PCB Vise with Helping Hands by slightlynybbled

Last crawled date: 3 years ago

PCB Vise and Helping Hands
This item is a modular system which I have found helpful. There are other versions of both the PCB vise and the helping hands out there, but I didn't find one with utter simplicity in mind. There are also multiple versions so that this item can easily scale. Different 'arms' may also be designed which do other custom and cool things. The ramps are designed into the arms and base so that the torque applied by the wingnut will tighten and hold the grip.
Features
Chamfered bottom edge so that parts are easily removed from the print bed
Spiral mounts so that tightening screws tightens hold on parts
Beveled edge on arms that will hold any PCB edge
Center hole in bases for more solid mounting on a surface or other fixtures
part names include the length in thousandths of an inch. For instance, 'pcb_vise_arm_1750.stl' is a model of a part 1.75" in length.
The '3500' base can hold a PCB of up to 4.4" in one dimension (can be longer in the other dimension)
The '2500' base can hold a PCB of up to 3.3" in one dimension (can be longer in the other dimension)
The '3060' base can hold a PCB of up to 2.5" in one dimension (can be longer in the other dimension)

Materials
2 to 4 screws - I used 6-32 1in, but 4-40 or M3 should work just fine
2 to 4 wing nuts or knobs - same size as screws - same count as arms
0 to 2 accessories (alligator clips, etc.)
2 to 4 printed arms
1 printed base
Instructions
Attaching an Arm
Insert screw from the bottom of the base.
Place arm over the protruding screw end
Thread wing nut over arm
It should be a simple matter to attach other devices, such as alligator clips or other useful items to the ends of the arms. It might even be useful to make double-articulated arms!
Use
Hold the PCB - or other - in place against one arm. This arm may be 'loose' in one direction, but the ramps should hold it firmly from moving in the other direction. Turn the wingnut on the second arm so that it swings toward - and meets with - the PCB edge. I have found that it is common to have the PCB edge perfectly inset along one edge and held at one point on the opposite edge.
Other Notes
Parts Pictured:
1x arm_tall_1750.stl
2x arm_1750.stl
1x base_quad_2500.stl
3x 6-32 x 1in
2x 6-32 wing nut
Place requests in the comments, I can bang a part out quickly.
I have included the ramp profile. Simply attach it to your next gadget and it is compatible with the base!