Helping Hands Soldering, NEWACALOX Third Hand Soldering Tool PCB Holder Magnetic Flexible Metal Arms Soldering Iron Holder Steel Weighted Base Crafts Jewelry Hobby Workshop

I wasn't expecting this to be so well made. The base plate is heavy; it's a solid piece of steel, 4.2mm, 1237g (over 2 pounds). This makes for a very stable platform. It's got a thick (powder coated?) paint that ought to stand up to some abuse. The set includes some thick rubber feet - they're adhesive, so it's optional. The flexible arms have the right amount of rigidity so they'll stay in place yet reposition easily and without any springiness. The magnets on each arm are very strong. For example, using 2 arms, I can lift the 1237g (>2 pound) base plate (see pic). Also, the magnetic bases all have a rubbery film to prevent scratching. At the end of each arm there's a thumbscrew to change the angle of the alligator clips without having to twist the base. The soldering iron holder is equally sturdy and the magnet on it can almost lift the whole plate on its own. The little board holding posts can be used either to place on top of the pins (making it easier to flip) or sandwiched between the rubber posts (to keep it stable and isolated). I shopped around a lot (perhaps excessively) when looking for a set of helping hands and, based on the price, I was expecting the typical low-grade consumer commodity stuff we frequently see coming from overseas. It was a pleasant surprise to get something well made and from a merchant who really backs up their products.

As many others have said, much better that one would expect given the low cost. Very sturdy, good quality, and even an extra alligator if one is lost or damaged.Some people complained about the alligator "tail" getting crushed/bent when tightening the thumb screw to hold it. There's a super easy fix: find a skewer of the right diameter, stick it into the tail with a tiny bit of glue< and cut it flush with the tail end. Voila', uncrushable tail that allows you to use a lot more force to hold it in place.The second easy tweak is to unscrew the brass pointy top, and replace it with a M4 nylon screw (or even better, if you find it, a thumbscrew) and one or 2 3/8" rubber gaskets. That way even awkwardly shaped board can be securely held in place, fully insulated. Even if there are SMD components very near the edge, the rubber gaskets won't damage anything. When needed, the brass points can be re-inserted (NOTE: the brass points are, for some reason, glued in place, but with a quick jerk, the glue gives. A quick jerk is better than more force, since the glue seems to give up much more easily that way)

This is the best set of soldering tools for small electronics/electrical projects. The magnetic holder can easily be converted with a portion of a threaded bolt to create a double-ended magnetic holder to hold small electric motors while soldering wires to terminals. ALSO ... The supplier was very responsive to my request for replacement of one part that was damaged in shipment. I am very satisfied with this purchase, and I recommend it as the best soldering part support that I found on-line for small metal electrical parts.

Easy to use and a solid build

These are a fun addition to my craft room. I like that the set came with its own metal base. Very handy for a variety of projects. So far I used them to repair a pair of reading glasses that one of the ear pieces came off. The screw came out. Using the moveable pieces I was able to bend them to hold the two pieces of the glasses together to keep my hands free to get a new screw in place.

Works perfectly. Easy to assemble. the best helping hands ever.

the included magnets are very strong. the folding arms are also firm but easy to move anywhere. the clamps hold very tight. i do a lot of person hobby projects so working with this new tool will make projects really easy.setting it up was actually extremely easy.

Heavy duty base that is .165 inch thick. The magnets are plenty strong enough. The flexible articulating arms hold position very well. You can't use the plastic coated clamps to hold down parts while soldering because they would melt, so I fastened ceramic tweezer tips on.https://www.amazon.com/Muye-Precision-Electronics-Industrial-Heat-resistant/dp/B07T8HNP5T/ref=sr_1_4?crid=3EGUL83IXMIEG&dchild=1&keywords=ceramic+reverse+tweezers&qid=1607978989&sprefix=ceramic+reverse%2Caps%2C164&sr=8-4

I absolutely love this tool. I am using to help with building Arduino projects. The base is heavy and solid which lets you us the clips in any position. The arms being magnetic means its really easy to get the parts into the position you want for the best access to work on them. Would 100% buy again.

I like the ability to hold a project with the various arms and it’s sturdy while I solder.

I also use it on a watchmakers lathe to hold an indicator