String slipping thru Starting Clamp!

[JackB1]

Last night I had something happen to me that never happened before.
When I start my crosses, I use a starting clamp instead of tieing a knot. I was using Volkl VPro and when I tried pulling tension on the first/top cross, the string would keep slipping through the starting clamp. I wonder if VPro is just a very slippery/slick string that won't stay in a starting clamp? Eventually I got it to hold and I quickly clamped it and moved on, but I was wondering what can be done about this? I haven't cleaned my starting clamp in a long time, so maybe that was the issue, but I dont think so.

Any suggestions?

 

[Power Player]

Woah..that is a little odd..Did you clamp it all the way down into the clamp to be safe?

Watch that happen to me tonight when I restring..lol.

 

[CDestroyer]

Yeah you need to clean all clamps because they get a buildup and become slippery. Non acetone fingernail polish remover will dissolve that buildup. I put some on the side of a wash rag, clamp down on it and run the rag side to side to wipe the clamp good. Do it several times and it should feel clean and hold the string without slipping.:smile:

 

[JackB1]

Woah..that is a little odd..Did you clamp it all the way down into the clamp to be safe?

Watch that happen to me tonight when I restring..lol.

No...I clamp it around the middle of the clamp. I was told this is the best place to clamp (YuLittle's videos). Should I place the string all the way in the bottom of the starting clamp?

 

[JackB1]

Yeah you need to clean all clamps because they get a buildup and become slippery. Non acetone fingernail polish remover will dissolve that buildup. I put some on the side of a wash rag, clamp down on it and run the rag side to side to wipe the clamp good. Do it several times and it should feel clean and hold the string without slipping.:smile:

good suggestion.

will alcohol and a toothbrush work as well?

 

[GlenK]

Yup, I clean mine with alcohol and toothbrush and it works great. I just buy a hard bristle brush..

 

[Power Player]

No...I clamp it around the middle of the clamp. I was told this is the best place to clamp (YuLittle's videos). Should I place the string all the way in the bottom of the starting clamp?

Only if it is slipping..I think it just needs to be cleaned like everyone is saying..I need to do the same.

 

[jim e]

You not only need to clean the machines clamp, but the starting clamp as well. Most likely the problem. Use alcohol , dip a white shoelace in alcohol, and pull it through while easing up on the clamp so it cleans it properly.