DIY Helping Hands

[Andrew124C41]

I decided to build a couple of helping hands prototypes based upon using heavy metal plates as a base holding neo mags to which either loc line or 12 gauge wire is used as an arm connected to alligators and reverse tweezers.

I have a question regarding possible additions to this.

1) Would an LED light attached to the base be helpful or
2) How do people illuminate their work...headlamp or local light...and how?
3) What do people use for magnification? Magnifier attached to helping hands, loupe or some other way?

Any suggestions for what people would like to see would be helpful

 

[Pi R Squared]

1) Would an LED light attached to the base be helpful or
2) How do people illuminate their work...headlamp or local light...and how?
3) What do people use for magnification? Magnifier attached to helping hands, loupe or some other way?

I use a helping hands with a built in magnifier lamp, it is just a two LED light that runs on 3 AAA batteries. I have a large magnifier lamp that clamps on to the side of a table or shelf but it is too large and is in the way so I seldom use it for anything. I would recommend using a smaller table top magnifier lamp. My only lighting is the lights in the room and the magnifier light in my helping hands, I also have a clip on light that I can point toward my work table.

Alan

 

[Andrew124C41]

I use a helping hands with a built in magnifier lamp, it is just a two LED light that runs on 3 AAA batteries. I have a large magnifier lamp that clamps on to the side of a table or shelf but it is too large and is in the way so I seldom use it for anything. I would recommend using a smaller table top magnifier lamp. My only lighting is the lights in the room and the magnifier light in my helping hands, I also have a clip on light that I can point toward my work table.

Alan

Alan, do you have a picture of it? What I am building will look and hopefully function well. Is this what it is? helping hands magnifier

 

[Pi R Squared]

Alan, do you have a picture of it? What I am building will look and hopefully function well. Is this what it is? helping hands magnifier

Hey that one is better than mine, I am tempted to buy one, but yes it's similar to the one I have. I also see that one is sold by Jameco Electronics, one of the places to buy your electronics supplies, they have about everything.
Jameco Electronics - Electronic Components Distributor

Alan

 

[IceNine]

I use these badboys
http://www.amazon.com/amzdeal®-Lighted-Magnifier-Jeweler-Magnifying/dp/B00DBRROR6

 

[BowtieGuy]

This thread title reminded me about APEX1's DIY helping hands project from awhile ago; I thought it was quite innovative.

 

[Andrew124C41]

I use these badboys
http://www.amazon.com/amzdeal®-Lighted-Magnifier-Jeweler-Magnifying/dp/B00DBRROR6

Looks interesting. Can they be worn over glasses? One negative review sai that you could not adjust focus, that is you had to move your head very close which could be a potential problem I suppose.

Are the LEDs powerful enough?

I was toying with using a 20 w LED with something like 2000 lumens lol

 

[Andrew124C41]

This thread title reminded me about APEX1's DIY helping hands project from awhile ago; I thought it was quite innovative.

His project is based upon the one that started it all with the coolant hose in Instructables by rstraugh in 2007. He used a small aluminum block with three coolant hoses and the alligator clips.

Apex1 by the way is using he knock off Amazon coolant hose. I had heard that it was not as solid. I purchased the loc line from modulerhose.com using 1/4 inch which is very sturdy. No need to use anything larger. Now, they have a magnet which is a couple inches in diameter and requires a larger coolant hose. This is why I am using my own neos....3/4 has 26 lbs pull. 1" 65! I have ordered some rubber covers which I am told halve the force. Using platidip which can achieve thinner layer, does not reduce the pull as much.

I am trying to make this so you can choose regular 2 inch alligators or the mini ones with and without teeth, heat shrink, as well as reverse tweezers...depending upon the size and weigh of the object(s.)

I have seen some of these using lighted circular magnifiers...this is why I am putting these questions out there to see what seems to work best for most people in terms of lighting and magnification.

 

[Laser Chick]

I use a 5 different light output head lamp as it helps get rid of shadows/dark spots.

 

[Andrew124C41]

Do you have a picture or link to who makes it?

 

[Chrisbee]

Alan, do you have a picture of it? What I am building will look and hopefully function well. Is this what it is? helping hands magnifier

Mine is also similar to this. The only thing that I'm not fond of is the flexible cable that holds up the lighted magnifier. It's just barely strong enough to support the weight of the magnifier, so in some positions it may start to droop.

 

[Laser Chick]

Here are the pictures you requested. They are made by Coleman.