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Releasing clamps

Q: I had a discussion with a couple other techs regarding the best way to lock and release the fixed clamps after tensioning each string. One told me that there is no difference in the order you lock and release the base of the clamp and upper part of it. The other tech said that the correct order is to unlock the base first and then the clamp, in order to avoid string slippage. Elsewhere, I read that the best way is to unlock the base and the upper part at the same time. What is the USRSA’s position regarding this matter?

A: The USRSA has no official position on this. All other things being equal, it makes no difference in terms of slippage. However, if you are releasing the clamp using only one hand (that is, when your other hand is doing something else), it makes more sense to release the base first and then the string clamp. One handed, if you release the string clamp first, you may have more trouble fully releasing the base clamp if it starts to rotate after you get it partially released. Note that this only applies to machines with dual-action fixed clamps.

From the August 2007 issue
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