Stabilizing a Soldering Iron with a Camera Gimbal

Making and hacking are accessible hobbies, because tools and components are affordable and there is a wealth of information available online. But soldering is one of the most important skills for a maker and that requires dexterity. To get a good solder joint, you need to hold the tip of the soldering iron steady for a couple of seconds to ensure that the solder flows well. That is difficult to do when you are unable to hold a soldering iron without shaking. Jonathan Gleich developed a hand tremor that was hindering his soldering abilities and so he used a camera gimbal to keep the soldering iron steady.

Camera gimbals are handheld devices that help to stabilize cameras so people can capture smooth videos. They used to be expensive, but they have come down in price a lot as they have gained popularity among YouTubers and influencers. Most models today have three fast, smooth motors that automatically compensate for small movements, so the camera or smartphone remains stationary in 3D space. While they're meant to keep cameras stable while you're moving around, Gleich figured they could work just as well to keep a soldering iron steady so he could get back to the hobby he loves.

Gleich purchased a used Zhiyun Smooth-Q handheld gimbal for smartphones through eBay, which costs $40. He combined that with a Macally phone/tablet holder intended for mic stands, which added another $18 to the cost of the project. He affixed the phone holder to the gimbal using epoxy. The phone holder's clamps are able to hold Gleich's soldering iron like they were made for the job. The gimbal's algorithms expect more weight than the soldering iron, so Gleich added a few small weights from a ceiling fan balancing kit. As you can see in the video, this setup keeps the soldering iron rock steady even when Gleich's hand trembles a considerable amount. If you also suffer from hand tremors, this is an affordable and effective solution.