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Left handed screwdrivers and a quarter turn before it breaks

The first part of the title is what is called a 'fool's errand', like a snipe hunt. A carpenter feigns frustration on a tool and tells his young apprentice to get him a 'Left handed screwdriver'.  There is no such thing but the apprentice runs around asking for one or looking for it until someone finally ques him in on the joke. The second part is the reply to a question that either requires a specialized tool such as a torque wrench or the more subjective concept of 'going by feel'. Both parts have one thing in common: the lack of experience.
Percussion instruments get damaged or broken, that's just the way it is. But why they get damaged or broken is the important question.

1. Old or worn out
This is simple enough. Either replace it or repair it.

2. Intentional/vandalism
This requires monitoring, securing instruments when not in use or other ways of limiting access.

3. Misuse
This is the responsibility of the Private teacher, Sectional coach, Band director, and Section leader(s).

Tight enough?
This applies to most situations that face a percussionist during set up. Snare/Tom/Cymbal/Accessory stands. The operative word here is 'enough'. Most students worry that the stand will slide down (fall) when they are playing so they tighten the wing nut as tight as they can and sometimes even using a wrench or their sticks.
Modern stands have a 'Delrin' or other type of nylon bushing in the outer sleeve that creates friction to hold the adjustment in place. This usually requires minimum tension of the adjusting bolt. Too much tension could crack this bushing, warp the metal sleeve, or strip threads, all of which usually requires replacing the entire stand. Instead:

  1.  Tighten only to the point where it doesn't slip
  2.  Press down on the instrument with slightly more pressure than normal playing requires.
  3.  If it slips, start over and add  'slightly' more tension.
This is one more part of a percussionist's education. And like all of the others, it requires monitoring and reminders.

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