Solder Assistant/Gravity Clamp

thingiverse

In 2009, Gerrit Coatzee unleashed this elegantly simple soldering assistant into the world. The tool itself is heavy and stable, resting comfortably on top of an SMD while it's being soldered. It also cleverly acts as a heat sink to protect the sensitive part from excessive heat damage. Unfortunately, the device failed to catch on, which is truly regrettable. A significant part of the problem lies in the fact that Gerrit created it using outdated methods - drilling holes into bits of wood like a caveman would. I decided to update the design for the modern age by crafting a printable gravity clamp to securely hold surface mount parts. To do this, an M5×45 socket head machine screw clips firmly into place, while three additional M5 screws are strategically used as ballast. It's worth noting that you should carefully sharpen the point of the device with a file or grinding wheel - like a caveman, indeed! The photo shots showcase soldering 5050 parts using an unsharpened tip. Interchangeable tips allow for seamless experimentation and flexibility - try creating different sizes to mix things up. By adapting this design, you can tailor it to suit various screw sizes, dimensions, or angles. The OpenSCAD source file is readily available and should prove easy to modify to meet your specific needs. With some simple adjustments, you'll be well on your way to perfecting the tool for yourself!