adam79
Tele-Meister
What a good third hand tool? I had to return the one I bought; it was a cheap piece of....
Thanks ,
Adam
Thanks ,
Adam
Third Hand Tool recommendation
- Thread starter adam79
- Start date
eallen
Friend of Leo's
What do you mean by hand tool? Screw driver, crescent wrench, file, chisel...?
@eallen - a "third hand" tool is one of those little clip holders, usually with a magnifier, like this:
And yes, they all seem to have drawbacks. I'd like a more industrial-grade version as well.
And yes, they all seem to have drawbacks. I'd like a more industrial-grade version as well.
Aldus Bunbury
TDPRI Member
I don’t have a photo of it, but the best one (most useful to me) is called something like Quadhands. If you search it, I’m pretty sure it will come up on Amazon. It’s essentially four clips on some relatively stiff articulated arms mounted on a pretty wide and stable base. It’s not perfect, but it’s better than anything else I’ve found.
As always, your mileage may vary.
As always, your mileage may vary.
I'll take photos of the two I have in the morning. If I forget PM me. They are great.
The one in post #3 is what people having been using for decades. I still have one from about 1980. They only cost a few bucks, do a simple job well, and get used everyday. The several that I own don't have the magnifier (I suspect I threw them out) - if you need a magnifier then a bench-mounted illuminator/magnifier extendable arm, or visor-style ones, are much better. A small portable benchtop vise is also useful.
The octopus ones are expensive nonsense IMHO. I suspect you'd be laughed out of most electronics workshops if you turned up with one of those.
The octopus ones are expensive nonsense IMHO. I suspect you'd be laughed out of most electronics workshops if you turned up with one of those.
JIMMY JAZZMAN
Tele-Afflicted
Medical lab supply house will have any 3rd hand contraptions you'll ever need. Check general lab supply houses, as well.
I have two and still hardly use them.
what drives me nuts is the alligator clamps can't grip the shaft of a 1/4" jack properly.
my small portable proxxon benchtop vise does most of the jobs.
I wish I could recommend one over the other. The basic one I have rarely gets used and its kind of a pain, but it does work as advertised.
Instead of using that I tend to hold things in place with heavy objects on my bench and sometimes vise-grips laid flat, heat sinks as clamps, etc.
Instead of using that I tend to hold things in place with heavy objects on my bench and sometimes vise-grips laid flat, heat sinks as clamps, etc.
kuch
Friend of Leo's
this has worked for me
Kotto
It's a metal base with magnets on the arms
Kotto
It's a metal base with magnets on the arms
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Ok I'll bite - why don't we like the flexible holders? I have the old school style magnifier stand and I'd love better articulation.
adam79
Tele-Meister
adam79
Tele-Meister
I went with this...
Steve Holt
Friend of Leo's
No idea. I have one like the stewmac contraption and the arms are pretty stiff and flex to where you need them and stay. I got it on Amazon for a fraction of the stewmac one and I barely use it. It's in the drawer though when I need it.
Usually my third hand is just me shouting for my wife to come hold a pair of pliers in place for just a second. That does the trick, but you may get different results.
ahiddentableau
Tele-Afflicted
If you're doing electronics work I like a panavise. It's small enough to be convenient, large and heavy enough to be sturdy, and the design makes it easy to change the angle and position of whatever you're working on. Kind of pricey, but I think it's one of those "buy once, cry once" sort of deals. As for why people don't like the old school design, IME it comes down to this: it's not robust enough to provide a solid base for careful work. I found the relative lack of balance a source of major frustration. Add in the fact that the little clips are too fragile to keep things where I need them to be and it's a hard pass for me. I've never tried the more expensive octopus-like contraptions like the one sold by StewMac, so I've got no opinion there.
Fendereedo
Doctor of Teleocity
Yep, works for me too.
ahiddentableau
Tele-Afflicted
I've never seen that one before. You've piqued my interest. Where'd you find it? Got a link?
