I suck at SMD (I can't believe this even works)

[Red Squirrel]

Braid is highly heat conductive, I tried to hand hold it.   Once. 

But yeah I need to find some kind of way of holding a board steady.  I don't like it in the air like it would be with helping hands as it's too flimsy I'm thinking some kind of weight that just pushes down on it.  I'll have to come up with something.  Maybe even rubber bands and a 2x4.

[suicidaleggroll]

Braid is highly heat conductive, I tried to hand hold it.   Once. 

You still don't need to touch the braid itself, isn't it on a little plastic spool?  Hold that.  You only need to get it in roughly the right position, the iron is what actually holds it down while using it.  No reason for your fingers to be any closer than 2-3" away holding the plastic spool, far removed from the heat of the iron.