Taking my brazing to a new level...

[mmbackpacker]

Although I am still pretty fresh into brazing, I can already sense that my skills aren't going to get any better with the third hand that I have. I am wondering what you all are using? I'd really like to find a third hand with metal flexi-pipe kind of arms. Ideally I'd like to buy three of these and fab up a base that I can move them around on....

Problem is I can't seem to find what I am pretty sure I have seen before. I can find the harbor freight Hobbytown "xacto" type with the swivel-ball-and-solid-arm type of clamps, but not much more. I did find a build on instructables as well, but I'd like to stay with metal for temperature concerns.

I'd also like to upgrade my tube bending tools. Currently I am using the brake line bender from an auto parts store for big bends and a small blue one for some of the tighter bends. I augment this with a small screwdriver I place into the tube to tweak the bends if need be.

What are you using as far as these tools go?

[xCoolHandLukex]

I had two broke dial indicators in my service truck I was going to toss. Then I remembered the arms on them. They flex into almost any position then when you twist the lever at the bottom the arm becomes rigid. I mounted a clamp on the end of each one and epoxied them both to a piece of steel plate. It's the best set up I have used yet. Here's a pic of what I'm talking about.

[mojave450rider]

I use that cheapo base with swivel and alligator clips from harbor freight

[bob1961]

i make any jig i might need from junk i have bout the house from wooden closepins to blocks of 2x4's and cut to size i need....if you do a search for any one of my 3 build threads you'll see what i made and used....

tigress

pro 4

TT build

i even have 6 pcs of 1" x 3/8" x 2" long steel bar i cut from as hold down blocks while i braze....

[Postclanker]

Never saw a clothespin used for this until I saw Bob's jig....great idea

Don't forget the harbor freight magnets....I've already burned up a set of the small ones...they are cheap and work great

[s.poortruck]

I like the jig route. that way you can draw out the blueprints and braze on the same sheet of "paper".... 2x4 or 2x6
I found it works very well.

[hotwheels000]

Magnets are great if you are brazing steel,stainless ,not so much....

Attach the magnet to the opposite side(meaning the side or end you are not brazing) of your joint and braze away,that way you dont burn the magnet...they stink when they are on fire.

Nice thing is you will allways get 90/45/30 degree joints the are squared up

[mmbackpacker]

Originally Posted by hotwheels000

Magnets are great if you are brazing steel,stainless ,not so much....

Attach the magnet to the opposite side(meaning the side or end you are not brazing) of your joint and braze away,that way you dont burn the magnet...they stink when they are on fire.

Nice thing is you will allways get 90/45/30 degree joints the are squared up

I am having a little trouble visualizing this.... any chance you could snap a picture of this technique?

[hotwheels000]

You are brasing in a cross member in your chassis,,tuber or what ever ...... Chassis has a left side and a right side. Attach the magnet to the left side and brase the right side. Magnet will hold the part right where you want it.

[AddictedtoRC1]

I use magnets as well. I picked up some cheaper ones from Harbor Freight that aren't encased with the metal sides. They are small and work, but you have to be careful about getting too much heat near them. I've had a few crack and break. The good thing about that is now I have some smaller magnets to use.

[mmbackpacker]

Originally Posted by hotwheels000

You are brasing in a cross member in your chassis,,tuber or what ever ...... Chassis has a left side and a right side. Attach the magnet to the left side and brase the right side. Magnet will hold the part right where you want it.

Gotcha! Thanks!

[Fowlboy]

I bought 3 of these... You can replace the tips as needed...

Rio Grande jewelry making supplies, jewelry tools and jewellery supply