After 55 years I found a use for this tool

[bw77]

I was doing a tune-up and cleaning of an oil furnace, and I needed a long 1/4" magnetic
socket or nut driver.

I have a 6" Klein mag nut driver, but it wasn't quite long enough.
I know they make a really long one, but I don't have it.

I looked online for a 1/4 drive, 1/4 magnetic chrome socket and couldn't find one.

Then I remembered I have a set of Sears magnetic socket inserts that I bought around 1970
and never used. I put the 1/4" insert in a 1/4 chrome socket and it got the job done.

 

[OccupantRJ]

I love it when a long term plan comes together!

 

[larry4406]

Those look handy!

Not sure if I have seen those before.

 

[snickers muncher]

This is when you go up to your wife with, "See, I told you so."**



**not responsible for any accidents or injuries that may result.

 

[MOS3522]

That packaging makes me nostalgic for working with my dad when I was a kid.

 

[mrb1]

Cleaner than packing the socket with grease.

Plenty on the bay..

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[WisJim]

I have that set of inserts that came with my first Craftsman set back in 1969. I don't think I have ever used any of them.

 

[Old Man Roger]

When I smoked, I would often use the cellophane from the cigarette pack to hold the nut.

 

[four.cycle]

^ Lang (Kastar / A&E) makes a variant of those currently.

 

[mcdye]

funny, I ran across those not to long that my father had... kept them

 

[ecotec]

I will look for a few sets of those at garage/estate sales.

I have a set of 1/4” shallow impact magnetic sockets and some random deep.

I also have a few random deep 3/8” magnetic sockets with springs under the magnets.

I could throw these in spare sets of chrome sockets.

 

[Oregon Dave]

I have that set of inserts that came with my first Craftsman set back in 1969. I don't think I have ever used any of them.

Exact same year, situation and usage for me.

 

[Captain Spaulding]

A multibit screwdriver is a great magnetic 1/4” socket. Watched a guy fight a screwdriver trying to tighten hose clamps, and told him to take the bit out and use the shaft. He did one and just stared at it like it was magic.

 

[BuffettFan]

I've got a set or two of those around.
Don't think I've ever used them!

 

[bonneyman]

I have a set or two of those!

 

[Beerhippie]

This is why we never, ever discard those tools we never use.

But a piece of aluminum foil works just fine, as do the suggestions above, all of which I've used at one time or another. Just the other day, I badly needed a magnetic screwdriver in #2 JIS--that would stick to SS screws. A dab of pipe dope on the tip was the answer.

 

[Debcrow]

This is why we never, ever discard those tools we never use.

But a piece of aluminum foil works just fine, as do the suggestions above, all of which I've used at one time or another. Just the other day, I badly needed a magnetic screwdriver in #2 JIS--that would stick to SS screws. A dab of pipe dope on the tip was the answer.

A piece of electrical tape works just fine also.

If it's a 10 mm nut just braze it into the socket! Not only will it hold the nut where it will never fall out but you will never lose that 10mm socket because you will always know where it is!

 

[cody1325]

This is why we never, ever discard those tools we never use.

But a piece of aluminum foil works just fine, as do the suggestions above, all of which I've used at one time or another. Just the other day, I badly needed a magnetic screwdriver in #2 JIS--that would stick to SS screws. A dab of pipe dope on the tip was the answer.

Something similar with me.

I recently recovered my old screw starter from behind the workbench--seized up with rust from being missing at least a couple of years--Evaporust is being bought and new spares are being put on order. I was working on my 3D printer, and the set screws that hold the bed to the drive screw gears is stainless. Thus magnets didn't work. Ended up having to Super Glue the screw onto my driver to hold it.

 

[Beerhippie]

Something similar with me.

I recently recovered my old screw starter from behind the workbench--seized up with rust from being missing at least a couple of years--Evaporust is being bought and new spares are being put on order. I was working on my 3D printer, and the set screws that hold the bed to the drive screw gears is stainless. Thus magnets didn't work. Ended up having to Super Glue the screw onto my driver to hold it.

I did that recently to remove a part from a vise. It was loose, but wasn't coming out, so a drop of CA glue on the tip of a piece of drill rod, a minute of silence and trying to have a steady hand, and it pulled right out.

I still need a Phillips/crosshead/JIS/whatever screw starter--and they're not only for starting screws, but for removing then from hard-to-access areas after being broken loose.

 

[M.Brane]

Magnet on a stick is not one of my often used tools, but when you need it you need it.

 

[Old Man Roger]

I’ve also just stuck a magnet on a screw driver. Usually for really small screws, like on an RC helicopter.

 

[drmarkr]

Head over to Amazon and grab these...you can CA them into sockets when you need them. You can also use them as replacements in your nutdrivers when the original magnet falls out and gets lost. You'll find other uses for them over time, I assure you. $7.95 for the pack.

 

[johnre]

I have that exact set. And it has sat in my toolbox for 45 years, so you still have me by a decade longer.

It was part of the mid-size set that Sears sold me, I suppose so they could advertise a large "xxxx piece set" without a lot of cost on their side of it.

 

[Beerhippie]

Magnets are wonderful and magical, but not much use when you work in a brewery where most everything is non-ferromagnetic stainless steel.

 

[rlitman]

...Then I remembered I have a set of Sears magnetic socket inserts that I bought around 1970
and never used. I put the 1/4" insert in a 1/4 chrome socket and it got the job done.

LOL, I have that same set in my toolbox. Perhaps one day it will find it's calling just like yours.

 

[rmanrman]

How did you remember where those magnets were stashed for many years
I’m having trouble to find my in a parking lot