Farmall Cub

I know that some people are like me and drop small parts on the floor every now and then (or I hope there are). I learned a tip in a crime scene investigation class that has helped me a lot.

When you drop a small peice (bolt, screw, spring, etc), turn off the lights, if at all possible. Lay a flashlight flat on the floor looking across the floor surface. Get the angle just right and move the flashlight around in a circle on a central pivot point. Small parts stick out very good and they may even cast a long shadow.

And if this fails, check the bottom of your shoe.

BTDT, works for me too.

My Dad taught me that when I was just a kid very long time ago), or if you are outside or no flashlight available, just get down on hands and knees with your eye close to floor, and look to the side. He called it searching Indian style. No ethnic slur intended, he was just pointing out that native Americans knew that when everything was level a rider or someone walking really stood out if you were low so they were outlined against the sky.

The floor is too far away for my hands or my eyes. The neighbor kid is always looking for something to do.

I had a friend who would drop a similar piece in the same manner and watch were it went. I was always a little dubious of this method but he had some success with it

BJ Moretz wrote:I had a friend who would drop a similar piece in the same manner and watch were it went.

I have done that and it worked a lot of the time. I frequently knew about where things were by sound, but my hearing is not as good as it used to be, so that only works with parts larger than small screws now.

My Grand father always used a towel on the bench and a piece of carpet on the floor. He claimed that things didn't roll or bounce that way. There were some pretty scroungy towels and rugs in his shop.