Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

I cannot for the life of me figure out how to collapse my new PLM umbrella. Can someone kindly give me instructions? I'll probably say, "Duh" after you tell me, but thanks all the same.

The 8mm style PLM will close like any regular umbrella by pressing in on the retainer and pulling the slider toward you. The speedring style will require you to back out the screw on the slider, remove the position shaft (presumably still attached to the speedring), and continue backing out the thubscrew until the slider can move and the PLM closes.

If you have fixed the position shaft in place from the top of the umbrella, you will need to remove the speedring and close the PLM like a normal umbrella, after backing out the thumb screw to allow the slider to move.

I have just got an 86 inch PLM and two 51 inch PLM's.

The instructions for assembly have completely done my head in. What is the purpose of the tiny grub screw at the very top of the umbrella?

Also, PCB really should get a copy writer in to write the instructions for ALL PCB hardware. OMG the Cyber Commander took a whole day to figure out.

But right now it's the PLM's I need help with. Is there an better description for assembly than the instructions it shipped with?

Thanks in advance,

Paul Wright

The set screw at the top is what holds the "fixed metal shaft" (i.e. the shaft that is installed when recieved) to the umbrella portion of the PLM.

Many users will not bother to adjust this screw. However, the "position shaft" ( the shaped shaft with two holes to which the speed ring attaches) can be affixed to the PLM by this set screw as well. Install the position shaft, and "tighten" the screw until it locks both shafts in place. I use the word "tighten" in quotes to indicate the motion required to lock these in place. The screw will not actually get tighter. If you turn too much, the screw will fall through, so be careful if you decide to go this route.

Also, if you wish to replace the set screw with a longer 8-32 threaded screw/knob, you can also hold the 7mm shaft in place, allowing for the PLM to open like a normal umbrella.