Tool Third hand recommendation?

[Tom O]

I had the one from Princess Auto it lasted about a month before my Son took it to his house so his wife could do beading.

 

[Susquatch]

I had the one from Princess Auto it lasted about a month before my Son took it to his house so his wife could do beading.

I wish I could figure out why they make fun of me for using stuff like that but it ends up at their house...... The more they laugh at me the more likely it ends up at their place.

 

[Tom O]

That’s it you almost have to cringe when he helps a friend and says my Dad has one i‘ve considered a trip wire to stop things walking off although it doesn’t happen too often now. ( Oh and Hi neighbour! )

 

[CWret]

OK, I ordered it. I'll post back here with my perceptions - especially the magnifying glass and board clamp.

I seldom do soldering - but when i do i need all the help i can get.
So no hurry to order one but I’m about to defend my PhD on it.
Will wait to see your evaluation Susq.

 

[PeterT]

I've done a lot of soldering on RC stuff ranging from bigger gauge motor/ESC to the smaller airborne RX stuff. Personally I have never found a good use for those third hand gizmo's, although it may be an operator error. It takes some time to get everything orientated & even so its kind of suspended in mid air (or to the weak rigidity of the links). Sometimes the clamp strength on alligators can be excessive on the wire sheath. Sometimes the metal itself conducts heat away which may or may not affect soldering.

So my method is primitive but effective. Kapton tape & any kind of heat tolerant surface (glass plate or even certain grades of laminate are fine). I just tape the components or wiring down, usually with a single piece laterally so the joints are orientated. It takes like 2 seconds & end result is completely hands off because I usually need one hand for iron & the other for solder. The tape is meant for this kind of temp & the adhesive does not soften or leave a residue. The surface acts as a 'base' there is nowhere for the components to drift to during soldering once tacked down with tape. I could scare up some pictures from the vault but hopefully this provides food for thought.

 

[Susquatch]

I could scare up some pictures from the vault but hopefully this provides food for thought.

I'd appreciate that if you did. I can use all the tips and tricks there are to help with my age related challenges.

I am hoping that the posts in the kit will serve to help physically stabilize and firmly position parts for subsequent soldering. I agree with you that this is half the problem.