Genetically mutated 3rd hand for soldering

The whole construction

The whole construction

Working on my 3D printer gave me the idea to make this over the top 3rd hand solder and repair “thing” The aluminum profiles in my junk box begged me to use them for something. They are the bigger brother from the once used in my printer.

I wanted a solution for several ” problems” ;
– supporting temporary things like a ventilator
– something to solid mount a magnifier (illuminated)
– a better soldersmoke sucker.
– something to hold parts while soldering.
– the same for complete pcbs
– many points to mount or fixate things, like a probe, a strain-relieve for leads or carry a spool with solder.
– carry a meter, component tracker or other small instrument above where you need it so you do not need long leads.
– all the things I now forget.

It had to be easy to use or remove, super stable and easy expandable or changeable.  This are industry standard profiles that can be bought in many shapes and sizes. It is a sort of Meccano for engineers. I have a little box next to my desk with some bolts/nuts, clamps, strips etc usable on the profiles.

This are two microphone goosenecks. I can mount them every where I want and they can not tip over. Also bending one does not move the other. On the picture the way they looked when I made them . I now changed the mounting bracket to a “push and turn”  mounting per goosneck for the frame.

A Helping hand

A Helping hand

The magnifier is mounted on a construction that can be moved easy in every direction. The vertical part can slide up and down and move from right to left. The magnifier self can turn in almost every angle. The two hinges in the horizontal part  makes it possible to move it every where you want in the horizontal plane.  Removing or mounting parts is just a one bolt job.

magnifier

magnifier and fan

This is a part I made to carry pcbs or instruments I must repair so I can turn them around. This is not finished. The support rubbers will get a “in-between” mount to make them adjustable and lockable.  But they can be used for other things too

holding the PCB close up

holding the PCB close up

. The profile is the same so I can mount all accessories  to them increasing the flexibility.

Holding a pcb

Holding a pcb

This is a tray made in first place to carry a component tester near the scope. But I can carry a multimeter or LCR meter too.

component tracker in front of the scope it is connected to

component tracker in front of the scope it is connected to

Multimeter tray

Multimeter tray

Here I mounted a fan to cool a powersupply that I was testing (not the pcb under it on the picture, that is just to demonstrate the set up)

soldersmoke sucker

soldersmoke sucker

This is a funnel taped to the hose of a vacuum cleaner. The motor from the 700mA minifan and electronics from the speedcontrol

The fan, speedcontrol and adjustable mounting

The fan, speedcontrol and adjustable mounting

A 3D printed “nozzle” for the solder smoke sucker.

3D printed

3D printed

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