SainSmart Magnetic Helping Hands, Third Hand Tool with 5X LED Magnifying Lamp, 4 PCB Circuit Board Holder & 4 Flexible Arms, 11.1 x 7.1 Inch Extra Larger Base, Soldering Station for Electronic Repair

This has a very heavy steel base with a nice finish. The arms are nicely flexible and hold their positions well. The clips are nicely made and have a smooth chrome finish. They are much nicer than the alligator clips used on most of the smaller helping hands devices Ive seen (and have a couple of). The magnifying glass doesnt distort. The adjustable ring light is nice. I thought I would only use it on the brightest setting, but I actually find it useful to adjust it brighter and dimmer depending on what components Im working on and where on the board they are located. The board holders work very well. The one design change I could suggest is that the points (used to hold a board by mounting holes) could be offset to one side of the post. This would allow it to hold very small boards by mounting holes. But they are still very usable. I expect that I will use it for many things beyond assembling electronics. I can also imagine people finding it useful for things like jewelry making and other small crafts.

Great. It gives me enough options to get the job done no matter what the job is. It simply works and is very convenient. Sometimes I need to hold something flush to PCB so I can solder and the clips often help do that while also holding it for me. I can also use it to secure switches and other small things Im soldering without them sliding around the table when I push the soldering iron up to the lead + contact. Its a very simple tool that make things much easier and the light + magnifying glass are pretty much essential.

This metal platform with magnetic placeholders and flexible grabber arms is exactly what I needed. The magnets are powerful, everything including the lamp base are magnetic making it very versatile.

Im only giving this a 4 star review b/c of what I consider to be a manufacturer oversight. Why in the world would you put the power switch close to the plug? It really should be next to the light or on the light itself for ease of use. Also, the magnifying glass arms length is too long compared to the square base.

The base is surprisingly stable. The magnetic bases of the arms and the light are very strong! The finish of the base is great. The 4 little magnetic stands - don’t know what they are called - are very handy to place and support a PCB at its mounting holes Cons are that the light on the magnifier isn’t bright enough for me and it gets hot. The crocodile clips are average but get the job done It’s a bit pricey but saves a lot of time and trouble with cheap alternatives

There are good products. There are bad products. And then, there are products that change all things in the future. This stand forever changes how the world works. A decades-long for a device that will hold parts or solder or work now ends. The magnifying glass could be double the size and a stronger manification, but otherwise this product is flawless.

Great idea. Magnets are strong but spring arms are weak. It would be nice to have an optional bigger glass with stronger magnification.

Feels well built, nice sized working surface. The magnifying glass is nice and large. Good size options and flexibility.

I waited way to long to buy some helping hands. These have been awesome. Definitely worth the buy. The plate is nice and isnt some obnoxious color like most the other brands. It looks nice in my work room/ office. The light is nice and can be set to a warm hue or a bright white. Nice touch honestly. I use it as a desk light when Im not soldering.

I have used various helping hands over the years, most of them being some form of the heavy cast iron base with two alligator clips on the ends of hinged metal arms...very limiting to say the least. But oh my! what a treat this set from Sainsmart is!!! Not only are the arms fully articulating, but they attach magnetically, via neodymium magnets to the substantial steel base (powder coated for durability) so you can position each arm exactly where you want it. The set includes two long arms and two short arms, along with four stand offs to rest a PCB while soldering so no shorting occurs on the steel base. Lastly, the set includes an LED lit small magnifier that is stated to be around 3x magnification, and this appears to be accurate. As a long-time electronics hobbyist, I have to say...you NEED this set of helping hands. Your soldering life will become so much easier.