Esoteric
Well-Known Member
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Why exactly shouldn't you?
Because its what holds the fixture to the C-clamp, although I have seen C-Clamps without the set screw. This would require one to use the yoke bolt to adjust left and right movement. Its also really tough to get them back to how tight they are supposed to be when they are in the air... (could also throw your focus of the unit off as well).
How about these?Yes, if your space has clamps with shafts that DO NOT have a safety lip to prevent it from free-falling when loosened, I strongly suggest getting them replaced.
See this post. If/when you seek a replacement, you'll need to ask for a "cup point square head set screw" for both the pan screw and pipe bolt.I agree, thinking of a set screw as a threaded screw without a head for an adjustable wrench, usually uses an allen key or slot for a screwdriver and can be set into the sleeve of the item it is screwed into. Of course, I could be wrong here.
WTH is a "bale block"? I've (rarely) heard "bale" used synonymously with "yoke," but never heard bale block. And why does one bail water, yet bale hay?
How about these?
View attachment 5367
No "safety lip"; the one on the left has a roll pin, the right a pound rivet, do they need to be replaced also?
How about these?
View attachment 5367
No "safety lip"; the one on the left has a roll pin, the right a pound rivet, do they need to be replaced also?
While I do agree there isn't just one way to do this, IMHO that isn't a good laundry list.Okay, I strongly discourage my techs from panning the unit with the set screw. It is too easy to break the head off, it is very easy to pull all the way out and strip it putting it back in, it is easy to create grooves in the shaft which effect focus, sometimes it takes too long to het a wrench on it when you can do a yoke bolt focus with just your hands, eventually the bolt will not tighten fully anymore.
There is a laundry list of reason not use it for focus.
Why would someone try to pan a unit hanging on by its safety cable?
Why would someone try to pan a unit hanging on by its safety cable?
While I do agree there isn't just one way to do this, IMHO that isn't a good laundry list.
If the tech is breaking off the pan bolt(not a screw, I know just a silly technicality, but hey what are words for) they need better training, or the bolt was already previously over-tightened and needed replacement. I feel it shouldn't take even a quarter turn to lock it tight. Yes, too many people whomp on bolts with their wrenches-especially on truss. Again training.
Pulling all the way out? Hmm, I thought, that's never happened to me or anyone working with me; I just counted 10 1/2 FULL 360 degree turns to get the bolt to 'come out' of the clamp. If you have shorter bolts, I'd replace them. Cross threading on reinsertion: bad technician or bad bolt. I just tried but was unable to get it to cross thread. Creating grooves in the shaft? Again someone has improperly over tightened in the past. Loosen the yolk bolt and the pan bolt, spin the shaft to a clean area, re tighten with just the appropriate amount of torque this time. If the whole shaft is chewed up replace it.
While I can appreciate panning a parcan by hand, yes I've done it for my whole career starting on touring rigs while hanging in the truss above the stage, but I always had my wrench out as well. If the yoke bolt isn't just right it will end up way too loose at times anyway, thus needing the wrench. Which, as I do is hanging from my wrist by a safety lanyard anyway, so time is NOT a good reason. This is borderline lazy. There are many many Gaffers & Designers who will tear you a new one for just hand forcing a pan or tilt. They demand you use a wrench, we feel if you hand force it, you are setting it up so it may inadvertently move during the show, or your actions are contributing to the damaging of the gear.
The last part you state: eventually the bolt will not tighten fully anymore.
I don't understand that except, as with all the above, gear MUST be maintained properly, and taken out of service of it needs it. Low or no budget shouldn't be used as an excuse for unsafe practices.
The difference between tight and broken on the set bolt can be as little as less than 1/4 turn. I assure you I am a very well trained electrician and I have broken at last a dozen in my career.
The last part is funny because I yell at people all the time for loosening the set screw to focus.
Add another reason because it causes the unit to rock creating an improper and difficult focus.
We've wandered so far off the original topic. I thought moderators were supposed to prevent that? Some days, it's like herding cats (or wrangling stagehands).
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