A way to keep from dropping/losing hand tools

[CharleyL]

Something that I've been doing most of my life to keep from dropping and/or losing my hand tools that I recently realized that others might benefit from. I grew up spending most of my teen years on the Hudson River in NY, and this frequently resulted in me needing to work on boat motors and boats on the water where dropping a wrench, screwdriver, etc. almost always resulted in total loss of the tool, and maybe needing a tow back home. So to prevent this, I began tethering my hand tools to my wrists, while using them.

Back then, I was using a loop of Venetian Blind cord. Combination open end/box wrenches were easy to secure by looping through the box end of the wrench. Other tools, like screwdrivers, need a hole drilled through the plastic handle. With the loop fed through the hole and then slipped over the handle or back on itself, the tool was easily secured to the loop in a way that keeps it on the loop, but easily removed when changing from one tool to another.

The other end of this loop was folded back on itself, then folded over to form a kind-of slip knot that I place around my wrist. The weight of the tool will keep it tight around my wrist, yet it's easy to remove or change from one arm to another. If dropped while in use, the tool hangs about 1 ft below the wrist, where it can easily be retrieved and used again. No more tools lost in the bottom of the river. In following years I have continued this practice of tethering my hand tools whenever working high or above something that might be broken if the tool falls. It sure saves trips down and back up the ladder when working high.

I recently started using Security Badge/Key lanyards for this purpose instead of the cord loop. They come with a metal swivel hook, making it easy to attach and remove most hand tools. The swivel keeps the tool from winding up the cord while in use, and a Safety Break-Away feature to protect the wearer, should it get caught on something or moving machinery. They are also about the perfect length for my needs. You may still need to add a hole and maybe a Ty Wrap loop to the tool in order to use this lanyard, but I've found that the flat cross section of the lanyard string/rope is much more comfortable than anything that I've used before.

Since I started building my photo/video studio and began building the ceiling support lighting grid, I've been using this idea much more than I ever have in my past life. The common wrench size for most needs is 5/16", because almost all of the bolt heads in use are 5/16" square head, so a combination open end/box end wrench is perfectly suited for this job, and what is shown in the attached photos, but any size should work as I have used others in the past.

The slip knot for your wrist is a bit hard to describe, so I've attached a few small photos. Hopefully, they will post in the order needed. Sorry for the bad lighting - cell phone photos, and without much preparation. If there are questions, I'll try for better photos.

Charley

[Cherryville Chuck]

Age, arthritis, and dropping tools and parts seem to go hand in hand. (Slightly intended pun.) In the shop I keep a telescoping magnet and a grabber tool within reach.

Good idea on the lanyard Charlie. I had a friend who worked for BC Ferries and he mentioned dropping tools into the salt chuck.

[DaninVan]

If I'm using power cords off a ladder, or on the roof, I always tie them off.
Re the cord thing, shock cord is an excellent stock item to have on hand. All sorts of uses. (Paracord)
https://www.paracordplanet.com/

[Herb Stoops]

I have one of those squeeze type pickup tools in the corner of every room Funny how they all end up in one room after awhile. I gotta find one for pills and soap tho.
Herb

[Stick486]

I gotta find one for pills and soap tho.

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This one will pick up a sewing needle...

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[Bushwhacker]

I gotta find one for pills and soap tho.

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One for soap is a good idea.

Bushwhacker

[Stick486]

One for soap is a good idea.

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you headed back to jail????

[Bushwhacker]

One for soap is a good idea.

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you headed back to jail????

no, BUT ITS GOOD TO BE PREPARED.

Bushwhacker

[Stick486]

BUT ITS GOOD TO BE PREPARED.

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[CharleyL]

They make soap with a rope loop, but it's for around your neck. That one in the photo is a bit short. There are times when the hand is needed for other purposes, yet the soap needs to be nearby, so a slightly longer rope than this is a good idea. Definitely a good idea to keep the soap from falling if in jail.

Charley

[Stick486]

There are times when the hand is needed for other purposes

WTMI Charley...

[DaninVan]

Speaking of not dropping stuff... (ignore the 'can't connect msg. Just click on it)