If you have low end fixed clamp string machines, the clamp base may not be bearing supported, so the movement of clamp base is metal to metal, purely friction. In my machine, the bearing should be 1/4" inner diameter, 1/2 " outer diameter. Hard to find such bearing. However, you can buy some UHMW or very low frition tape to cover the base contacting area to make it move smoothly. The UHMW tape is quite expensive, but does worth the effort. Hope this helps Gary
tape comes wi th all kinds of thickness and width. It does help. In fact, people use the tape for old furniture drawer to make it slides better.
Tape sounds interesting. Can you post a picture? How long does it last? What happens when it wears out and has to be replaced? Is it difficult to get off when it is worn and shredded? IMHO an occasional drop of lubricating oil is simple and works well enough. But it is always interesting to see new ideas.
You can buy them from Amazon, type in "slippery tape" I did that last night and will try on next racket.
Has anybody tried the old CPU lapping method on clamp bases and tracks? Put some 600-800-1200... wet/dry on a flat piece of glass/MDF, wet it with light machine oil or water, and get cracking. This will both smooth and flatten the piece in question (and I really think the PP bases suffer as much from invisible high/low spots as from friction).
