There comes a time when everyone drops a machine screw, nut, washer, or other such part, and a single thought flashes through their mind – where did it go?!
The very next thought is usually how am I going to get it?
Parts retrieval tools can help with that.
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This Craftsman 3pc set, CMMT98276, comes with an extending mirror, extending magnetic pickup tool, and long flexible claw tool.
Maybe you’ll need the claw, maybe you’ll need the mirror, maybe you’ll need the extending magnet. Chances are, you’ll use them all at some point.
I use tools like these on occasion in my home and workshop. Mine – older Craftsman-branded tools, are still going strong.
$10 for the 3pc set seems like a great deal.
Price: $9.98
P.S. Get some Craftsman magnetic trays, and maybe you’ll lose less parts.
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Parts retrieval tools are definitely “good to have before you need them!” types of products.
$10 for the 3pc set is hard to pass up. In the process of writing this post, I got to the price and ordered a set for myself.
I didn’t really need another flexible claw grabber, but my extending magnetic pickup tool sometimes travels between different workshops and work areas, and doesn’t always find its way back to my tool box each time.
I’ve also been looking around for my extending round mirror. I have an extending narrow oval mirror, but it’s not as good. I also convinced myself that, just in case I find my old one and have two, it’ll also be useful in the home for peeking behind electronics or under cabinets.
K J
I was just looking at that deal yesterday. I priced it out in comparison to like harbor freight and its still cheaper. Picking one up on payday for sure.
Steve
A good deal. Those items come in handy on occasion….
Paul Harden
I bought one of these kits at Lowes last year. Quality seems ok. Never know when you might need it.
MM
These kinds of things can save you a lot of cussing, but like Stuart said you need to have them on hand before you need them. I like this set. Those handles are nice without taking up a ton of room and they are bright and easy to see if you are working down in an engine bay, machinery, whatever. Price is reasonable.
On this subject, something I like to keep around the workshop is “Blue-tack” adhesive, as used to be common for holding things on the wall. It has many uses, and one of them is making an instant part retriever of arbitrary length and shape: just sick a little ball of it to the end of a dowel rod, bent piece of wire, or whatever tool you have at hand. This product comes in various brands and colors but I’ve always found the original Bostik brand blue product to be the most aggressively adhesive and the best for this purpose. For whatever reason the white and yellow products have always been a lot less sticky in my experience.
Jared
A magnetic retrieval tool is something I use embarrassingly often while working on vehicles. I have several. I don’t know how a person could work on cars without one.
Wayne R.
Those video inspection cameras that can be connected to your phone/tablet should, I think, be added to this list. They’re amazingly inexpensive. Shoot, even the fancy ones aren’t too bad cost-wise, considering.
eddie sky
This. Minimum hole in a wall and you can see if a pipe is damaged or mold, etc. And look in spaces for routing wire, or where a dropped screw went…
MM
Agreed, they are very handy. And now they are cheap enough that they are very accessible.
fred
I have these items scattered around in my homes. An old (1970’s vintage Proto grabber) hangs by one of my clothes dryers. It’s fairly effective for pulling out lint that gets by the filter in-between more thorough cleanings using a dryer brush and vacuum. My old Proto has only 2 claws – newer ones that I own have 3 or 4.
They even make ones that they call “pickle grabbers”
https://www.amazon.com/Norpro-Inc-Pickle-Picker/dp/B0074NIWPG
Jason
Literally have a grabber hanging from a wire shelf above my dryer.
Bought this exact kit because I needed the mirror doing some work under the steering column on my car, well worth the money to have these handy when you need them
Nathan S
I have the older Craftsman versions of these things. I do use them in automotive work, but also they are very handy around the shop and home, like when you drop something behind your workbench or a large appliance. Also, I have kids, and finding and retrieving stuff is often a job description.
Dave
I have at least a dozen magnetic pickup tools in the garage, kitchen and even in my desk at work. When you get older and drop something metal on the ground why bend over? Just grab one of these magnetic pickup tools!..lol
Josh
I have all three of these types of tools though not all craftsman branded. I’m a fan of them for sure, have even given the same to my older son who is just getting into working on cars. Having a younger one as well who loses stuff under, behind or in things as well followed by the notorious “uh oh”, these work well for as Nathan said!
Koko The Talking Ape
But what if you drop the pickup tool…?
Mike (the other one)
Not a bad deal for these. I’ve bought all of these tools (from other brands) for that much each.
I have also rolled up a bit of tape – sticky side out – and stuck it on the end of a rod to puck up small parts. I once retrieved a memory card that fell inside of a printer that way.
jayne erin defranco
Love this and will definitely be getting one. thank you toolguyd……….
Don Julio
A magnetic pick up tool also makes a great strut for the lid of the Kobalt mini toolbox.
Mopar
I bought this exact set a few months ago, for all the same reasons mentioned. When you need one of them, you need it, and a little over $3 for each tool it’s a no-brainer to me to have extras.
Joatman
I will definitely pick up a set of these. Great price.
Side note – There are a few SK tools on sale at Lowe’s. The wrench sets are tempting…
https://www.lowes.com/search?searchTerm=sk+tool