Panavise Junior question

[Timko]

I'm trying to spend the year upgrading some of my equipment I use for building as this has turned from a recreational hobby to something I really love to do.  One of the things that was recommened to me were some of the Panavise grips for holding boards that I work on.  The 201 "Jr" was recommended.  However, I notice that the jaws limit is  2.875".  I went and looked up a bigger Madbeans board that I have completed (the Harbinger One), and see that it's larger than 3 inches the entire way around.  Most of my 2017 build year is being taken up with bigger boards (Dandyhorse, Dualin' Herbees, L5), so I was wondering what people use for boards that the Panavise Jr won't hold.  I've been eyeing the 315, which appears it will work with bigger boards (up to 10").  I also saw this near Kickstarter

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2065435222/pcbgrip-vise-panavise-model-201-base-compatible

Which would offer some more options.  Anyway, I'd be interested to hear any thoughts on tools to use for boards 3" or bigger.

[alanp]

Boards that big usually stay put on their own.

But when I need a board to stay put, for certain, I get a nice heavy metal weight (usually a spare enclosure.) Stick a big blob of blu-tack on top, and then stick the board on top of that.

[Timko]

I was more interested in getting it to suspend so I could put components in it.  For example, the L5 has 100ish resistors, so I was imaging some sort of tool like this that would hold the board parallel with my work space, but 6 or so inches off the desk.

[Timko]

FYI, the PCBGrip people got back with me.  If you get their Openbeam/Vise clamps, they accomidate a board size of 3.4 inches (87mm) for a 150mm OpenBeam.

[madbean]

Shoot it never occurred to me to make some kind of offset weight to hold SMD components in place. It would be pretty easy to DIY something for that. Then again, liquid flux does the job pretty well.

[peAk]

I'm trying to spend the year upgrading some of my equipment I use for building as this has turned from a recreational hobby to something I really love to do.  One of the things that was recommened to me were some of the Panavise grips for holding boards that I work on.  The 201 "Jr" was recommended.  However, I notice that the jaws limit is  2.875".  I went and looked up a bigger Madbeans board that I have completed (the Harbinger One), and see that it's larger than 3 inches the entire way around.  Most of my 2017 build year is being taken up with bigger boards (Dandyhorse, Dualin' Herbees, L5), so I was wondering what people use for boards that the Panavise Jr won't hold.  I've been eyeing the 315, which appears it will work with bigger boards (up to 10").  I also saw this near Kickstarter

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2065435222/pcbgrip-vise-panavise-model-201-base-compatible

Which would offer some more options.  Anyway, I'd be interested to hear any thoughts on tools to use for boards 3" or bigger.

I use the panavise jr and it can be a little frustrating when a board doesn't fit. Good thing is that usually they fit...you just sometimes have to mount them sideways.

99% of the time I love it!

[Timko]

Shoot it never occurred to me to make some kind of offset weight to hold SMD components in place. It would be pretty easy to DIY something for that. Then again, liquid flux does the job pretty well.

That PCBGrip Kickstarter has supports that lock onto the vices for holding SMD components in place, or for holding a probe.  The company actually has all these tools for that type of work.  Their stuff is really expensive, but if you are commercial (or educational) the price may be worth it.

https://pcbgrip.com/

[Timko]

Here's the PanaVise 315.  It's huge.  The downside is that it and the base cost $60 on Amazon.


https://www.panavise.com/index.html?pageID=1&page=full&--eqskudatarq=25

[culturejam]

I have a Jr with the Speed Handle add-on (totally excellent upgrade), and I also have a 396 vise for wide stuff. It has a cool coil-arm thingie that can hold wire or solder and acts like a third hand.

[bcalla]

I have one of these: https://www.amazon.com/Aven-17010-Adjustable-Circuit-Holder/dp/B00Q2TTQEE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1494074058&sr=8-1&keywords=pcb+holder+for+soldering

It has handled every size I've thrown at it so far.

[pickdropper]

I have one of these: https://www.amazon.com/Aven-17010-Adjustable-Circuit-Holder/dp/B00Q2TTQEE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1494074058&sr=8-1&keywords=pcb+holder+for+soldering

It has handled every size I've thrown at it so far.

I came here to post this.  The Aven works quite well and is cheap.

For lower profile PCB building, the Stickvise is also nice.  I find this works better under a microscope:

https://store.hackaday.com/products/stickvise

In the end, I use both.

[Donleo]

There's a hack for the panavise jr. , found online that increases the jaw opening size. I've done this, and it can pretty much cover any size of pcb.

[thesmokingman]

the vise bcalla recommends is also my recommendation. I've even used it to hold amp pcbs like the vox ac4c1

[Timko]

Thanks guys!  I went ahead and purchased the Aven holder.  If there's a hack to get the Panavise jaws to open farther I may look into that as well.

[stringsthings]

That Aven unit looks very nice and is not expensive at all. 
Might have to get me one.

It's a nice feeling to improve the quality of one's workspace.