I’ve got half a dozen or so helping hands that I use. Some are missing arms, some have been modded with mounts for plugs to be held without distortion. I usually make them out of wood as it doesn’t transfer the heat into the plastic that way.

Same goes for PCB holders. I used to lust after a decent pana-vice but they are crazy expensive for what they are. If you are any good at putting together a CNC then you could make a better one.