My old boss swore by a 5-gallon bucket for parts, but a magnetic tray changed my life

I spent a whole day on a Detroit 60 Series rebuild fishing bolts out of a bucket, dropped a 10mm socket in the oil drain pan. Grabbed a $15 magnetic tray from Harbor Freight and haven't lost a single piece since. What's your go-to for keeping small parts from vanishing?

3 comments

3 Comments

grant.susan18d ago

That magnetic tray was a lifesaver on my last 8.1 liter project.

patricialee18d ago

You mentioned an 8.1 liter project, which is a huge case. I wonder if the magnetic tray was just as key for keeping track of screws in all that open space, or if it was more about not dropping them into deep crevices.

ellis.susan17d ago

Honestly the real game changer for me was using a magnetic tray on top of the engine itself. Sticks right to the valve cover or intake manifold, so the parts are right where you're working. It beats having to reach over to a bench or fender every single time. That little bit of saved motion adds up over a long day.