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Hi all,
Just read this deal on Hexus.net tech forums. Rolson tools Helping Hand for less than £3 with free post!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001BMSBD4/
Ordered one for myself, will be really useful for detail painting and modelling

Agreed - can't go wrong for that price. I ordered one too just for the hell of it.

I have one, they are pretty handy! I recommend gluing some foam or neoprene to the little claws, the ones on mine have heavy springs and could dent whatever it is holding if it's plastic.

That's a great idea, thanks nectarprime

I love you

I nearly bought one of these for £15+p&p from eBay 'buy now' the other day...

*buys two*


Edit: Threatened to kiss OP for sharing - Realised I didn't want to be issued a restraining order...

I've used one of these for the last 30 years*.
They are quite useful.


*Yes, 30. I was an electronics geek before I was a gamer. I was using it to hold circuitboards so I could solder them when I was 12-13.
When I became a gamer, they gained another use.

Chromedog. You must be one of the oldest Dakka posters around!!

30 years must be more than the average posters age.

BTW so am I. Not just as old as you but still above average.

On the original point, I'm seriously considering getting one. For that price you can't go wrong.

You aren't by any chance related to/or are the seller?

good pitch if you are .

You know, I have one that I picked up some years ago, on the cheap, but I have yet to use the thing more than once or twice. What do you painters and modelers use it for, exactly?

I have one Oadie
The magnifying glass has been removed as It was not helpful for painting. I found it hard to judge distance between the paintbrush and the model. A head loope is a better option.

When painting and modelling I often find it uncomfortamble not to be able to easily move the subject around freely.

So like you haven't used it for much more than holding model aircraft during priming and a few other tasks.

Having said that I have been thinking of getting another set so at this price.

It must be costing that much for the postage!

oadie wrote:You know, I have one that I picked up some years ago, on the cheap, but I have yet to use the thing more than once or twice. What do you painters and modelers use it for, exactly?

You can use the claws to hold 2 pieces together that are having trouble gluing, and use the magnifying glass to see detail while painting.

Thought so. I'm with Chibi - tried painting under magnification and I didn't like it, and I prefer to move the models as I paint, so I tack them to paint pots. I can see using this to hold awkward parts steady if using slow setting plastic glue (with appropriate jaw padding, of course), but that's about it. Still, at that price it's likely worth it, if only for that one task.

Thanks for the heads-up, I need one of these for painting and for tying fishing flies as well - cheers!

Chibi Bodge-Battle wrote:I have one Oadie
The magnifying glass has been removed as It was not helpful for painting. I found it hard to judge distance between the paintbrush and the model.

I found the same thing with mine as well, I use mine to hold parts together for glueing, but that's it.

Usually I don't go for bargain stuff but the construction seems solid.

Ok, I'll spend $3.

I have a set of helping hands but I find they get in the way :(

Perhaps my anarchistic painting style does not agree with them

Doomthumbs wrote:Usually I don't go for bargain stuff but the construction seems solid.

Ok, I'll spend $3.

It looks exactly like mine, and if it is, the bottom part is pretty heavy. Heavy enough that you can hold up a pewter mini with the claws no problem. They're handy. But honestly I rarely use it anymore.

Chibi Bodge-Battle wrote:
The magnifying glass has been removed as It was not helpful for painting. I found it hard to judge distance between the paintbrush and the model. A head loope is a better option.

When painting and modelling I often find it uncomfortamble not to be able to easily move the subject around freely.

This

I have one and use it for super small details (eyes, etc) but it's definitely difficult to use. I hear the magnifying headband is better because it's a fixed distance from your eyes.

That is part of the advantage of the head loupe General Chaos.
I was forever trying to maintain an optimum distace from the lens.

The other big advantage of the head loupe is that it retains stereoscopic vision which a single lens does not.
So there is no problem judging distance from the tip of the brush to the model.

I treated myself to a simple Rolson Loupe which cost £15 a couple of years back and was sound investment. It has helped prevent the bad headaches caused by eye strain.

Have just beem modelling without it and am starting to feel the old eye strain again!


Automatically Appended Next Post:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rolson-Tools-60390-Loupe-Magnifier/dp/B001MJ0JW2

Even cheaper and better on Amazon!

Damn! I just fell into this trap and ordered me one.

My helping hand arrived from Amazon this morning.

It is a little smaller than my old one and about half the weight.
However, I tried using some quick release clamps bought from the pound shop just to ensure real stability.
Have to say it is better than my old one, the joints stay in place whereas the old one tends to shift and bend at the joints.

I put a WIP that is blue tacked onto an old film cannister onto one of the arms and I now find it easier to put in a good working position and can move the model while on the clamp. This is an improvement for me.

I think holding freehand will still happen but for those times when you really do need an extra pair of hands this will be a big help. The old one will continue priming and decalling duties.

It will also hold the model at a better height for me.
All in all a very good buy especially at the price, so thanks to Million for the heads up!

Brother Bartius wrote:Chromedog. You must be one of the oldest Dakka posters around!!

30 years must be more than the average posters age.

BTW so am I. Not just as old as you but still above average.

On the original point, I'm seriously considering getting one. For that price you can't go wrong.

You aren't by any chance related to/or are the seller?

good pitch if you are .

Getting there.
Well aware of that - I'm double the age of the average member of my club).
Nope, not the seller.
Schoolmate's dad worked for the largest electonics kit maker in the country back then.
The magnifier on mine has been replaced with a third arm/clip (the magnifier only gets used for soldering small circuit boards)