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I often solder things to other things -- well we all do, I suppose, but sometimes these things need a bit of pressure to stay together while being soldered, and the traditional third hand, which holds your work while you hold the soldering iron and solder, doesn't do that very well. I remembered a few years ago when I took a flame-working class at the Crucible, learning how to work with molten glass. In that technique, the torch was fixed (pointing away from me) and I used both hands to hold the glass rods I was working on. I realized I wanted a fixed soldering iron, and to be able to use both hands to hold the work.
Turns out it was trivially easy to make a soldering iron holder out of a couple pieces of scrap wood, some screws, and a "spring grip" -- one of those spring grabby things you can push a broom handle into to hold it in place against a wall. Tools: saw, screwdriver, drill.
Turns out it was trivially easy to make a soldering iron holder out of a couple pieces of scrap wood, some screws, and a "spring grip" -- one of those spring grabby things you can push a broom handle into to hold it in place against a wall. Tools: saw, screwdriver, drill.
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Signing UpStep 1Cut the wood
You need one piece of wood in a triangle shape. I also wanted a base, so I could clamp the holder to the table, but you could bolt it down permanently if you prefer. I used a bit of 2x4 and some 1/4" plywood scrap.
You do want to assemble the finished tool so it holds your soldering iron at a good working angle, but doesn't obstruct the cord of it. I found that 45 degrees was too much, and used an angle closer to 30 degrees. The base only needs to be big enough to screw the triangle to it, and have some stick out for the clamp to attach to.
You do want to assemble the finished tool so it holds your soldering iron at a good working angle, but doesn't obstruct the cord of it. I found that 45 degrees was too much, and used an angle closer to 30 degrees. The base only needs to be big enough to screw the triangle to it, and have some stick out for the clamp to attach to.
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![Yet another third-hand soldering aid. [with built-in fume extractor]](http://img.instructables.com/files/deriv/FHJ/ADDJ/G9HKED1D/FHJADDJG9HKED1D.SQUARE.jpg)
1) It is extremely easy to burn yourself. You have around 6 inches of 500-700 degree hot metal exposed in such a way that it's easy to drag your hand or arm across it when reaching for something or not paying attention.
2) If your rig gets knocked over accidentally, there is no barrier between the iron and whatever lies beneath it. It's a major fire hazard. Your soldering iron should be kept in the stand (like this: http://www.cooperhandtools.com/brands/CF_Files/model_detail.cfm?upc=037103161093) whenever it isn't being held in your hand.
If you are having issues soldering, you should use a third hand (like this: http://www.amazon.com/Helping-Third-Magnifier-Magnifying-Glass/dp/B0015YJV7S).
in this case there is a small change that will limit any risk of fire to 0, will be added on the upper side of a base Dimess identical to that of the foot on the oblique face , preferably aluminium, with the clamp , if the base falls to the side, the soldering iron has very little chance of igniting anything because it may bow to one side or the other but will go no touching surface !!
There is also the bench clock that supportte of very high temperature, since it is used for brazing , I am designer models reduced, and I use it without any worries.
J-M
1. If you use a soldering iron for more than 10 seconds, you know it is hot. If you don't, chances are you will burn yourself at least once, and then you will learn to be more careful. Learning is the point of life.
2. If your rig gets knocked over accidentally, you will most likely be the cause of it and you will quickly right it so that you won't damage your table. You won't stare at it as it begins to char and/or melt whatever surface it is on for the 10 seconds or so that it would require for the iron to do any signifigant damage.
If you are having issues knowing when a reasonable amount of care has been taken care of to know that this project is as safe as it can be while still working with tools, please realize that you are trying to help but you are coming across as a little bit of an annoying know-it-all throwing around degrees that nobody can verify or claims that mean nothing on the Internet where nobody has to prove anything.
Thanks for the cautionary words - you really can't rate safety too highly. If people don't want to listen and are willing to deal with any adverse consequences, that's fine, but it's good for people to hear an adage like "bring the tool to the part."
As a professional glassblower for many years, I certainly did my share of unsafe things because time or other pressing needs dictated. And sometimes from ignorance or sheer stubbornness or because I felt like it. Just as a cautionary tale, I had my share of adverse consequences from taking these risks, fairly severe electrocution being the worst among them. But you gotta do what you gotta do. And sometimes you learn not to do it. Hopefully being still alive and whole on the other side of that lesson! ;-D
Also, hopefully nobody here will be among the percentage of those who start fires or end up in the ER. We all know how much it sucks to spend time in ER, and you really don't want a fire, not even a little one, in your house. And if you have kids, or old folk, or pets - anyone who can't easily evacuate a burning structure or could be harmed by smoke inhalation - then please think harder before taking risks.
I do not have the above referenced holder, I'd like to get one, but never remember to order one when I'm getting parts from DigiKey or Jameco. Right now my irons simply get rested on the bench, sometimes with a random nearby heavyish object holding the cord down so it does not roll off the bench or have the tip drop down onto the bench.
This is a wonderful, quick, inexpensive DIY solution that will be a whole lot safer than what I'm doing now.
When my next brilliant idea earns my fortune, I will invest in a solder station complete with fume extractor, till then, a dollar broom clip will do nicely.
Lazy Glen
Cool and simple idea.
If I find a suitable clamp i'll post an -ible (which will be my first). Meanwhile, does anyone know of an adjustable clamp (say 5/8" - 1 3/4") and where to get one? I'll be most grateful to save shoe leather, though looking through hardware and suchlike stores is never a waste of time, even if you walk out empty-handed.
Lazy Glen
Good luck in your search and let us know how it comes out
Dan
I'll put this up as an Instructable shortly.
This is why I love posting things here, they are immediately improved on. I'm adding a pic and comment to this Instructable. Thanks!
I've done some flame work and glass blowing myself. So when I read your description I immediately knew what you were talking about. I already modified and fixed up my prototype (from the picture). I'm keeping the tool on my work bench to see how often and when it will come in handy.
When I'm finished playing with the design, I'll put up an Instructables myself.
Best!
"this is the INVISIBLE 4th hand holding the clip. I can't make an -ible on that one... can't you SEE!"
great -ible
But... JIovine is right... it's better the other way round!!!
but what the hey, who care if you grab the wrong end!!!
:0) oh dear... my sick little joke slipped in there...
anyway... I'm making one too!
TWO IDEAS: The 'HAND' should be FIXED as in Screwed or bolted down and remember vibration loosens both unless you want to solder That.
YES the dangers mentioned DO exist BUT my idea is that the tool USE SURFACE / END should NOT point Down toward a surface But instead be installed near the EDGE of the surface so that you stand in OPEN SPACE with room to 'jump back or away' if anything goes wrong. AND Every time you use this (am going to make one and Bolt it to my steel work bench for my dremel and mini grinder and maybe another that will hold my heavy Right Angle grinder when using the chain saw blade) CHECK THE TOOL IS SECURE AND WON'T SLIP IF JARRED, just because it was OK Last time doesn't mean it will be Next time.
Just my thoughs...and as someone who was an RN I keep a first aid kit AND cell phone close at hand when working. So far thanks to a good leather apron & Respirator with face shield no major problems! Pattianne
it doesn’t seem possible that no one has marketed something like this because i would have seen it years ago and bought one in an instant.
it’s just not something i would have ever thought i needed until i saw it exist.
and now i will certainly have to make one before i can possibly use my soldering iron again.
thanks for sharing.
While this would reduce the chances of getting burnt, it would also prevent any possibility of solder running down to the handle. One could even make a small grove on the wood to accommodate the cable. Just a thought.
I would think that a bulldog clip would also do fine for the holder.
The reason "heat rises" is because substances expand when they get hot. Because they expand, they get lighter per unit volume than the cooler substance around them. Because they are "lighter', they float upwards in a fluid. In a gas or a liquid (both fluids), particles are allowed to move freely, which means the heat can rise. In a solid, the particles don't move around, meaning the heat stays put.
Something like this would be infinitely better, and could possibly save me from a Darwin Award Honourable Mention :P
If you have a work be ch with hole for clamp stops, instead of a flat base you could drill the mount for a dowel pin on the bottom. That way you cloud you could slip the dowel into the hole in your bench.
EXCELLENT TOOL project.
There should be a contest......
especially the floating picture, looks awesome xD
Where did you buy the spring clip? I'm having trouble finding one...