starter dropweight stringers - clamp/gripper issue?

[ttuser57]

i'm looking for a solid, personal stringer. i have previously used the sp estringer from a friend. i've never used a dropweight, but the forum seems to prefer it over electronic (at least at the low end). i have threaded strings through it's rotational gripper and assume the gamma x2 is similar but with a ratcheting mechanism. i've thought the sp clamps were heavy, but after reading the posts, it seems to be perfect for job. it had a good feel and had rubber coating on the handles over the metal (looks like the klipper is all metal).

from reading all the recent posts, i have gathered the following on the more well known low end dropweight stringers out there. the candidates are just under $200 (not necessarily my budget, but close). forum consensus prefers dropweight over electronic in this budget category (and i tend to agree). stepping up to something like gamma 602 doesn't seem to very much worth it, 6 point mount not well regarded in this $$ range (spend it on strings). forum comments seem to boil down to

gamma x2 (ast super stringer ii, comparable design)
clutch gripper - debatable on being easier/faster vs klippermate
cheaper plastic clamps - have read reports of injuries and the taking of flesh (kinda scary)

klippermate
better regarded metal clamps
cam design arguably just as easy as the clutch gripper
excellent customer service and lifetime warranty

silent partner swing
clutch gripper like gamma x2, but less noise
better regarded metal clamps - on par with klippermate
slightly pricier

alpha stringer pal
linear gripper - better than the rotational ones above
alpha clamps - on par with klippermate
uncertain about the bending aspect of the platform


i love all the information in the posts i've read, but i haven't really been able to narrow down my choices. it seemed like alpha stringer was the way to go. it had a better gripper and great clamps. but, i'm not sure about how unbendable the platform is. my other choice could be go with gamma x2, and buy better clamps. but at that price, i may as well just get the sp swing for about the same price. is the clamp/gripper trade off really there? can anyone comment on the sp clamps and the gamma clamps?

thanks

 

[theace21]

You sure have done your research. They all have merits. Seems like a year ago, the SP Swing was very popular and getting much praise from owners.

I think your decision to go with a drop weight is very wise choice. I would stay away from the cheap electric machines. Get the hang of stringing, save some money - you can always upgrade in a couple of years.

Good luck in your selection...

 

[Bencia]

I have an x-2 and love it. It does a fantastic job.

 

[thewallylama]

About the Alpha String Pal:
I posted recently about the String Pal, having purchased one a couple of weeks ago, and the topic of turntable bending came up. That was the first I had heard of it, and of course I was concerned! What I can say at this point is this: I have done 3 string jobs so far on it, and visually I wasn't noticing any bending. During the most recent string job, I took a straight edge to the turntable before, after stringing the mains, and upon completion. After stringing the mains (which is where the most lopsided tension would occur) I measured a flex in the center of less than 1/16", which seems OK to me. That's all I can say for now. Later on, I'll review the machine, but I like it a lot so far.

 

[Ronny]

does the string pasl have the rachet/clutch gripper like the x-2 or silent partner swing?

 

[ttuser57]

@bencia - have you used other clamps? what is your impression of the gamma clamps?

@wally - i remember your post. and the photos of that other person who apparently had the turntable upside down. have you ever used a rotational gripper? for me, i'm more interested in the linear's ease of use; i'm not so concerned about the lower possibility of string damage.

 

[ttuser57]

@ace - thanks. there's definitely a lot of good info in this forum. i just tried to consolidate it for future people who might be searching.

 

[thewallylama]

@wally - i remember your post. and the photos of that other person who apparently had the turntable upside down. have you ever used a rotational gripper? for me, i'm more interested in the linear's ease of use; i'm not so concerned about the lower possibility of string damage.

As far as a rotational gripper goes, I have seen my friend use one (on his Klippermate--he also has an older Gamma FC machine with linear gripper) and based on that I like the ease (and apparent slight speed increase) of the linear. Also, I would think it would a little easier for some of the stiff poly strings not to have to loop it around. To answer Ronny: I've never used or seen a ratcheting dropweight, but I would say the String Pal doesn't have that, and I don't see why you would need or want a ratcheting feataure with a linear gripper (very easy to readjust).
I've heard positive things about all the stringers you've mentioned. I am a newbie stringer--so I cannot claim a lot of knowledge or experience--just willing to share the little I know so far and the positives of my String Pal.

 

[Ronny]

how do you readjust the lever if its not horizontal on the stirng pal? do you hold on to the gripper and lift it up?

 

[thewallylama]

how do you readjust the lever if its not horizontal on the stirng pal? do you hold on to the gripper and lift it up?

Yep. That's what you do!

 

[mdjenders]

As far as the clamps on the x-2 taking flesh, they did gouge me up pretty good on my first string job, but you can just wrap the clamp levers in electrical tape or overgrip to solve that problem.

 

[Ronny]

Yep. That's what you do!

deleted by ronny

 

[Casco]

For whatever it's worth, I've had no problems with the clamps on my X-2. They're highly adjustable, simple to use, and I've not had any problems with slippage. The X-2 has been terrific. If you shop around, you'll be able to get it with free shipping, and you'll spend no more than $139. If you compare this to the price of some of the other machines you mentioned, plus the cost of shipping those machines, you'd be near the cost of some drop weight machines with fixed clamps.

 

[ttuser57]

good tip. thanks

As far as the clamps on the x-2 taking flesh, they did gouge me up pretty good on my first string job, but you can just wrap the clamp levers in electrical tape or overgrip to solve that problem.

 

[ttuser57]

i'm curious, but which dropweight marchines with fixed clamps are you referring to?

For whatever it's worth, I've had no problems with the clamps on my X-2. They're highly adjustable, simple to use, and I've not had any problems with slippage. The X-2 has been terrific. If you shop around, you'll be able to get it with free shipping, and you'll spend no more than $139. If you compare this to the price of some of the other machines you mentioned, plus the cost of shipping those machines, you'd be near the cost of some drop weight machines with fixed clamps.

 

[mrw]

for me, the Klippermate is tops

 

[Bencia]

gamma x2 (ast super stringer ii, comparable design)
clutch gripper - debatable on being easier/faster vs klippermate
cheaper plastic clamps - have read reports of injuries and the taking of flesh (kinda scary)

i have dealt with both issues and they aren't that serious. I had some pain in my wrists from opening the clamp while in the stringbed while the clamp was adjusted to be extra tight. It went away in a day. I also lost flesh when my dumb a s s had my hand too close to the jaw of the clamp when I clamped down. it was basically an abrasion of the skin and nothing more than that.

 

[ttuser57]

ah, the jaws took the flesh. did you have any problems with the handles? another poster said they wrapped it up (overgrip or electrical tape work)

i have dealt with both issues and they aren't that serious. I had some pain in my wrists from opening the clamp while in the stringbed while the clamp was adjusted to be extra tight. It went away in a day. I also lost flesh when my dumb a s s had my hand too close to the jaw of the clamp when I clamped down. it was basically an abrasion of the skin and nothing more than that.

 

[max]

Used both the Gamma and Klippermate; the K-mate's are sweet!

 

[iradical18]

If I get an X-2, I'm going to order clamps from Klipperusa. Those things from gamma are way too huge and cumbersome.

 

[ttuser57]

what make the kmate sweeter in your opinion?

Used both the Gamma and Klippermate; the K-mate's are sweet!

 

[max]

iRadical's reason: I have both, and it's dammm tough opening and closing the bulky Gamma clamps. They also dangle heavy from the string bed. OK, it's true I could adjust the Gamma clamps to make them easier to open, but it would be at the cost of having them really clamp the string! They take up a lot of time opening and closing; I have to use both hands to do this.

With the K-mate, it's easy on and off; they're steel, so the gripping edges don't warp. They operate on the same principle as a vise grip, so it's a one-hand operation. Smaller head means you can more precisely place them near the edge of the frame.

 

[ttuser57]

i thought all the flying clamps dangle from the string bed. i'd guess that the better (metal) ones dangle 'heavier' than the gamma composite ones. if that were a concern, gamma's lighter weight would be a positive in that respect, right?

i wonder if the alpha clamps are easy one handed as well.

iRadical's reason: I have both, and it's dammm tough opening and closing the bulky Gamma clamps. They also dangle heavy from the string bed. OK, it's true I could adjust the Gamma clamps to make them easier to open, but it would be at the cost of having them really clamp the string! They take up a lot of time opening and closing; I have to use both hands to do this.

With the K-mate, it's easy on and off; they're steel, so the gripping edges don't warp. They operate on the same principle as a vise grip, so it's a one-hand operation. Smaller head means you can more precisely place them near the edge of the frame.

 

[thewallylama]

i wonder if the alpha clamps are easy one handed as well.

I have the Alpha clamps with my String Pal. They are very easy use with one hand. You can see them in action on YuLittle's floating clamp video (see the Strings & Stringing Forum). There are lots of happy Klippermate owners who speak well of their clamps. I haven't used them but I have used Vise Grips, which they are derived from. Based on what Vise Grips feel like to use, I would say the Alphas are easier on the hands. But the Klipper clamps probably grip super well.

 

[Bud]

ah, the jaws took the flesh. did you have any problems with the handles? another poster said they wrapped it up (overgrip or electrical tape work)

It sounds like some of you have the clamps set too tightly. They just need to be tight enough so the string doesn't slip. I've never had any issues with mine (pain or injury).

 

[max]

I weighed the two clamps. The K-mates are about 50 g's heavier.

The problem is the dangle: the Gamma clamps are at an imbalance when they dangle on the string bed, more wobbly and of course, they also take up more space. So I feel they're more prone to bumping open since they don't stay as still as K-mate and are more in your way.

 

[aussie]

I weighed the two clamps. The K-mates are about 50 g's heavier.

The problem is the dangle: the Gamma clamps are at an imbalance when they dangle on the string bed, more wobbly and of course, they also take up more space. So I feel they're more prone to bumping open since they don't stay as still as K-mate and are more in your way.

Plus, if you buy a new K'mate, the whole setup including the floating clamps, are guaranteed for life to the original purchaser. This means that if I have a problem with a clamp, Klipper ships parts or an entire new floating clamp to me in Australia from Elgin, Illinois at their cost. That means a lot to me. Plus, the clamps work damn well even if they look a little agricultural.

 

[ttuser57]

thanks everyone for all the comments. the machines mentioned in this thread are all worthy contenders. in the end, i've decided to go with the alpha.