Mounting Handheld DMM to boards

[Mattjd]

Hello.

I'm looking at a way to rig up some kind of holding mechanism for my digital multimeters and digital analog.

I want to buy this

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K7NDBZQ/ref=twister_B00K8EWFVU?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Attach a board to the vesa mount and then mount my DMM's and analog discovery, using the bottom try to hold my soldering iron. This way I can attach it to my large computer desk.

Having a difficult time finding suitable hardware to mount the DMM and analog discovery. Best thing I found was to use a bunch of these things

https://www.amazon.com/ARKON-AP032-VSM-Specific-Horizontal-Cconverts/dp/B002BA503Y/ref=pd_bxgy_107_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=W37G2VXMSW10B32Q2YP1

https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Holder-iPhone-Galaxy-Retail/dp/B004IMCVW6/ref=pd_cp_107_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=T2YP5FY5QVHK88PJX6V0

buying 4 of those combos is expensive though! Surely there is a better hardware solution that can be found at a big box retailer. I'm not having any luck doing so. I'd the equipment to hang from the board but not be permanently attached.

[mtdoc]

Velcro tape.  Like this?

[Mattjd]

Velcro tape.  Like this?

Sorry, but I was looking for something a bit more sturdy. Should have mentioned what I did NOT want to use.

[mtdoc]

Velcro tape.  Like this?

Sorry, but I was looking for something a bit more sturdy. Should have mentioned what I did NOT want to use.

Well short of bolting them down with straps - which would be more permanent,  I don't think you'll get much sturdier than using that industrial strength velcro across the back of the DMMs and Analog Discovery.  I think you'd find it would take quite a bit of force to move or remove them.

[Mattjd]

Velcro tape.  Like this?

Sorry, but I was looking for something a bit more sturdy. Should have mentioned what I did NOT want to use.

Well short of bolting them down with straps - which would be more permanent,  I don't think you'll get much sturdier than using that industrial strength velcro across the back of the DMMs and Analog Discovery.  I think you'd find it would take quite a bit of force to move or remove them.

i didnt even know there was such a thing as industrial strength velcro...    this is why I didnt buy $50+ worth of those phone holders.

[Gregg]

Try an Amazon search for "Ram Mounts" and you will find a great variety of really neat solutions.  Be sure to search for other sellers as Amazon may not be the cheapest source.

[Mattjd]

Went with the velcro, had no idea of the varying qualities or its uses in NASA and such.

[nanofrog]

Went with the velcro, had no idea of the varying qualities or its uses in NASA and such.

Really good stuff IME. 

FWIW, I intend to use a monitor arm for my DS1054Z (bend some aluminum 90 degrees & bolt to the VESA mount) and attach the scope with to the aluminum using Velcro. 

[Mattjd]

Went with the velcro, had no idea of the varying qualities or its uses in NASA and such.

Really good stuff IME. 

FWIW, I intend to use a monitor arm for my DS1054Z (bend some aluminum 90 degrees & bolt to the VESA mount) and attach the scope with to the aluminum using Velcro. 

nice. I bought https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0010SY3L8/ref=asc_df_B0010SY3L84830095/?tag=hyprod-20&creative=394997&creativeASIN=B0010SY3L8&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167148637601&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12093142923700350848&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9003849&hvtargid=pla-276024159345 to hold my PSU under my desk. Its gonna be rad.

[EEVblog]

I'd drill countersunk holes in the rubber holster and then bolt it down that way.

[Mattjd]

I'd drill countersunk holes in the rubber holster and then bolt it down that way.

I see what you're saying. Like right through the face of the holder, using a countersink will make it flush and therefore not interfere with the DMM at all.

[mtdoc]

I'd drill countersunk holes in the rubber holster and then bolt it down that way.

That'd work well for DMMs with holsters but not for the Analog Discovery.  But if you want to remove the DMMs for other uses they'll be naked and vulnerable   

Also, it occurred to me that for some DMM's  - those with protruding lead holders on the back - that don't have much flat surface area on the back. The velcro may not work well.  But if you took them out of their holsters it would solve that issue.

This thread has me thinking of using a bit of velcro on some of my DMMs just to stick them to wall or shelf for organization purposes.  Small amounts of velcro would work well for that. Holding them to a vertical surface will take more velcro and more force to remove. According to their info,  a 2 x4 inch strip of the industrial strength holds up to 8 lbs

[Mattjd]

I'd drill countersunk holes in the rubber holster and then bolt it down that way.

That'd work well for DMMs with holsters but not for the Analog Discovery.  But if you want to remove the DMMs for other uses they'll be naked and vulnerable 

I think he was referring to through this

https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Holder-iPhone-Galaxy-Retail/dp/B004IMCVW6/ref=pd_cp_107_3?_encoding=UTF8&p;refRID=T2YP5FY5QVHK88PJX6V0;sc=1&

But you may be right.

[EEVblog]

I'd drill countersunk holes in the rubber holster and then bolt it down that way.

That'd work well for DMMs with holsters but not for the Analog Discovery.  But if you want to remove the DMMs for other uses they'll be naked and vulnerable   

The analog discovery would be a classic case for velcro. Smooth back surface, small and light weight.

[avrishuvorlaz]

I would glue some thick mounting posts to the back of the meter, maybe with 2 part "Araldite", that do not obscure the battery compartment and screws, then make sure the ends that mate to the PCB are all sanded flush and level, then align the "stood-off" meter to the board and bolt/screw into the posts from the other side of the PCB. You could have some form of quick-release fasteners for this, so that removing the meter and changing the battery was easily achieved.

I wouldn't be thrilled about drilling holes into rubber/PVC holsters - if they're drilled through a flexible medium, what's to say that medium won't stretch open and allow the screws to slip through, if the meter is knocked or subjected to vibration.