Helping Hands tool

New and improved, deluxe version of the Helping Hands tool. I got tired, very quickly, of the cheapo version of the Helping Hands tool I use for doing soldering with with tiny parts and delicate wires. So I made some parts to give me more better control and allow for fine adjustments.

 This is the original working part of the Helping Hands tool.

It was awkward to set in position and it started rusting up within months. I kept the tool out in the garage where I have created my shop or "man cave" area.

 

The only part of the original Helping Hands tool that I've kept is the cast iron base. And even that I ended up dong a little maching to suit my needs. The rest are parts I ordered online, material I machined or parts from old sink drain controls.

 

I made an axial cut in the ends of the rods. Then I pressed the back of the clips into the cut and fixed them in place with some epoxy. Note shown in these images, but I've covered the two parts of the clip jaws with heat shrink tubing. That prevents the "teeth" from biting into the insulation of delicate wires. 

 

Plus! Since this is the Deluxe version, I made a second set of slightly larger clips for the tool. Now I can hold a couple of small parts together in a specific orientation  while they are being glued together.

 Overall, I'm totally pleased with how this project came together. Now I can use it to assist in making more projects. Which will, no doubt, lead to even more projects. The fun just never ends with everyday being a Saturday.