best electronics soldering vise

[geronimotwo]

i've been finding myself involved with a few projects that would benefit from the use of an extra hand.  i was thinking about getting one of those small vises with the arms that have alligator clips on them for soldering multi pin connectors.  any thoughts on what works?

[Nick1911]

I have one of those, but it doesn't work very well - it topples easy.  I've yet to find a good work holding solution for working on printed circuit boards.

[Azrael256]

The "proper" answer is an electronics vise.  Panavise makes one that's decent.

The "third hand" things are ok, but only for relatively small tasks.  If you're working on a PCB that's more than about 4x4, it may be unstable.

[RocketMan]

Second the Panavise.  I've had an expandable PCB vise of theirs for years.  They make several different styles for a variety of purposes.  A bit pricey, but worth it in the long run.

[geronimotwo]

I have one of those, but it doesn't work very well - it topples easy.  I've yet to find a good work holding solution for working on printed circuit boards.

this would be mostly for soldering wire to connectors.  clamp the connector in the vise, and use the clip to hold the wire, thus leaving my hands for solder and iron. it will need a screw down, or clamp down base.

The "proper" answer is an electronics vise.  Panavise makes one that's decent.

The "third hand" things are ok, but only for relatively small tasks.  If you're working on a PCB that's more than about 4x4, it may be unstable.

the panavise looks like it may work.  are there any other options?

[Azrael256]

this would be mostly for soldering wire to connectors.  clamp the connector in the vise, and use the clip to hold the wire, thus leaving my hands for solder and iron. it will need a screw down, or clamp down base.

the panavise looks like it may work.  are there any other options?

For soldering on connectors... I dunno, the $3 third hand might actually be ok.  The panavise is the only one I know of.  And it is pricey.  I worked for a company that made dive computers that had some of the snazzy ones that were $250.  I think a good one for simpler tasks and hobby use is pushing $100.  But it is *the* tool for that.

[RevDisk]

I have one of those, but it doesn't work very well - it topples easy.  I've yet to find a good work holding solution for working on printed circuit boards.

I have a Panavice, as others recommended. It can be bolted down. You could zip tie down the arm thingies if it was that problematic.

Adafruit has a good selection of tools. Not the cheapest, but each is carefully vetted for quality.

[Cliffh]

I've got a Panavise bolted to a piece of 12" x 12" x 3/4" steel.  It pretty much stays where I put it.

I've also modified one of the "octopus" style holders.  Took the arms off.  Cut a plastic 1 qt motor oil container in half.  Put some lead in the bottom of the bottom half of the container for weight.  Filled the bottom half of the container with plaster of paris, stuck the arms in and braced them in place while the plaster set.  I also added a couple of arms made from 12ga bare copper wire with alligator clips soldered to the end.  It too stays where I put it.  

ETA:  I bent a circle and a couple of random bends in the wire arms before putting them in the plaster.  This keeps them from rotating in and/or pulling out of the plaster.

[geronimotwo]

well i'm waiting for my new to me panavise to arrive.  i found one on ebay with the cast iron base for under $50 shipped.  thanks for the input, it looks to exactly what i need.

[AZRedhawk44]

What would you guys recommend as an inexpensive solution to solder up an Arduino shield (about 2" by 2")?

[CNYCacher]

Radio Shack recently had Panavises on unmarked clearance for $19.99. They were still marked at $49.99, but rang up $19.99. I snagged one along wuith a bunch of arduino stuff that was on clearance. I think the clearance is over, but it might be worth it to price-check one at RS