New Improved DIY Speedlight Clamp

Since doing the previous DIY with this $0.99 Home Depot Clamp, I've come up with an improved version that I like much more. Replacing the rivet center post with a 1/4 x 20 x 2 inch bolt makes this clamp useful in both vertical and horizontal orientations.



You should read this entire post to understand how I went about this. You might have alternate tools or ideas that would make this an easier mod. It was a little challenging.

TOOLS:

1) Cordless Drill
2) 17/64 Drill Bit
3) Quick Clamp (or vice or alternative)
4) Regular Screw Driver
5) 7/16 wrench
6) Hammer
7) Center Punch

SUPPLIES:


1) 1/4" Nylon Lock Nut
2) 1/4"-20 x 2" Round Headed Machine Screw with Hex Nut
3) 2 - 1/4" Flat Washers (not pictured)
4) 1 - Home Depot Clamp (you know the one)

First affix the Quick Clamp to the Home Depot Clamp to be modified as seen here. Don't over tighten. Gentle pressure is plenty.




Next drill off the expanded part of the rivet. You will know when you've gotten enough of the rivet as you will begin to drill into the hole in the clamp handle. Don't drill through the handle just yet. Only remove enough of the rivet so that we can punch it out.


At this point you will likely need another pair of hands. These photos are intended only to demonstrate the concept. Use the hammer and punch out the rivet. Take care and go slow. You don't want the clamp to come out of the Quick Clamp. That would make finishing the mod VERY difficult.

You can use your thumb or another person can use the screw driver. But somehow, you need to align the holes of the clamp AND the spring so that you can drill through the handles to enlarge the holes without damaging the spring. You need to do this on both sides of the clamp.

Again, using your thumb, align the holes so that a machine screw and flat washer can be inserted through the bottom.





You are home free now. Add another flat washer and a nylon locking nut. Tighten the nut snuggly (do not over tighten) using the screw driver and wrench.


Adding the remaining hex nut provides for a "locking" mechanism to help hold the AS-19 Speedlight stand. This is the finished product. The 1/4"-20 x 3/4 stud on the handle was added in the previous DIY post. Now, I can mount my speedlights to either horizontal or vertical structures with confidence.