Helping Hands - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: raptor1956
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 01, 2017, 10:36:54 pm
content: I have a pretty crappy helping hands with alligator clips to hold stuff while soldering etc, but I'm not real happy with it -- it's too small and too light. So, I'm looking into getting a more capable helping hands kit and I think something like the Panavise 350 looks about right.https://www.amazon.com/PanaVise-350-Multi-Purpose-Work-Center/dp/B00011QA0MI think to make this more useful I'll need to either bolt it down to a table or make a heavier base for it.So, what other options are there out there and is there other items that you'd recommend to add to the Panavise 350 as shown above?Brian

author: calexanian
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 01, 2017, 10:46:34 pm
content: https://www.panavise.com/index.html?pageID=1&id1=1&startat=1&--woSECTIONSdatarq=1&--SECTIONSword=wwHave a look at the PanaVise webpage. They are the standard for multipurpose professional benchtop work holding. Even without bolting it down they are quite stable with their standard cast base. More than adequate for repairing the ends of cables and such. PCB holders are also avaliable.The model 350https://www.panavise.com/index.html?pageID=1&page=full&--eqskudatarq=5Is my go to tool. I reverse the holders from what is shown there.

author: Julez
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 01, 2017, 11:17:30 pm
content: I like the GRS type:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/a-better-helping-hands-tool/msg840349/#msg840349

author: raptor1956
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 01, 2017, 11:47:57 pm
content: Quote from: calexanian on February 01, 2017, 10:46:34 pmYes, the 350 is the model I was looking at and I'll probably add the vise head as well.Brian

author: mmagin
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 01, 2017, 11:55:00 pm
content: I like the Panavise plus one of thesehttps://www.amazon.com/Hobby-Creek-Helping-Hands-Soldering/dp/B01AX1VO2I/

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2017, 01:11:54 am
content: Another Panavise user (model300 base+303 standard vise head+315 circuit board holder head+376 head, and the base is attached to a heavy steel plate /w rubber feet).That said, there may be things that would do better in some other work holding configuration, or is just more convenient. As a result, I've also the standard crappy helping hands (used for parts for CNC hose projects), a base mounted pair of tweezers, and some custom made stuff from CNC coolant hose (cheap on eBay).For ideas regarding the CNC coolant hose, take a lookhere(some other ideas too, particularly for holding probes).Regarding CNC segmented tubing/hose projects, I just used appropriate nuts glued to small round wood bases, which have multiple neodymium magnets in them, and slipped a piece of sheet metal beneath the ESD matting. Not only does it hold, but gives me a lot of flexibility in placement.

author: DaJMasta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2017, 02:43:07 am
content: Quote from: mmagin on February 01, 2017, 11:55:00 pmI recently got one and haven't had a lot of time to work on it, but I can vouch for these grabber arms to hold things quite firmly. The pictured base can accommodate more clips (which aren't too expensive) and can be mounted directly to a panavise too.

author: Vtile
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2017, 02:57:31 am
content: http://www.ebay.com/bhp/engraving-vise

author: w2aew
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2017, 03:48:06 am
content: Quote from: raptor1956 on February 01, 2017, 10:36:54 pmI've got the exact model shown in your link, and I find it heavy enough to be perfectly stable for everything I've used it for.

author: mmagin
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2017, 04:16:36 am
content: I would also add that the panavise head I use a lot is the 203 "Jr" because it's big enough for a lot of little things but gentler. I have it on the 305 low profile base and that goes into that Hobby Creek helping hands and it's all on a 312 tray base. I cannot stand things being any higher than that.

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2017, 11:46:36 am
content: This type of dial indicator holder is an option. It's designed so that when the large knob is loosened, it becomes very floppy. As that knob is tightened it becomes increasingly stiff in the position to which it is set. (Picture below) There is no springiness that one gets with ordinary flexible coils or the snap together things. When fully tightened, it is quite stable.They vary in in price from Starrett's to imports for 10% of that. Here is a random link to an import that Google found:https://hardwarefactorystore.com/magnetic-base-holder-for-digital-level-dial-test-indicator/I have a small piece of CR steel flat about 4"X6"X3/8" that I use on my bench as a base. Of course, it will also attach to anything magnetic. I have no experience with the import shown. The brand I use is Noga, which was about $35 to $40 when I bought it several years ago.As for the clamp specifically, I do not like alligator clamps, because small things like 0.025"-square pins and small wire will twist in the serrations of the jaws. I prefer a smooth face clamp. A smooth vise grip will work, but I usually us a smooth-faced hobby clamp or a lowly wooden spring clothespin. The nice thing about the clothespin -- beside being very cheap -- is that you can easily modify the jaw for the action needed. For example, one of mine has three grooves spaced at 0.1" because I solder a fair number of three-conductor leads to servo connectors/pinheaders.John

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 02, 2017, 12:50:43 pm
content: Quote from: raptor1956 on February 01, 2017, 10:36:54 pmYou won't need to mount it or put a heaver base on it. I have the 324, a 301 with the 308 heavy base and a 396. The 396 is actually sitting on the 324 base right now as I like it better than the 324. I haven't had an issue with anything shifting or moving on the bench. You can mount it if you want but being that I have an ESD mat covering my whole bench, I wouldn't want to drill holes.

author: SingedFingers
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2017, 04:32:16 pm
content: I still a crappy old one with some modifications:1. Completely take the magnifying glass off and throw it in the bin.2. Completely take one arm off and throw it in the bin.3. Glue it to a piece of plywood with epoxy.4. Wrap some kapton tape around the jaws of the remaining croc clip.It's actually quite useful then.

author: pieman103021
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2017, 05:55:49 pm
content: Quote from: mmagin on February 01, 2017, 11:55:00 pmThese look pretty nice, I have been thinking about picking up a panavise sometime this year and I will probably throw this in with it. Thanks for the tip!

author: raptor1956
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2017, 09:20:22 pm
content: Quote from: jpanhalt on February 02, 2017, 11:46:36 amI used to have a magnetic base for my dial indicator but can't seem to find it any more. I may still have it but can't find it.So many tools, too little money!Brian

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2017, 09:46:40 pm
content: Quote from: raptor1956 on February 02, 2017, 09:20:22 pmBeen there. I used to tell my wife that tools were a capital investment to justify the cost. I still have tools from the 4th grade (1952, e.g., long-nose pliers and a Dremel scroll saw) and some I inherited from an uncle that were made in the 1920's. Unless I plan to use a tool for only a project or two, I get the best quality I can afford at the moment. American made does not equate to the best quality.Just checked the current Noga prices. Outrageous.I would probably go with a cheaper import, if I could actually see it before buying. It is the locking mechanism that I really like. Anyone who has messed with a dial caliper and the simple cross-bar system will know what I mean.I have used Panavise, and its products are pretty nice. They also have a single point lock. My purpose was simply to suggest an alternative or addition that allowed a little more flexibility.John

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2017, 10:37:32 pm
content: FWIW, this style can be had for $12.10 shipped (link).

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2017, 10:50:54 pm
content: Well, nanfrog, you beat me by a buck and 57 cents. What is that in Starbuck equivalents?I know it is hard to see such things in person, but I would love to see how it felt. I believe the Noga is made of steel. With light use, anodized aluminum might work just fine.John

author: rx8pilot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2017, 10:54:15 pm
content: Quote from: jpanhalt on February 02, 2017, 11:46:36 amI have been using Noga arms for many years and LOVE them. The magnetic bases are great when you don't have a bunch of small/loose ferrous parts close by. I use them threaded into a heavy-ish base for stability. Expensive, but time is money right?

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2017, 11:00:55 pm
content: The inexpensive aluminum units would work well for holding oscilloscope probes or pogo pins IMHO.

author: onesixright
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2017, 11:04:56 pm
content: Anybody has a good EU (shipping inside EU that is, CZ to be precise) tip for Panavise?

author: Trevset
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 03, 2017, 12:05:53 am
content: Found this while searching for some better helping hands. It is super expensive but it looks awesomehttp://www.mcpappyracing.com/store/products/Helping-Hands.htmlSent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

author: raptor1956
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 03, 2017, 02:08:37 am
content: Well I ordered the Panavise 350 and the 303 vise head -- should have it Monday. I could have used it this week while working on the battery heater and it's temp controller that I modified to use a P-channel MOSFET instead of the relay to control the heating element -- the little board was hard to work on with it wobbling around...Brian

author: mtdoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 03, 2017, 04:55:18 am
content: If you do much soldering with the Panavise 303 head, I highly recommend a set of the 352 high heat jaws.The 203 head with a 239 handle is also a nice addition for soldering small pcbs.

author: oldnewb
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2017, 08:37:04 am
content: I recently bought a Panavise 201 "Junior", along with a set of QuadHands tentacles:https://www.amazon.com/QuadHandsTM-Flex-Soldering-Flexible-Favorite/dp/B01JP4CNYCThe QuadHands mount to a plate that sandwiches between the Panavise base and the vise itself. They're similar to the DIY tentacles people have made from flexible cutting fluid plumbing. I like them a lot, so far, and they work well with the Panavise Jr. I suspect they'd get in the way of the larger Panavise models, though.