Velcro Flash Mount

I find it slightly unstable when mounting a flash to an umbrella stand using the shoe. The hot shoe seems to be a very small surface area to hold a flash on a pole, especially a large flash with a trigger.

By putting the flash on its side, there is more surface area to hold it. This also aims the flash towards the center of the umbrella.

There are a few options out there, but they are a little expensive for a small plate and a velcro strap. Which brings us to this instructable.

• White Polyethylene Cutting Board (purchased from Big Lots for 5 bucks)
• Flash Umbrella Mount http://goo.gl/MBMJFw
• Velcro Straps http://goo.gl/TXqNnk
• Yoga mat (purchased from Five Below)
• Double sided mounting tape
• Thread Lock

• Saw or other cutting tool (I used an oscillating tool)
• Screwdriver
• Ruler
• Drill, drill bits, counter sinking bit
• Exacto Knife

• Cut a 2" x 3 1/4" rectangle from the cutting board.
• You may have to deburr the edges.

• Mark the center of the plate
• Unscrew the shoe mount from the umbrella mount
• Align the shoe mount with the center of the plate and mark the corresponding holes
• Drill and counter sink the holes

• Trace the base of the shoe mount
• Cut out spacer
• Mark corresponding holes
• Drill holes

• Place the plate on top of the velcro strap close to the buckle
• Align the strap so that it is centered within the screw holes
• Mark the holes
• Using an exacto knife, cut small holes on the marks in the strap
• Using the original screws from the holder, push the screws through the holes in the plate and the holes in the strap
• Place the spacer on top, sandwiching the strap between the plate and spacer
• Apply Thread Lock to the screws
• Attach the whole assembly to the umbrella holder. (Replacing the shoe mount)

• Cut a piece of the yoga mat the same size as the plate.
• Using double sided mounting tape, attach the mat to the plate.

We also created one with a spigot. And also a version with foam from a garden kneeling pad (pictured in the intro). While the yoga mat does protect the flash from scratches, we found the thickness of the foam makes it so that you can tighten the velcro a little more without harming the flash.

Thanks for reading this instructable, I hope you find this helpful. Any feedback will be appreciated, especially since this is my first one.