Sometimes you just have to laugh at yourself!

[Mulemauler]

Sometimes you just have to laugh at yourself! Was taking apart a double set trigger this morning getting everything ready to brown the parts when the trigger return spring launched itself into the air. I heard it clink on something solid so for the next hour I hunted for it. If a drawer on one of the toolboxes was open it was emptied out, I cleaned parts of the work bench that haven't been cleaned in months, I swept the sawdust off the floor and from under benches then went over the dust with a magnet. Finally I admitted defeat and considered the spring lost. Now those who know me can testify that my coffee cup almost is never empty...when it gets down to about a quarter full it gets topped off. Was about to break for lunch so gulped the last mouthful and nearly choked,,,there was the spring right where it had been all morning even after multiple refills.

 

[Phil Coffins]

That would put a spring in your step! I have heard of this sort of thing happening to others but never to me.

 

[Sam squanch]

I have a magnet on wheels I keep handy.

 

[Loja man]

Now that’s funny!! Great story!! Glad you found it!!

 

[TDM]

Great story! I still have a nose cap hiding in my shop and it’s been hiding 2 years.

 

[oldwood]

Couple months ago , my 30 yr. old plastic bottle of inletting black , just disappeared almost before my eyes. I call things that become lost in my shop , "escapees" . Could be tools , or whatever. I'm an impatient guy , and the cure for an escapee , is immediate replacement. This causes a jealousy in the escapee , and soon after the replacement item is in use , the original Item returns. So , I was frustrated at loosing the inletting black , and ordered a new replacement jar. The new jar came , and I began using it . This weekend , I was working on something requiring a c-clamp stored under my bench. I grabbed the clamp , and the 30 yr. old jar of inletting black , (the escapee) , fell off the top of the clamp onto the floor. ....Works every time.

 

[Nazgul58]

Frustrating when this happens.
About 6 months ago I was reloading in the Man Cave and took off my wedding ring. Arthritis causes swelling so it gets tight at times. I am always very careful with it when I remove it so it went into my shirt pocket . Couldn't find it when I was done. I have emptied every container/box/drawer of the bench. Cleaned out underneath it, removed the rugs and it is still lost. Bought another one but it will turn up some day, probably in a box of flintlock parts.....

Don

 

[BEP]

Congrats! You found the spring and your shop got a thorough cleaning! That's a twofer!

 

[wiscoaster]

Been there done that, but never in the coffee cup. Always found in the last place I looked, though.

 

[windini]

I have seriously considered installing a network of magnets on my ceiling...

Glad you didn't gulp down your spring; it woulda made the recovery process far more icky!

 

[oldwood]

I keep two anti gravity tools in my shop. One is a magnet on a metal extension wand , and one of those grabbers where you push on the end of the devise , and four springy metal fingers come out and clasp the offending escapee for retrieval. Magnetic one is for ferrous metal items , and the spring device is for all other . Since I have used a Stanley Workmate vise-workbench , I can sit and work. Sitting at the bench , makes most potential escapees on the floor , within range of the magnet wand, and the spring grabber. Man should take no BS from inanimate objects!

 

[Johnny Tremain]

If I didnt laugh as myself at least once a day, Id be dead.

 

[Beaverman2]

Great story and thanks for the chuckle this AM, I had a screw from a derringer lock that was on a walk about in my shop for 10 years, found it inside an unfinished powder horn in a drawer of an old desk I use for a sit down bench, now if I can only find that derringer!

 

[akroguy]

Iron in your diet is good.

 

[LME]

Sometimes you just have to laugh at yourself! Was taking apart a double set trigger this morning getting everything ready to brown the parts when the trigger return spring launched itself into the air. I heard it clink on something solid so for the next hour I hunted for it. If a drawer on one of the toolboxes was open it was emptied out, I cleaned parts of the work bench that haven't been cleaned in months, I swept the sawdust off the floor and from under benches then went over the dust with a magnet. Finally I admitted defeat and considered the spring lost. Now those who know me can testify that my coffee cup almost is never empty...when it gets down to about a quarter full it gets topped off. Was about to break for lunch so gulped the last mouthful and nearly choked,,,there was the spring right where it had been all morning even after multiple refills.

I feel your pain! Been there done that!

 

[HSmithTX]

I am laughing with you, not at you. It is said around my working area that new and ultra foul curse words are created when things like that happen, sailor raised by a sailor so the potential for it to be true is at least 50%.......

 

[oldwood]

I keep two anti gravity tools in my shop. One is a magnet on a metal extension wand , and one of those grabbers where you push on the end of the devise , and four springy metal fingers come out and clasp the offending escapee for retrieval. Magnetic one is for ferrous metal items , and the spring device is for all other . Since I have used a Stanley Workmate vise-workbench , I can sit and work. Sitting at the bench , makes most potential escapees on the floor , within range of the magnet wand, and the spring grabber. Man should take no BS from inanimate objects !!

 

[TDM]

I keep magnets handy too. A big hand held and an extendable one. They sure come in handy. But neither have been able to find my long lost nose cap.

 

[Rich44]

I to have those moments when a tiny spring has sprung, a number 2 screw has taken a walk. A magnet is really nice to have, have even vacuumed everything and then check the bag. But my very best way of finding is call my wife. She has the skill to always find it, and then is proud that she saved my day. Yes, I got one of the good ones.

 

[Dusty_Traveler]

ol Coily nearly had you beat.