Locking hemostats

[RnB180]

I just picked up one of these today and I dont know how I couldve used the gripping tweezers for so long, these are awesome for diy cabling!

 

[headchange4u]

I've been using hemostats for a while, just not for DIY cabling. All of mine have a mysterious black stain on the end.

 

[beamrider]

Been using locking hemo's for quite a while now, and I must say they're one of the cooler tools I use. Many things would be lots more difficult without them......

And headchange, you're supposed to lick off that stain, you don't want it to build up too much..........

 

[beerguy0]

Quote:

Originally Posted by headchange4u I've been using hemostats for a while, just not for DIY cabling. All of mine have a mysterious black stain on the end.

It's solder flux. No really, it is!

 

[RnB180]

what black stain? what else do you use it for?

 

[MisterX]

Quote:

what black stain? what else do you use it for?

Stoners use them for clips so they don't burn their fingers.
Fishermen use them to remove their hooks from the fishies.

And yes, I also find them to be one of the most handy tools in my toolbox.
(they work great for desoldering stuff like resistors from circuit boards)

I just hope you bought some good ones because the ones they sell at Radio Shack suck.

 

[RnB180]

got them from parts express, they work fine so far,

I also needed to upgrade my clippers and wire stipper as they have become dull,

so I just went to frys and got a hakko stripper and excelite clippers, yes I know excelite sucks but the erems were $40. I wasnt going to buy a pair of clippers for $40.

 

[headchange4u]

I have a bunch of these that I bought from a local military surplus store for like $.50 each. Most are really nice quality. They are different lengths and I even got a couple of sets with Y-shaped ends, like they use in body peircing. I use my hemostats for just about everything and just recently started using them as wire clamps in my DIY endevors. They are great.

Something you might try, RnB, is to take a Dremel and notch the jaws of the clamp. That way it will grip the wire without crushing or deforming it. I did this to a couple of set I have and it's worked out well.

 

[Edwood]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RnB180 got them from parts express, they work fine so far, I also needed to upgrade my clippers and wire stipper as they have become dull, so I just went to frys and got a hakko stripper and excelite clippers, yes I know excelite sucks but the erems were $40. I wasnt going to buy a pair of clippers for $40.

I've gone through soooo many Xcelite's, that I ended up buying an Erem.

-Ed

 

[JMT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RnB180 yes I know excelite sucks but the erems were $40. I wasnt going to buy a pair of clippers for $40.

They are well worth the price if you use them a lot. Mine are just as sharp now as they were when I bought them a couple of years ago. And I do use mine quite a bit.

 

[RnB180]

It took me about 6-7 months before I wore out the fiskars.

these xcelite look better built but indeed dont feel very sharp,when I clip the trimmings I have to use a bit of force,

If these die out, I will just buy the erems.

they were $40 at frys, is that the going price?

 

[Voodoochile]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMT Mine are just as sharp now as they were when I bought them a couple of years ago. And I do use mine quite a bit.

Really? Doing what???

I'm surprised you have not been the first to wear out a pair of Erems!

 

[MN Ham Phones]

My favorite use is as a heatsink when soldering components.
Next favorite is unsoldering. Clamp a leg, apply heat, shake, and watch component drop.