Every woodworker has wished they had another hand at one time or another. But the next best thing is using a stand or support to hold your project while you work.
Workshops are dangerous places, and any piece of equipment that can help keep you safe is a worthwhile investment. You are at risk of machine kickbacks, flying chips and material, tool projection, wood dust, noise and vibration.
Why Use Stands and Supports
#1 Safety – When you are working with power tools or sharp hand tools, you don’t want to risk a hand injury because you are trying to hold your project and work at the same time. Save the two hands you have by always clamping your work securely before you get started. But it’s not just hand injuries you are at risk of.If you are having to hold a heavy or piece while drilling or sawing, chances are your body is in an awkward position, and you could sustain a soft tissue injury. If you have to hold a piece above your head for any length of time, your shoulder, neck and back are at risk of being injured.
Most woodworkers can recount a time where they have to duck to avoid a piece of flying wood. It’s much easier to do if you are only holding your tool and not the other end of your project.
Carpal tunnel is a concern for anyone that uses their hands a lot for work or hobbies. Holding the timber when using power tools can cause vibration which over a long period can result in the painful wrist injury.
#2 Save from Damaging your Work – One small slip can damage even destroy your work if it’s not secure. You will be kicking yourself if you didn’t spend the time putting it in a support before you got to work.
#3 It’s Often Quicker – It might not seem like it at the time but using a stand or support can be quicker than trying to complete the job without. You will need to stop work to get a better grip or shift your project around when you are trying to hold it with your hand.
#4 Get a Better Quality Job – You will always achieve a better looking, more accurate job if you secure your work before measuring, drilling or sawing. Those few millimetres can make a massive difference to the overall look and performance of your project.
#5 Convenient – Stands and support make the job easier. You will no doubt remember when you didn’t have anywhere to put down your work down without risking it being damaged. A support keeps it up off the ground, effectively giving you more bench space.
Stands and Support Products
Third hand stands and supports do what the name suggests – provide another hand to help while you work. Some of the recommended products include:3rdHand Little Hand
Sometimes you only need a little help. Rated to hold up to 68 kg per hand, it can easily hold upper cabinets in place when placed on the bottom cabinets. The Little Hand Covers a range of 420mm – 580mm and come in a heavy duty carry bag.
3rdHand
Just like the Little Hand but much bigger. Suitable for holding crown moulding, upper cabinets, supporting roof panels and creating dust barriers – anything that’s at the height of 1.52m - 3.66m
3rdHand Work Holding Adapters
Known as the pipe and panel adapters, they support stock where it’s needed by adding on to the end of your 3rd Hand System.
3rdHand Magnetic Lasermount Kit
No need to worry about chalk lines or trying to hold a laser. The Lasermount Kit uses powerful neodymium magnets to keep the laser in place, so you don’t have to.
Check out the extensive range of stands and supports including the full 3rd Hand range or contact us online.
