Magnetic Helping Hands Soldering Station for PCB Repair

[Size: Clamp with Base, Size: Clamp with Base]
This helpful hands has magnets on the back so they can be adjusted in different orientations. They stay well in place - the magnets are strong enough so that the grippers stay sturdy in place for wires or forHolding parts that are getting glued. They have rubber tips to help with the grip and the grip pressure isn’t like the jaws of a crocodile. They hold well and are easy to open.The base is a sturdy weight with a steel blue look. It’s easy to spot and under the base is a foam protector so that it doesn’t scratch my desk when I bring it in my office for small projects.It’s easy to assemble and because the arms are magnetic, it’s easy to stash away in a drawer.

[Size: Clamp with Base]
This magnetic soldering station got here a couple days ago and immediately earned a permanent spot on my workbench. the heavy steel base plate keeps the whole rig planted firmly even when I am bending thick copper wires around. I used the flexible magnetic arms to hold a stubborn circuit board and they stayed exactly where I positioned them without drooping. the alligator clips have nice rubber covers so they do not scratch up delicate components while gripping them tight. i left it sitting out covered in flux splatter and solder drips but the powder coating cleans off easily. the arms are a bit stiff out of the box but they break in nicely. absolutely essential tool for small electronics.

[Size: Clamp with Base, Size: Clamp with Base]
When you are working on a project involving soldering, it is essential to be able to keep the work from moving and consistently maintain the contact of the soldering iron tip, as otherwise you will encounter all sorts of difficulties. Ever since I first experimented with electronics and soldering years ago, the traditional alligator clip and wing nut joint style “Helping Hands” has been the tool that one would use to keep wires or components in place while soldering or desoldering. They are indeed handy, but with some shortcomings. Even with the nuts on the joints tightened, the arms on one of these models may still have some play, and eventually you will find that you strip one of the bots through repeatedly overtightening the wing nuts in your attempt to lock everything down. The gripping hands are alligator clips. While they provide strong clamping ability, they can also bite into and damage delicate wires or other objects.I was intrigued when I first saw this new design for a “helping hands” setup. Having used it, I am quite impressed by the fact that this really is a significant reinvention.This station consists of a smooth, square metal baseplate, treated with what almost looks like an anodized blue coating, and two small stands with an overall form something like pillars or plinths with a pair of spring-loaded jaws on the sides, and rare-earth magnets on the bottom and back. All of these elements are very well engineered. The stands make use of the magnets to anchor themselves to the base solidly. Once you out them in place, they are not going to move unless they are nudged with a good deal of force. The jaws are equipped with good strong springs, and are opened by means of a large cylindrical button on the top, which means that one can use the heel of your hand to open them rather than pinching a tiny set of alligator clip ends. The mouth parts of the jaws are covered in a heavy rubbery material that is very heat resistant (I actually touched the end of a hot soldering iron to one, just to test it!) and also avoids marring or gouging any delicate surfaces that they are holding.I found that this setup did a far better job than the older Helping Hands for keeping everything perfectly steady in the exact position that I needed. Compared to chasing a loose ‘hand’ this was a very welcome improvement. I was also pleased to discover that when I would have an occasional ‘bird poop’ of stray solder land on the base, this was easily dislodged with a non-metallic object like a popsicle stick. I can see that there is minor scratching that happens as I move or adjust the stands, so I will not expect that the base remains pristine, but the surface is not suffering serious distress. All of the components feel quite durable, so I expect this setup to last for a good while.For anyone who uses soldering tools on a regular basis, this is a great piece of equipment that can greatly improve your overall experience. I am quite happy with this setup, and absolutely recommend it.