panavise 333? vs ball joint - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2023, 08:58:25 am
content: Has anyone had the experience of using both a panavise 333 (fixed indexing angles) vs one of the adjustable ball vise PCB holders?I restored a nice panavise ball joint base with the nicer flange (old), so I have the option of getting the PCB holder that installs in it, or buying the 333 that has a mounting pole + a 4 angle index.I feel like when you are dealing with bullshit like bent leads and glued on parts, the ball joint can get in the way because its not very stable compared to a fix index thing, i expect to be prying, yanking, scraping, chiseling (glue) on PCB. But with the fixed angle index you can't get the perfect angle.is the 333 good enough, or does the lack of infinite adjustment get in the way? I am leaning towards the 333. Like when you need to bust off frozen goo, or wrestle with capacitor silastic, stuck screw on a heat sink, old heat compound, drill rivet, unbend thick leads, undo a crimped thing, scrape coating, glued part, cut a trace, machine a slot, repair burns etc... (and I am sure there are more lol) I feel like the ball joint is going to troll me in these situations, as nice as it looks. I am guessing that its fine for assembly, and not so great at repair, salvage and disassembly.

author: alm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2023, 10:14:23 pm
content: I have an older version ofmodel 315on top of a regular ballhead base. For small PCBs it's fine. For large PCB that are near the max it can hold, the leverage can be too much for the base (might not be such a problem if you screw it down), so what I usually do is have one edge of the PCB resting on the bench while two other edges are held by the vise.

author: Arts
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2023, 10:44:16 pm
content: I use an ancient Technical Devices Co. pcb holder that is kinda-sorta similar to the Panavise 333. It has the fixed index arrangement like the 333, and I have never found it to be a problem. In fact, I find it a plus for rapidly changing the operating position. I do need to clamp it to the bench for rougher work though; keep in mind, it's a pcb holder, not an engine standI already have the Panavise ball joint base (300) on the large flange (312) base with a bunch of other vise heads, so I considered buying the Model 315 board holder as an "add-on". After playing with one at the local distributor's, I realized that it's not as quick and flexible to work with as my old Technical Devices critter, so no sale. My recommendation would be the Panavise 333.Here's an interweb pic of the Technical Devices holder;

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2023, 02:38:39 am
content: Yeah I was thinking about that one too but what mechanism does it use to secure the boards. Do you just push em in and tighten the screws? It seems like its never gonna achieve a good hold. it confuses me. their cheaper too. the panavise has some kinda spring loaded segment that pushes the board into the way

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2023, 02:52:07 am
content: ohhh... is that whole right arm spring loaded?and how does the wider X base compare to the consolidated base of the modern ones? I had concerns that it might be easy to crack if you drop it.But... might it be more stable and harder to tip? I figure it has roughly the same mass, but its spread out.

author: jonpaul
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2023, 06:40:22 am
content: Coppercone: Bonjour,Over the decades we accumulated ~10 different original Panavises at ham radio fleas, silent key estates, local garage sales.~ $5..15 ea. (1980s...2000s)Types:Ball joint,2..3 axis pan head (like a camera tripod head)I had no detent types you mention.large and small sizeVise Rubber and plastic jaw linersPCB board holder jawsRound disc baseForked baseJaws and bases are interchangeable on some models.We use all of them according to the job, parts size/shape.So, am away from the lab at moment, no photos but in December.I think that old vintage Panavise are the best construction and design vs the competitors.Bon ChanceJon

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2023, 07:09:43 am
content: yes the panavise I bought was older but it has a solid disk flange not the 3-protrusion flange. it took about 6 hours of work to restore (grind the poor mold flash, deburr the zinc stuff, paint strip, clean (ultrasonic), repaint (aluminum primer, gap filler primer and aluminum paint + epoxy black paint, bake, grease (ptfe teflon grease) and rust remover - gun blue+deoxit/motor oil the steel bits) to save 15$ on a new one but I feel like its more robust