Soldering Assistant

by foxxtrotalpha

25K29956

Intro: Soldering Assistant

NEW!: I have added the adjustable base, so whether you're fine soldering on surface parallel to your bench top, or you prefer to have your board at an angle, this can accommodate your needs! stay tuned, fume extra will be done soon!


The soldering assistant is a project idea I had to have my soldering supplies conveniently in one spot. The Solder spool holder is close to the work area to have a read supply of solder to feed directly from the spool. The soldering assistant also features and adjustable vise to hold your projects securely as you assemble them. Just behind the work area is a parts bin, to put your resistors, capacitors, IC's tweezers or other supplies. Side "fins" make it possible to make custom add-ons that can just snap into place.  The only part that isn't printable through a 3d printer is the center threaded rod that moves the base, this is a 1/4" threaded rod that can be purchased at any local hardware store. 2 hex nuts are also required, one that fits into the moving side of the platform, and one on the stationary side. This is an entry for the "Make it real Challenge" contest. If you like the design, please vote, Thanks.

**UPDATE**
The angled platform can be added as an accessory, or use the Soldering assistant without this accessory as shown in the gallery pictures. The adjustable platform pivots on a pin at the front of the base. At the rear of the base is a "C" shaped channel that also pivots, and there is a T-shaped cylinder the rides the inside of this channel. To adjust the height, the user would simply have to tilt the platform forward, lining up the position holes on the C channel, then insert the pin through the C channel and into the T cylinder. There is one on each side of the platform for stability. No more hunching over to work on your PCB's! This allows you to work in a more comfortable position. Special thanks to those who commented and suggested an angled platform!

56 Comments

underground carpenter 11 years ago

This looks like a very helpful little device. Unfortunately, you have limited its fabrication to those who use 3-D printers and specialized software. For the rest of us Old School makers, PDF drawings of the parts would be useful. Or, if you don't mind, I can create the Old School Instructible for building it, since I'm going to have to build it that way, anyways.

foxxtrotalpha 11 years ago

If you would like to create an old school instructable based of this design, you are welcome to do so. This was actually designed for the make it real contest, which is why it is specifically for 3d printers, but having another method of fabrication would be nice for those who would like to make one but don't have access to a 3d printer. I look forward to seeing your instructable.

-Franky

wez416 8 years ago

i love this, but i'm having some serious scale issues. Could i print the "SA_w_adjustable_STL.STL" as it is? I am trying to load the individual pieces into cura but like I said I'm not sure how to scale them since they come in either way too big or tiny

foxxtrotalpha 7 years ago

this was modeled in an older version of 3ds max, which had some scaling issues. if it comes in too small, scaling up by 10 should do the trick

xxxCHICAGOxxx 10 years ago

im making a portable one with some added features but unfortunately im not making an instructables on it

bricabracwizard 11 years ago

Very clean and neat! I made one which is not as professional as yours but has the added feature of holding all the components in place on the board: Easy PCB holder

Rockman_64 12 years ago

The stl export tied all the parts together. I would love to have all the individual parts files (in stl, please) as I don't have a way to break it down. Thanks, Rocky

Rockman_64 11 years ago

Thank you! Now, when I can get access to a 3d printer, I can make this. I don't know how I get by without it.

foxxtrotalpha 12 years ago

Hi, thanks for your interest. I will upload individual pieces later today. Ill message you when I do.

Mr. Boo 11 years ago

Are you going to attached separate STL files for each part? This assembly is too large for my 3D printer.

foxxtrotalpha 11 years ago

Individual stl files are now uploaded, in a zipped folder. Some pieces say "qty2", meaning 2 prints of the piece are required.

foxxtrotalpha 11 years ago

Update: I am making some revisions to the design after seeing a few things that needed to be changed. This week is finals week , so the separate STL files will be uploaded sometime this week when the chaos has settled. A video will also be included on the update. Thanks.

SIRJAMES09 12 years ago

this is awesome!!! I can't wait to start making mine....8)

TY for sharing Sir.

emotec 12 years ago

JUST SOME RANDOM THOUGHTS:
 1. REPLACE THE TREADED ROD WITH AN IRWIN SQUEEZE CLAMP AND ATTACH THE FRONT AND REAR VISE FACES TO IT FOR ONE HAND CLAMPING.
 2. MOUNT AN UNUSED 12 VOLT COMPUTER FAN TO DRAW FUMES AWAY FROM WORK AREA TOWARD THE BACK( NOT FULL FUME EXTRACTION, BUT GETS THEM OUT OF YOUR FACE!)
 3. ATTACH THE CLAMP TO A BASE WITH AN ARCHED CURVING SLOT AND A HINGE TO ALLOW TILTING TOWARD THE FRONT AND LOCKING IT IN PLACE WITH A BOLT WITH A KNOB AND A T-NUT.
 4. ATTACHING SOME LARGE (5 OR 10 MM) LEDS TO STIFF ,HEAVY COPPER WIRES TO CREATE FLEXIBLE LIGHTING FOR TOUGH TO SEE AREAS.
 5. USING SAME METHOD FOR ATTACHING A COUPLE OF ALLIGATOR CLIPS(HOMEMADE HELPING HANDS.
 6. MAKING AN EXTENSION MOUNTING A HOT AIR GUN WITH CONCENTRATOR TIPS FOR SMD REWORKING AND SOLDER RE FLOW JOBS.
 7. MOUNT A GOOD MAGNIFIYER LENS TO A FLEXABLE ARM FOR CLOSE-UP WORK AND READING SMALL PRINT ON COMPONET PARTS ,  FOLLOWING CURCUIT TRACES ON PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARDS, USING ABOVE MENTIONED LEDS TO BACK LIGHT BOARDS FOR LESS GLARE FROM PADS ON PROJECT BOARDS,
AND FOR TRACEING DOUBLE SIDED PCB'S TO TROUBLESHOOT PROBLEMS.

  ANY OR ALL OF THESE MOD'S WILL JUST ENHANCE USABLITY OF YOUR IDEA, AND ADD TO THE LEVEL OF CUSTOMIZATION FOR INDVIDUAL NEEDS. BY THE WAY, CONCEPT IS VERY USER FRIENDLY AND DEFINITLY A MUCH NEEDED PROJECT FOR ANY HOME ELECTRONICS HOBBIST- NICE GOING!!

 EMOTEC IN TEXAS

foxxtrotalpha 12 years ago

Emotec, Thanks for the suggestions!

For the input on the case fan, I actually have a design started that is using a 80mm case fan, with a removable cartridge that holds filters specifically made for fume extractors, so the filter can be replaced when needed.

Led suggestion sounds good. Initially thought about mounting the led's to the fume extractor but didn't work out the way I planned.

I love the idea for the hot air. I can't believe I didn't think of that! especially since I just acquired a hot air gun. Ive seen the hot air holders that help keep the nozzle at a set distance from the board. Ill probably make this an addition.

My ultimate goal is to have an all in one type system for the electronic hobbyist. Input from everyone has really helped. Thanks
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