A Useful Tip For Noobies And Oldies.

[Rangemaster1]

You can stopping chasing small parts all over your shop while working at the bench, and while seated.

An old watch makers trick is to attach the bottom of your apron to the bottom of the bench so the parts drop into your lap and not onto the floor.

I used the loop part of Velcro attachments sewn to each corner of my shop apron and glued the hook parts, spaced accordingly, under the front of my bench. Sure saves a lot of time crawling around on the floor. Not to mention trying to find the part that gets legs and runs to a secret location somewhere in the shop, never to be seen again.

 

[tertiaryjim]

Those small spring loaded parts are the worst about trying to escape.
I have done some in a cardboard box so there was only a small work hole for em to jump through.

 

[brino]

Hi Rangemaster,

I can think of several times I SHOULD have had this.
I like that the velcro is a safe way to do it and will break-away if you forget and walk away.

Thanks for another valuable tip!
Keep 'em coming.......

-brino

 

[kvt]

looks like it would work great, Except that most of the time when something leaves my bench int is normally flying across the room. I hate springs and spring clips. Small things can see thm and they go flying at the slightest movement .

 

[Rangemaster1]

looks like it would work great, Except that most of the time when something leaves my bench int is normally flying across the room. I hate springs and spring clips. Small things can see thm and they go flying at the slightest movement .

I'm in complete agreement. One way to slow the little beggars down is work inside a clear plastic bag of generous size. You can see what you're doing and they can't get away so easy. Of course the bag should be open at both ends. Naturally, I think of the bag AFTER the spring, or e-clip takes flight. I thank God I have extras.

 

[thomas s]

Thanks for the tip. I wish I could find that secret location in my shop LOL. thomas s

 

[jim18655]

+1 on the plastic bag. I've done a lot work on 'springy' things inside of a bag. But I'll never figure out how the spring knows the end of the bag is open. That's the direction it almost always takes.

 

[Silverbullet]

I'm the one who drops things 4 or 5 times and still nothing will help except a glass bubble and magnets everywhere. I keep grabbers and magnets in arms reach on every bench I work at. As for loaded springs I do them in a cloth shipping bag wrapped tight so them thar escaping suckers get caught inside. Firing pins and springs love to be airborne . My perazzi springs bring tears to your check book.

 

[tertiaryjim]

A hanger that I was working in was sublet to some gent's who needed to tear into the engine of their helicopter.
I went in the evening after they pulled the chopper out and found a small, thin, washer on the floor.
Those guys had spent hours looking for it and feared they would have to tear the engine down again. They were mighty happy it was found.
Small things can mean a lot!

 

[Rangemaster1]

I'm the one who drops things 4 or 5 times and still nothing will help except a glass bubble and magnets everywhere. I keep grabbers and magnets in arms reach on every bench I work at. As for loaded springs I do them in a cloth shipping bag wrapped tight so them thar escaping suckers get caught inside. Firing pins and springs love to be airborne . My perazzi springs bring tears to your check book.

10-4 on those magnets and grabbers. I have a HF heavy duty extension magnet at every tool station and work bench in the shop. The grabbers are also within arms reach. Sure saves a lot of time bending over. When you're 6-4 and old with a bad back, it's a long ways down.