PCB Holder

[joelorigo]

How many of you use a PCB holder. I've managed to get by without one but I've seen for a while how useful it would be. Is this one OK?

Amazon.com

 

[fig]

How many of you use a PCB holder. I've managed to get by without one but I've seen for a while how useful it would be. Is this one OK?

Amazon.com

I have one just like that and use it sometimes when I’m testing the pedal (so it doesn’t lay on top of pliers, pin droppings and all manner of shorting possibilities), or as a solder jig for some parts. I don’t use it for most components as I just use a flat piece of card stock after putting all resistors and diodes through and hold it against the component side and lay on the bench for soldering.

It’s good for soldering wires and other off-board bits as well. Not perfect, but that’d be plain boring.

 

[ICTRock]

I use one ... I also solder my resistors from the top side so the vise is handy for that

 

[MichaelW]

I use one ... I also solder my resistors from the top side so the vise is handy for that

You do? That's interesting. I've done it when replacing a resistor "in the box" but never thought about soldering from the top as a regular practice.....now you got me thinking.......

 

[Mcknib]

I use it for big pcbs and when debugging big builds with lotsa components

Its easy to turn the pcb over when you can't get your probe on a cap etc

If I'm honest I don't use it that much initially I did then it sat on a window sill for months

It is useful though especially if like me you load up 10 resistors at a time

I've currently got a DC Echo on it

 

[mdc]

I use one all the time.
One of those and a couple of balls of blue tack make most workholding situations pretty easy.

 

[SillyOctpuss]

I just use a big blob of blu tack

 

[Robert]

I bought one of those holders years ago but it seemed to be more of a hassle.

I just work directly on the bench, one layer at a time. (Resistors/Diodes > Sockets > Film/Ceramic Caps > Electrolytics > Hardware)

 

[Big Monk]

I have one thanks to some of the great folks here but honestly I typically use the bendable alligator clip arms more than the dedicated PCB vise part.

It's more flexible in my opinion. With that said, I do use it for some components, it's just that the "grips" often block your access to the sides of the PCB when soldering stuff so I moved away from it rather quickly.

If I was recommending a setup for someone I'd say that they make a heavy stand out of flat steel and grab a number of magnetic, opposable alligator clips.

 

[Bricksnbeatles]

I use one occasionally— especially for desoldering since it gives me access to both sides at once. I have that exact one actually. I didn’t have much issues with it being too light, but I popped the end cap off and filled it with a bit of sand anyway to make it extra secure. If you really want it to have some heft, toss a few lead fishing weights in along with the sand.

 

[Robert]

Mine rusted to the point of being unusable pretty quickly.... but this was many years ago when my workbench was kicked out of the house into an exterior laundry room (and long before having a dedicated work area, so humidity was probably a factor.

I've considered getting another one, it might be helpful when tracing...

 

[SYLV9ST9R]

For myself, wish I'd gotten one earlier.
Everybody has a different build regimen, but not having a bench (nor the space for one), it helps me to raise my "working area", and as fig said, it clears all the clutter of whatever surface I'm using (top of the dryer presently...).
I pair it with blue tack or masking tape to secure looser stuff, and I find it secure enough.

 

[fig]

This thing has marketing mojo! People who don’t own a soldering iron have one on their coffee table.

 

[MichaelW]

I started with one of the holders like the one you linked but found myself fighting with it more than not. Maybe because I got a cheap one. It kept spinning on me and the jaws always got in the way of the components on most PCB's. I broke down and got one of the larger "Helping Hands" type and love it. Much more versatile.

 

[Feral Feline]

Sometimes yes, sometimes no.

I'd like to try a Dr Octopus style one, but I'm cheap frugal and the octo-arms are expensive.

 

[MichaelW]

Nothing wrong with being fiscally responsible. If had been more so in my earlier years I'd be retired. Or....I would have been happy with the 2 pedals I owned.....or the 2 guitars.....or the 2 fly rods.....or, or, or..........

 

[steviejr92]

Nothing wrong with being fiscally responsible. If had been more so in my earlier years I'd be retired. Or....I would have been happy with the 2 pedals I owned.....or the 2 guitars.....or the 2 fly rods.....or, or, or.........

Isn’t this the story of my life…


I just use a pcb holder from stew Mac and some blue tack and I’m good to go! I also have one of the helping hands from harbor freight it comes in handy when you need solder wire to switches or jacks.

 

[Big Monk]

I started with one of the holders like the one you linked but found myself fighting with it more than not. Maybe because I got a cheap one. It kept spinning on me and the jaws always got in the way of the components on most PCB's. I broke down and got one of the larger "Helping Hands" type and love it. Much more versatile.

View attachment 31146

You want this. Add an light in the same style as the arms and you are good to go.

Much easier to move around and solder on the fly.

 

[DGWVI]

I've used the clamping types in the past, but don't really care for them. Just kinda bulky and only really only do one thing.
I've been using a Quad Hands for a few years, and would definitely recommend it for it's maneuverability and versatility

 

[jimilee]

I use my helping hands for that, just to get it up higher, my poor back is about shot after doing this a long time now.