Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

I bought a complete lighting setup, including two PLMs (51" and 64"), which arrived yesterday.

When I was trying to assemble it, the 51" broke and is unusable. (the wire that holds the ribs in place broke and the whole assembly came apart).

I don't mean for this to be complaining -- stuff happens and I'm sure the company will do right by me -- but the way the whole thing is assembled seems really fussy and the instructions suck.

Does anyone with more experience with the PLMs have any advice about putting them together before I try to assemble the other one?

I love the way it works but your assessment is right IMO. You just have to treat it gently and give it plenty of space for assembly.

Contact customer service about the one. We'll get you taken care of.

As for assembly; My preference is to thread the speedring cage to the position shaft first and set aside. Open the PLM, and thread the thumb screw in all the way, then back it out until it just allows the position shaft through (this is essentially out of the internal diameter completely, with just a nub sticking in). This can be viewed by looking through the shaft.

Insert the position shaft. This will go in until the end of it is flush with the outside tip. This leaves about 1-1.5" or so exposed near the speedring.

If you left just a little bit of the thumb screw in the internal diameter, you should feel the shaft catch on it, at which time you will re-tighten the thumb screw.