Fstop Labs Third Hand Soldering Tool PCB Holder Four Magnetic Based With Iron Holder, Flexible Metal Arms Helping Hands Crafts Jewelry Hobby Workshop Helping Station Non-Slip Steel Weighted Base

I was working on a couple of projects that required small soldering and was having a real problem holding the pieces and soldering them, then I found this. The flexible arms mean I can hold the parts together and soldering them without them slipping, falling, or burning me. The magnetic base and non-fixed arms mean I can move them around as needed. I haven’t needed it for a while now but when I did it worked well.

So for a few years I've had a set of the old school "helping hands" with two alligator clips and a magnifying glass. The clips were starting to get worn out and I always fumbled around with it to get them in the right spot for soldering.I found this tool while searching for a replacement. Based on the price I want expecting much but would be happy if it worked.I was blown away. The base plate is solid and powder coated maybe? Coated with something or painted either way, nice and smooth, great fit and finish. Nice and heavy too. Each of the arms has smooth flexibility in the gooseneck and the magnets are STRONG. They don't easily fall off or get bumped off. You have to truly grab and lift them. The rubber protectors that slide on the alligator clips are thick but install easily for protection of your electronics/finishes.My box even still came with an iron holder too. All pieces have a great fit and finish to them. I feel like I was surprised I didn't pay more.

I'm not soldering (yet) but have found the Kotto "third-hand" tool indispensable for charm-bracelet-making. The base is quite weighty (just wish it wasn't so school-bus yellow), the magnetic base of the arms super strong, and the underneath rubber feet (comes with 4 extra) keep it stable even when the surface is uneven. The flexible arms are perfect for positioning whatever and wherever you need them to go. In the photo, I'm using the inner arms to stabilize the outer arms further, allowing me to put pressure on the bracelet as I'm working on it. The claws are easily adjustable to any position, and their rubber caps (4 more included) protect the soft sterling silver of the jewelry. Very happy with this purchase.

I was recently laid off and decided to spend money 😂Actually, I decided to fix my cheep solar garden lights which are in really bad shape. The corrosion is really bad on some of them and, during the act of cleaning, some wires have detached. I struggled for several days trying to solder them in place but just didn’t have enough hands. So I spent 1/2 a day researching helping hands and ended up choosing this for the following reasons:1) heavy metal base: this puppy is going to stay put! Many of the other models have plastic bases. I really don’t want to have to clamp down a base so this point was crucial.2) magnetic hold: this I didn’t know I needed until I came across it. You can add or subtract components and move them to fit your needs. A definite plus!3) soldering iron holder: I admit it, I’m a klutz. And my cheap soldering iron has a dinky 1”x1.5” plastic holder with a metal bar (maybe 12 gauge?) that tilts. Seriously? Yeah, I’ve scorched a few things from the iron falling or rolling off. So the holder was essential for me.4) rubber tips: huge HUGE score! These clamps are tight(as they should be) and would definitely scratch the heck out of anything they hold. Most other models didn’t come with the tip sleeves (of course you could make sleeves using heat shrink, but why!?!?5) flexible arms: again, I didn’t know I would need them until I started my research. Now I consider it an essential. I’m soldering all sorts of things. A “one size fits all” setup simply won’t work (as you can tell from my pic).I own magnifying lit glasses so not having that wasn’t a problem for me. Plus, since this is magnetic, I can purchase one in the future.Hope this helps. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some soldering to do.

This item is a good value and functions well, mostly. I had a problem with one of the alligator clips which came lose from its connector. I was able to get it back together and it seems to be working ok now. Overall, this a well-made, sturdy piece of equipment.

The Third Hand Soldering Tool is an absolute gem — and not just for soldering! I’ve used it for everything, but my favorite use is for fly tying. It’s like having an extra set of hands that hold things in place while you focus on the delicate work.Its adjustable arms and sturdy grips make it perfect for holding small items securely, allowing me to work with precision. Whether you’re soldering, crafting, or, like me, tying flies, this tool makes the process so much easier.For anyone who works with small, intricate projects, this is a must-have. Highly recommend it for its versatility and ability to make even the fiddliest tasks manageable!

The item is really nice. It’s very heavy and solid, the magnets and clips are strong and hold well. I had a problem with a missing parts package due to rough handling and FSL took care of me right away with no hassle. Thank You!

Man, these helping hands are awesome! I needed them for some soldering that I found I had to do for my Z scale train project. The helping hands are indispensable for keeping wires steady when you want to solder them together. I like that the hands are highly adjustable and that their bases are magnetic so it's easy to move them around or take them off the base plate when not needed. The base plate itself is a very sturdy, thick piece of metal that comes with rubber pads to keep it in place. Unless you put something really heavy on the hands, this unit is not going to move at an inopportune time. If you are doing soldering I highly recommend paying the little bit extra for the soldering iron holder. I did, and I certainly don't regret it. Now soldering is not the drudgery that it used to be - in fact I rather enjoy doing it now!