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third hand tool?

post #1 of 16
1/19/09 at 3:30pm
Thread Starter 
where do you get those third hand supports? I dont know what they are called, so i cant find them. you know what I'm talking about? very helpful when soldering because it holds something steady. Please throw me a link or a recommendation. My lady is sick of helping me.
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post #2 of 16
1/19/09 at 3:41pm
If you mean the ones with 2 alligator clips and a magnifying glass, they're called helping hands. Radio Shack sells them if you need one right away. If not they're cheaper online.

Kronus™ Helping Hands - RadioShack.com

Harbor Freight Tools
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post #3 of 16
1/19/09 at 3:42pm
There are links to a couple of what you're looking for - which is called a "third hand" - (and all kinds of other neat goodies) on this page.
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post #4 of 16
1/19/09 at 3:43pm
are you talking about this?Magnifier Magnifying Glass with Soldering Stand,Jewelers Loupe, Hand Free Magnifier
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post #5 of 16
1/19/09 at 4:06pm
Thread Starter 
yes to all the above. that is exactly what I'm looking for. I'd be using it for making/fixing cables and other diy stuff. much thanks!!!
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post #6 of 16
1/19/09 at 4:13pm
You might also want to consider Panavise products. I've used them for years and have been very happy with them.
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post #7 of 16
1/19/09 at 5:22pm
Uncle Erik, this reminds me. Check your PM!
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post #8 of 16
3/6/09 at 4:52pm
I'm thinking about building one of these DIY Third Hand system but before I begin, I wonder if anyone have already built one and have any opinion about it. thanks.

zk
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post #9 of 16
3/6/09 at 6:46pm
I think that by the time you buy all the parts, you've spent a little less money than for a low end Panavise.
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post #10 of 16
3/6/09 at 7:19pm
The radio shack one is decent, and its got the soldering iron stand which some of them don't have which is nice. For $15 its pretty good, and by the time you buy an $8 one off ebay you are spending $10 to ship it. If you plan on doing this a lot look into something more sophisticated or make one yourself. The ratshacks only real downside is there is no lock on the connection of the arms to the stand so when I try to push down on a joint they sometimes move and it messes me up.
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post #11 of 16
3/7/09 at 12:17am
I you're in an area with a Harbor Freight "brick-and-mortar" store, they have fairly nice ones real cheap.
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post #12 of 16
3/7/09 at 2:30am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Keithpgdrb View Post
where do you get those third hand supports? I dont know what they are called, so i cant find them. you know what I'm talking about? very helpful when soldering because it holds something steady. Please throw me a link or a recommendation. My lady is sick of helping me.
I know, i know....................lady's hand!! haha!!
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post #13 of 16
3/14/09 at 2:04am

Need a third, fourth, fifth... maybe a sixth hand?

Quote:
Originally Posted by scompton View Post
I think that by the time you buy all the parts, you've spent a little less money than for a low end Panavise.
I had planned on ordering a low end panavise, but that's just way too easy

In the spirit of DIY, I was really inpired by this featured project on Instructables. I already have the shop and tools to build it completely without investing additional $ (except for the loc-line parts) so I ordered these modular parts and have just finished building it in prep for my next couple of pcb projects.

The difference with the original and mine is I mounted the arms on "tracks". The arms can be removed easily from the tracks if they're not needed. They can simply slide from side-to-side and can be molded/bent in any configuration (flip, rotate, etc.). The nozzles can accept all types of contraptions you want to attach to the nozzles such as a small fan, extra alligator clips, LEDs, small clamp, etc.

I must say that this multi-use tool works really well.









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post #14 of 16
3/14/09 at 2:58am
Wow! Those look very handy! haha Very nice work!
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post #15 of 16
3/14/09 at 2:59am
^

Great job.

Where did you buy the parts and how much were they. What sort of track is that.

I can only find the loc-line brand in Australia and they are quite expensive.
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