Replace my old red plastic gamma clamps for my progression

[uofmrocky]

Hello All!!

I have a 10 year old gamma progression crank stringer that is about 10 years old. I'd like to replace my old breaking red plastic clamps that gamma supplied with this machine.

I see that gamma offers a new metal fixed clamp that would work for my machine but they cost $95.00 a piece.
Are there any clamps out there that would fit my machine that are cheaper and made to decent quality?

If so what brand and where do i find them? Thanks so much!!

 

[Gamma Tech]

you can use the black MCFCTs for $65 ea. they are similar to your red ones but thinner. depending on the age of your red ones, you may or may not have diamond coating, the blacks do & the die-cast aluminum (MDCSC are $85 ea).
bret

 

[tennisman917]

Hello All!!

I have a 10 year old gamma progression crank stringer that is about 10 years old. I'd like to replace my old breaking red plastic clamps that gamma supplied with this machine.

I see that gamma offers a new metal fixed clamp that would work for my machine but they cost $95.00 a piece.
Are there any clamps out there that would fit my machine that are cheaper and made to decent quality?

If so what brand and where do i find them? Thanks so much!!

if your looking for some new clamps for your machine you can get 3tooth clamps that pretty decent for 40 a piece from eagnas.....but thts just me

 

[meowmix]

Personally, I would avoid going the Eagnas route. Their clamps are a little less well built than those of other manufacturers, and they won't fit your machine as well. With the Eagnas clamps, you might have to tinker with your machine and the clamps to get them to work the way you need them to. I'd go with the Gamma clamps- after all, these clamps will last you years, and potentially decades if you treat them well.

 

[rich s]

you can use the black MCFCTs for $65 ea. they are similar to your red ones but thinner. depending on the age of your red ones, you may or may not have diamond coating, the blacks do & the die-cast aluminum (MDCSC are $85 ea).
bret

I'd go with the black ones. If they last 10 years (which they should because my red ones are coming up on 10 years with no issues) then that works out to $13 / year for clamps.......

Here's another way of looking at it.....at $12 per stick for labor you bought new clamps after 14 sticks....

 

[tennisman917]

if you choose not to go the eagnas route .......even though i said it i wouldnt go that route either because i have had some bad experience in tht area. but getting either the GAMMA or ALPHA clamps can always be the best way to go in my head

 

[zidane339]

Hey I have the same machine as you! And my red Gamma clamps are wearing down as well. I'd say go with the black gamma ones, unless you have the money to go for the all metal ones. I will probably be doing that soon as well since my clamps are worn down.

 

[uofmrocky]

Yeah I agree..I don't want to spend the money on the all metal ones..but it might be worth the extra cash.

 

[rich s]

The odds of any other brand of clamp being the exact correct diameter to fit in the Gamma Clamp Bases and function correctly are extremely remote.....

go with the black clamps......

 

[Supracool94]

I would get the Gamma all metal clamps, I had them on my Gamma X-ST and they worked great and are well worth the extra $20 vs the black gamma clamps.

 

[mlewis721]

All metal Gamma clamp

I believe I own one of these all metal Gamma clamps but I'm not sure because I got it with a used machine and there are no markings. It is probably the ugliest clamp I have ever seen but after having used it a few times I have to say I am very impressed with the action of the clamp and its holding ability. What Gamma has done here is to design a can't-miss/no brainer clamp. The clamp lever is a roller action clamp (as opposed to cam action) and it sets with a satisfying "click". I think it would be very hard to under or over adjust this clamp. If you under adjust, you don't get the click. If you over adjust you pretty much can't close it. The adjustment knob is very easy to use and is unusual in 2 respects. First, it is way fat (most mfrs are trying to find ways to keep them thin so the clamp will fit in tight places). Second, it isn't infinitely adjustable like on most clamps. It actually has stops like the dial on an old tv (remember what it was like to change channels before the invention of the remote). So it clicks from setting to setting. It will not change adjustment while you are using it.

In addition to being really bulky (I'm including pictures so you can see how wide it is and how ugly it is) it is really heavy. It weighs 445 gms which is just shy of a pound. By contrast, the Toyo-Zouki clamps I usually use weigh 276 gms.

The application of diamond dust on the clamp teeth, well I'm not an expert on this but it doesn't look as well integrated as I've seen on other clamps. Just my impression.

Here are some pics:

 

[uofmrocky]

MLewis - Do these Toyo-Zouki clamps you are talking about fit my Gamma Progression?

 

[mlewis721]

MLewis - Do these Toyo-Zouki clamps you are talking about fit my Gamma Progression?

The Toyo-Zouki clamps will probably fit your old machine but they will probably also cost you more than a brand new machine.

 

[Gamma Tech]

mlewis721 you have the Steel Tennis Clamps. We discontinued them a few years ago. Now we have Die-Cast Aluminum ones on the machines. they are similar dimensions, same diamond coating, same roller setup, etc.
bret

 

[mlewis721]

mlewis721 you have the Steel Tennis Clamps. We discontinued them a few years ago. Now we have Die-Cast Aluminum ones on the machines. they are similar dimensions, same diamond coating, same roller setup, etc.
bret

Bret...You wanna send me one of the new ones to review?

 

[Gamma Tech]

Bret...You wanna send me one of the new ones to review?

if you send me $84.95 + $5.75 for shipping and handling :lol:, i'll send you one to review.
bret

 

[mlewis721]

if you send me $84.95 + $5.75 for shipping and handling :lol:, i'll send you one to review.
bret

And here I thought I was providing a valuable service. Not only do I not get a discount but you've rescinded the usual free shipping offer on me! Don't professional opinions count for anything anymore???