{"id":5951,"date":"2018-09-09T10:53:11","date_gmt":"2018-09-09T14:53:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.plastibots.com\/?p=5951"},"modified":"2019-03-01T10:21:09","modified_gmt":"2019-03-01T15:21:09","slug":"3d-print-electronics-soldering-3rd-hand","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.plastibots.com\/index.php\/2018\/09\/09\/3d-print-electronics-soldering-3rd-hand\/","title":{"rendered":"3D Print: Electronics Soldering 3rd Hand"},"content":{"rendered":"

After years using my reliable PanaVise, it was time to step it up with some extra help for soldering and electronics work.\u00a0 I had this idea over a year ago, and pick-up some 3rd hand arms. They then sat on my workbench…\u00a0 Now that the weather is cooling down, there’s more time for hobbies.\u00a0 \u00a0That, and my eyes are not what they used to be, so this has become somewhat of a necessity.\u00a0 \u00a0Given MCUs are getting smaller these days, and the use of SMD parts are becoming more common, it was only fitting.\u00a0 Oh, did I mention that my eyes are not getting any better? \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n

I also wanted the option of magnifying the view as needed.\u00a0 After a failed attempt at these <\/a>(they suck! You need to be mm from the object), I decided to grab a good old fashioned magnifying glass and integrate it.\u00a0 If you want to build your own, head to the links below for the parts and fire up your 3D printer.\u00a0 The only custom work you may have to do is print an adapter for the magnifying glass (if you choose to use one).\u00a0 \u00a0My approach was quite crude.\u00a0 Buy magnifying glass, cut off arm, measure, custom design 3D part, print, and globs of Goop glue.\u00a0 The other end of the adapter fits the orange end (with more Goop of course!).\u00a0 I’ve also beefed up the 3rd hand mounts on the 3D model below.\u00a0 After printing, I realized the walls and interface to the base plate are a bit flimsy and are likely to break over time.\u00a0 Will re-print if that happens.\u00a0 The beauty of 3D printing.\u00a0 Just add plastic + time…\u00a0 Oh, and I printed via PLA, so there’s inherent weakness there.<\/p>\n

Parts:<\/strong><\/p>\n