Solder Station Piece Holder - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / repair

author: Fried Chicken
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 22, 2024, 02:14:31 am
content: Soldering stations are discussedad nauseum. JBC, Weller, Hakko, Chinesium, USB-C pens, etc.Frankly I can solder with anything, including the basic radioshack soldering pen you plugged into the wall and waited.Except for some reason I've never thought to invest in a solder station piece/tip holder/third hand.Something akin to this thing:https://www.amazon.com/Soldering-Magnetic-Waterproof-Electronics-N-4AR-7r/dp/B0BTSYR1D7I thinkthatis where the money is better spent, but the problem is everything I see looks like the next chinesium.I checked tequipment to see if they might have something more high end/nice and all I found was more solder stations.I really want a nice one and/or recommendations before I punch a wall or something next time I try to solder two wires togetherI found Tequipment has some here:https://www.tequipment.net/soldering-equipment/pcb-supports-and-holders/

author: shabaz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 22, 2024, 03:23:32 am
content: There are quite a few threads on this.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/a-3rd-hand-that-actually-works!/https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/pcbite-is-a-brilliant-oscilloscope-probe-holder/https://www.eevblog.com/forum/beginners/panavise-300-series-vise-thoughts/There are various mobile phone PCB holders too.There was a thread about using low-profile tool vises to hold down PCBs too, but I can't locate it.For PCB holding during soldering, I usually use that last option (low-cost aluminium tool vise, available from places like Amazon, for $10-$20) if the board fits it. And it is very fast to flip the board when needed, when using a tool vise, since the board is only lightly clamped, it can lifted out and flipped in a second or two.Yet another option is to use Blu-Tack (repositionable putty). Works well to secure a PCB to a surface, or to secure a part temporarily while soldering.

author: abeyer
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 22, 2024, 06:06:53 am
content: I'd also add this one to the list of higher quality options:https://omnifixo.com/

author: armandine2
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 22, 2024, 11:08:44 am
content: ..just been watching polymatt? - he has a sensible approach and reasonable kit - might be worth a watchhttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/other-blog-specific/polymatt-a-channel-i-just-discovered/

author: watchmaker
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 22, 2024, 12:11:40 pm
content: I want things held rigidly (mostly). The articulated holders, especially with the fluid lock balls, move around too much and the post and joint ones with the alligator flips require constant tightening. (Those third hands w/ the Magnifier are the horrible)I use the AliExpress (AE) board holder which rotates; buy a longer piece of AL channel to make it longer if needed. I often lay it down, so the board is close to the bench so I can support my hands. The question in watchmaking is "Are you Superman?"; Reply "Huh?"; response:"Why are you trying to do it in the air?" (IOW, support your hands and arms).I also use a $3 AE mini vise (the gray one) which is crap out of the bag, but great if you have a mill to cut a channel into the closed jaws which gives you a reliable surface for holding the small boards.I also use naked alligator clips when soldering on my Si mat (cut from the large mat which I find to be a PITA).

author: Fried Chicken
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 22, 2024, 02:02:25 pm
content: What about for soldering two cable ends together?Those quadhands look really nice. Also the PCBite as an all-in-one buy-once-cry-once option sine it looks like it will additionally do probing, but it doesn't look like it passes the "solder two wires together" test

author: watchmaker
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 22, 2024, 02:41:41 pm
content: two alligator clips on the pad. maybe weight to hold wires flat

author: abeyer
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 22, 2024, 07:22:26 pm
content: Quote from: Fried Chicken on November 22, 2024, 02:02:25 pmTwo of the spring loaded "jack" style board holders from pcbite work fine for wire too.

author: Fried Chicken
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2024, 04:23:31 am
content: Quote from: abeyer on November 22, 2024, 07:22:26 pmWhy they don't include alligator clips is beyond me

author: scottapotamas
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2024, 08:30:28 am
content: I've got a PCBite and don't find the height comfortable for hand-soldering. Quickly swapping parts out with hot air during debugging is fine though.I keep my StickVise on my desk and have been putting it through daily hell for years. Can't recommend it enough (for my preferences).