At the 2008 NMRA convention in Anaheim, I talked a bit with Leslie Eaton, MMR 289. She was using something called Handi-Helpers, and really liked it. I meant to get one for myself. Below is an excerpt from a clinic Leslie did at the convention, that included information about the tool.
I have a metal product that supposedly helps with soldering. It has joints that are tightened with little wing-nuts. But I have never been successful using it, and it seems really clunky.
I procrastinated for over a decade but finally went looking. But they weren't available anymore! Leslie had been so enthusiastic about the Handi-Hands product, including the various clip styles that it could use, that I was pretty disappointed I couldn't get one for myself.
I couldn't find a contact for Leslie, so I emailed the NMRA magazine and they had Jack Hamilton (The Tool Junkie) help me out. He hadn't used a hand-helper himself, but he was able to put me in touch with Leslie! I sent her an email and she sent back a nice reply!
"Paul,
Yes, I still use mine and it has help up beautifully over the years. It is especially good to hold cats while I weather them. I created an extra set of tips that go into the booster pin holes to hold the cars while I weather or airbrush them.
You might still find them online via a hobby store. Just a thought.
Leslie"
(I was very impressed with her comment, "It is especially good to hold cats while I weather them.” Boy, her handi-hands must be really good if it’s able to hold cats like that! I’ll bet they get pretty testy while being powdered with chalks! 😄 She meant "cars" of course.)
Anyway, I decided to go ahead and try out a similar version that I'd seen on the internet. It's one Jack Hamilton had also noticed. Boy, am I glad I did.
It was a while before I got up the gumption to try it, but now I'm very happy with how it's working out. I was worried that the multi-joint arms would be difficult to manipulate, and to accurately position small parts for glueing. It does take a bit of trial and error to position them, but doesn't take much effort, and stays fast to the position they've been put in.
To assist with additional placement, I use the handi-helper to hold another tool, made by glueing an alligator clip an old paint brush handle (an old hint from Model Railroader long ago).
Using these in conjunction makes positioning small parts for glueing much much easier. Here's an example where I was glueing metal rods to Grandt Line parts for a reefer's brake rigging.
Like I say, I am very happy with the way this has turned out. Thanks Leslie and Jack!
