Helping Hands

[BanjoMan]

I saw this posted elsewhere (I think it was nicowolf), but Harbor Freight has a nice (and cheap!) set of helping hands designed to make working with small parts easier. I just got mine today and it is surprisingly well-made for $3.99.

I picked up an extra soldering iron and a cheap voltage meter to help cover the shipping. If you haven't seen their site it's worth a look. Shipping took about a week.

 

[Keegan1014]

I have the jumbo one it has a led light and very helpfull

 

[MastiffMike]

I also have the jumbo one with LED light and magnifier. It rocks!

 

[hoogie76]

I love mine(from harbor freight also) but need to upgrade to a bigger magnifier. These little regulators are killing my eyeballs. Love to get a lighted one next.

 

[dreams n chains]

I saw this posted elsewhere (I think it was nicowolf), but Harbor Freight has a nice (and cheap!) set of helping hands designed to make working with small parts easier. I just got mine today and it is surprisingly well-made for $3.99.

I picked up an extra soldering iron and a cheap voltage meter to help cover the shipping. If you haven't seen their site it's worth a look. Shipping took about a week.

Thanks BanjoMan! I've been looking for those for the past week without luck (except way too expensive) ...... I forgot about Harbor Freight.

 

[MastiffMike]

I love mine(from harbor freight also) but need to upgrade to a bigger magnifier. These little regulators are killing my eyeballs. Love to get a lighted one next.

Lighted rocks b/c my hands and iron normally cast shadows on the critical areas but the built-in led seems to not get blocked as easily.

I agree with a bigger magnifier. Mine's the 2-1/2" (maybe called 3"?) version and I wish I'd gone for the 4". However, even the 4" would be less than ideal. Maybe those magnifying glass thingies (that look like the top of a welders mask - I think jewelers use em?) would be the best bet? Anyone use one of em?

While I'm asking ?s - Anyone ever try this stuff:
Wire Glue

It's wire glue?!?!

 

[dreams n chains]

(snip)

Maybe those magnifying glass thingies (that look like the top of a welders mask - I think jewelers use em?) would be the best bet? Anyone use one of em?

(snip)

Actually, crazyhorse, over in the modders section has mentioned that is what he uses....... and the man definitely knows what he's doing.

 

[hoogie76]

maybe a monocular like whitey has in me,myself and irene

 

[BanjoMan]

Can anyone provide a link to the bigger/lighted models? I'd like to check them out.

Thanks

 

[hoogie76]

just some ideas:

Amazon.com:

 

[BanjoMan]

There's a few lighted helping hands in this bunch: Amazon

 

[MastiffMike]

Here's the one I have:
Super Quality Lighted Helping Hands-The Electronic Goldmine

It has a 2-1/2" magnifier and I wish it had the 4"

 

[four2109]

Maybe those magnifying glass thingies (that look like the top of a welders mask - I think jewelers use em?) would be the best bet? Anyone use one of em?

harbor freight has them, pretty cheap. I bought a pair after watching my vet use them to get a tiny tick off my dog. I use them all the time. The magnifier on the helping hands never seems to be where I want it and I don't have a free hand to move it.
Gotta check out the wire glue... Thanks!

 

[5cardstud]

Great I'm going to go and pick one up tomorrow at the HF store. Thanks.