I was sure those magnetic wire holders were a gimmick until my buddy left one on a job

For years I thought those little magnetic wire holders you stick to your panel door were just extra junk to buy. Then, working on a rewire in a tight attic in Eugene, my partner had one stuck to his tool bag. I was up there trying to hold a bundle of 12/2 with one hand and strip it with the other, totally fumbling. He tossed it over and said just try it. I stuck it to a joist hanger, looped the wire in, and had both hands free. Used it for the rest of that job and the next three. It's not for everything, but in a spot where you're solo and need a third hand, it's solid. What's a simple tool you wrote off that actually earned a spot in your bag?

3 comments

3 Comments

parker_thomas26d ago

Got a headlamp too, but it's not just for tight spots. Use mine all the time for deliveries after dark, checking addresses on dim porches.

norag8726d ago

My old boss gave me a headlamp as a joke gift. I still have it, and it has saved me more times than I care to admit.

ryanj1026d ago

My buddy swore by his little telescoping inspection mirror for years and I always gave him crap for it. Then he was looking for a short in a packed disconnect, couldn't see a thing, and that dinky mirror on a stick found a chewed wire tucked behind a lug in like two minutes. I had to eat my words and got one the next day.