Doubling up loc line strobe arms - DIY project

[Bob01]

Hey All,

Well still trying to figure out how to make decent strobe arms for cheap (me = really poor grad student ;-)) - I just found a source for kinda cheap 3/4 loc line (used).

I was thinking if I were to double (perhaps even triple) the number of arms holding one strobe, they should get much stronger - thus the arms can be longer?

The only real con I see would be providing the mounting plates and screws hold the two loc lines securely, would be moving the actual arms - one arm is bending, the other not, etc...


Anyone have any opinions of this idea?

Thanks!,

Bob

 

[Bob01]

Thinking more about it... could I just stick a few strands of really heavy gauge (rust resistant) wire into the loc lines to make them stronger? The only kind of wire that comes to mind that would be rust resistant is soldering wire (lead/zinc)?......

Thanks again,

Bob

 

[AndyT]

Perhaps some heat shrink to stiffen them up a bit ?

I use loc-line. Short arms are no problem, longer ones get a bit "floppy".

 

[Bob01]

Yeah - from what I have read so far - it looks like the maximum length is about 12-18" depending on strobe and how crazy the current is, before they get floppy....

What I would really like are arms that could be roughly 30" - I do mostly shore dives in 17' - but like to shoot critters under ledges, and need light from weird angles - that and I have a pretty old camera with a smaller CCD and crappy low light performance (Canon S1 IS) ;-)

 

[Larry C]

My Loc-lines are about 24". They're floppy topside, but once you're underwater they stay put just fine. I drill little holes in them for equalization, but then of course you have to drain them when you pop them apart for storage. I've had them in some serious currents with no problems. If you're going optical, some fishing line inside is a good idea to keep your strobes in case you pop one apart, though it's never happened to me. I use electrical sync cords, which make fine strobe hangers. With that much Loc-line and the YS-110's aiming lights, my buddies tell me I look like some kind of space alien.

 

[AndyT]

Some good advice Larry !!

Mine are 18" - I think 30" would be pushing it. Some of the individual joints are pretty stiff, others are loose. I am going to give the heat shrink a go, just need to source some when I have time.

 

[diversteve]

Go to Home Depot or a hardware store and get some thickwalled flexible plastic tubing.
Drill a few holes in it for drainage and insert it into your loc-line tubing.

 

[gert7to3]

Wind shield wiper blades usually have thin stainless steel ribs to hld them on the arms. A bundle of those would be stiffer yet flexible.

 

[Bob01]

Go to Home Depot or a hardware store and get some thickwalled flexible plastic tubing.
Drill a few holes in it for drainage and insert it into your loc-line tubing.

Wind shield wiper blades usually have thin stainless steel ribs to hld them on the arms. A bundle of those would be stiffer yet flexible.

Thanks! Great Ideas!

Will call up Jiffy lube and ask what they do with all the old windshield wipers - may be directed to do some dumpster diving

I just won 48" of 3/4 loc line and pliers on ebay - enough to make 2 somewhat long/normal arms or one stupid long/useless 48" ;-)

Oh yeah one more question - Do loc lines eventually lose their stiffness overtime? If so, on average how many dives before it becomes noticeable?

Thanks again!

Bob

 

[gert7to3]

You want to try keeping Loc Line clean. Abrasive particles will wear it out more quickly, but not for a long while. Remember, this stuff is made to convey lubricants on machine tools. You also have enough Loc Line to replace your arms if they do wear and stiffners will limit movement, reducing wear.

I use stainless steel fish line leaders for safety retainers on my strobes. They have clips at the ends.