MadModder

The Shop => Tools => Topic started by: wquiles on May 02, 2010, 12:24:18 PM

Title: Bench tool with small pin vise, 3rd hands, and magnifying lens ...
Post by: wquiles on May 02, 2010, 12:24:18 PM
This project is a great tool for working on small parts, specially if you also need to do any soldering.

To hold larger items I have a Panavise that I bought that has the "soft jaws", but unfortunately it is unsuitable for small items:
(http://m3coupe.com/Tools2/DSCF1653.JPG)


I was fortunate that for a base/foundation I had a Panavise tool available that I picked up for free when the lab at my old company closed - you can see it here with the attachment to hold large PWB's.  On the left you can see the 4x Flex-A-Mag magnifying piece that I will also be attaching to the base (more on this later).  Right in front you see the small pin vise that I have bolted to the bench, which has been a little bit less than satisfactory due to being very sloppy:
(http://m3coupe.com/Tools2/DSCF1652.JPG)


I first started with the pin vise:
(http://m3coupe.com/Tools2/DSCF1654.JPG)


So I started by dissasembling the pin vise:
(http://m3coupe.com/Tools2/DSCF1656.JPG)


and measuring the dia of the alignment rods:
(http://m3coupe.com/Tools2/DSCF1657.JPG)


and finding a drill that would work for this dia:
(http://m3coupe.com/Tools2/DSCF1658.JPG)


Not only am I going to setup new fitted, Delrin sleeves for the alignment rods, but I am also going to create a new fitted "nut" made from Delrin to also eliminate most/all of the slop in the screw mechanism:
(http://m3coupe.com/Tools2/DSCF1663.JPG)


Once I drill a larger hole, I started making a Delrin plug to match that hole I just made:
(http://m3coupe.com/Tools2/DSCF1665.JPG)


(http://m3coupe.com/Tools2/DSCF1666.JPG)


The original screw is 1/4"-20tpi:
(http://m3coupe.com/Tools2/DSCF1667.JPG)


Delrin is a slight press fit:
(http://m3coupe.com/Tools2/DSCF1668.JPG)


Then I drill and tap it:
(http://m3coupe.com/Tools2/DSCF1670.JPG)

(http://m3coupe.com/Tools2/DSCF1671.JPG)


Here is the finished part:
(http://m3coupe.com/Tools2/DSCF1672.JPG)

(http://m3coupe.com/Tools2/DSCF1673.JPG)

(http://m3coupe.com/Tools2/DSCF1674.JPG)


Since gluing Delrin is not easy at all, I chose a mechanical way to keep the plug from moving, so I drill/tap on the bottom side using some small screws:
(http://m3coupe.com/Tools2/DSCF1675.JPG)


I then proceeded to make the larger holes so that I can fit the new Delrin sleeves which will remove all play.  Since it is a curve surface I proceeded to use a stiff solid carbide drill to enlarge the original hole and make it "flat" enough for the actual drill to start enlarging the hole.  I don't have a DRO installed yet, but I aligned everything by hand/eye as best as I could, plus using a drill that matches the original hole as a centering device:
(http://m3coupe.com/Tools2/DSCF1677.JPG)

(http://m3coupe.com/Tools2/DSCF1676.JPG)

(http://m3coupe.com/Tools2/DSCF1678.JPG)


The new holes came up perfect - much better than I hoped:
(http://m3coupe.com/Tools2/DSCF1679.JPG)


Again I cut Delrin to the right dia:
(http://m3coupe.com/Tools2/DSCF1680.JPG)


and drill to match the alignment rods:
(http://m3coupe.com/Tools2/DSCF1681.JPG)


Again I used screws to mechanically keep the Delrin in place:
(http://m3coupe.com/Tools2/DSCF1682.JPG)


Here is the finished, fitted, "restored" pin vise.  On the second pic the Delrin sleeve on the right side of the photo looks bigger in dia than the rod - that is just the bevel I cut on each end.  The fit is perfect with zero play:
(http://m3coupe.com/Tools2/DSCF1683.JPG)

(http://m3coupe.com/Tools2/DSCF1684.JPG)


One of the goals was to make this pin vise available as an accessory to the Panavise, so it would be easy to reposition as needed, so I will have to drill/tap in order to make it work with the Panavise, but also with a small, movable arm as well.  Once I drill and tap the end of the arm, I was able to make it work in a fixture that it fairly firm and adjustable (having it bolted to the bench is not that convenient):
(http://m3coupe.com/Tools2/DSCF1686.JPG)

(http://m3coupe.com/Tools2/DSCF1691.JPG)


Now, to make the pin vise work in the Panavise, I modified the end piece and drill/tap the end:
(http://m3coupe.com/Tools2/DSCF1687.JPG)


Once done, I now have the pin vise in an even sturdier platform, which is also completely adjustable:
(http://m3coupe.com/Tools2/DSCF1689.JPG)

(http://m3coupe.com/Tools2/DSCF1690.JPG)


To complete the setup, I bought the 4x Flex-A-Mag, and 3x of the premium "3-rd hands" from Otto Frei:
(http://m3coupe.com/Tools2/DSCF1659.JPG)

(http://m3coupe.com/Tools2/DSCF1660.JPG)


The tips on these are worlds apart from the traditional aligator tips:
(http://m3coupe.com/Tools2/DSCF1661.JPG)

(http://m3coupe.com/Tools2/DSCF1662.JPG)


Now, I got lucky, as the Panavise had already 3 holes with the same exact size/threads as the ones being used by the Otto Frei 3rd-hands:
(http://m3coupe.com/Tools2/DSCF1693.JPG)

(http://m3coupe.com/Tools2/DSCF1695.JPG)


So I cut to length some screws:
(http://m3coupe.com/Tools2/DSCF1697.JPG)


I then drilled a hole to attach the Flex-A-Mag:
(http://m3coupe.com/Tools2/DSCF1696.JPG)


and then bolt the Flex-A-Mag - note it is not quite touching the bottom as I wanted, while giving a firm hold (the left and right black ones are the rubber feet):
(http://m3coupe.com/Tools2/DSCF1698.JPG)


Here is the complete "fixture" without the pin vise:
(http://m3coupe.com/Tools2/DSCF1699.JPG)

(http://m3coupe.com/Tools2/DSCF1700.JPG)


and through the magnifying lens:
(http://m3coupe.com/Tools2/DSCF1701.JPG)


Here are the two tools that can hold the restored pin vise:
(http://m3coupe.com/Tools2/DSCF1702.JPG)


and this is the Panavise setup with the pin vise:
(http://m3coupe.com/Tools2/DSCF1703.JPG)

(http://m3coupe.com/Tools2/DSCF1704.JPG)


Now I will finally have a great setup for small parts/projects  :)
Title: Re: Bench tool with small pin vise, 3rd hands, and magnifying lens ...
Post by: spuddevans on May 02, 2010, 12:35:10 PM
Well that looks like a really handy tool there  :thumbup: :thumbup: And a terrific write up as well  :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:


Tim
Title: Re: Bench tool with small pin vise, 3rd hands, and magnifying lens ...
Post by: Brass_Machine on May 02, 2010, 02:05:08 PM
Yup, I have a use for one of those! Thanks for the excellent write up! :thumbup:

Another project to do.

Eric
Title: Re: Bench tool with small pin vise, 3rd hands, and magnifying lens ...
Post by: sbwhart on May 02, 2010, 03:02:06 PM
That looks a real useful bit of kit, it looks like a helpful spider  :D .

I'm impressed with the quality of those crocodile clamps as well

Thanks for showing and a great write up.

Stew
Title: Re: Bench tool with small pin vise, 3rd hands, and magnifying lens ...
Post by: websterz on May 02, 2010, 03:11:25 PM
That's better than a trained octopus right there...good on ya'! :nrocks:
Title: Re: Bench tool with small pin vise, 3rd hands, and magnifying lens ...
Post by: Bernd on May 02, 2010, 06:05:00 PM
Very nice writen up. Some very handy for model railroaders. They always need several extra hands. You provide three extra.  :thumbup:

Bernd
Title: Re: Bench tool with small pin vise, 3rd hands, and magnifying lens ...
Post by: wquiles on May 02, 2010, 06:33:04 PM
Thank you guys  :wave:
Title: Re: Bench tool with small pin vise, 3rd hands, and magnifying lens ...
Post by: SAM in LA on May 02, 2010, 08:06:27 PM
Looks like a very handy tool to have.  :proj:

Regards,

SAM
Title: Re: Bench tool with small pin vise, 3rd hands, and magnifying lens ...
Post by: Miner on May 05, 2010, 05:53:39 PM
A very clever collection of parts and assembly. You've obviously spent some time thinking and designing this. Definately on my "to build list" Thanks for posting this.

Pete
Title: Re: Bench tool with small pin vise, 3rd hands, and magnifying lens ...
Post by: wquiles on May 06, 2010, 12:53:27 AM
Of course, I built it to use it ...

At first glance the 3x arms sounds excessive as one would think two are enough, but that is not the case.  Holding this 4" by 4" PWB can't be done in the small pin vise, so the 3 arms give it a great hold - super stable:
(http://m3coupe.com/Tools2/DSCF1730.JPG)


Best thing about the 3 arms is that I needed a 3rd arm for a quick soldering of the tips of this small wire, so I was able to just keep the board floating in place with two arms:
(http://m3coupe.com/Tools2/DSCF1732.JPG)


The built-in Flex-a-Mag is truly a must have!
(http://m3coupe.com/Tools2/DSCF1733.JPG)

(http://m3coupe.com/Tools2/DSCF1734.JPG)


Note in this last picture how easily it is to rotate the pin vise out of the way when it is not needed :D
(http://m3coupe.com/Tools2/DSCF1735.JPG)


Title: Re: Bench tool with small pin vise, 3rd hands, and magnifying lens ...
Post by: Bernd on May 06, 2010, 10:05:58 AM
Excellent post wquiles.  :thumbup:

Nice close ups too.  :thumbup:

Bernd
Title: Re: Bench tool with small pin vise, 3rd hands, and magnifying lens ...
Post by: Stilldrillin on May 06, 2010, 01:00:37 PM
Wow!

That`s one very handy piece of kit!  :thumbup:

Very well made, and shown.... Thank you!  :clap:

David D
Title: Re: Bench tool with small pin vise, 3rd hands, and magnifying lens ...
Post by: Brass_Machine on May 07, 2010, 12:07:52 PM
Now that is a nice piece.

Where did you get the arms and flex mag? I may have a go at this.

Eric
Title: Re: Bench tool with small pin vise, 3rd hands, and magnifying lens ...
Post by: wquiles on May 07, 2010, 03:34:01 PM
The Flexible arms I got from Otto Frei (www.ottofrei.com (http://www.ottofrei.com)) , part number 104.546, $33.95 each, and they are totally awesome and worth every penny:
http://www.ottofrei.com/store/product.php?productid=8185&cat=0&page=1 (http://www.ottofrei.com/store/product.php?productid=8185&cat=0&page=1)

The Flex-A-Mag I bought from Tower Hobbies (http://www.towerhobbies.com/ (http://www.towerhobbies.com/)), part LXMGP6, $24.99, again a great buy:
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/WTI0095P?FVSEARCH=flex+a+mag&search=Go (http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/WTI0095P?FVSEARCH=flex+a+mag&search=Go)

Will
Title: Re: Bench tool with small pin vise, 3rd hands, and magnifying lens ...
Post by: mklotz on May 07, 2010, 04:37:45 PM
Any jewelry supplier will have those flex arms/clamps.  In particular, in the USA, Rio Grande,

http://www.riogrande.com/

carries them. 

Title: Re: Bench tool with small pin vise, 3rd hands, and magnifying lens ...
Post by: wquiles on May 07, 2010, 06:20:13 PM
Yes, they have the same brand (GRS) 3rd hands that I bought from Otto Frei:
http://www.riogrande.com/MemberArea/SearchPage.aspx?page=GRID&category|category_root|126=Soldering+Equipment+and+Supplies&category|cat_126|4432=Surfaces+and+Fixtures (http://www.riogrande.com/MemberArea/SearchPage.aspx?page=GRID&category|category_root|126=Soldering+Equipment+and+Supplies&category|cat_126|4432=Surfaces+and+Fixtures)

Although I could not find the specific, long arm by itself that I bought, as they only seem to carry the "short" arm version.

Will