Flexable magnetic pick up tool

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   I found myself in deep trouble while working on my Audi Cabriolet with a 2.8 V6 engine. I was trying to do too many things at the same time.
I had all my spark plugs removed to change them. Bought the wrong ones so I went on to the next project of changing the valve cover gaskets which I had. Upon removing the valve cover Allen key bolts one dropped and went right into an open spark plug hole. WHAT A FLIPPEN DISASTER! The diameter of the bolt with attached washer was just a bit smaller than the hole so getting it out was extremely difficult.
I was determined not to remove the cylinder head.
I tried a flexible claw tool. I could grab the bolt and get it to the top but it would always fall off before I could get thru the hole.
I bough and tried every type of magnet at the tool store with the same results. I spent hours trying to get that damn bolt out.
 Finally I decided to make my own tool. I bought some rare earth magnets that were 5/16 diameter and 2 feet of clear tubing that was 5/16 inside diameter and 7/16 outside diameter. I put 3 magnets into the tubing with the bottom magnet about 3/16 of an inch up from the bottom of the tube.
On first try I heard a click, slowly removed the magnet and had the bolt come out of the hole head first. PERFECT!!!
I immediately installed the new spark plugs then stopped working on the car. I spent a couple of hours toasting my success. I went from feeling stupid to being brilliant. 
I have used this magnet several times while working on my Rebels to retrieve dropped tools and fasteners. It's one of my favorite tools.

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REBEL X Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Nut Joined: Nov/09/2015 Location: Winnipeg Canada Status: Offline Points: 385	Post Options Post Reply Quote REBEL X Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Flexable magnetic pick up tool Posted: Apr/12/2016 at 10:22am
	I found myself in deep trouble while working on my Audi Cabriolet with a 2.8 V6 engine. I was trying to do too many things at the same time. I had all my spark plugs removed to change them. Bought the wrong ones so I went on to the next project of changing the valve cover gaskets which I had. Upon removing the valve cover Allen key bolts one dropped and went right into an open spark plug hole. WHAT A FLIPPEN DISASTER! The diameter of the bolt with attached washer was just a bit smaller than the hole so getting it out was extremely difficult. I was determined not to remove the cylinder head. I tried a flexible claw tool. I could grab the bolt and get it to the top but it would always fall off before I could get thru the hole. I bough and tried every type of magnet at the tool store with the same results. I spent hours trying to get that damn bolt out. Finally I decided to make my own tool. I bought some rare earth magnets that were 5/16 diameter and 2 feet of clear tubing that was 5/16 inside diameter and 7/16 outside diameter. I put 3 magnets into the tubing with the bottom magnet about 3/16 of an inch up from the bottom of the tube. On first try I heard a click, slowly removed the magnet and had the bolt come out of the hole head first. PERFECT!!! I immediately installed the new spark plugs then stopped working on the car. I spent a couple of hours toasting my success. I went from feeling stupid to being brilliant. I have used this magnet several times while working on my Rebels to retrieve dropped tools and fasteners. It's one of my favorite tools.
	67 Rebel SST 343 AT conv 68 Rebel 550 232 AT conv 68 Rebel 550 232 AT conv 68 Rebel SST 343 4 SP conv 68 Rebel SST 401 727 HT 70 Rebel SST 360 AT Wgn 70 Rebel SST 304 AT HT 70 Rebel Machine 390 AT