A good PCB holder can make a huge difference in the assembly and testing process of your board. Without one, it makes your job much harder and introduces more risk for error which can result in damage. We like to use them to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and safety. In this article, we suggest 5 PCB holders that we think are some of the best.
The Panavise 350 is made from durable materials, and it can hold PCBs up to 9 inches in width. Its adjustable arms with ribbed, neoprene jaws can hold the board securely without damaging it. The swivel head is easy to adjust, and the weighted base provides stability, making it an ideal choice for working on large and complex boards. As an added bonus, it comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
2) Aven 17010
The Aven 17010 is a versatile and portable holder that can hold PCBs up to 8 inches wide. Its adjustable arms can hold the board at different angles, making it easy to work on various components of the board. You can easily swivel the board a full 360 degrees without having to take the board out of the holder which is nice if you are soldering components on the top and bottom layers. The Aven 17010 is also lightweight, making it easy to move around your workspace. A few users who have this holder added a couple extra magnetic “helping hands” on the X and Y members, which we might have to do on ours!
3) Newacalox 4AB-3X
This product has many features including magnetic helping hands, soldering helping hands, and a LED magnifying lamp. This is the most flexible holder out of the other options. The soldering helping hands are very sturdy and allow you to place them wherever you have your PCB mount holes. The adjustable arms can hold the board at different angles, but they are not the sturdiest if you want to use them to solder components to the board.
4) PCBite Kit
The PCBite is a unique holder that is designed to clamp down to the edges of the board with a thickness of up to 8mm. It has multiple flexible arms that can be adjusted so you can probe pins and even components that have pins with a smaller pitch. The probes are spring loaded and weighted, so they will stay in place for hands-free troubleshooting. The PCBite is an excellent choice for working on small and intricate boards.
5) SainSmart MCH
The SainSmart MCH is a compact and portable holder that can hold PCBs up to 5 inches wide. The magnetic base can be positioned anywhere on a ferrous metal to provide stability. It has two clamps that can rotate 360 degrees so you can adjust the angle of the board. This is great if you need to solder components on both sides of the board.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a good PCB holder is an essential tool for every PCB designer. The above-listed holders are some of the best available in the market, and each of them has its unique features that make them ideal for different types of PCB design work. By investing in a good PCB holder, you can improve your work efficiency and ensure that your boards are assembled with accuracy.
