My dear fellow stringers, I have just recently upgraded my machine's turntable with two switch-action camlock clamp bases and as such I am in need of two fixed clamps primarily for badminton. Can you advice me which are the better clamps to get? The clamps on the ES5 Protech are the state of the art but unfortunately my clamp bases only accepts clamps with standard 12mm posts. I have seen clamps available from Gamma, Pro's pro and WD strings but I have yet to find a more comprehensive review post here. In this post someone said the Gamma badminton clamps are not as good but that that was way back in 2005 and I don't know if that's still the case. It doesn't really have to be a badminton only clamp. A general clamp is ok so long as it is good for badminton (right spacing between teeth, not too clunky etc). My biggest concern is quality, as these clamps will stay with me for quite a while and will make a difference in the long run. . Kwun, from your post the new compact low profile universal clamps look really great! Do you know if they are sold separately as on Gamma website they only have the badminton clamp (4-prong) and the thin profile comp metal fixed clamps (black) available.
i am not sure. did you try emailing them? cad@gammasports.com the clamps are very nice. not to the level of Toyo/Yonex clamps, but i think that's probably one of the best clamps you can find that is 12mm. alternative would be to look at the Porex/Exthree/Victor clamps. not sure if they have the same 12mm posts. not sure where to find them though.
phaaam, thanks for the info Kwun and Mark, given your referrals I really long for those Gamma clamps now email has been sent. Let's hope they are not too expensive
Well, if you're especially rich you can get Yonex/Toyzouki clamps for a non-Yonex machine: http://www.toyoz.co.jp/online/ but at 26000 Yen (~£182) each... you should buy a WISE.
wow. i wonder how much i can sell my Gamma's for. haha. but then 2 of them i can buy a new machine already. good find. the Toyo clamps are better in overall that they are more compact than the Gamma ones. the action is also light than the Gamma ones though a properly tuned Gamma one is pretty light already. I oiled mine pretty well and it improved the action by a lot.
If I could honestly afford those Toyo's, I'd get them - the ones I used on the ES5 were one-finger light, and they have a really sharp "knee" when you close them.
either one of the badminton clamp from phaaam suggestion are great upgrade and will fit 12mm base as your requirement. They are all dual actions.
I got a new set from Watdon and they are the PRO's PRO ones and these are great! Especially with some oil, action is very light and quick.
Best is all relative to how much you want to spend. The best of the best is Toyozouki's GM-02106, which are OEM on Yonex's top machines. They are $265.00 each not including shipping and actually worth it, if you are in the business of stringing or string many rackets. If not, the WD stuff is very good for the money.
Like Kwun, I'm eagerly looking forward to your review/pics. Do the clamps have a 12mm post? I'm still suffering from the $265 USD / fixed clamp sticker shock.