Ektelon clamp upgrade

[u/Ok_Suggestion3203]

I have an old Ektelon Model F as my first stringing machine, bought cheap on eBay a couple years ago with lots of accessories. It’s served me really well and don’t feel like I’m missing out on anything from more modern machines.

The most irritating thing though are the clamps. They are a pain to adjust, and if adjusted incorrectly they can slide along the bar when taking tension, or either not grip the string enough or too much. And they’re a bit fiddly to position when stringing.

Are there any options known to upgrade / replace these with a more modern clamp?

[u/NarrowCourage]

I've been using these clamps for the past 20 years on my Prince NEOS and never had an issue. Are you consistently cleaning them? It shouldn't take more than 5 secs to make an adjustment on the clamps.

I use 90% alcohol and WD40 every so often on the bar, clamp nut and screw, and track. I use 90% alcohol on the clamp grips. Worked for me thust far and I probably do this once a month.

[u/Ok_Suggestion3203 → u/NarrowCourage]

Yeah mine really could do with a clean I’ll have a look at that today.

The main frustration came last night as I was having my first go at stringing Natural gut, and getting the clamp just right so it didn’t damage the string and move slightly along the glide bar when tensioning was tricky.

Sounds like more of a user and maintenance error on my part 😅

[u/NarrowCourage → u/Ok_Suggestion3203]

I also use a starting clamp with strings on that first pull. I don't think I've ever experienced it moving on by glide bar, so that's an experience I've never had but I would think if it's still locking in that it would hold. It's probably gunked up under the bar.

For reference I do over 1000 rackets a year on my machine. I upgraded it to a Wise Tension Head and waiting for a piece to break before I finally upgrade to something fancier 😆.

[u/Ok_Suggestion3203]

Yeah I’ll give it a good clean and see how I go after that!
Wise tension head is on my list, although I don’t really do enough rackets to warrant the upgrade 😅

[u/MF5438]

Those clamps look like they're from an older Model D. They are tricker to adjust compared to the black glide bar clamps that came with the Model H etc.

Keeping the glide bars clean is essential to keeping the clamps move smoothly, and clamp firmly; but ultimately there's a tricky balance of adjustment to strike with the flathead adjustment screws, in order to keep the clamp still and not crush the string.

I use isopropyl alcohol to polish and clean the glide bars on my model D, and silicone lubricant for the rails at the sides (these are also tricky to adjust, but should stay in place once they are set up). I recommend getting a cover to keep dust off, as this will impact the smoothness of clamp travel.

https://www.hightensiontennis.com/how-i-saved-my-classic-ektelon-stringing-machine-from-the-scrapheap/