SilverlineFlexible Pick-Up Tool 600mm (277860)

Honestly, I do not know how I could have lived so far without one of this... Wait a second: maybe because I _just did not know tools like this existed!_When Amazon started selling more than just books, DVDs, games, etc. overseas, I immediately started browsing the hardware/tools section, and to my utter amazement I found a treasure of little, cheap, extremely useful tools, and this turned out to be _definitely_ the best one so far, especially given the price! In case its use is not that obvious, this is an extremely thin and flexible spring-based metal "tube" that will allow you to get - almost effortlessly - that minuscule, priceless, hugely important and barely visible "thing" that just dropped/fell/hid itself behind the 1-ton sofa/bookshelf/washing machine in your house... In other words, all those small items you cannot do without, that have the irritating bad habit of ending up inevitably in such unreachable places, that you will need to basically move all of your furniture in order to get them... (Not to mention the fact that you usually need a new backbone and/or a lot of physiotherapy afterwards...)The tool is a quite simple and sturdy metal tube, very flexible, with a manual, spring-based internal mechanism which is operated by just pressing the upper "piston" knob with your thumb, while keeping the handle between your index and middle fingers (just like an old-fashioned metal syringe, those that really hurt, remember?). Four thin metal "fingers" come out of the other side, and keep open (or stay relatively closed, based on how hard you push the knob), allowing you to precisely reach almost any small object that is in the tool reach (by the way, you might want to choose a longer/shorter version, based on your needs). Then, you just have to release the knob, and the metal fingers will grasp the object with enough strength to let you retrieve it, if you were precise enough to catch at least a part of it without moving it away (this is the tricky part: you need to have a rather good sight and firm hands to catch the items, anyway). Extremely recommended for people working with small screws, bolts, and other small objects. The internal parts seem to be made in very thin iron, so I think they would rust easily if exposed to water, and I also think they might probably break as easily, if you tried to pull a heavy item, but then again, for such a little price, I think this tool is a must-have! (PS: for science-fiction fans: you can see the tip of a _very_ similar tool in all its glory is the movie Total Recall: it is the "gun" used by Schwarzy to pull out a tracking "bug" from his nose...!)

Retrieved Plastic Blister Pack From V50 Engine Bay - Reviewed at £1.97 Price PointDropped the clear plastic blister packaging of a fuse packet (about the size of matchbox) into the engine bay of a Volvo V50. Thought it best to try retrieve in case it ended up being taken into fan blades etc. Very poor access to lower engine tray, narrow gaps between hoses, electrics, engine etc. Workable gap around the size of the small blister pack itself.Reach of Silverline for lower engine bay object retrieval for V50 is workable if the object is directly below grip (or you have wide access to allow hands into the overhead space) - if you start needing to work angles its worth using a thin bit of Dowling or wire to bring object closer. The tricky bit can be carefully moving the object you're trying to retrieve into a retrievable position when access is an issue. A torch can really help (either direct, or indirect illumination is key here). I resorted to using a thin bit of Dowling (bent) to angel to drag the blister pack, which was initially almost completely out of view. Before you attempt the retrieval where access is an issue I would encourage you to carefully reposition objects if possible to their most favourable position for the grasp head. Jobs can be fiddly and you want to give yourself the best possible chance.I was lucky the blister pack landed face down (open sides facing up) so It made my job easier in having edges to grasp. The grasp head consist of four claws (bent to grip) which extended from tool head out (perhaps 3-4 cm), and splay open around 2.5 cm to grasp. One tip I found, given access was very poor with hoses and wires crossing my view: the Silverline is delivered in a loop formation in the packaging, you can then use the slight natural curve of the extended Silverline to help guide the end of the grasp head (ie by slowly rotating the grip handle you can rotate and direct the remote grasp head). I had to try cast light indirectly given my view was so constricted. After some tricky manipulation I managed to land on the blister pack - I was unsure how tight the grip was so I really carefully negotiated the blister pack past hoses and wires. Once out of the engine bay it became clear the Silverline had connected with a very robust, secure grip on the blister pack. I wouldn't assume you have good contact to be safe - carefully extract.For the money build quality is impressive, and doesn't feel flimsy, and functionality is good - the real hurdle is likely to be what are you trying to retrieve and what is your access to it like? In my case access was a total stink (very restricted/poor light/obstructions in the way) - but with some effort in getting the blister pack in a better position - the Silverline did a very impressive job.Its worth mentioning the Silverline has two magnets located around the grasp head for magnetic objects (iron, steel etc) although I haven't tested them yet.Silverline 277860 possibly the best £2 I've spent in a long time. In a word: IMPRESSIVE

Handy tool to have in your tool box

Nice price and does the job well.

The pick tool up was bought as handy units for the odd job that requires that dropped non-magnetic nut or screw retrieving from the awkward of places. Used several times without any problems.

Fast delivery and can get you out of trouble when you drop screw under bonnet

The media could not be loaded. Utterly useless to pick up small items. Ie cannot pick up a piece of cardboard as retracts inside its housing before it gets small enough to grip. For just over £4 can’t be bothered to send it back as might find a use for it. I bought it to help with restringing a Ukulele but back to fiddling around with pliers .

A great little tool, no gimmicks, decent price.