I MADE THE BEST HELPING HANDS for ELECTRONICS & SOLDERING | PART 3: Thrust Bearing Mod Smooth Motion

I've improved the DIY helping hands made from dial test indicator holders that I showed how to make in a previous video.    • Easy Mod Turns Cheap Dial Indicator A...   By adding a thrust bearing next to the thumbwheel, the arm can be moved and back driven without loosening or tightening. It can also be tightened more and improves the fine-tune adjustability.

▼ WHERE TO BUY PARTS:
▶ Skate Bearings - https://amzn.to/3jVfBnG
▶ Thrust Bearings - https://amzn.to/3RQc7iR
▶ Mini dial indicator holders (metal knob, easier to add thrust bearing mod) - https://amzn.to/3XF1cui
▶ Mini dial indicator holders (plastic knob) - https://amzn.to/3WOFJhv
▶ 8 Gauge #10 Ring Terminal (That flat should be no more than 0.07in (1.7mm) thick) - https://amzn.to/3DHBBJt or https://amzn.to/3RfNI62 or https://amzn.to/3j7r7M8 or https://amzn.to/3WJItN5
▶ Alligator Clips - https://amzn.to/3wsuVdU
▶ Heat Shrink - https://amzn.to/3ZWNDrH
▶ Large Stainless (ferromagnetic) work surface (12x15in) - https://amzn.to/3XP8iwA
▶ Small Stainless (ferromagnetic) work surface (6x8 in) - https://amzn.to/3kMiJ5p

▼ WHERE TO BUY TOOLS:
▶ Heat Gun - https://amzn.to/3j4ByjF
▶ Knipex Plier wrench - https://amzn.to/3XO2keE

By adding a thrust bearing to the thumb wheel tightened, the arm can be moved around while tight without the arm tightening or loosening. The expensive, high-quality dial test indicator arms, like the NOGA brand arm, have a thrust bearing built into the thumb wheel knob. So when you back drive the arm (rotate the joints while the arm is tightened), the motion is smooth and it does not tighten or loosen as the inexpensive arms do.

BEST HELPING HANDS VIDEO SERIES PLAYLIST -    • BEST HELPING HANDS for Soldering, Ele...  

HELPING HANDS VIDEO SERIES
▶ PART 1:    • I MADE THE BEST HELPING HANDS for ELE...  
▶ PART 2:    • I MADE THE BEST HELPING HANDS for ELE...  
▶ PART 3: (This video)    • I MADE THE BEST HELPING HANDS for ELE...  
▶ FOR WELDING AND JEWELRY SOLDERING:    • Easy Mod Turns Cheap Dial Indicator A...  
▶ SKATE BEARING MOD:    • I MADE THE BEST HELPING HANDS for ELE...  

If you've ever used the classic [miserable, cheaply made, falls apart] helping hands, then you'll understand the pain that drove me to invent a better solution. I use dial indicator arms with magnetic bases every day in the shop for measurements on the lathe and milling machines. I also use them to hold other things in place, but still, be easy to adjust. They are inexpensive, sturdy, and infinitely adjustable. I was inspired to add some alligator clips to the adjustable dial indicator arms to create these awesome helping hands for electronics, soldering, PCB, and general holding of small things so that I can work on them.

This is a DIY project, but it's very simple. There are only 4 parts that need to be bought. The dial indicator arm, ring terminals, alligator clips, and thrust bearing.

The attachment method for the alligator clips is more secure, adjustable, and easier to make. I use an 8 gauge ring terminal with a #10 screw clearance hole as the attachment to the dial indicator arm and solder the alligator clips into the wire hole of the ring terminal.

▼ Video Chapters


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The products shown here were purchased by me with the intent to use them. I did not receive any free items, and I am not being paid or compensated for this review. The video, description, and comments may contain affiliate links. If you click on a link, I may receive a commission. Money earned helps to support my channel and bring you more informative videos about engineering, crafting, and DIY