How to Fix an Umbrella Rivet

Written By: Alexandra Hamelin
  • Comments: 8
How to Fix an Umbrella Rivet

Difficulty

Easy

Steps

10

Time Required

5 - 10 minutes

Introduction

This guide will show users how to fix the stretcher of an umbrella by using a thin piece of copper wire in place of where the rivet once was.

URL for half-hitch knot:

http://www.animatedknots.com/halfhitch/#...

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    • Open the umbrella into its proper position.

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    • Identify the broken stretcher that needs to be repaired.

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    • Close the umbrella halfway to release the tension in the stretchers.

    • This makes it easier to line up the holes in the next step.

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    • Take the two pieces of the broken stretcher and line up the rivet holes.

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    • Pass the 6" piece of wire through the rivet holes.

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    • Wrap the wire around the stretcher and thread it through the holes again.

    • Repeat until there is no more room to pass the wire through.

    • May need to use the pliers to get a better grip on the wire so it can be pulled tight.

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    • Tie two half-hitch knots with the wire.

    • If you do not know how to tie a half-hitch knot, follow the link provided at the beginning of the guide.

    You could also just twist the ends of the wire around and around until they are all twisted together, then cut at a length of about 1/2 inch or so and then tuck in as best you can so that it doesn’t stick out.

    Lou -

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    • Use the scissors to trim the two ends of the wire to about half an inch in length.

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    • Using the pliers, twist the ends of the wire together.

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    • Tuck the wires down and clamp with the pliers so the ends are not poking out.

Author

Alexandra Hamelin

Member since: 09/06/16

276 Reputation

7 comments

This is not called an ‘umbrella rivet replacement’.

SouthPark -

I fixed my umbrella! Thank you. Umbrella is very old though, will see how much more time I can buy with this fix :)

Lou -

The fix lasted about a month and a half and then the copper wire broke. I am trying the same technique but this time with a metal paper clip that I had. The paper clip is made of metal that's thicker than the copper wire. I only threaded it through one time and then twisted the ends. One paper clip was enough to fix 2 rivets (both the original one and a new one is now broken as well). I will try to report back if these also break.

Lou -

6 months later and paperclip fix is still holding!

Lou -

Thanks! A paperclip worked!

Mayra L. -

19 months and still holding :)

Lou -

it might work for some for a temp fix But I tried this and it will not work.

it will bind and it will not close like it is supposed to

Wayne Faulkenberry -