Panavise/Helping Hands Tools:  Yeah or Nay? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: JoeN
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2016, 08:05:35 pm
content: From the what I bought today thread:Quote from: German_EE on April 24, 2016, 07:10:52 pmTwo tools I have never seemed to find a need for have been Helping Hands and Panavise. Through hole components, I just bend the leads and flip it over and solder the back side. If the board is so small it moves around, a small piece of tape solves that problem. SMT components never seem to be a problem to do, just lie the board flat on the mat and solder them on. Of course, my mat is ESD and burn proof. I find that Panavise, the way it raises the board up several inches, doesn't feel right for me anyway. I'd rather have it on the same plane that the bottom of my wrists rest. That feels the most natural. For Helping Hands, I just don't seem to very often have too few fingers and if I do, a small piece of tape fixes it right up.I see Lady Ada and other using Panavise in some of her videos to build her kits. I can build anything I have seen her build without using one and without having any construction problems.That being said, I bought one of each of these about 4 years ago based on everyone recommending them. Never used them except once to find out I didn't really like it.Anyone feel the same way, or is the acclaim for these two tools just completely universal? Do I have mad skillz that I can get away without using them?The most important tool ever IMHO is a good ring desk magnifier/lamp, 2.5x. And a Hakko iron, chisel tip.

author: Farley
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2016, 08:30:47 pm
content: For populating boards I've found that using the Panavise type fixtures more troublesome than simply laying the board on the workbench. However, they can be handy for holding boards during troubleshooting or adjustments.I use the helping hands type fixtures with the two alligator clips for holding wires during tinning or to hold a pot/switch or other control while attaching wires.

author: mmagin
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2016, 08:45:42 pm
content: I've come around to "both":http://www.hobbycreek.com/shop/panahandThat said, if I'm assembling a SMD board, I just do it all lying flat on the workbench. Easier for me to solder tiny stuff that way.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2016, 01:41:43 am
content: I use both DIY helping hands made of CNC segmented coolant hose as well as Panavise. I probably use my Panavise differently than most however, as I bring it down until the arms and/or board touches the table. Sometimes I just lay the 315 head on the table*. Much more ergonomic for me that way. Then I can solder or trouble shoot.I also have a tweezers + base tool that's handy from time to time.For SMD, I just lay the board flat on the bench, and go. If there's parts on both sides, it may have to go into one of the Panavise heads (this is where I lay the 315 flat).*Some wood blocks under the arms come into play to stabilize it.Not exactly helping hands, but I use stainless steel sauce cups for placing screws and other small parts in (they're cheap too;example). Might also be able to find them in a dollar store.

author: JoeN
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2016, 01:49:54 am
content: Quote from: nanofrog on April 25, 2016, 01:41:43 amHmm, they use something like that at a restaurant I go to to serve super small creme brulees. Take as many as you wish, though...I should buy some of those. Would be nice for certain surface mount parts. One for NPN, other for PNP.

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2016, 01:55:09 am
content: Years ago I bought aModel 324in a super bargain at Radio Shack and use it thoroughly for solder jobs. I tend to use it in similar ways as described by nanofrog.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2016, 01:55:42 am
content: Quote from: JoeN on April 25, 2016, 01:49:54 amMost I've seen are plastic though (bakelite/melamine?).Have some of these too I've not used. Maybe it's time to put those to work.Quote from: JoeN on April 25, 2016, 01:49:54 amAnd if your bench top has an ESD mat on it or is ESD compliant as-is, they'll be ESD safe so long as they're sitting on it.

author: nowlan
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2016, 03:03:30 am
content: My friends like the stick vise, but it may be more useful for SMT than THT.

author: boffin
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 25, 2016, 05:01:33 am
content: I have three things, that I use in different waysa small bench vice (3" jaws). I've had it for 40 years (since I was a teenager waiting for the next issue of ETI). It's great for holding larger physical thingsaPanavise 333 PCB Holderwhich is great for larger boards. Got it as part of an auction lot many many years agoa set of cheap radio shack helping hands; which I've had for 30 years, and never used until a couple of years ago when I glued some no-slip mat to the base of it. Now it actually stays put, it's next to useless without this mod.I could probably replace all three with a good panavise with a swivel head, but I've got them and they've all been put to use.

author: Cubdriver
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 25, 2016, 07:39:46 am
content: I have an old Dytex wide opening vise that I use (very similar to a Panavise 396 head). I prefer the Dytex to the Panavise because I find the base, which is like a photography ball head that locks with a lever on the side rather than the klunky "screw that clamps a post while locking pivoting hemispheres and expanding something to stop rotation in the base" arrangement that Panavise uses. Don't get me wrong, Panavise makes good stuff, it's just that I find the base locking mechanism that they use to be a bit Rube Goldberg-ish and a nuisance if you're frequently repositioning the vise as I often am when working or taking photos.-Pat

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2016, 09:00:57 am
content: Quote from: Cubdriver on April 25, 2016, 07:39:46 amComparatively speaking, the Panavise is clunkier to use. Shame Dytex went under, as the only units that still use that particular style of joint is theSpanfixxline from Bernstein. Unfortunately, they're very expensive and hard to get in the US (have to import from the UK/EU).So Panavise tends to win out here due to cost and availability.

author: Kohanbash
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2016, 02:41:29 pm
content: I like the panavise for getting the board a little bit higher off from the workbench. I also sometimes like thehttp://www.newark.com/panavise/358/wire-manager/dp/90B6738?CMP=KNC-GUSA-GEN-SHOPPING-NEW-PANAVISE&ad=81515567661&gclid=CjwKEAjwgPe4BRCB66GG8PO69QkSJAC4EhHhtNC-MNzrf1KCfNkJ3YzKfVcMVIE6HUBF9GFZA2PcahoCkAHw_wcBfor supporting wires when there are a lot of them.Also I like thehttps://www.panavise.com/index.html?pageID=1&page=full&--eqskudatarq=13better than the circle bases. I feel the circle bases get in the way.

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2016, 03:04:15 pm
content: I'm stuck in the middle on this. I like using the vise, but don't like it in the middle of my workspace. Which means no permanent mounting. Which means getting it out and setting it up to use. Which means it doesn't get used except for large jobs.

author: boffin
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 25, 2016, 03:58:04 pm
content: Quote from: Kohanbash on April 25, 2016, 02:41:29 pmI have the same base on my PCB holding jig. You can make it even better by hotgluing some non-slip mat to the bottom of it. It's rock solid on my word desktop now.

author: ECEdesign
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2016, 04:50:40 pm
content: I use a cheap pair of helping hands I find them really useful for soldering I used to stack vicegrip plyers before I got a 3rd hand. This thing from Adafruit looks really nice. They also have one that you can put a panavice in the middle of and the metal base keeps it from moving around.https://www.adafruit.com/products/2474

author: Iwanushka
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2016, 05:33:33 pm
content: Check this onehttp://www.evita.lt/en/i-zd11e-laikiklis-montazinems-plokstems-zd-11ethey ship worldwideAlso:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stanley-183069-Multi-Angle-Hobby/dp/B001HBS0I0

author: German_EE
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2016, 07:51:48 pm
content: The helping hands device was not purchased for PCB assembly, for that I just lay the board on the anti-static mat and go for it. So far it's been used to hold a Thinkpad power connector whilst it was re-soldered, a beaded bracelet that needed super glue on the knot to stop it undoing and a set of test leads whilst new (different sized) plugs were soldered to the ends. In all three cases the work piece used to scoot around the workbench or I got glue all over my fingers before I got this useful device.Note: Because of an injury I have limited use of my right hand, it's difficult now to grip some small diameter items. The helping hands device makes things A LOT easier.