crossed that they fit!

Alpha does not refurbish clamps or sell replacement plates, so I think if the spinfire plates don't fit, i'm going to try to rough them up with some 80 grit sandpaper or a rasp.

 

[struggle]

Check the Gamma inserts, may be the same.

 

[esgee48]

And as a last resort, there is a thread where a poster(s) used super glue and 800 or 1200 grit diamond dust.

 

[happyandbob]

Email sent to gamma with a pic.

Looking at pictures of the spinfire clamp, and taking a closer look at the original worn Alpha clamps and what look to be replacement Gamma clamps that I have on my Revo. They look like they're all made by the same manufacturer. I have some spinfire inserts coming, I'll be curious to see if gamma inserts are exactly the same.

 

[foggie]

These dust plate are selling very cheap in China. $2 each. I believe they are all from the same manufacturer.

 

[happyandbob]

These dust plate are selling very cheap in China. $2 each. I believe they are all from the same manufacturer.

Available on the web from china?

 

[happyandbob]

.

 

[happyandbob]

Gamma thinks that isn’t wear on the dust plate. They suspect it’s residue that alcohol and a scrub brush isnt digging out.

He recommends taking it apart and cleaning with sandpaper and WD40. I’ll post some after pictures.

 

[happyandbob]

Holy schnikes @Gamma Tech is right! Alpha told me to buy a new clamp. Spinfire let me buy new inserts.

Ewan at gamma saw the pics and said "hey dummy that insert is diamond coated, it's not getting worn. That's dirty". (but much nicer of course)

here is a pic of brush I've been using with alcohol to clean clamps

here is a pic of the dirty clamp after cleaning it again with alcohol

here is a pic of the same clamp after a vigorous 60 second cleaning with a toothbrush and alcohol

that pic looks clean, but isn't. same clamp no flash

 

[happyandbob]

squirted some WD40 on and let it soak for 30 seconds, then 80 grit sandpaper for 15 seconds yields this

another round of WD40 + 80 grit gets it even cleaner

thanks @Gamma Tech!

 

[jim e]

@happyandbob Do you have any before pictures before you used the wd40?

 

[happyandbob]

@happyandbob Do you have any before pictures before you used the wd40?

this is after cleaning with alcohol with my normal brush + 60 second scrubbing with alcohol and a toothbrush but before WD40

 

[Bambooman]

Isn't using WD40 on a clamp surface designed to grip about like greasing your disc brakes?

 

[esgee48]

Not if OP wipes down again with alcohol. Will at least have spare set of inserts. Those clamps look NEW!

 

[happyandbob]

Isn't using WD40 on a clamp surface designed to grip about like greasing your disc brakes?

I washed with Dawn and wiped down with alcohol

 

[happyandbob]

I strung up a racquet with natural gut last night with those clamps. No slippage at all!

 

[sp1derman]

I have those some clamps with the same symptoms. I was going to just buy new ones but now I will be taking them apart to see if I can clean mine. How easy was the clamp disassembly?

 

[happyandbob]

I have those some clamps with the same symptoms. I was going to just buy new ones but now I will be taking them apart to see if I can clean mine. How easy was the clamp disassembly?

Super easy. Just unscrew the adjustment knob until it comes apart. Just make sure you keep the springs safe so you can put them back in when you put it back together. Good luck and send your thanks to Gamma for the tip!

 

[esgee48]

Disassemble inside plastic bag so nothing gets lost.

 

[Gamma Tech]

Not if OP wipes down again with alcohol. Will at least have spare set of inserts. Those clamps look NEW!

@Bambooman WD40 is also water soluble so rinsing in the sink and using dish soap if necessary will clean all the grease off as well. @happyandbob so glad the advice worked out well for you! Hope other people with dimaond coated calmps/grippers can save some money with this method too!

 

[Bambooman]

No doubt but it seems there is much better choices for cleaning purposes. If you get WD40 on your hands you practically have to wait for your skin to shed before the smell can be eliminated.

 

[happyandbob]

No doubt but it seems there is much better choices for cleaning purposes. If you get WD40 on your hands you practically have to wait for your skin to shed before the smell can be eliminated.

Rubber gloves work well to prevent that

 

[Bambooman]

Rubber gloves work well to prevent that

On the clamps?

 

[happyandbob]

On the clamps?

Haha

 

[Gamma Tech]

No doubt but it seems there is much better choices for cleaning purposes. If you get WD40 on your hands you practically have to wait for your skin to shed before the smell can be eliminated.

If you have an alternative that performs as well I'd love to hear it so I can test it out.

 

[Bambooman]

If you have an alternative that performs as well I'd love to hear it so I can test it out.

Any of a number of specialty grease and grime removers are practically designed for this task.

 

[happyandbob]

Any of a number of specialty grease and grime removers are practically designed for this task.

presumably, those specialty grease and grime removers of which you speak will not overly lubricate string clamps to make them incapable of doing their job. also, I'm sure they won't make the skin on your fingers smell so bad you have to wait until your skin sheds.

I'm eagerly awaiting your identification of which grease and grime removers possess those magic traits.

 

[Bambooman]

All of them. They are designed to remove greasy stuff down to a pristine surface, not add a layer. Geez.

 

[happyandbob]

All of them. They are designed to remove greasy stuff down to a pristine surface, not add a layer. Geez.

And yet leave skin untouched. Miraculous!

 

[Bambooman]

And yet leave skin untouched. Miraculous!

They clean your skin too.

 

[happyandbob]

They clean your skin too.

Yes, and many of them leave a residue since they tend to be oil based -- oil cleans oil. And would love to hear about solvent based degreasers that are safe to use on skin.

 

[Bambooman]

Degreasers come in many formulas, not mostly oil based. Skin safety wasn't the point. It was just used to refer to lingering residue.

I am wondering if the WD40 being talked about is the actual original formula or one of the more specialized products made by the company.

 

[Bambooman]

deleted post

 

[sp1derman]

@Bambooman WD40 is also water soluble so rinsing in the sink and using dish soap if necessary will clean all the grease off as well. @happyandbob so glad the advice worked out well for you! Hope other people with dimaond coated calmps/grippers can save some money with this method too!

I'm going to give this a whirl this weekend. I'm familiar with Moh's hardness scale but is there no worry of the sandpaper damaging or rubbing off the diamond coating? Also, after the gripping surface is cleaned is it best practice to put the post back in the base "dry" or a lightweight oil? I will clean the receiving end with a q-tip and some alcohol before reinserting.

 

[foggie]

squirted some WD40 on and let it soak for 30 seconds, then 80 grit sandpaper for 15 seconds yields this

another round of WD40 + 80 grit gets it even cleaner

thanks @Gamma Tech!

I tried the sandpaper + WD40 and it definitely would wear out the plate a little. But it did remove the string residual so it's still better than before cleaning.

Next time maybe I'll try acetone + rough spongy.

 

[Gamma Tech]

I'm going to give this a whirl this weekend. I'm familiar with Moh's hardness scale but is there no worry of the sandpaper damaging or rubbing off the diamond coating? Also, after the gripping surface is cleaned is it best practice to put the post back in the base "dry" or a lightweight oil? I will clean the receiving end with a q-tip and some alcohol before reinserting.

If the clamp shaft is totally free of lubrication, you can add some light oil or clear penetrating oil (not WD40 in this case) very sparingly and wipe off any excess. If you have too much the clamp will collect dust and can become stiff or totally seized up.

 

[Irvin]

If the clamp shaft is totally free of lubrication, you can add some light oil or clear penetrating oil (not WD40 in this case) very sparingly and wipe off any excess. If you have too much the clamp will collect dust and can become stiff or totally seized up.

I like to use BrakeFree CLP to clean the posts and hostels, but again I leave no excess.

https://www.amazon.com/BREAK-FREE-Cleaning-Lubricant-Preventative/dp/B09THR69WN

 

[sp1derman]

Thanks for the replies. I cleaned everything last weekend. The clamps were easy to take apart and reassemble. The springs did not go shooting out as the knob was removed but I was careful. I let WD-40 soak for a little then used a wire brush and sandpaper combo. There was only some plastic residue that wouldn't come off but this has saved me a ton of money because the clamps are almost back to looking and performing brand new! Thanks @Gamma Tech and TTW!