A DIY Clip Gel Holder

We have featured some awsome gel holders on the site before. But never one with this simple approach. It is fast to mount, easy to use and leave no residue on the strobe.

It also fits any size flash and any size gel, how cool is that?

Thanks, Jerry R Hamby, for this awsome build.

Items needed for construction:

• 3-4″ 3/8″ dowel rod
• small clip
• rubber band
• screw driver
• power drill and 2 sizes drills.

Step 1: Starting half way back on the dowel rod, cut down the 3-4″ dowel rod to about half size on one end. This cut should be slanted from the halfway point to the end. This beveled cut accomplishes two things. It prevents the dowel rod from rolling and elevates the clip up and out of the light of the flash.

If you are cutting this by hand, make sure you are pushin the knife away from you, or better yet, place the dowel in a vice.

Step 2: Drill a 1/16″ hole in the end of the dowel. Be careful of a broken bit and whoops, slips. These can cause great pain and much blood. (I just happen to know these things). A vise would be adviseable to hold the dowel. and the hole should be right in the middle of the “circled edged”.

Step 3: Drill a 1/16″ pilot hole in both sides of the clip.

Step 4: Drill a 1/8″ hole in the top clip lip.

Step 5: Screw the clip onto the dowel. Adjustments will need to be made to accommodate your size screw. Using a flat head screw will be best. You now have the finished product.

Step 6: Place the dowel on any attachment with the use of a rubber band. Any size gel can be used anywhere. I used it here on a 25 year old Soligor MK-32A flash (monster size), a square snoot (inspired by a DIY project on this site), a baby strobe. The uses are endless. If you are looking for that pro slick look you may wish to spray paint it black

About the Author:  Jerry R Hamby, unfortunately does not have an online presence, usesa home studio. He does church family free portraits, and go to nursing homes and then burn the pictures to a CD (again for free). “… My wife and I did not have enough money to have commercial portraits made when our children were young. I now have the ability and equipment to help my young church families and the elderly.“