Record Clamps?

Thanks for the responses, especially the link, Markd51.

The clamp I'm using now is the stock clamp provided with the MMF7. Its a 2 piece as well, but it doesnt seem to really provide any benefit as it is thin, and only a small portion of the clamp actually touches record.

Maybe I'm miss-understanding the purpose of the clamp.

I've thought about taking an old felt slit mat, trimming it, and hot glueing it to the under side of the clap to prevent this going forward. At this moment, I dont see any draw backs to doing this, but if anyone more experience has any objections to doing this let me know before I muck up a probably perfectly decent clamp.

I guess it was possible that my clamp was tightened too much. It doesnt seem to have marked any of the other records I've played. And to be honest, the one it did mark is probably able to be wiped away with my finger.

I will look into at thread-less though. The threaded version just seems like non-sense to me. I haven't experienced any sonic improvement or drawback with or without it.

I dont see myself milling out a 5lb cylinder of brass anytime soon. I'm positive it would cause problems for my motor, belt and bearing.

I'm just going to be more cautious not not allow the clamp to spin at all once the "plate" makes contact with the label.

In follow up though, does anyone have any objections to the addition of felt to the underside of the clamp? Several people brought up the impact on sound quality that clamps have on vinyl, would the felt take some of the "liveliness" of the vinyl?