Third Hand Tools

Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials Tools
1

I just recently picked up a third hand tool at Harbor Fright, that for all intents and purposes was 1/2 off. It came with a magnifying glass attached to it. Sadly, at this time that was the only option that they had. And as I kind of figured, at least for me the magnifying glass just gets in the way of what I am holding in the aligator clips and either trying to paint or glue together. And I really think that a second, stand alone magnifying glass that can be positioned anywhere I want is the better option.

That being said, does anyone else have a problem with the closeness to the work of the magnifying glass on third hand tools? Are there third hand tools where the magnifying glass is set further back from the work? This one it’s set back about about an 1 1/2" if one bends it at a 90-degree angle.

Not only is it too close otherwise, but by bending it at a 90-degree angle it is below the piece clamped in the aligator clips. No matter how/where I position the magnifying glass I really can’t see it being of use to me. If I slide it all the way to one end it’ll make the whole thing tip to that side. So I’ve removed it entirely.

Another good question, is are there any third hand tools with smooth jaws?

2

I gave up on the magnifier/clamp combo long ago. Same problems as you but less patience. I cut a marker open, taped it to the long rod and turned mine into an airbrush holder.

I settled on a flo. magnifying swing arm lamp and I either hold stuff with blue tac on a stick or my paws.

3

There are many different configs possible when buying a third hand tool.

There are one clamp, two clamp, three clamp, two clamp with a magnifier, two clamp with a magnifier and a light, etc.

I would buy a one clamp tool and install your magnifier on that, and add the unused clamp to your current stand.

here is what shows up as pictures in a quick search

www.google.com/search

Rex

(just click on Web or Shopping to find places that sell them)

4

CN Spots,

Actually, it didn’t take any patience. I could tell just by looking at it in it’s packaging that I didn’t like the position of the magnifying glass. So when I opened it up the first thing I did was to remove the bloody thing.

5

I have two of these. A small and a large. I removed the mirror from the small one as it was useless to me. I use mine mainly for holding wires and LEDS. Leaves my hands free for the iron and solder.

6

I think most of them evolved from that type of usage… soldering. For THAT purpose I can see them being very handy.

Those alligator clips are lethal to styrene.

7

I have one of those too and don’t like the alligator clips either. I’ve been looking for alligator clips without the teeth or rubber inserts. No luck finding them though.

8

Could you file down the teeth? Perhaps cover them with Plasti-Dip? Or a coating of silicone caulk?

9

I got my “flat nose” alligator clips at Radio Shack. They are made of copper, and have flat surfaces for the clamping area,you can bend and shape them to your work. The back end mounts by crimping around whatever you want to use for a post.

I use mine to hold 1/72 bombs and missiles for painting. I put two dozen on finishing nails stuck in small squares of balsa wood for individual stands.

Rex

10

here’s some different sizes

www.google.com/search

11

and some tiny “toothless” ones, just to give an idea of the shape, you should be able to get larger sizes (or you could squeeze copper clamps that have teeth to flatten them out)

www.digikey.com/…/304582

12

I also removed the magnifying glass from my third hand thing. I’m much happier with the two positionable clips and my optivisor.

I have wrapped masking tape around the grips of the alligator clips, quick and dirty but not great solution that works for me.

13

mitsdude said - " I removed the mirror from the small one as it was useless to me." Good heavens!, I’m trying to think of what possible reason they would have included a mirror with their Third Hand. That’s even more useless than the ridiculous magnifier!

14

I guess you could use the gator grips to clamp down on a soft jawed clamp like one of these:

15

Small diameter shrink tube cushions the tips of 'gator clamps. It’s commonly found in the electrical dept of home centers and hardware stores.

Like the rest of you, I’ve found very few uses for my Harbor Freight third hand - glad it was cheap!

Mike

16

That’s a neat idea!

17

Electrical or duct tape also covers those teeth.

18

I put some shrink tubing on the jaws. I allows me to use the teeth and protects the piece I am working on.

19

Hi D.C. !

I have four of these and I took the magnifier off the one that had it .I have mixed feelings about them because of the Alligator clips . I would like to see one with the tips they have on stamp tweezers .

That way no damage to what they are holding .Or just serrated ends like toothed tweezers .