nice write up
notice that you use a clothes peg. might i suggests that you get some blu-tak and use that. its what i use for all my wire soldering and sometimes on circuit boards as well. press blu-tak on a surface then press the wire into the blu-tak with the end you want to work sticking out. if you use two blobs of blu-tak its easier to solder two ends together, keeps your hand free for the iron and solder