A better helping hands tool - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: akis
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2016, 10:48:10 am
content: I have two "hands free / helping hands tools with magnifying glass" - had them for years and years. They are very badly made. Their base/weight is too small, even a PCB with a few components tips them over. Their articulated arms are badly engineered and they stick, there is no smoothness in their movement or adjustment.Does anyone know of a better/heavier/more precise tool?

author: kg4arn
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 02, 2016, 10:52:43 am
content: I like panavise.https://panavise.com

author: VK5RC
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 02, 2016, 11:12:03 am
content: I have found the panavise holds things too high off the bench, I haven't fully explored all the panavise options but the general vice holds things about 10inches off the bench, way too high for soldering for me.I have the PCB grip system, which looks more 'configurable' but have yet to get it right for me.

author: Fred27
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 02, 2016, 11:14:47 am
content: Panavise used to be hard to get hold of in the UK, but seem to be stocked by Farnell now. Or maybe they always did and I never noticed.

author: artag
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2016, 11:24:16 am
content: There are low-profile versions of the base and vice which knock about 3 inches off the height, at the cost of less flexibility in positioning.I find the standard height good for bench work, but it's high when I'm working under a microscope.There's also this interesting idea :http://hackaday.com/tag/3rd-hand/

author: DTJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2016, 12:11:37 pm
content: Have you seen these Stickvises? I'm thinking of making a couple.Easy to knock up and they lay flat on the bench.If you google around there are a number of different customizations to hold wires, connectors etc. There's even a few wooden ones for the vegans among us.EDIT - you can use that cheap ball & socket air / coolant nozzle stuff instead of 3D printing your own.

author: akis
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2016, 02:38:54 pm
content: The helping hands that I use have two crocodile clips at the end of two semi-articulated arms and they are most excellent for convenience, for example to hold wires in place while soldering, and in general for holding small things for soldering, all the way up to holding small PCBs while placing components and then solderingThe problems are1) the articulated arms are very badly made, with no precision fittings and trying to make accurate adjustments is hard (and annoying)2) the weighted base is not heavy enough to hold the device in place even for the most minor works, a medium size PCB makes it tip over3) The crocodile clips are medium size, metal and have teeth - they are too weak for holding onto a medium size PCB and too strong for holding onto thin wires (say 24 AWG) as they bite into the plastic sheathIdeally I would like a "helping" hands with 4 arms, not just 2, like the Indian deity what's her name, I will pass on the boobs but otherwise it'd be an extra bonus, with interchangeable crocodile clips, with and without teeth, with a heavy duty base (like 1kg or more), and made with precision so that the arms can be adjusted easily.

author: janoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2016, 02:54:52 pm
content: Quote from: DTJ on January 02, 2016, 12:11:37 pmI have the SparkFun "helping hand" (or rather squid/octopus - it has 4 arms!) made out of those coolant hoses. The good thing is that that can hold even a large board. The bad things are - difficult to position, the hoses are stiff and difficult to bend where you want them and it is too high above the bench (about 2x as high as a normal helping hand!). Also flipping the board over while soldering is a major pain.The stickvises I haven't tried yet, but I have one of those Chinese holders (second image from the top), eBay and Alliexpress are full of those. It is fairly useless for normal work, but it works OK for small SMD boards which are otherwise too small to hold reliably in a helping hand/vise.If you want to work on PCBs, it is probably best to forget about any "helping hands" type of tool and get something like this:http://www.conrad-electronic.co.uk/ce/en/product/811394/Weller-PCB-Holder-Mounting-FrameOr the Panavise vise with the PCB holder (expensive).These tools allow you to quickly flip the board over as you are populating it - useful for through-hole work.If you don't want to spend money on a Panavise, get one of those ball-jointed vises:http://www.conrad-electronic.co.uk/ce/en/product/815880/Basetech-815880-Ball-joint-vice-Jaw-width73-mm-Span-clamping-jaws55-mm?ref=searchDetailThere are some with plastic/rubber jaws - then you clamp the board by its edge in the vise and often it is good enough.The helping hands are useful for things like soldering wires to connectors or holding things in place while gluing them. Not so much for populating PCBs.

author: Mark
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2016, 04:57:49 pm
content: I recently purchased the Dremel Multi Vise which is surprisingly good, I regret not buying it sooner. Amazon UK had it for £21 but it has gone up in price now. There is a lot of plastic, but it is surprisingly sturdy and doesn't need to be over-tightened to stay sturdy. It holds PCBs for soldering perfectly and is quickly and easily adjustable. It would not be suitable for heavier duty like holding wood for sawing.

author: ciccio
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2016, 05:48:56 pm
content: I've tried a lot of helping hands with some disappoint.When assembling PCB i use an (expensive) dedicated support (see link below: it's labeled Ideal Tech, but is built in Italy).http://www.distrelec.it/it/telaio-di-posa-sicurezza-esd-500-220-mm-ideal-tek-pcsa/p/18249489?q=*&filter_Category3=Materiali+di+brasatura&filter_Manufacturer=Ideal+Tek&filter_Buyable=1&page=5&origPos=5&origPageSize=50&simi=99.5&manufacturerCode=man_idealtekFor simpler works, I built a lot of very simple gadgets, using a clothes clamp and a piece of sheet metal, glued with hot-melting glue. See Cheapest photo below. Clamp must not be plastic, or the soldering iron will damage it, wood is better.For heavier work, such as connector wiring, I use a simple plastic vice like the one in the other photo (Cheap). Cost: less than 10 euros.It is useful even for soldering small pcbs.Best regards

author: savril
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2016, 06:08:49 pm
content: For SMD work, my preference go to the AOYUE 328. It is not the best quality product I've seen but it hold really well the board. And the metal binding make it suitable for hot air. It is far more stable than the stickvise with credit card size (the second image from DTJ post).

author: robrenz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2016, 06:34:55 pm
content: Old threads but might be usefulHemostat mod 1Hemostat mod 2

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2016, 07:59:33 pm
content: You could always knock up or modify your own (see attached pics).A couple of other threads (thought this one seemed familiar):https://www.eevblog.com/forum/beginners/soldering-surface-ideas/https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/stickvise/

author: bills
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2016, 10:00:36 pm
content: I have one of these and it works great.http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00Q2TTQEE?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 03, 2016, 01:24:08 am
content: I have a couple of different Panavise units and a couple of different basic helping hands. I really only use the helping hands for soldering wires. everything else is done with the Panavise.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2016, 02:17:30 am
content: Quote from: bills on January 02, 2016, 10:00:36 pmI have one of those, it's not bad for the price!!I also have one of these, which is fantastic for wires and weird shaped boards:http://www.amazon.com/Hobby-Creek-Helping-Hands-Soldering/dp/B010C504NK/ref=pd_sim_469_5?ie=UTF8&dpID=41kzIPlZaZL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=0AN2M5Z4BA6NVP818SJGIt's worth every cent. (It's based on the coolant pipes others have mentioned already.)Also, it says a lot about how such helping hands tools and Panavises complement each other that the manufacturer sells Panavise products alongside its own on its website:http://www.hobbycreek.com/shop/I've been wanting a Panavise, but unfortunately here in Europe, they're hard to find and areextremelyexpensive (like 3x the US prices!!).

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2016, 10:30:16 am
content: I have a couple of these $15 each, quite flexible and can be used for tinning and holding both small and large objects.

author: MrSlack
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2016, 10:40:46 am
content: I still use the original cheap and nasty Chinese ones. Throw the magnifying glass away, vaseline all the balls (ooerr) and it's fine. The screw threads wear in after a few weeks and stop being lumpy and the clips loosen up a bit. As for weight, I clamp the whole thing in my drill vice if I need more mass.

author: wblock
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2016, 03:04:33 pm
content: Quote from: Shock on January 04, 2016, 10:30:16 amThe V-grooves in the jaws are useful for holding small boards. It takes a while to change sizes, though. I'm thinking of trying to fit a small bar clamp instead of the vise head.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2016, 03:20:54 pm
content: Consider changing the problem: put the magnifying glass on your head so that it is always optimally positioned. Bonuses: stereo vision and change the magnification by swapping lenses.Many places sell these:http://uk.farnell.com/lightcraft/lc1765/led-headband-magnifier/dp/1826445Some types are 1/3 the price and perfectly acceptable

author: fivefish
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2016, 04:33:20 pm
content: I want to get/try one of these... it just seems so expensive.

author: Julez
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2016, 04:37:07 pm
content: I like the GRS line of helping hands tools.http://www.grstools.com/for-jewelry-work/third-hands-and-soldering-stations/third-hand-with-soldering-station.htmlThe base, however, needed improvement. I had a machine shop make me a U-shaped base from 3mm stainless steel, the sides are folded up about 15mm. So it doubles as a tray for small parts. These are perfect, I can post images tonight.

author: nidlaX
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2016, 05:26:19 pm
content: Quote from: bills on January 02, 2016, 10:00:36 pmAnother vote for this type of stand for small - medium scale PCB work. I have this identical model:http://www.amazon.com/Adjustable-Soldering-Rotisserie-spring-clamp-rotation-lock/dp/B01709B0PW/- was cheaper when available.

author: Circuitous
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 05, 2016, 02:39:38 am
content: I hadn't seen the Tested review of the GRS Tools hands.I stumbled upon the GRS Tools after some heavy searching, and they're great. The company is just down the road from me.... down I-35 about 100 miles, but this is Kansas, so that's not reall all that far.Here's my quick review:https://youtu.be/UNu4pcFq15Y?t=2m51s

author: gdewitte
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 05, 2016, 03:07:20 am
content: Not inexpensive, but some good ideashttp://solderbuddy.com/

author: VK5RC
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 05, 2016, 06:46:34 am
content: Oooh, I would love to be able to make tools like robrenz, mine end up looking as though some clumsy ape made it. (it is the case)Another possible holderhttps://www.hobbyking.com/mobile/viewproduct.asp?idproduct=17626

author: janoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2016, 02:11:29 pm
content: Quote from: gdewitte on January 05, 2016, 03:07:20 amNot inexpensive? Asking 40+ bucks for a piece of wood with an aligator clip on a piece of wire?!? Whooa. That is ridiculous.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2016, 03:35:39 pm
content: But they're for audiophile cables, err, I mean, "interconnects". The lacquer finish of the soldering jig will affect the sonic performance of the stereo system! It has to cost a lot or it won't be good!

author: LaurentR
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2016, 06:24:42 pm
content: QuadHandsNot cheap but nice.http://smile.amazon.com/QuadHands-Four-Helping-Hands-Soldering/dp/B00GIKVP5K/

author: KL27x
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 06, 2016, 10:40:47 pm
content: QuoteMaybe you didn't catch the double negative. Not inexpensive == expensive.I like to try new things. I keep buying helping hands and then loving them and then throwing them away when I need the bench space and realize I hardly ever use them. I have yet to come a big enough task where they actually save me time or effort over other alternatives.

author: Julez
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 11, 2016, 07:24:52 pm
content: Ha, I just found photos of my contraption I posted years ago in another forum...

author: Julez
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 19, 2016, 06:47:35 pm
content: I dismantled my GRS helping hands:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/a-better-helping-hands-tool/msg835225/#msg835225

author: rx8pilot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 19, 2016, 06:55:59 pm
content: Quote from: Julez on January 11, 2016, 07:24:52 pmMe likey likey.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 19, 2016, 09:21:30 pm
content: Another Panavise user (376,315, and303heads with a300base). Used a steel plate for the base mount.You can also DIY some helping hands that actually work from segmented CNC coolant hose, such asLoc-Line(inexpensive stuff from China is stiffer than expected, so will work). Jeton is another name brand (COO = Taiwan), but the pricing is about the same as Loc-Line brand. Any of it will work though.Take a lookherefor some links to examples (photo of the Desk Squid).Base mounted tweezers can be useful as well, such as tinning wire or used to DIY your own custom helping hands as well (alligator clips, tweezers, hemostats, ...). You can also get the parts separately, or just buy an entire helping hand with double jointed pivot assemblies (disassemble for parts, as it's less expensive if you mean to make more than one).Flexible metal tubing used for camera mounts could be useful too (threads = 1/4"- 10, length = 1/4").FWIW, the following type of Dial Gauge Holder could be handy as a tool or probe holder as well.Based on what I've seen for eBay pricing, the DIY ideas above are reasonable on your wallet too.

author: LaurentR
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2016, 08:50:03 pm
content: Quote from: Circuitous on January 05, 2016, 02:39:38 amAnother vote for the GRS third hands. I tried everything, the cheapo ones, the Hobby Creek platic ones, the QuadHands flexible ones, but the GRS are it. Expensive most definitely, but much better than anything else I have tried.

author: dfmischler
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2016, 11:10:52 pm
content: Count me with the Panavise people. I, too, have 376, 315, and 303 heads, with both standard and low profile bases. I also have a Panavise Junior (201). I have one of those things with the alligator clips, but it doesn't seem to stay where I put it as well as the Panavise stuff.

author: LaurentR
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2016, 11:49:50 pm
content: Quote from: dfmischler on April 03, 2016, 11:10:52 pmI love the Panavise Jr too. For board soldering, it's great.The third hands are awesome for cables, connectors and other odd-shaped items and as a third hand for the Panavise.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2016, 12:11:26 am
content: Quote from: dfmischler on April 03, 2016, 11:10:52 pmIf you go with a DIY route using the CNC segmented coolant line, you'll have much better results IME.

author: Samogon
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2016, 08:21:46 pm
content: Hakko omnivise especially two of them pretty versatile.

author: blacksheeplogic
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2016, 09:28:33 pm
content: Quote from: Samogon on April 17, 2016, 08:21:46 pmI have four of these, with the top 'jaw' removed I use them under the board for support as well. I like them but they can be a bit of a pain to use if you need to reposition the board on the bench.

author: Samogon
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2016, 09:35:43 pm
content: They are ok for small boards, if you use four i assume it is rather big. For this case it is cumbersome to move and impossible to incline, fo that purpose panavase fits better.