PCB holder/vise suggestions?

[jgalak]

I am looking for some sort of vise or other holder to hold PCBs while soldering.  Mostly I just work on the table (I've got a solder-proof ESD mat akin to the one in Dave's videos) but sometimes having a different angle is very helpful.  I'm mostly working with smaller boards, from maybe 1"x1" to maybe 3"x5".  May work on slightly larger ones in the future. 

I'm thinking about the PanaVise 201 Junior (https://www.amazon.com/PanaVise-Model-201-Junior-Miniature/dp/B000B61D22/) but I'm concerned about how narrow the jaws are.  Does it grip sufficiently well to solder on?  I think it's the one used in the Contextual Electronics videos, and I recall the PCB getting knocked out of the vise several times.

The Panavise 324 (https://www.amazon.com/PanaVise-324-Electronic-Work-Center/dp/B000SSPNBU/) has much wider jaws, but I'm wondering if it will work well with really small PCBs.  It's also a lot more money.

Thoughts on these, and other, holders?

Thanks.

[Muxr]

I have the plastic PanaVice you linked.. it's ok for if you need to do something to hold a PCB.. but it's not really the best for soldering. The jaw is actually pretty sturdy the problem is the base.. it's too light. It does have the screw holes and I guess you could screw it into the desk at which point it might be decent. I work on smaller boards and I never had issues fitting any of them into the jaws, they open quite wide.

What I use most of the time for soldering though is this thing. https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-Metal-PCB-Holder-Circuit-Board-Fixtures-Repair-Tools-For-Mobile-Phone-PDA-MP3/172766595785?epid=22004731274&hash=item2839b10ac9:g:TJAAAOSwR29ZN8i2

It works really well for SMD jobs. It's pretty sturdy. Particularly if you work under a microscope (which I often do with SMD boards).

[phil from seattle]

Have the following:
300 standard base


303 Standard head


312 Base (this is important for stability)


366 wide opening head


In general, I almost never use the 366 wide opening head. It's kind of clumsy and the jaws wither at the sight of a soldering iron. I generally just find some place to clamp a part of the board.  The junior looks pretty bad to me.

Also, I got high heat tolerant replacement jaws for the 303.

[nanofrog]

If I'm not just soldering on the mat, I use a PanaVise system I've put together.

• 301 kit (303 head + 300 base)
• 315 head (circuit board holder arms)*
• 376 Self-Centering head

301


315


376


For a base, I use a ~1ft square x 3/8" thick steel plate (rather heavy). All that was needed was to drill 3 holes, paint it, and add adhesive backed rubber feet. The steel came from a welding/fabrication shop (scrap pile), and they sold it to me cheap (~$6 IIRC).

I like the wide range of motion and multiple heads to do whatever it is I'm futzing around with. No, they're not cheap, but they're not going to fall apart any time soon.

* There are longer cross bars if you need them at some point (up to 30").

In your case, you could take a look at the 220  PV Jr. Mini Circuit Board Holder as it will meet your stated needs (good for PCB's up to 4.5" wide), and it's less money than the 324. If you plan on working your way up to larger boards however, you'd want to go with either the 324 or 350 (324 + base).

220  PV Jr. Mini Circuit Board Holder


350

[Gyro]

What I use most of the time for soldering though is this thing. https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-Metal-PCB-Holder-Circuit-Board-Fixtures-Repair-Tools-For-Mobile-Phone-PDA-MP3/172766595785?epid=22004731274&hash=item2839b10ac9:g:TJAAAOSwR29ZN8i2

It works really well for SMD jobs. It's pretty sturdy. Particularly if you work under a microscope (which I often do with SMD boards).

Those are really good for small boards. They can be significantly improved by...

1. Replacing the ridiculously long and strong spring with a short weaker one
2. File off the pointed tip of the clamping screw, it then grips better and wears less as there are more than a couple of threads engaged.

With these trivial mods they become a lot more usable and have better jaw capacity!

You can even use the parts, together with bits of steel rod and plate to make a large version - this one I made has 4"x6" capacity and can still go down to virtually zero.



As Muxr says, very useful for microscope work.

[jgalak]

Thanks everyone, I think I have what I need.  I'm going to order the 324 since it comes with the bigger base and has the options to use different heads, as needed.

[nanofrog]

Thanks everyone, I think I have what I need.  I'm going to order the 324 since it comes with the bigger base and has the options to use different heads, as needed.

I think you'll like it. 

Do note that you'll have to hold your arms suspended in air rather than resting them on the table edge. A stool rather than a chair might make things more comfortable for this situation. 

I my case, I've an old computer desk that the table top height is adjustable (soon to be freed up permanently). So between that and my chair is also adjustable (with arm rests), I seem to manage well enough. Where this particular head really comes into its own, is when you need to use a hot air preheater IME.

[Neomys Sapiens]

Bernstein Spannfix!
https://www.bernstein-werkzeuge.de/produkte/spanngeraete/

[nanofrog]

Bernstein Spannfix!
https://www.bernstein-werkzeuge.de/produkte/spanngeraete/

Definitely good stuff.  Unfortunately, it's also harder to locate in North America (imported from Farnell in the UK). And it's very expensive (i.e. the 9-215 is ~3.5x more expensive before handling/import fee, and actual shipping charges than the PanaVise 301, which only costs $49.49 to your door).

Flotron made a ball joint vise nearly identical to what's used on the Spannfix (see photo), but they're no longer manufactured. FWIW, I prefer the ball joint design from Flotron over PanaVise's.

9-215


Flotron

[paulca]

So it's only me who uses a pair of pliers with an elastic band round the handles.

[Lee Leduc]

I've been using this recently. It's not expensive and works well.

https://www.amazon.com/Aven-17010-Adjustable-Circuit-Holder/dp/B00Q2TTQEE/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1518181654&sr=8-3&keywords=pcb+holder&dpID=41nBaU-cqqL&preST=_SX342_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

[nanofrog]

So it's only me who uses a pair of pliers with an elastic band round the handles.

No idea. 

You could start a poll as to what members are using (i.e. PanaVise, Spannfix, small bench vise whether it uses a vacuum base or table clamp, pliers, DIY contraptions, and so on).

[jgalak]

So it's only me who uses a pair of pliers with an elastic band round the handles.

Well, since my PanaVise hasn't gotten here yet, and I wanted to solder a small board this morning, I used a hemostat to grab the corner of a board and put a heavy tool through one of the holes of the hemostat to weigh it down.  Does that count? 

[Mr. Scram]

I've been using this recently. It's not expensive and works well.

https://www.amazon.com/Aven-17010-Adjustable-Circuit-Holder/dp/B00Q2TTQEE/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1518181654&sr=8-3&keywords=pcb+holder&dpID=41nBaU-cqqL&preST=_SX342_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

I use a similar one and I love it. I don't get the clampy one sided ones, those don't seem to be convenient at all.

[GreyWoolfe]

Thanks everyone, I think I have what I need.  I'm going to order the 324 since it comes with the bigger base and has the options to use different heads, as needed.

I have the 324, a 300 series with a vise and heavy base and a 2nd 300 series with self centering jaws.  The 324 I bought new, the others came to me via hamfest/surplus store.  I do use the vise and the self centering head more than the wide jaws of the 324.  I personally would recommend Panavise to everyone.  However, they do need some sort of heavy base to keep them in place.

[rx8pilot]

I made these little guys because I wanted to have a flat enough solution to fit under a microscope, fit through the pick and place conveyor, clamp on a panavise, etc.

Aluminum tray with grid of holes, movable clamps and supports to hold any shape PCB.

[JohnPen]

I've been using this recently. It's not expensive and works well.

https://www.amazon.com/Aven-17010-Adjustable-Circuit-Holder/dp/B00Q2TTQEE/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1518181654&sr=8-3&keywords=pcb+holder&dpID=41nBaU-cqqL&preST=_SX342_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

I have been using one of these for some while and it is very useful.  A little bulky for use on a restricted desk space though.  Most of my PCBs are small and I have considered shortening the 'cross bar' but of course a larger PCB may suddenly occur then.  They are available in the UK from CPC for a fiver.

[ChrisLX200]

I've 3D printed a few designs leeched off ThingiVerse, mostly OK given the limitations of the material (ABS) but one day I will machine something decent from metal.

[rx8pilot]

I've 3D printed a few designs leeched off ThingiVerse, mostly OK given the limitations of the material (ABS) but one day I will machine something decent from metal.

Excellent use of a 3D printer - exactly why I think I should get one!

[Gyro]

I made these little guys because I wanted to have a flat enough solution to fit under a microscope, fit through the pick and place conveyor, clamp on a panavise, etc.

Aluminum tray with grid of holes, movable clamps and supports to hold any shape PCB.

Very nice    (and ChrisLX200 too). We could do with a few more self-constructed ideas around here -  These type of threads almost always head straight towards expensive off the shelf Panavises and similar.

Edit: Though those cheap rotating frame ones are good value.

[jgalak]

I thought about 3D printing one, but my printer kind of sucks.  No way would it do the screw well enough to work right.  I'm planning on a better one soon...

[nanofrog]

Well, since my PanaVise hasn't gotten here yet, and I wanted to solder a small board this morning, I used a hemostat to grab the corner of a board and put a heavy tool through one of the holes of the hemostat to weigh it down.  Does that count? 

I'd think it more a DIY method as it's more involved than pliers held closed by a rubber band.

However, they do need some sort of heavy base to keep them in place.

Easy. Just bolt the base to a steel plate. 

In terms of the effort involved, it's not much; you only need to drill 3 holes. I'd also recommend painting it (cheap spray can). Don't orget to pick up some self-adhesive rubber feet (0.75" square, .25" tall), as well as the appropriate hardware to fasten the base.

Hope this is of some help. 

[nanofrog]

... These type of threads almost always head straight towards expensive off the shelf Panavises and similar.

Generally speaking, the original posts requesting a board holder recommendation are after a ready-made solution IME.

3D printing certainly opens things up, but not everyone has access to one. Personally, I'm waiting for 3D metal printers to come in at a price I can afford. At $120k USD for the system I'm interested in, seems like I'll be waiting quite awhile. 

[jgalak]

... These type of threads almost always head straight towards expensive off the shelf Panavises and similar.

Generally speaking, the original posts requesting a board holder recommendation are after a ready-made solution IME.

Yes, I was looking for off-the-shelf.  I can make things.  But sometimes I don't want to build the tools to do the project, sometimes I just want to do the project....

[rx8pilot]

Yes, I was looking for off-the-shelf.  I can make things.  But sometimes I don't want to build the tools to do the project, sometimes I just want to do the project....

Maybe I should do a run of my little holder solution and sell them as a kit. Never really thought about selling them, but I have a CNC shop that sits idle a quite a bit.