Flexible tool mat, good idea?

[atikovi]

https://files.constantcontact.com/91e3dd809e/45f8351a-eeca-4b42-82c1-3d3a2ba226d1.pdf

Having placed screwdrivers, sockets, hardware, etc. on top of the engine or radiator cover while working on something, only to accidentally bump them so they fall off into the inside of the engine bay then spending 10 minutes finding and then fishing them out, I see how this might be useful. Thoughts?

 

[Trav]

I wonder how many people have opened their hood only to find one of these stuck somewhere with tools from their last repair.
I use a cart.

 

[skyactiv]

I have a Grypmat at work and don't use it much.

 

[RooflessVW]

I have a Grypmat at work and don't use it much.

I have a Grypmat and use it always. Dumping a handful of sockets down an aircraft is not a fun time.

 

[atikovi]

I would use a cart more often but lugging it up from the basement to work in the driveway and then dragging it back inside at night is more trouble than it's worth unless for a large job.

 

[JHZR2]

I would use a cart more often but lugging it up from the basement to work in the driveway and then dragging it back inside at night is more trouble than it's worth unless for a large job.

Agree. I ended up buying a few different plastic tool boxes for different jobs. And I have a big Kennedy if I need to go somewhere with a bigger selection. This way I gather what I need, have it all together, and work from it. At least in theory.

I do have a grypmat, but I’m not a fan of leaving stuff up on an engine - it falls too easily.

On bigger jobs I have a portable table that I set up.

All that said, the magnetic may in OP is kind of neat assuming the magnets are strong. But not if it’s retail price.

 

[P10crew]

I know the feeling when a tool gets dropped and you hear clink clink clink and you’re praying for the sound of it hitting the floor then comes the final clink and silence.
I’m with Trav on getting the tools out of there but I’m guilty. If it saves a 10mm socket or 2 it may pay for itself.

 

[Leo99]

I use a cheap HF cart that I bolted some magnetic strips to it to hold tools. But this mat looks like it would work in the right situations.

 

[eljefino]

I've always got the cowl and top of the battery for stashing stuff. No thanks. Also that picture looks photoshopped-- how would you stick this magnetty thing to a plastic fender liner?

 

[Silver]

Sort of small but gives me the idea to get a regular old piece of flexible magnetic material to use. It doesn't have to be red or have a cool name.

 

[Astro14]

I wonder how many people have opened their hood only to find one of these stuck somewhere with tools from their last repair.
I use a cart.

Twice.

Twice, some mechanic has left his tools for me to find them under the hood.

With that kind of attention to detail, is it any wonder that I do nearly all my own maintenance?

 

[atikovi]

No thanks. Also that picture looks photoshopped

Says the man with the upside down dog avatar photo.

 

[Oro_O]

I know the feeling when a tool gets dropped and you hear clink clink clink and you’re praying for the sound of it hitting the floor then comes the final clink and silence.

I picked up one of these at an O'Reillys a year or two ago - big improvement over the old style ones. Liked it so much I went and bought my dad another.

https://www.autozone.com/test-scan-...tools-4-claw-magnetic-pick-up-tool/989264_0_0

My approach is to a) use a rolling cart, b) toss down old towels and all tools/hardware stay on the towel.

That also justifies buying new towels for the house, re-purposing the older ones to the garage, and female household members are impressed with the thoughtfulness and dedication to domestic perfection. Win-win.

 

[nomas]

It's cute , but not 40 bucks plus tax cute .

 

[Trav]

Twice.

Twice, some mechanic has left his tools for me to find them under the hood.

With that kind of attention to detail, is it any wonder that I do nearly all my own maintenance?

After trade school the old timer that really taught me the trade would do his nut if I put tools on the cowl or anywhere under the hood.
He had a plastic cart (not because he was cheap it was because it wouldn't scratch the paint just in case) and pulled it up to the car and put the tools and fasteners on it, it worked like a champ.
It was similar to this one but his had a electric plug on it.

https://www.amazon.com/Pake-Handlin...ords=rolling+tool+cart&qid=1645475841&sr=8-43

 

[atikovi]

I picked up one of these at an O'Reillys a year or two ago - big improvement over the old style ones. Liked it so much I went and bought my dad another.

https://www.autozone.com/test-scan-...tools-4-claw-magnetic-pick-up-tool/989264_0_0

The magnetic tip seems like a good idea but I can imagine trying to lower that into a tight engine bay and the magnet getting stopped every inch going in.

 

[D60]

After trade school the old timer that really taught me the trade would do his nut if I put tools on the cowl or anywhere under the hood.
He had a plastic cart (not because he was cheap it was because it wouldn't scratch the paint just in case) and pulled it up to the car and put the tools and fasteners on it, it worked like a champ.
It was similar to this one but his had a electric plug on it.

https://www.amazon.com/Pake-Handlin...ords=rolling+tool+cart&qid=1645475841&sr=8-43

Seems impractical for trucks where you're on a step stool and ESPECIALLY top side creepers?

NOT the cart (I use one, too) but the policy of zero tolerance for tools on the vehicle?

As it is I sometimes feel like I'm on a StairMaster stepping up and down to my service cart to find the right size socket.

I always do a slow visual sweep and then carefully run my fingers thru any grooves/slots/channels in the cowl and front clip area before closing the hood.

 

[Trav]

I don't do trucks only my own when I owned one so I never had to look for a solution.

 

[Oro_O]

The magnetic tip seems like a good idea but I can imagine trying to lower that into a tight engine bay and the magnet getting stopped every inch going in.

It works really well. And the magnet is strong and will pull up large sockets, etc. It's a surprisingly good tool for $10. WAY better than just the flimsier plunger/grabber tools that have been around for decades and decades.

 

[RyanY]

Those grabbers and magnets are great, but I recently found myself using the magnetic extendable flashlight a lot more often. It really helps when the 10mm socket is dropped into a dark crevice!

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Telesco...602/317752670?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US