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phoinix | Staff 42.2K Views
Jan 19, 2024 11:17 PM

NEIKO Adjustable Helping Hand with Magnifying Glass for Soldering Station

$5.55

$8.97

38% off
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Deal Details
Amazon has NEIKO Adjustable Helping Hand with Magnifying Glass for Soldering Station (1902) on sale for $5.56. Shipping is free w/ Prime or on $35+ orders.

Thanks to Community Member phoinix for sharing this deal.

About this product:
  • Frees your hands for safe soldering, gluing, positioning, fastening, and assembly of objects small to large in size for tasks requiring a high level of precision, such as avionics
  • Equipped with a 2x magnifying glass on an adjustable arm to perform precision work on even the smallest of objects or workpieces
  • Dual alligator spring clamps are attached to wire holders on adjustable arms that securely hold components, work pieces, small electronics, and appliances steady for soldering tasks that require accuracy and efficiency
  • Mirror and clamps are mounted on adjustable ball joints to position and view work at any angle and to serve as extra hands to view objects at the most difficult angles with ease
  • Heavy-duty cast-iron base keeps the unit upright and stable and provides a secure hold that keeps objects steady while working on or soldering components

Editor's Notes

Written by jimmytx | Staff
  • About this Store:
  • Additional Information:
    • Rated 4.3 out of 5 stars on Amazon based on over 12950 customer reviews.
    • Please see the original post for additional details and/or view the Wiki and forum comments for further helpful discussion if available.

Original Post

Written by phoinix | Staff
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
Amazon has NEIKO Adjustable Helping Hand with Magnifying Glass for Soldering Station (1902) on sale for $5.56. Shipping is free w/ Prime or on $35+ orders.

Thanks to Community Member phoinix for sharing this deal.

About this product:
  • Frees your hands for safe soldering, gluing, positioning, fastening, and assembly of objects small to large in size for tasks requiring a high level of precision, such as avionics
  • Equipped with a 2x magnifying glass on an adjustable arm to perform precision work on even the smallest of objects or workpieces
  • Dual alligator spring clamps are attached to wire holders on adjustable arms that securely hold components, work pieces, small electronics, and appliances steady for soldering tasks that require accuracy and efficiency
  • Mirror and clamps are mounted on adjustable ball joints to position and view work at any angle and to serve as extra hands to view objects at the most difficult angles with ease
  • Heavy-duty cast-iron base keeps the unit upright and stable and provides a secure hold that keeps objects steady while working on or soldering components

Editor's Notes

Written by jimmytx | Staff
  • About this Store:
  • Additional Information:
    • Rated 4.3 out of 5 stars on Amazon based on over 12950 customer reviews.
    • Please see the original post for additional details and/or view the Wiki and forum comments for further helpful discussion if available.

Original Post

Written by phoinix | Staff

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Top Comments

madcow3417
1.6KComments
583Reputation
I'm a bit of a helping hands connoisseur. I bought several, and have made a few. For pretty much all of them the hands hold better if you cover the alligator clamps with heat shrink on each side.
Here is a brief list of some of my favorite types, in no particular order. I didn't buy these particular ones, my suppliers have varied over the years.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0865VQVRX/
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07SBZRF6S/
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001C6NJOA/
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CNJRTT5H/

That last one is surprisingly useful, at this point I use it about 50% of the time. It's a good way to not get your fingers burnt soldering small stuff. One finger can hold the holder in your hand, and other fingers can push wire or components to the exact angle and position you want it.

While searching for this list, I came across another one that interests me. I think I'll be making one of these next:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJFFQ684/
Go to Comment
arcasinky
1.2KComments
403Reputation
These things are less useful than they appear. I have one. The base is tiny and not particularly heavy so it seems like it's always on the verge of tipping over when you're using it to hold something. This is especially true if you're not using the magnifying glass as a sort of counterweight. If they'd give these things a base with a larger footprint they'd be more stable. For $5, eh, maybe it's worth the price. But that's about all I'd pay.
Go to Comment
Bigsleep62
41Comments
12Reputation
I have a similar one and its not great. If you are serious about this get something like this https://www.amazon.com/XYK-Helpin...102&sr=8-6
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62 Comments

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Jan 19, 2024 11:59 PM
1.1K Comments
Joined May 2015
BenjaminL6834Jan 19, 2024 11:59 PM
1.1K Comments
"With this tool, you can achieve near-perfect results."

Don't set the bar too high 🤣
13
1
Jan 20, 2024 12:42 AM
297 Comments
Joined Mar 2023
PantherCat1Jan 20, 2024 12:42 AM
297 Comments
This is one of those things that you wish you had when you needed it.
4
Jan 20, 2024 5:05 AM
1.2K Comments
Joined Sep 2010
arcasinkyJan 20, 2024 5:05 AM
1.2K Comments

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank

These things are less useful than they appear. I have one. The base is tiny and not particularly heavy so it seems like it's always on the verge of tipping over when you're using it to hold something. This is especially true if you're not using the magnifying glass as a sort of counterweight. If they'd give these things a base with a larger footprint they'd be more stable. For $5, eh, maybe it's worth the price. But that's about all I'd pay.

4
Jan 20, 2024 5:09 AM
13.1K Comments
Joined Jan 2007
MadPupJan 20, 2024 5:09 AM
13.1K Comments
Quote from arcasinky View quoted comment :
These things are less useful than they appear. I have one. The base is tiny and not particularly heavy so it seems like it's always on the verge of tipping over when you're using it to hold something. This is especially true if you're not using the magnifying glass as a sort of counterweight. If they'd give these things a base with a larger footprint they'd be more stable. For $5, eh, maybe it's worth the price. But that's about all I'd pay.
Ditto.
Pro
Global Mod
Jan 20, 2024 5:10 AM
1.4K Comments
Joined Jun 2006
Mbilo
Pro
Global Mod
Jan 20, 2024 5:10 AM
1.4K Comments

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Quote from arcasinky View quoted comment :
These things are less useful than they appear. I have one. The base is tiny and not particularly heavy so it seems like it's always on the verge of tipping over when you're using it to hold something. This is especially true if you're not using the magnifying glass as a sort of counterweight. If they'd give these things a base with a larger footprint they'd be more stable. For $5, eh, maybe it's worth the price. But that's about all I'd pay.
Maybe gluing it onto a more stable base would help. Like a brick or a 2x4
2
2
1
Jan 20, 2024 6:47 AM
41 Comments
Joined Dec 2017
Bigsleep62Jan 20, 2024 6:47 AM
41 Comments

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I have a similar one and its not great. If you are serious about this get something like this https://www.amazon.com/XYK-Helpin...102&sr=8-6
3
Jan 20, 2024 3:37 PM
848 Comments
Joined Dec 2016
JasonS1468Jan 20, 2024 3:37 PM
848 Comments
You will regret buying this.
5

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Jan 20, 2024 4:32 PM
1.2K Comments
Joined Sep 2010
arcasinkyJan 20, 2024 4:32 PM
1.2K Comments
Quote from Mbilo View quoted comment :
Maybe gluing it onto a more stable base would help. Like a brick or a 2x4
Sure. I've used duct-tape to fasten mine to the table. But the better answer is to use a better set of helping-hands. I wound up getting sucked into the Panavise ecosystem thanks to a deal posted here maybe 10-12 years ago. There's a helping-hands add-on that screws onto the Panavise base so it's nice and stable. So you have a little vise or circuit board holder plus 4 bendy helping-hands. Panavise stuff isn't particularly cheap but damn if it doesn't make things easier.
Jan 20, 2024 6:20 PM
291 Comments
Joined Nov 2021

This comment has been rated as unhelpful by Slickdeals users.

Jan 20, 2024 8:14 PM
4.5K Comments
Joined Oct 2011
polymorphicdealJan 20, 2024 8:14 PM
4.5K Comments
Quote from Bigsleep62 View quoted comment :
I have a similar one and its not great. If you are serious about this get something like this https://www.amazon.com/XYK-Helpin...102&sr=8-6
That looks like Doc Ock from Spider-Man.
1
Jan 20, 2024 9:12 PM
1.6K Comments
Joined Dec 2008
madcow3417Jan 20, 2024 9:12 PM
1.6K Comments

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank

I'm a bit of a helping hands connoisseur. I bought several, and have made a few. For pretty much all of them the hands hold better if you cover the alligator clamps with heat shrink on each side.
Here is a brief list of some of my favorite types, in no particular order. I didn't buy these particular ones, my suppliers have varied over the years.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0865VQVRX/
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07SBZRF6S/
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001C6NJOA/
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CNJRTT5H/

That last one is surprisingly useful, at this point I use it about 50% of the time. It's a good way to not get your fingers burnt soldering small stuff. One finger can hold the holder in your hand, and other fingers can push wire or components to the exact angle and position you want it.

While searching for this list, I came across another one that interests me. I think I'll be making one of these next:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJFFQ684/
Last edited by madcow3417 January 20, 2024 at 01:15 PM.
8
Jan 20, 2024 9:18 PM
5.2K Comments
Joined Sep 2019
LavenderPickle7682Jan 20, 2024 9:18 PM
5.2K Comments
As someone who is heavily into DIY and electronics, this is what we jokingly call "the fastest way to discourage a newcomer out of the hobby." Give them these helping hands and measure their tolerance for nonsense.

This style of "helping hands" is absolutely abysmal. You'll fight with it so much, you'll want to throw it out a window -- we call that "defenestration", but the cool kids call it "yeeting". The owners of the building call it vandalism.

Instead, check out Panavise's offerings (they've been around for a while) or a new offering from OMNIFIXO, which I think is probably the nicest I've seen to date. Both are pricier than this, but they actually do the job well. This one doesn't do anything well other than increase one's blood pressure.
6
1
Jan 21, 2024 5:31 AM
753 Comments
Joined Dec 2013
rod4400Jan 21, 2024 5:31 AM
753 Comments

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank

Quote from arcasinky View quoted comment :
These things are less useful than they appear. I have one. The base is tiny and not particularly heavy so it seems like it's always on the verge of tipping over when you're using it to hold something. This is especially true if you're not using the magnifying glass as a sort of counterweight. If they'd give these things a base with a larger footprint they'd be more stable. For $5, eh, maybe it's worth the price. But that's about all I'd pay.
Exactly- nothing like fumbling with a hot soldering iron while this thing does its best to tip over on you the whole time (speaking from experience)
1
Jan 21, 2024 1:22 PM
981 Comments
Joined Oct 2003
TacoJan 21, 2024 1:22 PM
981 Comments

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank

Quote from arcasinky View quoted comment :
These things are less useful than they appear. I have one. The base is tiny and not particularly heavy so it seems like it's always on the verge of tipping over when you're using it to hold something. This is especially true if you're not using the magnifying glass as a sort of counterweight. If they'd give these things a base with a larger footprint they'd be more stable. For $5, eh, maybe it's worth the price. But that's about all I'd pay.
Use a C clamp to affix the base to your work surface.
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Jan 21, 2024 1:29 PM
1.4K Comments
Joined Nov 2010
JusthathoughtJan 21, 2024 1:29 PM
1.4K Comments
I thought and bought this two + years ago and still haven't used it yet but it's ready if i do

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