Duratool PCB Holder

[@chrispotts2010]

Hi Dave. You could always pile a few books atop each other , or maybe a few short lengths of 6 X 2 timber to rest your hand/wrist on while soldering. Just a thought.

[@danyalm10]

Isn't the screw on the spring end supposed to be left loose most of the time? That way you can adjust the side arm so the spring is under compression, which is what holds the board in tight, but it still allows you to spin the board over more smoothly.

[@tdumnxy]

CPC sell this at £4.79 including VAT so you can save a few quid. I have been a CPC customer for a couple of years (no other connection!) and I have to say they are very competitive on price and offer free delivery on orders over £5 which is usually super quick, typically two days. I am just a hobbyist so small orders are not a problem.(Also very good place to buy LED light bulbs - Advert ends). Good video David.

[@jacksat2252]

David,remove the legs you screwd on and you can lay it on its side ,so the pcb is clamped and close to the table. You maybe use 2 of the rubber feet to even out for the knobs that prevent the board for turning so it is level on the table and don't wobble because the knobs are not on the same side.

[@___xyz___]

8:50 It's better for your neck. This holder (SN-390 as it's typically called) is basically ripped off Weller ESF-120's design and slimmed down for optimal afforability. It's standard for industrial PCB holders to be raised, even the top end ones do. Neck strain, fumes, magnification and, of course, rotation are all points to consider when making a good PCB holder. If it's that uncomfortable, I'm sure you could construct a ramp to rest your wrist on, indent the holder into the table or basically building a stage above the table and raise your chair. There are many good solutions, but I just deal with it as it is. This one is actually pretty good for the price. I would probably recommend modifying the rods on the opposite ends of the clamps with something so that it can be more easily rotated without having to touch the actual board. Just makes it a little bit easier. Possibly a mounted pad, like the Weller, to keep components from falling off the board while they're being soldered from the other side. But this can simply be done with polyimide tape or tack (leaves sticky residue, though).

[@pileofstuff]

That's a solid looking unit. I'll be interested to see how the hand position / comfort works out for you after doing a long session.

[@ollieb9875]

I got one of these a while ago. The jaws holding the PCB absolutely *will not* melt under normal use. They look plastic but in fact, are metal. The stand legs themselves are a soft plastic and a soldering iron will go through that in short order. If you can find a way to rest your hand on the struts when soldering or poking parts in to place it's kind of OK. Having it higher up, I've found reduces back strain, especially if you're using magnifying glasses for hot air and SMD work. Rather than hunching right over the desk, down to get close to the work, just having it that little bit higher seems more comfortable. There are more expensive versions, similar to this. One in particular I think made by Weller has a little arm that can press on through hole components, which spins with the board so when you flip it over, they don't fall out. It is possible to use blu-tak, as you know to hold these in, though painters masking tape also works OK. For under £10 delivered, I reckon it has its uses, perhaps there's some mods to make for it that could make it even more useful in the future. Bearing in mind more "up market" versions are much closer to the £50 mark. I've seen holders as well for production that run in to the hundreds of pounds yah. Be well!

[@lmamakos]

Stickvise FTW! Very simple, yet elegant. The Stickvise holds the board flat on the work surface, which is handy since you can brace your hands right on the work surface as well at the right distance to do soldering. Having a PCB in a stickvise flat on the table is also handy if you're doing tiny SMD assembly while using a binocular microscope or magnifying lens. This product sure seems large and now you've got a storage problem.. and having the PCB up in the air makes it difficult to solder on at an awkward height.

[@DavidWatts]

Interesting, I'll have a google for the stickvise, just from the name it sounds similar to the small metal PCB holder I have. I have found the Duratool one really useful, getting stuff up above the desk has been great, but you are right, the thing is massive.

[@gartmorn]

I've had one of these for a while now and it's not too bad. I like it because of the added height which brings it up to the level of my magnifier! Your time will come! It's not perfect but does a turn, especially with smd soldering which is not my forte!

[@cheetahkid]

I got one about a year now, very useful apart from screw not being tight enough.

[@AlexHitchins]

cheetahkid What screw? If you mean on the bit that touches the pcb, I have a big elastic band across the two supports ho help keep it in place. For £10 it is a super handy tool though.

[@cheetahkid]

sorry, the screws on the side on the slider

[@cheetahkid]

sorry, the screws on the side on the slider

[@thehappylittlefoxakabenji8154]

interesting device I made something similar using a couple of edge connectors fastened to 2 pieces of wood the only problem I can see with this type is once the board has been populated turning over usually results in everything falling out but as mine was lower to the bench this wasn't a problem. the industry standard pcb frame I used at work had a piece of foam held on the back to hold all the components in

[@BrianLough]

I'm a big fan of blu-tac for holding the boards in place while soldering, It would work well with your preference of keeping your wrist resting on the desk.

[@DavidWatts]

I love a bit of Blu-tack but I hate the residue it can leave, especially if you get a little too close with the iron :-)

[@BrianLough]

David Watts it can get a bit messy ok but my solution for that is actually more blutack! It actually does work to roll some around the board after it cools down, it usually lifts what's left on the board.

[@johncoops6897]

BluTac is a complete fail for holding boards while soldering. Why do you need to hold them anyway? Use the table and gravity... that holds almost everything down on the earth :-)

[@BrianLough]

John Coops you take that back John! I won't have a bad word said about the worlds greatest invention! The reason for bluetac is so you aren't chasing the board around the table when your pressing the iron against it and then also to hold the components in place if needed

[@johncoops6897]

Brian Lough - I have been soldering for over 40 years and I have never needed to chase a PCB around a table. I have no idea why you would be pushing your soldering iron with such force, or at such angles that would cause a PCB to move. In any case, your other hand is holding the solder so simply use the side of your hand if you wish to steady the board. As for holding components, I just flip the PCB and utilise the table surface, as this is extremely effective... when in the normal soldering position (copper traces upwards) there is absolutely no way that the components can escape or move. As for BluTac, it is gummy sticky stuff and becomes even worse when heated - I cannot imagine ANY situation relating to soldering of electronics when I would have any need or desire for it. If you feel you need it, perhaps you should relearn your technique.

[@davidjohnston4240]

I have/had one of these. It didn't fare so well when I was desoldering some components with a hot air rework tool. It melted.

[@donalddurga9742]

Nice video David you demo very well, and you made a very important discovery about the the height of soldering, it can be a bit awkward, I prefer low plane, been at it for the last seventeen years, nice video.

[@Jon-Gardner]

Great video - I was in the market for something just like this, and so I've just bought one from Amazon (using your link) and they're only £7.22 now.

[@jparky1972]

Thanks. I've been looking at something similar and hadn't considered that the board is suspended a height from the desk. So wrist resting could be an isdue as you rightly stated. I also hadn't considered heat gun use either. Good review. Thank you.

[@DavidWatts]

Thanks Jason

[@AlexHitchins]

I have one of these, only issue is flipping it over without a board over the back can mean your parts fall through. Find it more useful for repair work.

[@brucewoods9377]

I have one of these for my projects and swear by it. Much better than those alligator clip, helping hands devices. Makes project assembly a breeze

[@TheDutyPaid]

Good for keeping the PCB in camera view, a problem I know all to well.

[@TMCHL]

I was thinking about to buy one to replace the regular vice but they are almost at same height so there is no point ...thanks for the video

[@chrisleech1565]

Perhaps a small support for your soldering hand David.

[@Peter_S_]

Perfect timing, I was just about to buy one of those!

[@masterbrown2002]

As itchy as my mouse finger is I'm gonna wait till you've used yours a bit to see how it holds up, I have visions of me keep catching the plastic bits with the soldering iron.

[@harryobrien9035]

Do you still use this? Or was it just too awkward to solder with?

[@DavidWatts]

Yeah I do, not for everything, mainly through-hole.

[@marsrocket]

Remove the bottom cross pieces; it's still stable enough and will be a little lower. To be honest, I never even put mine on and it's been working fine for almost a year now.

[@karlng2691]

You could get a third hand, by the way, how is the binary clock?

[@DavidWatts]

Picking up the boards tomorrow!!!!

[@karlng2691]

David Watts Are you streaming live for the soldering? If so, what time?

[@DavidWatts]

Tuns out the UPS access point was closed on Sunday, gonna have to try and pick it up in the week

[@karlng2691]

David Watts hopefully it could be quick!

[@alinbcu]

hello friend, please tell me did you try to work under a microscoppe ? the pcb will be out of focus? thank you !

[@DavidWatts]

Hi, I don't have a usb microscope yet but I can test it when I do.

[@brandonedwards6830]

planning to get one, if they ship to India?

[@TrentSterling]

Not bad at all! Glad it seems rigid enough.

[@maicod]

I often order stuff on Ali and it ends up being A LOT smaller in size but usually its not a problem.

[@pyotrleflegin7255]

These are very useful -- I wouldn't be without mine, especially as CPC sell them at £3.99 -- less if you buy 5.

[@PDauto]

might have been worthwhile actually soldering some goodies to the board to check slippage, hold and unwanted rotation. but thanks for the vid. for 7 bucks i'll be getting one

[@DavidWatts]

Noted, they sound like good things to look for. I am not really a pro reviewer :-) I use it a fair amount, it tightens up fairly well holding items in the right place. I often use it when I want to probe both sides of a board with my multimeter.

[@PDauto]

I just bought one on the strength of your video so well played matey. i wont blame you if its a bit crap. its 7 quid. less than 2 pints :)

[@murrij]

I got one of these on Amazon and love it.

[@ventureelect]

If you bought one get a hefty rubber band and slip it over the two blue post and slid it right down. , That way it will pull the two posts too each other

[@ChunkySteveo]

Awesome looking vice! CPC are up near me at Preston, they have everything and you can go to their counter too 👌 You left handed David?

[@avejst]

Wow, good stuff. Thanks for sharing 😀👍

[@MiggyManMike]

We *all* do lefty lucy :p

[@AJE1697]

Would this be used for laptop PCB's? If you could help me, what is the range of PCB sizes in a laptop? and would this be good for it?

[@DavidWatts]

Hi. I don't think it would be that useful. Laptop PCB tend to be fairly odd shapes and more than likely too cumbersome for this PCB holder. Not sure about the range of sizes for laptop PCBs, I would have to say that there are no standards for that.

[@1914grant]

Hi Dave, How are you

[@maicod]

now you need a bigger bench eh David :)

[@StevenKiberton]

OMG I bought the exact same one a while back lol I think they are really good

[@DeeegerD]

Elbows on the desk then it's comfortable ;)

[@azlanhaider2339]

Sir price please?

[@sickvic3909]

Thought yowsa was from early Amurakin film :)

[@bluephreakr]

*_INDUSTRIAL DESIGN_*

[@rahulpatelgujratahmedabad3497]

👍👌👍👌👍

[@deltalima1610]

It is a horror to watch you handling this holder sooo wrong. If I worked that way, so completely illogical, I would got fired on my second day. I would not dare to make a video not knowing how to operate things.

[@DavidWatts]

Lucky I don't do it for a living then.

[@ventureelect]

If you bought one get a hefty rubber band and slip it over the two blue post and slid it right down. , That way it will pull the two posts too each other