FastCap 3rd Hand Support System 57-to-144-Inches, 2-pack #3HAND5
by Laserjamb
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Our Price: $54.99 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $53.99 (click here) Category: Tools See more product details |
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of FastCap 3rd Hand Support System 57-to-144-Inches, 2-pack #3HAND5
Customer Review: Valuable Item
Summary: 5 Stars
We absolutely could not have done the job without the 3rd hand support system. It's a must have when hanging dry-wall on the ceiling! Customer Review: Great tool, poor materials
Summary: 3 Stars
Problem 1: There is a small plastic bracket that attaches the bottom foot to the steel pole. This bracket was damaged during shipping on both poles. On the one it had shattered in 10 pieces.
Solution: I just used epoxy to glue the brackets into the pole.
Problem 2: The little spring-loaded nubs that lock the pole open are way too stiff. It actually makes it difficult to adjust the length of the pole, especially when it is in the shortest position and there isn't a good handhold on one end.
Solution: I removed the nubs. They were easy to pop out the bottom of the pole (due to the conveniently damaged bottom foot brackets). There is a tension-screw that can also be used to lock the pole open and it works just fine. If you were planning on putting a heavy load on the pole, it would probably be a good idea to put a small bolt through the nub holes, just to make sure the pole doesn't slide closed.
Once I got past these problems, the poles actually work really well. They are long, sturdy and easy to adjust. The pole body is steel, so my magnetic laser level will clip right to it. The top foot has a pump mechanism that makes it easy to lock the pole into place between floor and ceiling. The bottom foot has a threaded rod that you can use to easily micro-adjust the height, for hanging cabinets or such.
If the pole feet were made out of better materials, this product would easily be a 5-star. The plastic brackets and fittings are very brittle, though, and I doubt that they would survive any serious abuse.
Customer Review: Great for crown molding
Summary: 4 Stars
I just used a pair to install crown molding. Now, I'm wondering how I would have done the job without these handy helpers. Very impressive! I'm not concerned about the strenght of these supports for crown molding. Still, I would not put much load on them fully extended - maybe 10 pounds. Fully retracted, they are quite strong. There were no instructions, cautions, or specifications packed in the shipping box. I thought this to be very odd as manufacturers are pretty cautious about misuse of their products.
You can easily extend the supports to the proper length as you would with a pipe clamp and then chinch it tight with the hand hand grip. The grip and ball joints at the top and bottom are made of plastic and would appear to be easy to break. If it does, the support becomes useless. This concern is why I rated it with 4 stars. However, I've dropped mine on hard tile twice now and have not broken anything yet.
Customer Review: Damage on Delivery
Summary: 4 Stars
Received my 3rd hands today and one was damaged. The plastic
piece on the bottom and the neoprene grip both broken. Called
the Fastcap company got great service they shipped out new pieces
the same day. Product works good but I think they need to revamp
the plastic ends going onto the red metal shaft from plastic to
metal. Would still recommend this product and was very impressed
with the fast response of the Fast cap company.
Customer Review: great tool for a variety of jobs
Summary: 5 Stars
This tool is everything it claims to be and MORE!!! I've used mine for crown molding, dust barrier, load stabilizer in my truck and holding upper cabinets in place for installations.I also have one that I use for mounting my laser on and it works great. Another creative way I've used it is for holding down hardwood floor boards like a clamp. It's an easy tool to use and the comstruction is of top quality.