Hi, I want to add a starting clamp to my set of stringing tools, looking at the majority of starting clamps in the market, the Pros pro Starting clamp seemed the most cost efficient (http://www.racquetdepot.co.uk/pros-pro-starting-clamp/). What I understand is this clamp lacks the diamond dust coating which can reduce grip, for allot of my customers I string at higher tensions at around 28lb+. Does anyone have any experience with this starting clamp and is there any issues of grip loss I should know of? Thanks.
I have one. Maybe not for tennis string but for badminton string this thing fails right on its defined name as 'starting' clamp, it will slip the grip as soon as i go higher than 23 or 24 lbs. I merely use it to tie knots.
Don't get the PP starting clamp - it's awful, and certainly no good for badminton. Go for an Exthree or Gamma, or something OEMed by either of them.
Thanks for the heads up Kenneth and Mark! Will pick up a Gamma as I'm not quite sure where to find an Exthree clamp in the UK.
You can get an exthree from mybadmintonstore.com, or ebay has a few Gamma OEM clamps from Asia - less than twenty quid posted ain't bad for one of those.
Cheers mark! This one of the OEM ones? Although different colour: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/EAGNAS-PP600-Starting-Clamp-Stringing-Tool-For-Badminton-Racket-Tennis-Racquet-/131058555499
Looks good. Basically anything with shiny plastic on the handles, not the rough finish like on the PP.
I second this. My Pro's Pro Starting clamp slipped badly at 24lbs (didn't try lower), causing damage to the BG80P and BG70Pro strings I was using at the time. Got it from Racquetdepot so it was easy to send it back for a refund. Ended up getting the Babolat one from WDStrings (£40.32 delivered the next day). Bit more but hard to fault in terms of gripping ability and build quality. Haven't had it long but they have a decent reputation for longevity if you keep the gripping surfaces clean. EDIT: Probably cheaper if you can source it directly from the OEM as per Mark A's suggestion but I'm impatient and like no hassle, fast service .
My PP startng clamp is only really good for pulling knots as far as badminton is concerned, and it only just manages this. I never have occasion to pull directly against the frame, but on the occasions when I have to hold a string on the frame (one-piece patterns) I find a Yonex flying clamp - or an OEM equivalent - ideal. Just put a piece of beermat between it and the frame.
Thanks for the concern, but I believe their actual machines and the tools they put their logo on are different stories.
Does anyone know how could the pros pro universal clamps are? I purchased them to replace my tennis clamps.
Nope, tried the tools too, very bad quality. So far, the only tool that was OK from them was the grommet remover.
Fully agree to this. After you suggested this possibility in another thread I tried it once and since then never touched a normal starting clamp again. So my PP starting clamp has now also become a knotting clamp only.
I have the Exthree from MBS and I have used it a couple of times to hold 55lbs on a tennis racquet. I expected it to slip as it only has 2 springs instead of the 3 or 4 other clamps have, but it holds surprisingly well.
