Helping Hands

[davent]

For holding those forgotten/missed low level components or even the whole board- BluTack, jam a chunk over the compenent flip  the board solder and remove the BluTack.

http://www.blutack.com/

dave

[CodeMonk]

Blue tak looks like a great idea.

Although the part about the wires, I use this:
(The other piece is for holding pots)



With this I can have it hold all the wires at once regardless of their location on a PCB.
Just a few scraps of wood, a spring, and a few nails, and some wood glue.
I originally made it to hold wires for tinning.
If you look closely, you can see that I also bent the spring to different widths to accommodate doing patch/instrument cables as well.  
I can even clamp in onto the DIY PCB holder I posted before.

But I think Blue tak is gonna have to go on one of my next few shopping outings.

[karbomusic]

One has to be aware because if you overheated the blutack will stick to the component. Obviously one is overheating when it happens but just calling it out for awareness. I have pretty much lost most needs for it and foam etc. because I always work from low to high altitude which pretty much solved the problem except when there are repairs of mistakes. These days I simply lay it flat on the table which gives me pressure to keep the component in perfect position. I have a panavise but it is for stuff like soldering pots, unsoldering and so on.

[davent]

Like that spring for holding wires.

Holder for soldering to a single pot or jack..

[CodeMonk]

I have several holes in that other piece of wood.
For pots, stomp switches, toggle switches, 1/4 inch jacks, etc.

I'm a real whore for building jigs.
If its something I might have use for more than once, or precision is critical, I will likely make a jig for it.

Not to whine, but lack of money for "proper" professional jigs, made making my own a necessity.
And how often do you run across an affordable jig than does everything you need it to do?
Plus I always seem to have shitloads of scrap wood around.

[bluebunny]

Holder for soldering to a single pot or jack..

That'll go down well with the missus.  My "workshop" is the kitchen counter.   

[Jdansti]

Holder for soldering to a single pot or jack..

That'll go down well with the missus.  My "workshop" is the kitchen counter.   

Just use one of her cutting boards. 

[bluebunny]

Just use one of her cutting boards. 

I'll let you explain that one, John.   

[Kipper4]

Nor exactly helping hands but very handy