Review of FastCap 3rd Hand adaptors

 I've reviewed some other FastCap 3rd Hand products here.  The various adaptors and accessories for the 3rd Hand extendable pole system they offer can make your current basic use poles much more usable in various other projects.

First, the "pipe holder" adapter is an item I looked for when I was trying to hold up some pipes, wires, and rods while I fastened brackets and hangers for them in place.   The 3" square feet that come with the 3rd Hand poles is too flat to be useful with round or easy to roll or slide objects.

FastCap offers a pipe holder adaptors and a "panel" adapter as well.  I don't personally yet need a panel holder so I only bought a pipe holder adapter for each pole.


The 3rd Hand poles have "articulating" ball connectors at each end to be able to swap various types of feet and holders.  But, it's much too small to fit the pipe holder adapter onto.


Now, on the FastCap website for the adaptors,  it does say that it requires an foot adapter to connect.  That is sold as a separate item or is included if you purchase it as a kit.

I had already gotten another type of foot for the poles so I already had the foot adapter and didn't need to buy the kit or separate item.

If you are looking to add this to your 3rd Hand pole, be prepared to spend more money for the whole kit or on the separate adapter.



So, by having all the necessary parts, I have made the support poles that I use to hold up cabinets and other items to a wall or ceiling now also able to support any round items like pipes and rods just as easily.  The adaptability of the 3rd Hand system wins again.

I kind of want to knock a star off my rating due to the need for a foot adapter.  But, that's actually on me because I bought the item individually and not in the kit which includes the adapter.  I already had adaptors.  As to if it actually works,  it does.  Simple as that.  As a result, I can't not rate it 5/5.

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The next item I recently added is an accessory designed to hold cords, cables, worklights, fans, and other things with a handle or loop that you want to put just about anywhere at various heights. They call it the "Hook & Hang".


Instead of being an adapter to one of the feet, this fits around the pole itself. You are supposed to be able to hang it anywhere on the pole, high or low, to accommodate your lighting or other uses.


I like it, but I have to say that the rubber grommet that sits on the inside of the hook to protect the pole is too slick.  It slides down the poke when an item is hanging from it.  I've since found that if I use the hand grip on the pole just underneath where I hang a device, it prevents it from sinking.  It's not ideal but it's not the end of the world or a deal-breaker either.  

In the end, with the use of the grip as a prop, it does allow me to hang a light or fan or get cords up off the floor pretty much anywhere I want when I'm working on location. 

I give this 4/5 only because if they found a better way to deal with the rubber grommet slipping,  there would be nothing at slipping wrong with it, and as it is, it's not hard to accommodate for.

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Next up, is the 3rd Hand "Universal Foot".  It fits on the end of the poles, ostensibly to allow it to free-stand as a support.  The 6x6 inch foot is also a good swap-out for the upper end of the pole to be a better support underneath bigger platforms like a cabinet or panel.


The Universal Foot requires an adapter to fit onto the extendable pole.  You can unscrew the ball end of the pole and screw on an adapter that allows the Universal Foot to fit on perfectly. There's another adapter that clips on over the articulating ball in case you want to go that route.  These are the same adaptors that fit other swappable adaptors like the pipe holder or panel holder.




I really find the fact that they include an adapter for the articulating ball and another adapter to screw on/off for greater stability very useful.  Depending on how you use the Universal Foot as a stand support or as a base to hold items up with.

Either way, but especially as the bottom foot, if it's holding something up, it stands unsupported just fine without a tripod or other extra device.  That is so handy.  I've used it to hold up cabinets and shelves alike while I'm doing other tasks.  3rd Hand indeed.

5/5 without a doubt. 

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