I need a tool usage tip, please

[Cary]

I've used screw starters, but I find magnets to be better. I use a strong magnet to magnetize the screwdriver before extracting or inserting. Sometimes I'll magnetized the screwdriver and use a magnetic pick up tool next to the screw, as well.

[Mike Johnson]

I just stick a couple rare earth magnets on the shaft of the screwdriver. On my boat where that doesn't usually work, I tape a long piece of masking tape to the head of the screw, then sorta pierce it when I place the screw driver. If I'm extra paranoid I'll back the screw out a little ways then fold some excess tape over to stick to even more of it to the head.

[NewtonMP2100]

.....oh, boy.......on the shaft....????

[davester]

They actually make screwdrivers that hold onto the screw for just this purpose. They are generally called screw starters or screw holders. Google them.

[lost in space]

wurm wrote:
Thanks for your thoughts. I was wondering if something like that screw-holding screwdriver existed, lost. Is that a fixed sized end on it or does it expand and contract around a screwhead?

I was thinking about superglue, Ombligo. That could be a good option.

I have a couple of those magnetic pickup tools mrbigstuff. Yes, they are useful but I don't think there's enough room to maneuver. Likewise for vice-grips, pdq.

That stick stuff on junk mail is another option, Scott, yes.

I knew you all would have some thoughts. As for how inaccessible...

[quote=mattkime]
What kind of abyss are we talking about?

This kind. BTW, those aren't my dirty fingers in the pic. It's the best still shot I could grab off a video, that sort of shows the screw in question. BTW, that just one of three similarly tricky ones to get to. Even if I get them out without losing them, I'm going to have to screw them back in once I replace the filter(s) in question.


I've used a couple of types. One had three fingers that reach out and around the head of the screw; in another, for slothead screws, the tip of the screwdriver expands against the slot in the screw. A third type has a sort of cradle that holds the screw by the head-the cradle slides to grasp the head. They all worked well for their applications, but the first and third were most secure.

[wurm]

lost, those were the types of things I was imagining. Are they readily available and if so, where? And what would one look for?

[rgG]

wurm wrote:
lost, those were the types of things I was imagining. Are they readily available and if so, where? And what would one look for?

Take a look at these

https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&hl=en-us&ei=7IXWX-vwCbKp5wLO0qjQCw&q=screw+holder+screwdriver&oq=&gs_lcp=ChNtb2JpbGUtZ3dzLXdpei1zZXJwEAEYADICCCkyAggpMgIIKTICCCkyBQgpEMkDMgIIKTICCCkyAggpMgIIKTICCCkyAggpMgIIKTICCCkyCAgAEOoCEI8BMggIABDqAhCPAVAAWABg-UVoAnAAeACAAQCIAQCSAQCYAQCgAQGwAQ_AAQE&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-serp

[wurm]

Ooh, thanks. And I'll have a little time to investigate and research, as I don't intend to even attempt this until the Spring.

[rgG]

wurm wrote:
Ooh, thanks. And I'll have a little time to investigate and research, as I don't intend to even attempt this until the Spring.

I was surprised there were so many options.

[NewtonMP2100]

....some request.....just the tip.....