Parts holder

Is there anything out there better than the articulated croc clips parts holder like this:

They do work, though.

After a fashion. The simple shaft up the wire clamp hole of the croc clip works loose and the croc clip metal is rather dead so even if you nip it up it soon works loose again. When loose the croc clips can spin instead of opening when you squeeze the end. The teeth of the croc clips damage wire insulation, I did try sleeving them but it wasn't long before the sleeve was cut through and fell off...

Years ago I made a larger version of the 2 croc clip one using a couple of large croc clips- about 3" long- which had nylon pads on the jaws. I used the stalks from a couple of old lights and mounted them on a bit of wood with a lead lump I cast to shape set in the bottom. It worked a treat. Despite its size I managed to leave it somewhere - I suspect at a radio event.

I really should make another one.

A large lump of Bluetack. Excellent for holding wires to be soldered together or to connectors.

A 'panavise' is the best thing I know, but they are a bit large and expensive. I was lucky to get an old one cheap some years ago. LidlAldi have done their own versions in the past, but they are not so great.

I would like a small/cheap Panavise alternative, I would probably buy a few.

I've rarely found them any use on their own.

But can be, in conjunction with a small vice. But hate the way they all fall apart. A single crock clip on a flexible stalk which stayed where you put it would be my ideal.

We've found these really go, they was a rapid elecc version that is £50-£60 toolcraft and comes with a PSU for the lights. This one you have to buy the PSU as an extra but for £15 it's well worth it, I think.

I hate those things. I just use pliers &/or cutters as weights or props to hold the bits in place. Far easier.

NT

Nice little project on youtube, using Aluminium Armature wire to provide 'third hands':

OT: how on earth did the American pronunciation of 'solder' come about? is it just redneck usage that got generally adopted, or is there another explanation?

BTDTGTS with an elastic band on plier handles to hold 'em shut. Found that the croc clip thingy is better but not quite there.

Looks to have the same croc clip articulation/mount that I find to be unreliable. However the introduction of "third hand" when fed to eBay prodcuces:

Anyone have experience of this type?

Here, for inspiration: