Wire and Solder spool holder

[iceisfun]

Does anyone know of a good solution to hold spools of wire and solder?

Thanks

[deth502]

i have a high tech cutting edge system of holding my spools of solder that i like to call "nail in a board".

[codeboy2k]

most people just use pipe for large spools, small rods for small spools.. and hang them up, either on the wall or on the desktop (for solder).
You can get commercial solder holders, and you can make a cheap one by bending a coat hanger into a self-supporting spool holder for your workbench.

I've seen people use coat hangers for a soldering iron holder too.

I personally use an old can of Corinthians Vanilla Cream Wafers with a hole punched through the lid, and the solder inside.  It stays put on the desk, and can be a third hand sometimes too.  Plus, the wafers were yummy

[nanofrog]

Example of a cheap, ready-made solution if you don't want to bother with DIY.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Solder-Soldering-Wire-Reel-Metal-Holder-Stand-Support-/300690922900?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_2&hash=item4602935d94#ht_3512wt_1362

[mtdoc]

Ha!- I Love the Kandel and Schwartz monitor stand. 

I taught neuroscience using that book back in the early 90s.

[SLJ]

Example of a cheap, ready-made solution if you don't want to bother with DIY.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Solder-Soldering-Wire-Reel-Metal-Holder-Stand-Support-/300690922900?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_2&hash=item4602935d94#ht_3512wt_1362

These work well.  I use a double one on my main bench made by Hakko.  It holds two spools which is great since I use two different gauge solders.


I recently built a separate soldering station so I made my own double holder to keep the limited workspace clear.

[ludzinc]

I recently built a separate soldering station so I made my own double holder to keep the limited workspace clear.

[/quote]

+1 on that soldering stand.  My workspace is pretty limited, and your solution is brilliant. 

BBL, cutting wood

[SLJ]

The shelf supports are made from 3/8 inch threaded rod.  You can adjust the height of each shelf just by moving the nuts holding each shelf up or down.  I slid 3/8 diameter clear PVC over the rods to give them a "high tech" look.

I built a monitor stand on the other side of the station the same way.


The solder spool holder is also made using 3/8 threaded rod covered in PVC.  Nut in the middle to keep spools apart and lock nuts on the ends.  It snaps in and is held by two one and a half inch hooks.

[creyc]

The shelf supports are made from 3/8 inch threaded rod.  You can adjust the height of each shelf just by moving the nuts holding each shelf up or down.  I slid 3/8 diameter clear PVC over the rods to give them a "high tech" look.

I built a monitor stand on the other side of the station the same way.

The solder spool holder is also made using 3/8 threaded rod covered in PVC.  Nut in the middle to keep spools apart and lock nuts on the ends.  It snaps in and is held by two one and a half inch hooks.

Where's that shiny new Weller WX station!?

I do like that setup, especially the large scope front and center.  Do you happen to recall which model that is?

[nanofrog]

This make project looks interesting. You can either download the files to make it yourself, or there's a link to where you can buy one. Cost is reasonable as well.

[codeboy2k]

Ha!- I Love the Kandel and Schwartz monitor stand. 

I taught neuroscience using that book back in the early 90s.

HAHA.. Yeah, I studied neuroscience as part of my university courses in computer vision and AI.   That was the course book at Berkeley back then.

Now it's the biggest book I have that raises the monitor to just the right height.

 

[TheBorg]

This make project looks interesting. You can either download the files to make it yourself, or there's a link to where you can buy one. Cost is reasonable as well.

Got some time on my schools laser cutter this week and made one of my own (modified for 2 or 3 rolls of solder outlets). Haven't gotten a chance to use it much though, I've been reorganizing all the crap on my desk.

One thing though, the enclosure seems to be stackable! I'm going to try it hopefully this next week, then I'll get another roll or two of solder

If you want one iceisfun I think I have some acrylic extra or could work something out with the school's supplier...

[mtdoc]

HAHA.. Yeah, I studied neuroscience as part of my university courses in computer vision and AI.   That was the course book at Berkeley back then.

Now it's the biggest book I have that raises the monitor to just the right height.

Yeah, it's the  "Art of Electronics"  of the neuro world.

UC Berkeley? - I ran the undergrad neurobiology lab course there (MCB 160L)  back in 1993-1996  before my career change.

 Back on topic - some good ideas for solder spool holders here - I need to build myself one..

[peter.mitchell]

I usually just put it in a draw with the draw open a jar.

that way i'm not pulling it over the workpiece, instead im pulling it from my side, if that makes any sence

[codeboy2k]

HAHA.. Yeah, I studied neuroscience as part of my university courses in computer vision and AI.   That was the course book at Berkeley back then.

Now it's the biggest book I have that raises the monitor to just the right height.

Yeah, it's the  "Art of Electronics"  of the neuro world.

UC Berkeley? - I ran the undergrad neurobiology lab course there (MCB 160L)  back in 1993-1996  before my career change.

 Back on topic - some good ideas for solder spool holders here - I need to build myself one..

I did my undergrad at the University of Toronto back in 1983, but I was living and working in the bay area from 1997-2008.. while working there the company I was working for offered to pay for any courses we took if it was related to work, so I enrolled in UCB and was taking some classes in AI, but I never finished the program before I got laid off, so I decided to come back to Canada. The housing debacle was taking a hit on everyone and everything, it just seemed like it would be better in Canada so I came home, but lately I'm not sure if that was the right move after all.  I miss the good weather there

[andtfoot]

Ages ago, in a jiffy I drilled a hole in a block of wood and hammered a spare drumstick in. Lasted me quite a while actually.
These days I have one of the store-bought solder spool holders; it's a bit smoother... 

[G7PSK]

My solder station came with a built in spool holder for solder, I tried it but reverted to my time tested prefered option, just lay the solder spool on the bench that way I don't have long lengths of solder trailing over to the work or have to cut of lengths of solder.

[SLJ]

Where's that shiny new Weller WX station!?
I do like that setup, especially the large scope front and center.  Do you happen to recall which model that is?

That was a photo before the new WX station arrived last week.  The Weller in the photo got moved back to the main bench.
The microscope is an Amscope: Amscope model SM-4TPZ.  I added a 5MP camera and LED ring light.

[SLJ]

This make project looks interesting. You can either download the files to make it yourself, or there's a link to where you can buy one. Cost is reasonable as well.

Those look nice but I think it would be a pain to try to wind the solder back onto the rolls when they are stacked.

[ConKbot]

My fav was a solder spool holder that would hang from an akro-bin hanging rail.  MY workbench had akro bin rails across the back so I kept all my misc stuff (flux, epoxy, swabs, solder wick, solder tips etc) up there where it was easy to reach and out of the way.

[John Coloccia]

I have the dual Hakko holder.  I've used a solder holder for years.  Recently, I went back to making a bundle of solder in a loop and just holding it in my hand.  Quick, simple and takes up less bench space.

[ben_r_]

NICE! Some cool setups in here!

[nanofrog]

Those look nice but I think it would be a pain to try to wind the solder back onto the rolls when they are stacked.

Good point.

I snip lengths of solder wire off instead, so didn't think of that.

[GreyWoolfe]

My solution for my Hakko 936 is far from elegant but it is very functional.  The wood, 'T' brackets, corner brackets, screw and nuts came from the garage.  the solder guides are made from paper clips.  The syringe holds Orange Crush water based flux paste.  Ham operators are not cheap!  We are frugal and believe in recycling.   

Tom, NW0LF

[nanofrog]

Orange Crush solder paste? Isn't that for plumbing?

[GreyWoolfe]

I just looked it up and you are right!  It is for plumbing.  I have been using it for electronics soldering since my ITT Technical Institute days in the late "90s.  It works well and cleans up easily with alcohol.  Never had any corrosion damage using it even after a couple of years. 

Tom, NW0LF

[george graves]

A guy I know on another forum swears that flux eats copper multistrand wire so that you can actually see it, and that you should never solder two wires together (he's installs car stereos for a living, so......)

He says he pulls apart old stereo installs and sees the wires all eaten up.  I've always suspected that it was plumber's solder/flux.

[creyc]

I can second that about the Orange crush, super aggressive flux.  In my opinion overkill for fine electrical work.  I would stick to the plumbing fixtures with that stuff IMO.

Otherwise a very functional looking homeade setup there, GreyWoolfe!

[GreyWoolfe]

Creyc, thanks for the kind words.  My next iteration is to make it 2 tiered to hold a spool of larger diameter solder.  Will post pics when done.  George, I have used Orange Crush since the late 1990's.  I have used it for PCB soldering and wire soldering, installing stereo and ham radio gear in my vehicles.  I have never had any long term issues with the wires in the car falling apart and disintegrating.  I solder wires together and solder on crimp connectors  I am sure that that is the case with acid based flux.  Orange Crush has no zinc chloride or ammonium chloride.  It is water soluble, environmentally safe and lease no corrosive residue.  I also don't gob it on, hence the hypo.  Just a touch on a solder pad or a little spread on a western union splice for wires and when finished, a cleanup with alcohol.  YMMV.

Tom, NW0LF

[JohnnyGringo]

I usually just put it in a draw with the draw open a jar.

I'm having trouble parsing this statement. Can you please elucidate?

[creyc]

I usually just put it in a draw with the draw open a jar.

I'm having trouble parsing this statement. Can you please elucidate?

Could "draw" mean drawer here?  And "a jar" usually means 'open a small amount' with respect to doors, lids, drawers and the like.  Therefore:

I usually just put it (solder) in a drawer with the drawer open a small amount.

[JohnnyGringo]

For Pete's Sake! English already sucks, no need to make it even worsted.

[John Coloccia]

All your solder are belong to us.

[GreyWoolfe]

This 2 tier system cost me about $7 to make.  I used 3/4" flat aluminium stock 1/8" thick.  I also bought 2-1/4" by 4" carriage bolts and 2 nuts per bolt to lock them down just so they would both match.  The piece of 2x4 came out of the garage.  It looks better than the 3 pieces of 2x2 glued together.  The guides are made from copper wire.  Again, not elegant, but far cheaper and it is more fun to make it than buying it.  It also goes with the theme of the home made wire caddy and work bench.

Tom, NW0LF

[ben_r_]

All your solder are belong to us.

Bah ha ha ha I bet most around here have no idea what youre referencing!


....But IIIIIIII Dooooooo!

[OP]

I know this is an old post, but had to post this deluxe solder reel: http://www.jbctools.com/cataleg.php?pro=149&id=9#BE-SA

[miguelvp]

All your solder are belong to us.

Bah ha ha ha I bet most around here have no idea what youre referencing!


....But IIIIIIII Dooooooo!

Come one, this is older than dirt. It's way before chinglish!

Love the website they did a while back by followers, didn't look at it in a while to see if they had new pictures.

Edit: had a site but they don't have pictures anymore, just google images "all your base are belong to us"

[Neganur]

I used to have a nice old 3m wide dedicated desk for solder and cabling work in my old lab. Since it was old,  I didn't mind to put screws in it.
I also had a lot of reels with Dätwyler cables and all kinds of solder tin and the solution I came up with was to attach a long wooden pole to the rear part of the desk with a couple "screw in eye"-screws. Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures anymore so pardon the crude MS Paint job:

[DomesticHacks]

I created some extensions for my shelf system you can print out on a 3D printer:
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:101761

[ben_r_]

^^^^^ Pretty cool!

[David_AVD]

On our workbenches, we use toilet roll holders (from Bunnings) for solder rolls.  You can fit two 500g rolls and they attach to the underside of the shelf above the bench.

[nanofrog]

On our workbenches, we use toilet roll holders (from Bunnings) for solder rolls.  You can fit two 500g rolls and they attach to the underside of the shelf above the bench.

Simple and inexpensive. I like it. 

[Neganur]

On our workbenches, we use toilet roll holders (from Bunnings) for solder rolls.  You can fit two 500g rolls and they attach to the underside of the shelf above the bench.

Hah $6.00, almost less than I paid for my wooden pole back then brilliant!

[rdl]

My bench is in a closet that has those wire type shelves. I use a plain wooden dowel rod about 1" x 36", I slide the spools of wire onto the dowel and hang it below the shelf from the support brackets. I bought the wooden dowel at Walmart. I think I paid $1.59 (plus tax of course).

[SeanB]

I use old tubes that contained vitamin tablets, and you can also use the tubes that Gaviscon comes in. Simple to take the roll, wind a length around a short 5mm rod clamped in the cordless drill and used to wind a roll that fits inside. Poke a hole in the lid and feed through. Makes a portable and easy to use holder. I have quite a few around, so that you can always get one close at hand.

[SLJ]

The shelf supports are made from 3/8 inch threaded rod.  You can adjust the height of each shelf just by moving the nuts holding each shelf up or down.  I slid 3/8 diameter clear PVC over the rods to give them a "high tech" look.

I built a monitor stand on the other side of the station the same way.

The solder spool holder is also made using 3/8 threaded rod covered in PVC.  Nut in the middle to keep spools apart and lock nuts on the ends.  It snaps in and is held by two one and a half inch hooks.

Where's that shiny new Weller WX station!?

I do like that setup, especially the large scope front and center.  Do you happen to recall which model that is?

Sorry, just saw your reply.

Here's the WX and tools in its proper place.

I just set the tool I'm using at the time on the work surface in front of the WX control head.

The Amscope microscope is the 3.5X-90X stereo zoom with the Trinocular head with the USB camera.