Conventional Fixtures - Yoke it out

[Charc]

I've been told, and I believe it, that it is proper procedure to yoke out instruments, and sidearms, with the open part of the C (of the c-clamp) facing down.

Is that the consensus?

[clbarker]

I always do down, but I know people who do up. When its facing down it feels more secure and it's less likely to be overtightened in my opinion.

[MNicolai]

As just described in another thread, the clamp is intended to assist in gravity, and then the bolt is supposed to keep the clamp in place. Generally I will do it with the open part facing towards the ground.

[Sony]

Facing down, that way if it comes loose it will most likely just swing there and not fall off the pipe. Much safer that way.

[phil000]

I do it face up for a yoke out, it's easier and faster to move if needed... We have safeties in case the clamp explodes...

If it's a side arm, I do it the other way, b/c the torque is higher and more likely for it to drop, and a light at the end is more likely to pick up speed and shatter lenses, etc. Also side arms are a PITA to move regardless of where the bolt is accessible from.

just my thoughts

[Kelite]

Open portion of the clamp down.

My thoughts/reasons have been similar to the comments already mentioned, as gravity has tendency to pull things downward...

I was somewhat surprised to see so many similar votes. Our bunch is an independant lot, for sure, but this situation apparently made us all think about it from a reasoning standpoint. (OR we each had a really smart teacher!)

[MNicolai]

Originally Posted by Sony

Facing down, that way if it comes loose it will most likely just swing there and not fall off the pipe. Much safer that way.

I wouldn't rely on it saving anything if the bolt comes loose and it starts swinging, but there would likely be fewer chances of problems in the first place if the weight distribution applies more force on the clamp as opposed to the bolt.

By the way, thanks for joining CB and becoming a poster. We have too many lurkers out there that don't give us their input. Make sure to stop by the New Member Board and tell us about yourself.

[cdub260]

I do open side down. If you go the other way, you're putting too much faith in a 1/2 inch bolt. I've actually seen the bolt on a c-clamp bend. That c-clamp is still on one of my light pipes 5 years later. And for the record, no I did not over tighten the thing.

Here's your challenge Serendipity. Find the c-clamp and tell me where it is.

[IlyaSmirnov]

Open down, for all the reasons listed above... also, apart from feeling safer, when the yoke isn't vertical - i.e. the instrument isn't underhung - the clamp helps support the weight of the instrument while you're tightening the bolt.

[cdub260]

Oh, and let's not forget; regardless of which method you use, always put a safety cable on the light.