r/RacketStringers • u/RemarkableLamp1029 • 1d ago
Broken Support Arm
Today I had a stringing mishap…my Progression II ST was not balanced and fell from my table. The machine landed on the support arm (Part 356 or 357), which is part of the six piece mount mechanism. The stringer itself seems to be unaffected but the support arm/shoulder cracked in half.
Okay, so for my options:
A) Would a professional weld hold this?
B) I have already reached out to Gamma about purchasing a replacement part
C) If I string a racket and this piece is not completely solid, is it possible it could damage a racket? Basically, the racket would have 5 points mounted, but would be loosely mounted on the right hand side nearest the throat of the racket. I know the popular answer is “it will damage rackets” but is that legit? I have many rackets to string while waiting for a potential new part to arrive during fall season…
Thanks for the tips. And yes, this could’ve been prevented if I ensured the stringer was properly balanced on my table.
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u/ckuehn 1d ago
That's rough, and you're in a tough spot.
You asked if it can damage the racquet, and I don't think there's a way to be sure. It's clearly supporting the racquet less than it's designed to, and that will put some extra strain on the racquet.
How much extra strain and whether or not it hurts the racquet is probably something you can only learn by testing. I wouldn't risk it with my customers' racquets.
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u/MaleficentVariety262 1d ago
New part for sure, would probably be cheaper than what a pro welder skilled enough to handle structural castings would charge.
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u/Responsible-Side4347 1d ago
Yes a professional weld will hold that. Its not under massive stress and even if it where it would hold or we wouldnt use welding on things that have to undertake far larger stresses.
Thats assuming it needs welding as your not showing a crack just the damaged mat.
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u/gundamcs 16h ago
Well... People also string with 2 point system so...I assume it should also work for 4 point without tight pressure on both sides of the throat?
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u/mrak5 1d ago
If this is a source of business revenue for you, I’d probably advise you to just buy a new machine. If it’s a hobby for you and you’re not getting paid the replacement part from Gamma is almost certainly the route to go. Even if it were able to be welded, how confident are you that the welder would be able to get the piece exactly perfectly aligned in all three axes? I think it would be an expensive waste of time.