Reddit reviews Hobby Creek Helping Hands Third Hand Pana Hand Soldering Tool
We found 4 Reddit comments about Hobby Creek Helping Hands Third Hand Pana Hand Soldering Tool. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
PanaVise Integration - Attaches with 3 screws - Ultimate WorkstationSNAPLINE Adjustable Arms - Four 15" Arms - 3D positioning - 20 independent jointsTunable Arm Technology - Stiff (1lb per arm 10lb total) or Super Precise (Lubrication included)Interchangeable Alligator Clips - 360 Degree Rotation - Clear Silicone CoversHeavy Duty Powder Coated Base Plate - Cast Aluminum - Anti Slip Rubber Bottom
I have one of those little 2 arm stiff things from harbor freight and it just sucks. And I couldn't bring myself to buy the likes of this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AX1VO2I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_xvUszbQJWW83M
I am so trying this... Thanks for the idea and the link OP!!
Do you have a "third hand" to help you with that? I've seen people use a bit of tape on a block of foam to hold small stuff in place for a bit while soldering. I have one of these but I wouldn't recommend it unless you plan to do a lot more of this.
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The other major thing I see /most/ folks new to soldering struggle with is just a good iron and a clean tip. You really want a high watt iron that can dump enough heat into your solder to cleanly heat up the components you're soldering to and have the solder wick nicely over them (flux can help with that wicking action).
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I general you should be heating up the bigger heat sink (in this case the board) rather than the wire, then just bringing the solder down to lightly touch it.
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Lastly lead free solder can just be a little bit trickier to work with and requires higher temperatures.
It doesn't solve all your problems, but I use a magnifying lamp for working on my minis. It means I don't have to get so close. (Though I still always end up with nose smudges on the magnifier!)
Also, using things like makeshift stands or third hands help lift your mini from the table while still not being so high you have to raise and tire your arms.
(Note, there are much cheaper versions of both those items, those were just great examples, don't loose faith over money.)
Got it on Amazon, https://smile.amazon.com/Hobby-Creek-Helping-Hands-Soldering/dp/B01AX1VO2I/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1518638502&sr=8-7&keywords=helping+hands+vise+mount that kind goes over my panavise.