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A 3rd hand that actually works!

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rhb:
$10 Aliexpress magnetic indicator holders with alligator clips crimped to round terminal lugs. 

The indicator stands clamp with a single knob so it really stays where you put it.

Have Fun!
Reg

jpanhalt:
I have been using Noga versions for 40 years.  https://www.noga.com/Products/hold/Holding%20System

$10 is quite a bargain.

shabaz:
Nice. I've also been using a near-identical solution, I find the "magic arm" helpful since it's easy to quite precisely position with it.

I wish I had seen the $10 option, mine cost a bit more. I used steel offcut as in the photo below (that is available at low cost from various ebay sellers or metal scrap yards perhaps), I think it weighed just under a kilogram. The offcuts often have a small notch that is easy to fill with epoxy if desired. I spray-painted it afterwards, that's not in the photo.

After tapping it with a camera thread (1/4"-20 UNC) then any camera magic arm can be fitted (I used a Smallrig 10" Magic Arm with Super Clamp in the photo below). The photo shows it in use holding a cable temporarily in position while soldering to a connector (the connector is in a cheap alu tool vise).

rhb:
I have a 6"  Noga with the fine adjustment.  Really nice for the machine shop,  but rather pricey to solder wires.  The 12" version has a Noga equivalent fine adjustment.

I'm planning to use a pair of the 12" arms to hold a light and vacuum pickup on my Chinese Deckel clone from Shars.  So I moved the fine adjustment to one of the 6" ones earlier and will do the other one soon.  Those will get better magnetic bases.

Without the magnets they are less than $7 for the 6" and $10 for the 12".

With minor effort they can be made functionally the equal of the Noga, just not as pretty.  I plan to drill and tap my Clausing lathe and mill to mount several of these for common tasks.  I've just never entirely trusted magnetic mounts.

Helluva deal it you work at it.

Have Fun!
Reg

Edit: I subsequently realized that clamps that attached to the table edge were more stable and convenient as they can be spaced as needed.

rcjoy:
Here's what I use, with Noga indicator arms.

Heat shrink tubing over the alligator clip jaws help to reduce damage to what's being held.

Noga's copy of Kant-Twist clamps can also be used in place of the alligator clips.

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