Temporarily locking threads

When discussions become very heated, but are still on-topic and perhaps somewhat productive, how do you handle them? On one hand, leaving it open may lead to unproductive posting, insults, slinging, and total chaos. On the other hand, closing the thread seems a bit harsh, unnecessary, and prevents further productive discussion from happening. So what's the happy medium? Temporarily closing the thread?

Have you ever been able to close a thread temporarily, and re-open it a few days later to find that the discussion reduces in "heat", and increases in productivity? Or does the discussion not pick up after you re-open it?

 

We often lock threads for an hour or two, so a few members can calm down (and we can clean up some of the argument posts).

 

I've done this quite a few times, but always post a warning first. I politely ask the thread participants to chill out willingly, or I'll have to lock it up til they do.

 

LOL, this made me remember a scene from Wedding Crashers: [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IpHHtl8gC4"]YouTube- Wedding Crashers - Lock it up[/ame]

 

Is there something special I should be doing? Because I just let it go.

If the thread gets too out of hand, its moved to a special forum section that is not moderated and only full members can access. Then the members can flame / troll as much as they want.

 

LOL!

 

This,

 

Usually it is a warning post to cool their heals, a lock if they don't. The lock post states "We will open a new thread in a couple of days.
Then a new thread is created by an admin with a link to the old thread saying "Don't make me lock this one too, here is the old thread for reference, discuss topic X here".

 

No temporary closing here. If it gets out of hand, tt just gets locked. And Warnings/Infractions handed out if needed.

We don't believe in separating our userbase between regular users and premium users, so there is no hidden unmoderated section to just shove it off too.

 

People are contacted in private about specific posts as a heads up to its impact. Whether it be flaming or heading off topic. They might be requested to edit themselves in an effort to recoil and focus back on the topic for the betterment.

It's not to change their opinion in any way, only to articulate it in terms of becoming less volatile. Of course, not all topics can be done in that way.

If requests cannot be met, then Admins will edit down to what is contributing to the topic. To merely remove the personal, raging type comments that only are purposed to incite more.

A temporary thread lock is done sometimes in conjunction with the above, which includes an explanation as to why its being done and when it will reopen.