They help a bunch...nice to hold an object with both hands while looking at it..
Great pin pointer from Garrett and Metal Detecting Stuff is my #1 source for products. Excellent service
Smart Pickle by Bench Basics was designed specifically for metalsmiths. Engineered with anhydrous grade sodium bisulfate, this proprietary mixture dissolves quickly in warm water to create a pickle bath for removing oxidization after soldering from metals such as gold, copper, silver, and other non-ferrous material.
See SDS under instructions