How many of you have three arms?

ankalar

New member
I don't, but it sure would be useful when I'm trying to solder something to a ground in my guitar. I am a complete soldering newbie so I need some help. How do you guys manage to solder wires to a ground (such as the insulation around the cavity) without having someone else hold it for you? I can't seem to hold the iron, solder, and wire at the same time.
 
Re: How many of you have three arms?

ankalar said:
I don't, but it sure would be useful when I'm trying to solder something to a ground in my guitar. I am a complete soldering newbie so I need some help. How do you guys manage to solder wires to a ground (such as the insulation around the cavity) without having someone else hold it for you? I can't seem to hold the iron, solder, and wire at the same time.

I have a book thats a basic guide to repairing guitars and amps and in there there's several pics of this little device that i NEED to get... it's like two rotatable/adjustable alligator clips mounted on a little T-stand so you can position stuff for easy wiring. I don't know what it's called or where to get one but i NEED one of those.
 
Re: How many of you have three arms?

Radioshack has this thing called "Helping Hands" or something like that, it's essentially alligator clips on the end of moveable arms.
 
Re: How many of you have three arms?

DeadSkinSlayer3 said:
Radioshack has this thing called "Helping Hands" or something like that, it's essentially alligator clips on the end of moveable arms.

Yep, that's what I use (when I'm actually motivated to go and find it). Most of the time, I can pull of a decent enough job with my two hands... but it sure isn't easy ;)
 
Re: How many of you have three arms?

Electrical tape is my third arm. I always manage to situate the wire in such a way where I can have a piece of electrical tape about and inch or two away from the point to be soldered. Works everytime.
 
Re: How many of you have three arms?

I was thinking of using electrical tape, but I was too lazy to find one today and all I was doing was soldering the wires direct to the output jack. I did a kind of sloppy job, but once all my pots come in the mail I'll be a little more careful.
 
Re: How many of you have three arms?

well, not to brag, but the ladies like to give complements.... :naughty:


it's a matter of balancing the wire just enough so it'll stay when you solder it, but wont move when you let go of it
 
Re: How many of you have three arms?

HolyDirt said:
well, not to brag, but the ladies like to give complements.... :naughty:

Reminds me of the joke about the quadruple amputee and how he rung a doorbell... :burnout:
 
Re: How many of you have three arms?

"helping hands" yep in the uk made by draper on the net at just under £4 with a magnifer as well joy...
 
Re: How many of you have three arms?

B2D said:
Reminds me of the joke about the quadruple amputee and how he rung a doorbell... :burnout:

And THAT reminds me of Quagmire´s Doorbell :chairfall:
 
Re: How many of you have three arms?

Actually, I found that having fretted some wacky chords in the past has helped me enough to do 2 things with the same hand. At times, I use my mouth to hold the solder..
How amy of you can tell me of the dangers of inhaling solder? At times I've burned me fingers trying to hold things to gether and solder them... At times I've left it all lying there, went outside and almost killed someone. Then, I discovered duct tape. That's what MacGyver uses, remeber? So, I basically just tape things to place.
 
Re: How many of you have three arms?

Ya a 3rd hand could come in handy for some soldering.... I've managed to do it for years now without help but i can say there has been times i almost smashed a guitar off my bench when things where going wrong...

WhoFan
 
Re: How many of you have three arms?

Some people put the solder on the wire b4 they solder it.

And your mouth can be a 3rd hand if needed. Dont sue me if you get burned! :P
 
Re: How many of you have three arms?

When i was in highschool, they use to think i had 3 arms becuse i was ambi', 3 legs to, but only because i did rolf harris gags. Not because i was a king ding aling. damnit
 
Re: How many of you have three arms?

A friend of mine actually put his iron in his mouth, while he was trying to get into a better postion. Oh how we laughed. He didn't, and indeed couldn't for about a month.
 
Re: How many of you have three arms?

put an elastic band tight around the handles of a pair of pliers, so it holds the jaws shut. this'll hold pretty much anything in place..

tom
 
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