Modelling vise?

[Kit Basher]

I was wiring an engine today, a job that apparently requires a minimum of three hands. Do any of you guys use a vise or holder of some kind to do this kind of work? If so, please describe. Thanks

[JunkPile]

A blob of SillyPuddy (or similar) stuck to bench then stick part into blob to hold

[Ace-Garageguy]

I've got an old plastic X-acto vise with a vacuum base. You put a little water on the foot, press it down and flip the handle, and it will stick firmly to any very smooth surface. If necessary, i'll pad the jaws with tape, or EPDM self-adhesive weatherstrip.

You can add additional clamps to hold oddly shaped parts.

[Jantrix]

I got this little gizmo from Micromark.

[southpier]

i've used this with some success: http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=83910&page=3 (post #42)

had the clamp & wood/ hardware, so it was just a half-hour in the shop

[Miatatom]

I use this:

http://www.harborfreight.com/2-3-4-quarter-inch-articulated-vacuum-vise-3311.html

I've got two of them. Took the suction cup off the bottom and bolted them both to 2x6s. Couldn't live without them. Cheap too.

[Kit Basher]

All good ideas, Gentlemen. The Silly Putty is a neat trick. I like that articulated vise. I have several of those "third hand" things with the arms and the alligator clips. Being a cheapskate, I may try to attach a clamp that holds better than alligator clips to one of those. Thanks, guys. Any more ideas, bring 'em on!

[JunkPile]

Hey Hugh, that SillyPuddy trick is not my own making. Can't remember who, but one of our members said he uses this after losing the use of one arm.

Now who was that?

[DaveM]

I used to use one of those "third hand" things with a couple of arms with articulated alligator clips and a magnifying glass to hold engines for wiring. Now, I have used a fly tying vise. If the engine has a transmission, I use a piece of wire with an alligator clip soldered to the end of it. (Pad the jaws so it doesn't mar the paint or surface. Without a transmission, I just stick a straightpiece of wire into the hole in the end of the block. A bit of plastic clay, or double sided tape keeps things snug against the jaws of the vise. A rotary vise is best for this. I tied flies for years, so I had the vise, but if you find a used one on the cheap, it makes a great tool for holding things steady at the bench.