Mag Standoff Soldering Aide

Magnetic PCB Standoff Feet – Modular Soldering & Rework Aid

These magnetic PCB standoff feet are a stable, modular alternative to traditional “helping hands” for soldering, rework, and electronics assembly.

Instead of suspending a PCB with flexible arms and clips, this system gives your board real legs, creating a rigid, table-like setup that stays exactly where you put it. The result is a calmer, more predictable soldering experience — especially for through-hole work, connectors, and rework.

Designed for use on steel or magnetic work surfaces, such as a steel desk plate.

✨ Key Features

• Magnetic base (Ø8 mm × 2.5 mm magnet)
  Provides secure but easily repositionable placement on ferromagnetic steel surfaces.

• Modular two-part design
  A single magnetic foot works with multiple interchangeable top pieces.

• Multiple topper options included

  • M2.5 topper (designed for heat-set insert)

  • M3 topper (designed for heat-set insert)

  • Blank topper (no hole) for full user customization

• Rigid, non-springy support
  Far more stable than gooseneck helping hands or clip-based holders.

• Scales with board size
  Use 2 feet for small boards, 4 or more for larger PCBs.

🧠 Design Details (Intentional Engineering)

Magnetic retention, mechanical load separation

The magnet is used only for retention, not for structural load.
All mechanical forces are carried through:

• Metal screws

• Metal PCB standoffs

This avoids common failure modes where magnets or glue are forced to carry shear loads.

Threading & tolerance strategy

• Female threads: Standard 1/2″

• Male threads: Standard 1/2″, scaled to 95% in X/Y and 100% in Z

This compensates for real-world 3D printing tolerances while preserving proper thread pitch and engagement.

Thread geometry is derived from FreeCAD’s Fasteners workbench, including proper lead-ins and chamfers for smooth engagement and reduced cross-threading.

Heat-set inserts (recommended, but optional)

The M2.5 and M3 toppers are designed for heat-set inserts, which:

• Stabilize the screw

• Prevent printed thread wear

• Keep the standoff axis square

• Improve long-term durability

However, heat-set inserts are not strictly required.

• A blank topper is included so users can create any hole size they need
  (this can be done directly in slicer software using a negative cylinder — no CAD skills required).

• The M2.5 topper can also be used directly with an M4 screw without a heat-set insert for quick, insert-free setups.

🔩 Screw & Hardware Requirements (Important)

• The mounting screw should have ~8 mm of threaded length
  This allows it to pass fully through the topper and securely engage the female end of the PCB standoff.

• Larger screws or larger standoffs may require longer screws.

• Standard metal PCB standoffs are recommended for best rigidity.

• Extenders are intentionally not included — using longer or stacked metal standoffs is simpler, stronger, and more reliable.

🧲 Required Hardware (per foot)

• 1 × Neodymium magnet

  • Ø8 mm × 2.5 mm thick

• PCB standoff(s), length as needed

• Screw with ~8 mm threaded length (or longer if required)

• Adhesive for magnet (CA glue or epoxy recommended)

• Optional: heat-set insert (for M2.5 or M3 toppers)

🖨 Printing Recommendations

• Material: Anything Rigid (Not TPU).

• Orientation: As provided

• Supports: Minimal — only required for the magnet pocket

• Infill: 20–40% is sufficient

💡 Best Use Cases

• Through-hole soldering

• Connector installation

• Rework where board movement is unacceptable

• Holding boards while wiring, probing, or inspecting

For best results:

• Use these feet to support the PCB

• Use magnetic helping hands only for wires and loose leads, not for board support

📌 Notes

• Works best on ferromagnetic steel.

• Magnets are intentionally modest in strength to avoid snap-to hazards and allow easy repositioning.

• Designed to work with the realities of 3D printing, not against them.