DIY: Westcott Umbrella Reinforcement

Another simple DIY (Do It Yourself).

David gave me this tip on the London Seminar but unfortunately I did not had any time, until today, to assemble it.

This tip is not mentioned on David's Strobist web site so consider it as a bonus.

This is intend to make the end of the metal support of the umbrella stronger, or as some would call it the Brolly. For me it's an umbrella so that's what I will call it now forward... but you can choose what's best for you since this will work on both ;)

Since this little tutorial is to illustrate the DIY I will do simple details and photos so you can follow them along and make yours, in case you have not made it yet.

I think this would be very helpful since your umbrella iron tip would be much stronger when used at the far end. This is intend to be used on the folding Westcott umbrellas. Other umbrella's I've seen have an iron tip at the end and they seem stronger by them selfs.

For Strobist I will start with the setup shot for the all photos.



I used a dual black/white/silver folding umbrella, camera left, 100cm (40") that I took from my Lastolite studio kit and since I have never used it before I decided to give it a try. This umbrella is shape shifted since you can remove the inside (white) and it will become a silvered one. The camera was Tv200, Av8.0 and ISO 100.

Above is an image of it and if you click the image you get the store in London where you can order it.













Here is what you need to get this done.



- Wescott double folding umbrella
(on this example is the white one)
- Something to cut the pencil (Knife)
- Hexagonal pencil
- Ruler
- Glue

After you gather everything let's start it.

Start by measuring between the end of the umbrella and the little thing out (I do not know how to call it) on the umbrella iron as illustrated on the image you should get 6,5 cm.



Grab the pencil and put it against the umbrella iron to see if the size is enough.



Insert the pencil into the umbrella iron until it bumps into something inside and you can no longer push it more. Mark it with your thumb so you know where to cut it. It should measure 6,5 cm.



Compare it with the umbrella iron to see if everything is ok. The size should be the same as the small tip on the iron until the edge. It should be 6,5 cm.



Next cut it 6 cm so it gives you some margin on the edge. This is good since it would not be out of the umbrella iron... but if you like you can leave it 6,5. It's up to you... Mine I cut it 6 cm so I will have 0,5cm inside and not be standing outside the iron just in case it get some rain ;)



Cut it with a sharp knife on 6 cm. A sharp knife will do the job if you have chosen a soft pencil, that's my case here. (By the way the pencils my wife get them at her job, so no cost with this DIY) :)



Use something beneath the pencil so you won't cut your table ;)
And make some cutting all around the pencil so it would be much easy to cut it.



Done cutting.




Next I tested it by inserting it inside the iron tube of the umbrella and it fit nicely but it was a little loose, not much but with some bangs maybe they could come out by them selfs.



Complete the insert with your fingertip.



Since after inserted I noticed that it was a little bit loose and maybe with some road bumps it could get lost. I decided to apply some glue so it won't get loose.



After you insert the pencil the glue should start to come out, this is normal but pay atention to not let anything fall on the table or on the floor.



I pushed the rest of the pencil inside the hole with the help of the tip of another pencil. Push it until you think it enough inside or until you like it.



Clean the glue that went out with a clean cloth.



And here it is your reinforced umbrella iron end. With this inside you now know that the metal tip at the end of the umbrella would not bend.



With this tip you now have a more steady umbrella at the end part of it.

Hope you enjoy this DIY and stay tuned for more.

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