DIY, the $3.00 dual flash bracket

[jstuedle]

I finally got around to trying Jerry's grill paint idea. Works Great!!!!! I used a 1/2" sanding drum on my Dremil at low speed and roughed up the surface of the bracket. Takes about 5 min. per bracket, add couple of light coats of grill spray pain and presto! Nice pro looking bracket without a hint of the DIY look. Oh, and first thing you will need to do is peel off the bar code sticker and remove it's glue gunk. That is a dead give away of a DIY project every time.

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[JerryPH]

Ok, here I spend all this money on a D700 and you are telling me that all I needed to do to get better lit pics was a 3 dollar bracket... lol.

Actually, I do want to do this. For Christmas I want to order 2 more SB-600s and do just this with them on 2 umbrellas. Because the kind of hotshoe adapters I got from flashzebra has 2 sync port openings, one could conceivably use 1 receiver to trigger 2 flashes easily enough.

Thanks Jerry!

My pleasure. A lot of people helped me out here, so I consider it a privilege when I can return the favor.

[jstuedle]

Jerry has had all the good suggestions for finish and components. Thanks again Jerry!

[TimothyHughes]

If you are like me, all the small parts were already available. If not, then your milage may vary. In other words your cost may be in the $25-$30 range. Still, that beats $200.00 plus price of many dual brackets out there.

I would find a better way to mount the Wizards even if it's with gaffers tape. I wouldn't trust that dental-floss gauged string to hold up $500 worth of electronics.

[jstuedle]

I would find a better way to mount the Wizards even if it's with gaffers tape. I wouldn't trust that dental-floss gauged string to hold up $500 worth of electronics.

Actually, the same hole the pocket wizards wrist strap is shown being fed through will also permit you to use a 1/4-20 bolt to mount the PW. It's close but doable. I personally have never had an issue with the strap, the PW's are so light even with batteries, it's a non-issue in my mind. Just take a quick look-see to verify no fraying or noticeable wear on the strap.

[grw1055]

jstuedle -
You inspired me to take another approach. I found another thread which talked about stripping the galvanizing off with chemicals and the danger. So I took a piece of flat stock 3/4" wide and cut a piece off about 7-inches long. Then I marked the flat bar three holes to drill for 1/4x20 bolt. Drilled the holes. Next I took my electric drill and a wire brush attachment and removed the galvanizing, to bare "bright metal" condition. For safety, use safety glasses, ear protection and a glove. The wire brush action on the metal makes the bar stock too hot to the bare skin touch.
I have just sprayed the first coat white primer paint. Total time 1-hour 30-minutes. I will wait for the paint to dry for 24-hours, then give one additional coat of primer and three coats of black paint.
I am making two for each of my stands and umbrellas.
Thanks for the inspiration, my cost was only the Stroboframe universal show mounts.

[Antithesis]

Primer won't stick to galvanizing? Cool idea overall though. I love how frugal strobists are, heh.

[c.cloudwalker]

Out of curiosity I looked up those flash units on e-bay and saw they usually sell for about $150 a piece. So, for this two flash set up about $300.

Makes me wonder why not buy an AB strobe instead. New, the B400 is $225 and the B800 is $280. So that for about the same price or less you get a strobe designed for the kind of work. And if you buy used equipment it may get cheaper.

I think the Strobist thing is a great way to learn but I don't get it when you end up with a bag full of flash units that are not really designed for the work demanded of them.

[CxThree]

WIth 2 speedlites you have a lighter, smaller, more versitle setup. You can go dual in one umbrella or setup one as a main light and the other as a hair light or catch light. You just have a lot more flexibility.

I have both, and believe there are places for each.

[c.cloudwalker]

You can go dual in one umbrella or setup one as a main light and the other as a hair light or catch light.

Yes but this thread is about setting up two flashes in one umbrella because of lack of power.

[CxThree]

Right.. SO you spend $3 and throw this in your bag. In the event you need more power, you might be able to just pop 2 flashes in the umbrella or softbox. This could keep you from having to bring out the larger studio lights and portable power for it.