Abstract: A manually operated mechanical rod holder has a support arm pivotally mounted on a drill rig chassis. A fixed jaw is mounted on an outboard end of the support arm. A movable jaw is mounted on a plate secured to a sleeve carried by the support arm. The sleeve is connected to an outer end of a sliding block that is slidably mounted in the sleeve. An inboard end of the block is connected to an outer end of an arcuate spring section integral with an operating lever. The inner end of the spring section is connected pivotally to an end of a link, the other end of which is pivotally mounted on the support arm. An inboard end of the operating lever has a handle. The throw of the movable jaw with respect to the fixed jaw remains constant. The distance between the movable jaw and the fixed jaw can be varied to accommodate different sizes of pipe or rod.