I recently purchased a new tool called the “ThirdHandMan”. My review of this tool is beneath this picture. If you don’t wish to read the whole review, I will summarize – I LOVE THIS TOOL!!<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
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As an avid RC hobbyist who loves electric RC vehicles, I do a fair amount of soldering. I have always used “helping hands” to assist me, but I have never been fond of them. I find them to be clunky and inflexible.<o></o>
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Recently, I searched for something better. I found a set of "QuadHands" on Amazon that I almost purchased, then decided to do a bit more research. In an RC forum, I found a reference to a tool called the "Third Hand, Helping Hand". It led me to this video on Youtube which is :<o></o>
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8wV6jpsvys<o></o>
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After watching the video, I went to the ebay listings and was impressed by the unique, artistic individuality of each piece. No two are exactly alike. The inventor doesn't use a generic photo. Rather, each unique piece gets its own pictures. I was able to pick the shape and color I wanted:<o></o>
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http://www.ebay.com/sch/rjter50/m.html?item=291081088130&hash=item43c5c8ec82&pt=Radio_Control_Vehicles&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562<o></o>
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The shipping was really fast! I had my new tool just three days after I placed the order. I was just as enthralled with it in person as I was with video and pictures. I put it right to use soldering some wire connections. Not only does this tool look very cool, it really WORKS!<o></o>
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The artistic looking base is made of a concrete-type substance that is quite heavy, so it sits well on a table without tipping.<o></o>
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Even better, the inventor went "above and beyond" for the bottom of the base. He could have stuck on 4 felt or rubber tabs and called it a day. But no, he covered the entire underside of the base with a textured non-skid rubber material, then chamfered it all the way around for a very clean look. The tool stays wherever you put it. Period.<o></o>
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The ThirdHandMan comes apart and goes back together very easily. It can be stored flat, if you wish. It is shipped that way. It takes all of 30-seconds to screw the 4 arms into the base. Although the base is a concrete-like substance, the screw-in fittings are metal inserts that are strongly and permanently bonded in place. You will not damage or loosen them with repeated usage.<o></o>
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The arms of the ThirdHandMan are long, flexible and strong. You can put them in any position you want and they stay there. This awesome tool will tirelessly hold wires in exactly the positions I need for as long as I want. Small adjustments are simple and non-frustrating. The four long arms make it easy to do a complex solder intersection of multiple wires coming in from different angles. The arms are quite strong, too, capable of lifting and holding heavy objects.<o></o>
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The ThirdHandMan is able to reach over my RC to hold wires that my previous “helping hand” could never reach.<o></o>
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Here are some pictures of the ThirdHandMan inspecting the original helping hand. That little old tool is helpless against the new ThirdHandMan. The third hand man towers over it with many times the reach. The original helping hand is fairly heavy, but the ThirdHandMan can lift and hold it in place with just one arm. That’s impressive!<o></o>
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This ThirdHandMan tool is a complete pleasure to use and I highly recommend it to anyone for home hobby work. In addition to soldering, it can be used for all kinds of crafting. I think every "handy" family needs one of these. When it's not in use, I display mine proudly on a shelf as art. People who visit usually ask me what the heck it is, then I show them. It’s a great conversation starter.<o></o>
<o></o>
<o></o>
As an avid RC hobbyist who loves electric RC vehicles, I do a fair amount of soldering. I have always used “helping hands” to assist me, but I have never been fond of them. I find them to be clunky and inflexible.<o></o>
<o></o>
Recently, I searched for something better. I found a set of "QuadHands" on Amazon that I almost purchased, then decided to do a bit more research. In an RC forum, I found a reference to a tool called the "Third Hand, Helping Hand". It led me to this video on Youtube which is :<o></o>
<o></o>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8wV6jpsvys<o></o>
<o></o>
After watching the video, I went to the ebay listings and was impressed by the unique, artistic individuality of each piece. No two are exactly alike. The inventor doesn't use a generic photo. Rather, each unique piece gets its own pictures. I was able to pick the shape and color I wanted:<o></o>
<o></o>
http://www.ebay.com/sch/rjter50/m.html?item=291081088130&hash=item43c5c8ec82&pt=Radio_Control_Vehicles&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562<o></o>
<o></o>
The shipping was really fast! I had my new tool just three days after I placed the order. I was just as enthralled with it in person as I was with video and pictures. I put it right to use soldering some wire connections. Not only does this tool look very cool, it really WORKS!<o></o>
<o></o>
The artistic looking base is made of a concrete-type substance that is quite heavy, so it sits well on a table without tipping.<o></o>
<o></o>
Even better, the inventor went "above and beyond" for the bottom of the base. He could have stuck on 4 felt or rubber tabs and called it a day. But no, he covered the entire underside of the base with a textured non-skid rubber material, then chamfered it all the way around for a very clean look. The tool stays wherever you put it. Period.<o></o>
<o></o>
The ThirdHandMan comes apart and goes back together very easily. It can be stored flat, if you wish. It is shipped that way. It takes all of 30-seconds to screw the 4 arms into the base. Although the base is a concrete-like substance, the screw-in fittings are metal inserts that are strongly and permanently bonded in place. You will not damage or loosen them with repeated usage.<o></o>
<o></o>
The arms of the ThirdHandMan are long, flexible and strong. You can put them in any position you want and they stay there. This awesome tool will tirelessly hold wires in exactly the positions I need for as long as I want. Small adjustments are simple and non-frustrating. The four long arms make it easy to do a complex solder intersection of multiple wires coming in from different angles. The arms are quite strong, too, capable of lifting and holding heavy objects.<o></o>
<o></o>
The ThirdHandMan is able to reach over my RC to hold wires that my previous “helping hand” could never reach.<o></o>
<o></o>
Here are some pictures of the ThirdHandMan inspecting the original helping hand. That little old tool is helpless against the new ThirdHandMan. The third hand man towers over it with many times the reach. The original helping hand is fairly heavy, but the ThirdHandMan can lift and hold it in place with just one arm. That’s impressive!<o></o>
<o></o>
This ThirdHandMan tool is a complete pleasure to use and I highly recommend it to anyone for home hobby work. In addition to soldering, it can be used for all kinds of crafting. I think every "handy" family needs one of these. When it's not in use, I display mine proudly on a shelf as art. People who visit usually ask me what the heck it is, then I show them. It’s a great conversation starter.<o></o>
<o></o>