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  • Author Author: genebren
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Continuing to organize - Soldering tools - part 3

genebren

In my prior blogs (Continuing to organize - laser marking upgrade to lightring. and Continuing to organize - laser marking upgrade to light ring - part 2 ), I was busy working on my soldering station.  Well no big surprise, I still trying to improve on my tools and procedures, in an attempt to clean up my soldering area.

 

I have been very happy with my previous improvements and acquisitions, but I suffer with chronic disorganization.  I tend to put things down and then struggle to find them when I need them next (even if I put them down less than a minute ago).  Recently I was in the process of building up a batch of boards for a client, when I noticed that I was constantly looking for my tweezers.  I tend to use two different tweezers, with each use based on their unique features. I use cross lock or reverse action tweezers (1842318423) to hold components in place while soldering (larger ICs in TQFP-like packages and/or connectors), or curved and rounded tips tweezers(similar to 2AB SA2AB SA) to place and solder smaller SMD components.  The curved tweezers are used more frequently and they are constantly being switched between my right and left hands depending on whether I am placing components (right hand) or holding components (left hand) during soldering.  With all the hand and tool switching, I always seem to be looking for my tweezers.

 

Here are some images of my cross lock or reverse action tweezers in action:

imageimageimage

What suddenly dawned on me during the removal of the cross lock tweezers is that I could clip them on to the vise jaws on the board holder and they would be handy the next time I needed them.

image

 

Now the cross lock tweezers are at the ready for the next component that needs to be held in place.  I tried using this approach to keep my tweezers in a known place through the assembly of the next few boards.  I did forget to them there a few times, but like any habit, I just have to keep trying to remember and repeat the process until it becomes second nature.

 

This morning I started thinking down the road a bit to the next step, which would be to build/print a holder for the curve tip tweezers.  I am thinking of creating a closed bottom tube with a clip that will allow be to hang the holder onto the backside of the jaws. This would allow be to have the curved tip tweezers to hang nearby the board being assembled.  More on this in an other blog.

 

I have really been enjoying my Panavise mini vise (201201) and the heavy Base Mount (312312).  This vise and the Duratool turntable (RT-01RT-01) have truly improved my soldering experience.

 

Update 9/7/21 - I have printed a dual toolholder to slip on the lower edge of the jaw.  This turned out perfectly, I could not be happier with the results.  The only issue is that I made the slot in the holder that straddles the triangular gusset just a bit too deep, allowing the toolholder to slide almost all the way down to the base of the gusset.  I will need to print a tiny filler to limit the depth of the slot and hence the distance that the holder can travel down the gusset.

 

Here are so pictures of the toolholder installed on my PCB vise:

imageimageimage

 

More later.........

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  • Enjoyed the blog post GB. I suffer from errant tool syndrome as well. I've used a tool and then go looking for it to discover it is already in my hand. Misplaced tools is more chronic if I have multiple workspaces and or multiple workbench partners.

     

    I've seen a number of solutions and think they would work for the individual that wishes to invest in them. Take for example your method of clipping the tweezers to the vice. Get into the practice of doing it I suspect once it becomes a habit you will never misplace them again.

     

    I would guess technicians that work in that work in systems like aircrafts or space crafts have a tool organization methodology. I'm thinking of operating rooms that count sponges and instruments before closing the patient up. Leaving something behind would be critical. I left my pliers on the roof of the house the other day. After chastizing my spouse for not putting them back, I pondered where I seen them last and realized my spouse handed them to me on the ladder. OOPS!

     

    I'm curious maybe there is a tool organization/handling process training. I'm wondering if members with experience (i.e. CH  in aircraft) in different fields have tried and tested solutions that with a little bit of training might make a world of difference.

Comment

  • Enjoyed the blog post GB. I suffer from errant tool syndrome as well. I've used a tool and then go looking for it to discover it is already in my hand. Misplaced tools is more chronic if I have multiple workspaces and or multiple workbench partners.

     

    I've seen a number of solutions and think they would work for the individual that wishes to invest in them. Take for example your method of clipping the tweezers to the vice. Get into the practice of doing it I suspect once it becomes a habit you will never misplace them again.

     

    I would guess technicians that work in that work in systems like aircrafts or space crafts have a tool organization methodology. I'm thinking of operating rooms that count sponges and instruments before closing the patient up. Leaving something behind would be critical. I left my pliers on the roof of the house the other day. After chastizing my spouse for not putting them back, I pondered where I seen them last and realized my spouse handed them to me on the ladder. OOPS!

     

    I'm curious maybe there is a tool organization/handling process training. I'm wondering if members with experience (i.e. CH  in aircraft) in different fields have tried and tested solutions that with a little bit of training might make a world of difference.

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  • in reply to colporteur

    Thanks Sean.

     

    I have seen a lot of approaches to tool organization throughout my career, but I think the basis behind most of them is starting with a clean and well organized workspace.  I fail that one right out of the gate.  I tend to start one job right on top of the previous one (or two, or three...).  I am usually driven to clean up my space when I have lost something that I really need (or when my Grandchildren are heading over for the day, like today).  Then I start peeling back the layers until I find what I was looking for, or until I get to the bottom of the pile.

     

    I am working on a design to hold my pair of tweezers, that I can attach to one of the jaws of my vise.  The hope is to keep both tools handy and at the ready.  Here is the first draft of this attempt:

    image

    The tool holder will slip over the lower ridge on the jaw and allow for a 15 degree slope which should be enough to keep the tools in place.  I hope to print this later today and see how it looks. (so handy to have my 3D printer).

  • in reply to genebren

    Thanks for the tip. Works great. Action photo:

     

    image

     

     

     

     

      wrote:

    ... I think the basis behind most of them is starting with a clean and well organized workspace.  I fail that one right out of the gate. ...

    That's my trick. I have so little desk space that keeping it tidy the only option. It isn't a natural habit - I'm messy like anyone else - so I just do it.

    My desk is clean at least twice a day: before and after my day job.

    I clean it up in the evening, so that I can work from a clean surface in the morning. And I remove all work related items when the work day is finished.

    It also helps with the psychology. I'm trying to physically end the work day now that I work from home, by stowing my work laptop and related utensils away.

  • in reply to colporteur

    to answer your inquiry, I use several methods for my Metal tips I use the stand itself.

    I have a small tool chest that holds my spools of solder. I have another stand sorry no pick that holds two spools of wire at any time and It also has a rest. When I'm soldering I work off the spool itself via a Hakko productimage

    and it only costs about, $20.00. BTW if you take some solder off the spool you end up using more solder. image

    ~~Cris

  • in reply to Jan Cumps

    Jan,

     

    Very good point about having a clear definition about the 'end of the work day'.  This has been a struggle throughout my career, especially when I did consulting.  There were days where I worked too long, or allowed the work to take up important down time.  Not a healthy way to work.

  • in reply to phoenixcomm

    I was thinking with your aviation back ground you might have some insight into the procedures for maintenance crews inside aircraft. I suspect tools travelling through a cockpit during high speed maneuvers is frown upon by pilots. I was thinking they would have a checklist approach to reduce risk. I suspect the military are adapt but not sure of civilian crews.

     

    I am envious of your solder holder. My roll around on the desk bobbin needs help.