[SkyBlue]

i was swapping out carts on my JMW 9 arm when the blue wire just popped off the tonearm clip. Noooo.
i peeled off some of the blue wire sheath with a scalpel, but i can't deal with soldering it back onto the clip just now. royal pita trying to solder something this small. are there any tricks on how best to solder tiny wires to a tonearm clip? 

[mjosef]

very very steady hands...try squeezing the clip down on it first to keep it in place, then use the least bit of solder...too much solder and the funnel of the clip will be clogged

[JackD201]

The clip contraption holding the wires is used by lots of folks into radio controlled cars. Lots of fine wires in that hobby. Sorry I don't know the name for this thing but they are included in some soldering kits. Anyhow, it would free up both hands.

[Wayner]

You can get that holder at Radio Shack. I have one and it has come in handy more then once. Also keeps from burning fingers.

Wayner

[Ericus Rex]

I think they call that thing a 'third hand'.  I'd put something in between the teeth and the wire like leather or cardboard so you don't damage the wire jacket...or the wire itself.

[etcarroll]

Third hand it is, I just got one from buy.com as I was tired of burning fingers while soldering speaker crossover.

Free shipping, $16, quick delivery here;

http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=213586336

[toobluvr]

From my Kuzma tonearm manual -- the most complete and helpful Owner's Manual I have ever seen:

(1)  remove tonearm from TT, place upside down on a work table.

(2)  remove cartridge.

(3)  remove insulation sleeve from pin connector.

(4)  insert small nail or drill bit into pin connector--exactly how cartridge pin would insert.  This prevents overheating of the connector and stops solder from entering connector.

(5)  fix nail / drill bit into a blob of blue tac or other material to hold pin in position and securely to the table.   Nail / bit can also be placed into the chuck of the electric drill itself.   The objective is to get connector secured and raised off the work table so step (11) can be executed. 

(6)  gently pull about 20-25 mm of wire from tonearm and use sharp knife (exacto or razor) to carefully strip about 3-4 mm of insulation.

(7)  with clean solder tip, melt any solder left on pin connector and blow away from hole.

(9)  put plastic insulation tube on wire.

(10)  place stripped end of wire thru hole in connector and bend back forming a hook to secure.

(11)  from underneath place soldering iron tip, and from the top the solder.

(12)  slide insulation tube over solder joint.  Gently remove pin connector from nail or drill bit.

This is a simple and effective solution that costs nothing, and requires only one set of hands!   

Owner's manual is available online.  See page 21 for complete instructions and illustrations:

http://demo.amplio.si//AmplioCMS2/UserFiles/File/29/stogi.pdf

Good luck.

[BobM]

Third hand it is, I just got one from buy.com as I was tired of burning fingers while soldering speaker crossover.

Anyone who takes on electrical projects and has soldered parts on a somewhat regular basis will definitely have burn scars. (If they don't then don't trust them). Welcome to the club.

[doug s.]

yup, i have one of those third (and fourth!) hands, and burns!   

doug s.

[SkyBlue]

thank you for all the responses, I got the 3rd hand and the TT is back in action. I'm so glad the jmw armwand is removable. I removed a denon dl110 and swapped in a grado wood body. It sounds lush. using an Art DJ Pre II for adjustable gain. eventually, the dl110 will go on a jelco arm on a technics 1200.