Weirdest place to find a lost part

[rich pierce]

Yesterday I was taking apart a lock and was absent minded. I was taking out the sear spring and thoughtlessly did not loosen the screw a little then pivot the spring out of the tab slot. Upon release it went flying like a mortar round.  I saw it hit the concrete basement wall then heard it strike something metallic.  I spent 2 hours cleaning that part of my basement shop. No spring within 8 feet of my bench. I double checked anything metal it might have pinged off.  This morning I went back down to the basement and looked up at the heating duct up near the ceiling. What were the chances? I an my fingers along the top of the duct - and there it was!  Never had a part lost 8 feet off the floor before.

[Bob Roller]

Yesterday I was taking apart a lock and was absent minded. I was taking out the sear spring and thoughtlessly did not loosen the screw a little then pivot the spring out of the tab slot. Upon release it went flying like a mortar round.  I saw it hit the concrete basement wall then heard it strike something metallic.  I spent 2 hours cleaning that part of my basement shop. No spring within 8 feet of my bench. I double checked anything metal it might have pinged off.  This morning I went back down to the basement and looked up at the heating duct up near the ceiling. What were the chances? I an my fingers along the top of the duct - and there it was!  Never had a part lost 8 feet off the floor before.

I had a mainspring escape once and found it the next morning on the window sill
of the East facing window.

Bob Roller

[Keb]

I found a frizzen spring on the floor of the shower once while taking a shower after the 94 Eastern  :/

[Taylorz1]

For some reason the chip pan on my lathe is a spring magnet. It’s a good 15’ jump from the bench to the lathe but that’s the first place I look regardless of the trajectory of an escaping part.

[SingleMalt]

Embedded in the wall six months after I lost and replaced it.

[Metalshaper]

in the laundry machine, over on the other side of the basement..

Looked and looked all over the shop, had Lynn Marie pat me down before I got out of my shop clothes.. Turned out all the pockets and checked??
started a load of clothes the next day and when I unloaded it.. There was my part!!

Respect Always
Jonathan

[Taylorz1]

https://shop.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/6/2/62704_zzz_alt_500.jpg

These are like $10 from harbor freight. I haven’t used this one but we use smaller versions of these at work and they are helpful

[shortbarrel]

Best way in the word to clean the shop and work bench. Have found my glasses on my head a few times to.

[B.Habermehl]

I have short legs. I’ve found more than one lost part in my pants cuff.

[bowkill]

Heck i lost both lock bolts one time and have not been seen to this day, and i have a small shop. Looked for a week and finally gave up and just made some more. Still think they will show up someday tho..

[WKevinD]

I use (depend on) one of Dave2s depth gauges. It disappeared, so I cleaned the benches, the floor and checked every tool box drawer for two days. I broke down and I ordered a new one from the Lucky Bag, it arrived and I was using it at the drill press and in order to rotate the press I placed the new depth gauge on the nearest shelf...on top of the lost one.

Kevin

[Jason C]

I use (depend on) one of Dave2s depth gauges. It disappeared, so I cleaned the benches, the floor and checked every tool box drawer for two days. I broke down and I ordered a new one from the Lucky Bag, it arrived and I was using it at the drill press and in order to rotate the press I placed the new depth gauge on the nearest shelf...on top of the lost one.

Kevin

Sounds like something I'd do.


Did you have to order a third one because you couldn't find the first two?

[Eric Krewson]

I have found most of the missing parts that sailed across the room on disassembly, they were never where I thought they would be. I use a roofing nail magnet to sweep the dusty floor first off then go to hands and knees.

[WKevinD]

Not yet.

[J. Talbert]

I wish I could answer that... 

[John Shaw]

I've often wondered how much more I would have accomplished in my life if I hadn't spent half of it looking for something that I had in my hands a few minutes ago.

JS

[Mike_StL]

I have disassembled things with strings inside a white tall trash bag. Most of the time, the parts stay in the bag.