Introduction: Mini Magnetic PCB Vises
In this instructable, I will show you how to make super simple and cheap magnetic pcb vises that are very useful for holding the circuit boards for your projects.
Step 1: Bill of Materials
1. Standoffs for glass and acrylic signage
3. Laser Cut Plastic Washers(See attached dxf if you want to make them) You can just buy regular plastic washers and cut them.
5. Rubber ESD Mat
6. Steel Sheet
7. CA Glue
8. Sandpaper
10. Lint Free Wipes
Attachments
Step 2: Cut Rubber Washers in Half
Cut the rubber washers included with the glass standoffs in half.
Step 3: Sanding and Cleaning
Use gloves to sand one side of the magnets and the bottom side of the glass standoffs and then clean with isopropyl alcohol. I used lint free wipes to wipe the magnets. The gloves will keep the oils off the parts and will help ensure a strong glue bond. It also keeps the glue off your hands.
Step 4: Glue the Magnets to the Standoffs
Glue the rough side of the magnet that you sanded to the bottom side of the glass standoff.
Step 5: Glue the Half Rubber Washers to the Plastic Washer
Glue the half rubber washers to one side of half of your plastic washers. Two plastic washers per vise are needed but only one of washers need the rubber to act a fulcrum. Without the fulcrum, the pcb will want to slip out of the vise. If you want to hold larger pcbs, then you can use a larger fulcrum.
Step 6: Assembly
To assemble the vises, take one plastic washer with the rubber glued to it and one plain plastic washer and screw the glass standoff together.
Step 7: Place Steel Sheet Under a Rubber ESD Mat.
Place a steel sheet under a rubber ESD mat on your workbench. If you do not own an ESD mat, you can just use a small steel sheet and use the rubber end caps to protect the magnets from chipping.
Step 8: Other Uses
You could make a pcb bulletin board to hold pcbs you want to use for future projects. Let me know in the comments below what other uses you can come up with.
Having a steel surface on your workbench comes with other benefits. I've already glued magnets to other things around my lab.
Step 9: The End
Thank you for taking the time to read my instructable. If you have any questions or suggestions for improvement, leave me a comment below.
Until next time,
Anthony (Proto G)