Make: Online : HOW TO - build the Arms of Assistance

Aoa 1.6

Circuit board vises are great, but you may find yourself repositioning the head too often trying to get an ideal view of your project. With just a little additional hardware, it's possible to raise a Panavise Jr. to eye level and free up some valuable bench-top real estate.

If you find yourself reaching for more than 'hands' for 'helping', check out this quick and easy guide to building - The ARMS of ASSISTANCE! -Link

Ingredients
Aoa 1.0

5/8" Microphone Surface-Mount Flange (Radio Shack #33-332)
13" Gooseneck Microphone Extension (Radio Shack #33-330)
Panavise Jr. Head - from Model 201 or standalone 203
3 self-tapping screws (#6~#8 size)
~7/64" drill bit
Philips head screw bit
Power drill

Step 1 - Mark!
Aoa 1.1
Mark the holes for the mounting plate on your prospective surface

Step 2 - Drill!
Aoa 1.2
Drill holes with 7/64" bit

Step 3 - Screws!
Aoa 1.3
Send in the screws. (and set 'em straighter than this one)

Step 4 - Gooseneck!
Aoa 1.4
Twist the gooseneck on good and tight to ensure a stable connection.

Step 5 - Vise head!
Aoa 1.5
Here's the hackiest bit - Insert the free gooseneck thread between the loosened vise mount clamp. Straighten the connection by eye and then tighten it up while keeping it aligned. (It may seem an awkward fit, but don't sweat it - I've found the end result to be quite reliable.)

Step 6 - Use!
Aoa 1.7
There you go - one arm fully installed . . . and it even has a stylish 'modern' aesthetic (aka - chrome).
Observe your newfound verticle freedom and visibility! It feels good to liberate that table space for parts, documentation, elbows, etc. (I find myself creating far fewer random component piles now.)
Plus - you can now easily raise your PCB to eye level to avoid hideous eye/neck/back strain - healthy!

++Arm > Arm;
Aoa 1.8
Don't let him go lonely. If you've got the budget, add a second arm for concurrent work, testing, and enhanced workspace luxury.

EOM

Comments

Oldest comments listed first.

Posted by: Steve on February 18, 2008 at 4:18 PM

That is absolutely brilliant!

How much weight can it hold before it starts sagging?

Reply to this comment

Posted by: Collin Cunningham on February 18, 2008 at 4:28 PM

Hmmm . . . Not too much before the gooseneck flexes.
2lbs maybe? that's a shot in the dark - I'll test it.

Posted by: Prozacgod on February 18, 2008 at 5:04 PM

If you need extra strength, I stuffed some solid coper wire inside a build of my that was similar to this, works a treat!

Posted by: Capitan Obvious on February 18, 2008 at 5:18 PM

Hello, I am Capitan Obvious, and I approve of this post.

Posted by: twin on February 18, 2008 at 8:25 PM

Any idea where one might find the gooseneck and mounting flange in Canada?

Posted by: Collin Cunningham on February 18, 2008 at 9:26 PM

well there's always ebay

or perhaps pro-audio / guitarcenter type shops.

Posted by: Terry on February 18, 2008 at 9:35 PM

Have you thought about adding a couple LEDs to this?

A hole could be drilled through the flange and a wall-wart could be plugged-in below.

Posted by: Terry on February 18, 2008 at 9:36 PM

Have you thought about adding a couple LEDs to this for illumination of the project in the vise?

Posted by: Gareth Branwyn on February 18, 2008 at 11:21 PM

Great job on this, Collin. I might actually want to do one of these on my new workbench.

Posted by: mike on March 16, 2009 at 3:46 AM

I really liked this post, I modified it a little using some coolant hose instead of gooseneck and added some attachments. You can check it out at this instructable:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Ultimate_DeskSquid_Helping_Hand/