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I have some fine miniature components that I need to attach using an expoxy glue. This glue takes a long time to set.

I was wondering what was the best way to hold pieces in place whilst the glue sets? I had thought of using blue tac (i.e., create a bit of a cast around the glued join whilst the glue is setting) but was wondering if there were better options?

These things

Yup, they're called "helping hands" and you can find them in stores like "jaycar" (electronics store in Oz) and better hobby stores - as well as some hardware stores.

Mine mostly get used for larger metal models and electronics kits though - admittedly, the latter is what they were bought for.

Even though I have a set of helping hands I almost never use them. I find it difficult to get them lined up just right to create a good join. I will admit I mostly just hold the parts in my hands until they're strong enough for me to carefully rest them on something that supports them in the correct position. Giant stacks of coins is a favourite of mine

With 5 min epoxy, you can wait until it starts to go off and then you only have to hold it for a minute or so instead of trying to hold it for the full time.

Superglue.

Put the araldite or whatever there is on 80% of the surfaces to join, and superglue on the other 20% - superglue will bite in 20 seconds or so, then you can use tape, or whatever you want to loosely keep it together while the epoxy goes off.

nice idea kb_lock, very useful!

@OP depends I suppose, on the pose etc. If I can get rubberbands around it great, or alligator clips. Otherwise if they're too difficult I tend to do the hold them in place for a while before setting them down carefully. But I don't use the 5min version of the epoxy, I've been using the 30 min, so I have much more time to really adjust the thing I'm trying to glue together.

Also have used a third hand (not the helping hands as above) - I mean literally nagged one of my kids to come help me lol obviously not everyone has that option.