Tools I Have Found Helpful Recently

[Inflames626]

Some tools I've used on my recent builds. I hope it helps everyone else out.

StewMac Solder Monster--expensive but helpful for holding stuff in place as you work. Best used screwed to a table or with a C clamp for heavy stuff.

https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-too...s-for-electric-guitar/stewmac-solder-monster/

Irwin Quick Grip, Micro, 4 inch. This has largely solved the main issue I was having working on projects--holding small objects in place long enough for solder joints to cool.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004SBCO?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

Jonard ST-500 wire strippers. Expensive but specially designed to strip 18-36 awg wire. Solved the other problem I had of wires breaking during stripping.

https://www.amazon.com/Jonard-ST-50...jonard+st+500+wire+strippers,tools,137&sr=1-1

 

[beaubrummels]

Here's an affordable version of the helping hands / clips:
https://www.amazon.com/Helping-Hands-Soldering-Third-Tools/dp/B083WQRGC4

 

[piblock]

The solder monster looks great, but $200 - yikes! It's probably worth it for professionals, which I am not.


I have this and another similar model which are very helpful. About $10 each:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000P42O3C/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The quick grips are a good idea, I'll try that the next project I'm working on if I have any similarly sized clamps.

 

[Inflames626]

Here's an affordable version of the helping hands / clips:
https://www.amazon.com/Helping-Hands-Soldering-Third-Tools/dp/B083WQRGC4

Wow, great suggestion, beaubrummels ! Thanks. The Solder Monster has long arms but they can be stiff to move and it becomes unbalanced. It isn't easy to work with on a round kitchen table like I do. It looks like what you suggested might be easier.

piblock , you're right, the Solder Monster is expensive, as everything from StewMac seems to be these days. Having a place for wire spools and tools is helpful, and the shop vac ventilation thing is a good idea, but the Solder Monster can be ungainly to use. I went against the traditional helping hands like the one you posted mainly because they fall apart on me and the small parts become lost. They also seem to fall over depending upon how things are positioned.

I tend to leave all the lead on my wires so I can pull things out of the guitar and work on the table next to it instead of soldering directly in the electronics cavity. Things can get awkwardly positioned sometimes and all that wire can be a pain to feed back in in a way that doesn't break connections.

I saw the Quick Grips on a video by a guy who was soldering switches for his model train track. The grips have a way of lying to one side or standing vertically while keeping things still. Right now I use them for keeping DPDT pots in place while I solder on four conductor wire. They have greatly sped up my projects.

 

[jeremy]

might have to grab that cheap amazon thing

 

[eclecticsynergy]

I have something like that; the magnifier used to be handy. Nowadays I wear a magnifying visor so I can use both eyes.
It doubles as eye protection when using the Dremel.

PSA, ratchet clamps like that are available at Harbor Freight for about half that price.
Also handy for holding a humbucker cover tight when you solder it; I use sections cut from a paint stirrer to spread the pressure evenly.

I love the idea of a stripper designed for fine wire. But for the amount of wiring I do, $40 is a bit steep. One of these days.


For me, another tool that's been helpful is a pair of thin-nosed pliers with cushioned jaws.
There are times when an all-metal one can easily scratch things accidentally.


.