Our lightweight podium/lectern employs a state of the art ''Friction Lock'' mechanism.  It is this ''Friction Lock'' system that allows the user, using only simple and non-excessive hand-tightening, to secure the heavy duty steel tubes in place.  Friction lock systems are not only used in the making of our podium, but they are also used, by other companies, who produce much larger and far more expensive stands designed to hold Public Address System speakers in the air--some holding speaker units as heavy as two-hundred pounds each.  If you have ever been to a wedding, dance, or other such social event and have seen the speakers ''floated'' in the air on large tripod type stands, more often than not, you are seeing the performance of ''Friction Lock'' in action.  

Simply put, a ''Friction Lock'' system is basically defined as a ''collar'' or ''yoke'' which is generally constructed of hardened, lightweight, and ''space age'' materials which securely tightens around the pole being raised WITHOUT the bolt itself touching or interfering in the tightening or friction process.  In fact, the actual bolt itself is located to the side of this yoke so as not to interfere in the actual friction process against the pole.  When tightened with normal hand tightening, and not brute force, there is enough positive friction created that the pole being raised will not lower until the friction is released.  The release itself also requires non excessive force--making the unit very comfortable and easy to use.  Not only is ''Friction Lock'' comfortable and easy to use, for both men and women (regardless of how strong they may be) but it is a lightweight mechanism that is easy to carry and absolutely does not destroy the epoxy powder coated finish of the unit each time it is used.

Many old school thinkers, in their mind, are not aware of this type of mechanism and continue to harken back to days of old when it was a bolt which, when tightened, cut through the finish of the pole being raised (destroying the finish each time it was used) and the more you tightened the bolt, the stronger the pressure against the tube and therefore the stronger the strength of the stand became.  

With ''Friction Lock'' such excessive tightening is no longer necessary.  We like to compare it to the days when the automotive makers first introduced ''Power Breaks'' to the car-buying public.  Those old enough to remember when power breaks on an automobile were an expensive option, and not the norm as they are tody, will know exactly what we mean.  In the older days, a driver was used to pounding and exerting full pressure on their break pedal knowing that, when they did so, the breaks would perform better and cause the car to stop faster.  As power breaks for cars became the norm, those exerting too much pressure on their break pedals found themselves nearly being thrown through the windshield because of the excessive force.  Over time, power breaks took a lot of getting used to.  Now, it is pretty much accepted that simple and even pressure on your modern breaking system will not only stop the car, but will protect all who are in it from potential damage, as well.

Much the same as power breaks, ''Friction Lock'' systems do not need brute force strength to allow them to work properly and to prevent damage to those using that particular system.  One of the biggest errors a person can make (and yes ladies, it is always a man!!!) is to try and exert their manhood and apply so much force to a ''Friction Lock'' unit that it snaps the collar and ruins it.  Never apply too much pressure!  

The first few times you use your lightweight podium examine the tilter control (labeled ''A'' in the photo above) and look at the collar as it begins to tighten.  The collar will begin to get snug as you tighten it but should show absolutely no signs of stress or bending and, therefore, not be in any danger of breaking.  Some of our newer tilters have a round knob instead of the oval shaped knob shown but, in either instance, the same rules apply.  Likewise, the large round knob (labeled ''B'' in the photo above) which secures the desktop, to the actual tripod itself, should be only tightened until a solid feel is obtained and not such a stong feel that will cause you to strain yourself when disassembling the podium.   In fact, all other large round knob controls on the podium, as well as the under-desktop tilter, do not need excessive force.  We strongly recommend looking at the tilter (Labeled ''A'' above) with your eyes the first few times you use your podium.  Eventually, as you become more and more familiar with it, you will be able to ''feel'' just the right amount of needed pressure and it will no longer be necessary to look at the tilter as you tighten it ever again.  

Knowing these simple facts will cause you to never require replacement parts ever.  If, on the other hand, you choose to ignore these warnings and simply cannot resist exerting your manhood by tightening the unit with so much force that it snaps the tilter....write us.  We stock replacement parts but be advised only one per cent of our total customers ever need them.  

Remember what ''Friction Lock'' is and respect the modern technology and you will receive many good years of successful performance from your new lightweight podium.   

As shown in the photos above and below, what you are doing when you over tighten the tilter is STRESSING the two circular extrusions, which are the housings for both the round knob (bolt) and nut to nest in.  These circular extrusions cannot be overly stresed or the podium will not operate efficiently.  Both of these housings, as well as all other parts of this portable lectern, should be hand tightened to the point of being mildly firm--not tightened to an air tight show of strength!  Do not let these two tabs operate at an angle or a strain and your podium will operate efficiently and effortlessly for years to come.