Thoughts on this magnifying FT glass & clips contraption for building coils?

[vangroover]

I'm wondering if anyone here might have used/uses something like this to help build coils...

I'm thinking it could be used to hold a drill bit in place while wrapping wire around it. Overkill?

https://www.fasttech.com/products/1418006

 

[The Ocelot]

I don't know the quality of fasttech products, but I have used similar devices for years for all kinds of applications.

 

[vangroover]

I don't know the quality of Fasttech products, but I have used similar devices for years for all kinds of applications.

Including building coils, I guess?

 

[Mike Sheda]

Amazon.com: SE MZ101B Helping Hands with Magnifying Glass: Home Improvement

cheaper, and free shipping with Prime

 

[State O' Flux]

Yeah, overkill. It's easier and faster (for me at least) to hold in one hand, and wrap with the other.

 

[InTheShade]

Amazon.com: SE MZ101B Helping Hands with Magnifying Glass: Home Improvement

cheaper, and free shipping with Prime

I love Amazon more than I love fasttech - and I love fasttech a lot.

I agree, might be overkill. I can see why the magnifying glass may be useful, but building coils is really not as difficult as it may look at first sight - I don't think those crocodile clips will get much use.

Saying that, $6.05 from Amazon is an awesome deal.

 

[petee314]

That thing defines the word "contraption", and I for one would like to welcome our new fasttech Contraption overlords. That would be great to scare children, or in the waiting room at the dentist

 

[State O' Flux]

That thing defines the word "contraption", and I for one would like to welcome our new fasttech Contraption overlords. That would be great to scare children, or in the waiting room at the dentist

I've had one for... 20 years or so - great for a farsighted person when soldering free wire, not so great for much else.

 

[vangroover]

I've had one for... 20 years or so - great for a farsighted person when soldering free wire, not so great for much else.

Hmmm... okay, I don't think this will be going in my shopping cart.

You kids just saved me $10 - thanks!

 

[State O' Flux]

Hmmm... okay, I don't think this will be going in my shopping cart.

You kids just saved me $10 - thanks!

Sure... you can send me a fiver as a reward. ;-)

Like I said a few posts earlier, one hand to hold, one to wrap... hell, I only need glasses to make sure my coils are spaced correctly.

 

[vangroover]

Sure... you can send me a fiver as a reward. ;-)

Like I said a few posts earlier, one hand to hold, one to wrap... hell, I only need glasses to make sure my coils are spaced correctly.

Yea, I was kind of hoping it might make wrapping micro-coils a little easier. I guess simple practice will make that easier...

 

[petee314]

I actually use a headset that I picked up cheap at harbor freight, comes in handy looking at coils. That and tweezers for grabbing a needle and stray kanthal. I look like a near sighted mad scientist, I'm convinced my neighbors think that I am "up to something". If you picture it working for you, it probably will. It does look a little like a torture device for ants, though

 

[State O' Flux]

I look like a near sighted mad scientist, I'm convinced my neighbors think that I am "up to something".

 

[Leithan]

Iv tried something like that before, I got mine from American science and surplus. The clips don't hold the mandrel or what ever it is your raping your coils on tight enough. I just lock a 1/16 drill bit in a pair of large forceps, hold them between my knees and wrap. If I left any gaps, then I squeeze the gaps out with the forceps and heat the coil to a cherry red then quench it in water. No gaps. Rebuilding coils for the killer and Diver is about the only time I really wish I had magnification. Those holes in the bottom of the ceramic cup are tiny and hard as hell to see. If you have never been to this site, you should check it out. All kinds of random, and the item descriptions are great, worth reading just for the laugh American Science & Surplus : Items Just Off the Truck

 

[Princessdee]

Hubby rebuilds our coils.
I got tired of hearing "hold this, just like that, right here. Hold it still, please."
So I got him one (the one from amazon)
So now I'm free to go do the dishes. REALLY shouldda thought that through

 

[SissySpike]

Helping hand with lit Magnifying glass a gift from a friend who watched me cuss and complain how am I supposed to be able to work with something as thick as hair! making some coils once, and a flea market 50cent repossessed cell phone windshield mount for a atty stand I drilled a 7/32 hole and threaded in a 510 to ego adapter.

 

[the_vape_nerd]

I may get this just to weird out my wife and friends...they always going on about "what in the world are you doing..." when they see me building coils or making juice

i dont need this thing but i might want it for shock value alone

 

[glasseye]

HF has them for 6.99 with a light. http://www.harborfreight.com/jumbo-helping-hands-with-led-lights-65779.html
I've had the plain kind for years, it might be time to upgrade.