Hakko Omnivise PCB Holder (C1390C)

good vice works well for soldering

This holder is built to last. This is assuming that the washer holds up against heat and pressure over the years. The form factor and concept is the best I have seen for the purpose. I like that it is heavy enough to serve as a solid mount for soldering and inspection. Ease of use is efficient. It does cost too much; however, I believe that it would not be easy to make the product for less and still turn a reasonable profit for a top of the line item. If I go to larger boards, I may even buy another one, since two of these could be used to firmly hold a large board. I also like that it doesnt take up much room on my bench when not in use.

The biggest benefit of the Hakko Omnivise PCB Holder is the quick and ease of using it. Other similar devices work well but may take a few minutes longer to set up. The other positive attribute is that it keeps the PCB board its holding very stable. The only negative I can think of is that it can only hold a PCB board in the flat position. You obviously cant tilt the board youre working on to any other direction. The Hakko Omnivise PCB Holder is a great addition to tools for people who solder on PCB boards frequently. The ease of use likely means this is a tool youre reach out to more often, as its human nature to more likely do things that require minimal effort.

I have used this vise at work for over 12 years. I decided to get one for home recently. Unfortunately, they cheapened the design such that it is no longer a vise, but pliers. For me the critical thing was that both clamping plates are parallel to each other no matter the the thickness of the material being clamped. The old design had a nut on the main bolt which held the top plate with the rubbery material in place. Even though it was loose, but not too much. The new design removed the nut and replaced it with just a small E-clip retaining washer. There is about 5 mm play in between the washer and the top plate. The top plate is so loose, that you get a wide swinging of the top plate. If you want to clamp material even as 10 mm think this really become pliers, one edge of the top round plate sitting on the edge of the bottom cylinder while the other edge of the top plate is clamping your material at an angle, like pliers. Since I liked the style, I decided to modify it to actually create a vise. Here are the steps: 1. I replaced the top washer in between the top plate and knob with one with much bigger diameter. I used SAE washers and enlarged the center holes to make them snug 8 mm in diameter. 2. Placed two washers at the bottom of the top plate. Second one is not visible in the picture since it fills the hole in the rubberized material. The other one is there to fill the space to reach the M8 x 1.25 thread since the thread ends early to accommodate the E-clip. The second washer must be made less than 15 mm in outer diameter to drop into the hole in the bottom cylinder. 3. That was not enough to reach the bottom nut, but instead of adding another washer I backed drilled the M8 nylon locking M8 nut for about 0.8 mm to make it all work. The M8 x 1.25 nylon locking nut replaced the E-clip and I was able to fine tune the play of the top plate. After lubricating the whole thing with PTFE there is no side wobble play in the upper plate while it still freely rotates and I have an actual vise. It took about 1.5 hours to modify two of them. Not worth the price without modification.

Where have you been all my life, this has been a great addition to my work bench. It is almost a third hand, but really it is so much more. I use it to hold circuit boards I am working on, and the only requirement is that you have a flat edge to put into it to hold onto.

works perfect, very sturdy

I love this PCB holder. it is solid metal and is perfect for holding a PCB. I have two...might get more.

expensive but works great

Best board holder money can buy. I havent found a board that this wont work with. Order two for larger boards.

Ive used all of the various PCBA holders. Time after time I reach for one (or more) of these handy PCB holders. They are heavy, and dont move around much. Most of the time small projects can be supported off the work surface by just one. Two or three of them result in the creation of an immovable object on your bench. Simple, efficient. They cost too much.