Helping hands tip

[philbinator1]

Just something small I though to share that I only just thought of yesterday.

If you're tired of your helping hands 'teeth' tearing up your pcb's, put some heat shrink over the
teeth, apply heat and viola!  No more scratched traces.  Or add 2 layers for extra protection. 

Haha.     

[jacobyjd]

Slightly OT, but do you know a good web vendor I could go to for these? I've been meaning to pick one up, but they've evaded my searches...

[philbinator1]

I got mine from Jaycar, the best quality helping hands I've come across and a good price too (NZ$16, or US$6.50).
I think they are also known as Electus or some such.  I found this for you at the .com site (should be more relevant
to you than .co.nz)   

http://www.jaycar.com/productView.asp?ID=TH1983&keywords=pcb+holder&form=KEYWORD

Although mine has a different base, more of a "square dish" - very handy for putting a wheel of solder into, or cast-offs
from the solder sucker.  I hot-glue mine to my desk, keeps it nice and stable.   

[jacobyjd]

Excellent! Thanks!

I expected shipping to be outrageous, but I can't argue with $7.50US

[therecordingart]

Slightly OT, but do you know a good web vendor I could go to for these? I've been meaning to pick one up, but they've evaded my searches...

http://www.harborfreight.com/helping-hands-319.html