Harry P. Posted January 26, 2012 Share Posted January 26, 2012 For any of you guys who build in a room that has carpeting on the floor, you know how frustrating it is to drop a tiny part and then never see it again. Even for those who build over hardwood or tile or concrete floors, sometimes tiny parts bounce when they hit the floor and wind up far from where you think they landed. Here's a neat way to find those tiny dropped parts: Get some old pantyhose (how you get them is up to you )... cut a piece out and attach it over the end of your vacuum cleaner hose. Use a rubber band to hold the piece of pantyhose tightly against the end of the hose (you could also cut off a leg of the pantyhose and slip the foot part over the nozzle of the vac and hold it tightly in place wih a rubber band if you want to be able to cover a wider area quicker). Then just vacuum the floor! Eventually you'll find that tiny piece (and probably some stuff you weren't expecting to find!) right there on the end of your vacuum! Bonus: The wife or GF will think you're a real sweetheart for pitching in with the housework, and you just may be rewarded later, if you catch my drift... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeMc Posted January 26, 2012 Share Posted January 26, 2012 Also works well with a dustbuster....and doesn't have as much suction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bartster Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 You might just be a lifesaver. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trogdor Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 So Harry, which brand of stockings do you prefer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turn1wonder Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 For smooth floors, put a flashlight on the floor and shine it perpendicular to the floor, any parts (or other crud [or other undies]) will cast a shadow. Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry P. Posted January 27, 2012 Author Share Posted January 27, 2012 For smooth floors, put a flashlight on the floor and shine it perpendicular to the floor, any parts (or other crud [or other undies]) will cast a shadow. Bob You mean shine it PARALLEL to the floor. Shining it perpendicular to the floor means shining it straight down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry P. Posted January 27, 2012 Author Share Posted January 27, 2012 So Harry, which brand of stockings do you prefer Well... I'd rather keep that a secret... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turn1wonder Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 Uh, ya, that's what I meant. Thanks Harry Bob (my foot tastes terrible) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry P. Posted January 27, 2012 Author Share Posted January 27, 2012 Uh, ya, that's what I meant. Thanks Harry Bob (my foot tastes terrible) Try a little ketchup on it... BTW... no harm, no foul. I figured that's what you really meant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sixx Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 I've actually done that before, works like a charm!! Great tip Harry!!! The " hose " in the egg feel, whoops, works best!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowtienutz Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 I wear an apron with velcro attachment to the workbench. No need to get on my hands and knees looking for stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pharr7226 Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 Great idea Harry. I've sacrificed a bunch of small pieces to the carpet gods. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bartster Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 It works! Thank you Harry. I just found my fuel pump! Man it's tiny. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
62rebel Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 getting down to floor level? at my age? it it hits the floor, it's gone.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JunkPile Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 Aprons and panty hose...... Oh my! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Daddy Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 getting down to floor level? at my age? it it hits the floor, it's gone.... i agree i just did the 52 hudson and 1 headlight and i front signal gone gone gone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deathgoblin Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 Wow! Great tip! I lose more parts this way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donkeypuncher76 Posted May 16, 2012 Share Posted May 16, 2012 For any of you guys who build in a room that has carpeting on the floor, you know how frustrating it is to drop a tiny part and then never see it again. Even for those who build over hardwood or tile or concrete floors, sometimes tiny parts bounce when they hit the floor and wind up far from where you think they landed. Here's a neat way to find those tiny dropped parts: Get some old pantyhose (how you get them is up to you )... cut a piece out and attach it over the end of your vacuum cleaner hose. Use a rubber band to hold the piece of pantyhose tightly against the end of the hose (you could also cut off a leg of the pantyhose and slip the foot part over the nozzle of the vac and hold it tightly in place wih a rubber band if you want to be able to cover a wider area quicker). Then just vacuum the floor! Eventually you'll find that tiny piece (and probably some stuff you weren't expecting to find!) right there on the end of your vacuum! Bonus: The wife or GF will think you're a real sweetheart for pitching in with the housework, and you just may be rewarded later, if you catch my drift... Sweet idea Harry, thx! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danno Posted May 16, 2012 Share Posted May 16, 2012 You mean shine it PARALLEL to the floor. Shining it perpendicular to the floor means shining it straight down. Or straight up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danno Posted May 16, 2012 Share Posted May 16, 2012 I have a different approach. I irradiate all the small parts. Then if any fall or go flying, I get out my Micro Mark Mini-Geiger Counter ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High octane Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 For any of you guys who build in a room that has carpeting on the floor, you know how frustrating it is to drop a tiny part and then never see it again. Even for those who build over hardwood or tile or concrete floors, sometimes tiny parts bounce when they hit the floor and wind up far from where you think they landed. Here's a neat way to find those tiny dropped parts: Get some old pantyhose (how you get them is up to you )... cut a piece out and attach it over the end of your vacuum cleaner hose. Use a rubber band to hold the piece of pantyhose tightly against the end of the hose (you could also cut off a leg of the pantyhose and slip the foot part over the nozzle of the vac and hold it tightly in place wih a rubber band if you want to be able to cover a wider area quicker). Then just vacuum the floor! Eventually you'll find that tiny piece (and probably some stuff you weren't expecting to find!) right there on the end of your vacuum! Bonus: The wife or GF will think you're a real sweetheart for pitching in with the housework, and you just may be rewarded later, if you catch my drift... Yeah you'll be rewarded when she tells you that you can vacuum the rest of the house also. LOL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovefordgalaxie Posted May 19, 2012 Share Posted May 19, 2012 I imagine what one can find after doing this for the first time. Look, a turn signal I lost in 1978!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ddms Posted July 24, 2012 Share Posted July 24, 2012 I wear an apron with velcro attachment to the workbench. No need to get on my hands and knees looking for stuff. Eh? How does that work? I'm seeing a bib with a strip of velcro along the bottom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Hall Posted July 24, 2012 Share Posted July 24, 2012 I have no carpeting (wood and tile) and can usually find a dropped part, if I'm fast enough that I get before a doggy hoovers it up... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted July 27, 2012 Share Posted July 27, 2012 Great tip Harry, l drop a buch of parts. This will help me out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.