Mar 09 2010
Which Panavise Is Best For Beginners?
Recently I’ve seen a number of sites discuss the Panavise. Specifically, which is best for the beginner? Here is my executive summary:
If you are starting out with electronics you only need one, and it’s this one: The Panavise Jr.
It’s cheap (< $20), it opens pretty wide (2.8 inches), it rotates all over the place, and it has slots for holding printed circuit boards. I have yet to meet a basic electronics kit PCB that doesn’t fit into it.
If you need to work with bigger boards on a regular basis, your next purchase would be the 305 Multi-Purpose Center:
PanaVise 350 Multi-Purpose Work Center
It’s about $55 and has a gigantic (9″) opening.
My least useful Panavise? The 301 Standard / 381 Standard With Vac. It’s a good vise, but really crappy for holding circuit boards.
I use the Jr. 80% of the time, the 305 about 10% of the time, and all my others (381, 333) the remaining 10%.
Long story short, if you are doing electronics, get the Jr and then get the 305. You’ll be happy. Toss in a 301/381 is you also need a more traditional vise.
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