Spin/Static, and What all Those Screws are About
Changing your pole between spin and static is simple and quick, but there is a common pit fall. It’s important to understand how your pole tensioning system works, to avoid potential safety hazards.
About your pole
The spin/static hex screws
The two bottom-most screws on your pole can be loosened or tightened to change the pole from spin and static. This does not affect the tension of the pole.
The tensioning hex screws
These are the three screws located slightly higher up the pole. Tension is what keeps the pole in the ceiling. Pole tension is intermittently adjusted by the Facility Manager and/or instructors. Since metal expands and contracts, poles require more tension in the winter and less in the summer. Students never need to adjust the tension mechanism. It’s easy to over-do the pole tension, leading to equipment damage.
How to set your pole to spin/static
Image provided by XPole
To change your pole to spin, loosen the two bottom hex screws until they are flush with the outer shell of the pole. Do not remove the pins.
To change your pole to static, line the hex screws up with the x on the base of the pole. Tighten the screws, gently wiggling the pole back and forth to help seat the screw completely. Give it a final tighten, and test the pole to be sure it is completely static.
The pit fall
If you accidentally loosen the tensioning screws instead of the spin/static screws, as the pole rotates, the length of the pole will shorten or lengthen. This is how we take down poles to perform maintenance/replace parts. This mistake could lead to equipment damage, and in a nightmare scenario, the pole could theoretically fall out of the ceiling. We definitely want to avoid this!
The solution
Be sure you only ever adjust the bottom-most two screws when changing your pole between spin and static. If you have a concern about the pole tension, or notice the pole tension screws loose, let an instructor know immediately.
Test Your Knowledge
Students are required to complete a check-in every semester to be able to change their poles between spin and static. This is meant to refresh your memory and ensure our equipment, students, and instructors stay safe.