Magnetic Helping Hands Set for PCB and Electronics

Intro: Magnetic Helping Hands Set for PCB and Electronics

This type of magnetic helping(third) hand is extremely versatile and easily upgradable. It's really easy to add new clamps, posts, magnifying glass, led lamp or anything you need to it. My build contains only essentials, as i already have lighting, fume extractor and magnifyng glass.

This build is in two parts. Firstly e’ll build easiest set with functionality in mind, later on I'll modify it to match my other tools style using oak, some paint etc.

STEP 1: Main Components

Electrical Crocodile Clamps - aliexpress
Brass standoff spacers - aliexpress
10x6 mm Circular Disc Neodymium Magnets - aliexpress
10x10x4 mm hole Neodymium Magnets - got mine from aliexpress fot 27 cents per magnet
Flat Head Knurled Thumb Screws - aliexpress

List of components from local hardware shop:
M10 cap nuts
m3 bolts
m3 washers
m4 nuts and bolts
10x16cm steel bracket
solid core wire

STEP 2: "Type A" - PCB Holder

Simple, but very useful PCB holder. Just screw together next components:
M3 bolt + Magnet + Spacer + Washer + Thumb Screw = 1 holder :)

It's good to have 4 of them to hold any PCB steady.

STEP 3: "Type B" - Holder for BCB's With Mounting Holes

Another useful holder is just sharpened M3 bolt screwed to the magnet. M4 is good choice because most of the pcb's have hole smaller than that.

STEP 4:

As an upgrade you can add extra sleeve or tube to the bottom of the screw. I used some random tube i found in my junk box, it can be old pen, straw or anything. Just cut to length and glue to the bolt. Quick and easy to mount PCB for soldering, not as stable as type a, but stable enough.

STEP 5: Helping Hands

Drill couple of holes into the cap nuts for the wire.

STEP 6:

Loop wire through holes and twist it to shape.

STEP 7:

Attach electrical crocodile clamps to the other end of the wire.

STEP 8:

Quick sanding before the gluing will help the glue to adhere. Glue the magnet into a nut. (in my case i had to drill hole a little bit larger for the magnet to fit).

STEP 9: Optional

Add heatshrink tube to alligator clips to make it softer. I added heatshrink to the wire as well to make it look sleeker.

STEP 10: Helping Hand Set Is Complete!

STEP 11: Optional

You can always make your tools look nice. Here is example how with some more work it matches my power supply design much better.

Comments

[snorlaxprime]

Great idea, simple and effective!

[porchet.59510]

Nice project! A good improvement would be to add magnets to those screws containers.

[Ilocans]

Hi,

I loved your idea but I did not have all the parts, so I made my own 3d printed version :)

[inspiredStudio]

Wow:) Really cool!!!

[alpastpapers]

Very useful Idea and Design thanks for Sharing here :)

[hewittm1]

I definitely want to make this. Great design - the small parts holders at the end are genius! What did you use to cover the baseplate?

[inspiredStudio]

Cutout from random a4 binding covers. In reality i liked it better without the cover, maybe at some point I'll remove it.

[trendaten]

It looks very beautiful, but show us your power supply

[inspiredStudio]

Power supply is also homemade, but i have no instructions of it. it's actually temporary and i have new 2 channel larger vintage looking supply in progress.

[trendaten]

I will wait for video :)

[inspiredStudio]

I'am little bit hesitant :) becauseEnglish is not my first language, though i speak it freely, among other 4. Currently i'am experimenting and learning recording and video editing on simple projects, later on there will be more interesting and unique ones.

[trendaten]

Always you can record without speaking and give us subtitles. I watching without voice all videos and subtitles are great way to understand hiden parts

[RobertC2]

Well done! Looks just as sturdy, and definitely much cheaper, than the commercially available tool! I found the angled drilling into the domed nut a bit excessive just to thread the wire into... I would likely have opted for a straight hole and epoxied the wire from the inside. Although, I can see how the part where the wire twists might be strengthening/ stiffening the wire a bit... Oh, ok, ...nevermind. ;-]

[inspiredStudio]

For example, i even did'nt had any spare m10 domed nuts, so i borrowed couple from my workout pullup bar from the wall :D

[inspiredStudio]

Tnx! I've had many ideas after complete'ing this one :) As i glued in the magnet inside and that makes replace'ing or fixing the wire later difficult. Later i thought that single hole with m3/m4 thread inside would be better, then you can attach stuff to it with bolts. There are many solutions, these where the bit's i had at the moment and ideas with them.

[charlessenf-gm]

Brilliant!

To make pointy ends on bolts, spin a couple nuts on to the head end, then chuck the bolt into the (portable) drill and use the drill to spin the bolt as you hold it against the spinning grinder wheel.

[inspiredStudio]

Thanks, good idea. I'm learning as I go :) I've been software developer more than 30 years and only now found the joy of building physical things by myself.

[Kulotan]

Great ideas! The magnets make this better than anything I've seen before.

[goroberts56.]

Magnetic based clips! That is such a good idea!!! I will definitely be replacing the sorry third hand I have with this method. Take a victory lap!

[Diez66]

I am going to have to make it.
I was about to order something like this but no need now.
Really nice idea and project.
I will update you when done.
It may not loot as nice as yours!!!