Work bench parts and tools catcher made with rain gutter.

Somewhere near my desk, there exists a worm hole into an alternate universe.  Small parts are drawn to this site like insects to a bug-zapper.  Not only do parts fall into it, many parts leap into the air and kamikaze dive directly into the worm hole.

My concern is that the alien civilization on the other end of the worm hole will get tired of dealing with my kit parts and start sending random items of their's through to my side.

You've presented a good solution to an on-going problem. 

I made my catcher out of a rectangular piece of cloth.  It is as long as the leg opening in my bench is wide, and about 14 inches the other way.  I hemmed three sides with a normal hem, made a thicker pocket in the remaining side big enough to hold a length of pipe insulation.  I put a couple of spring clips on the bottom of my bench surface with the "jaws" facing outward.  The clips hold the long hemmed side.  The pipe insulation side lies in my lap and the foam insulation holds it kind of straight, so it forms a U-trough, sort of like a gutter.  The spring clamps will release in case it gets caught on my pants when I get up.  I had a dark blue one made from an apron but it was too hard to find lost parts.  The new one is white so small parts are still visible.  Used my wife's sewing machine after she set it up for me and got me started.

It works but it wont catch those kamikaze type parts ! I have a cement floor under the bench , you'd think that would make it easier to find  the parts , NO! I can find the sprue tips i cut off and a few microcopic bugs but not a part thats an eigth inch long . Must be that worm hole your talking about Maj................

That idea sounds good Don . I had this gutter left over from a house project so i just used it for now . Thanks for the tip .

I think those of us who stand at our benches are less likely to lose parts between the bench and our laps as those of you who sit. Many tend to lean back and work past the edge of the bench, whereas those who stand lean over it. Not to say I haven't lost parts, but 99% I can easily recover them.

My work is 30 inches tall , bending over to work at the bench would be a back killer ...............maybe i could kneel .........naw , a chair works better.

great idea...reminds me of the old times when I drafted by hand and had a spi-roll on mt table,,,

your idea is also great from those times when you fall asleep on your table....catches the drool and eliminates those wet stains on your models finish....

carsanab

great idea...reminds me of the old times when I drafted by hand and had a spi-roll on mt table,,,

your idea is also great from those times when you fall asleep on your table....catches the drool and eliminates those wet stains on your models finish....

Oh no !!!! Now i need some down spouts .......................................

The downspouts would be good when you spill your beer.

Bill

interesting ideas got me thinking  .

Ron

wjbwjb29

The downspouts would be good when you spill your beer.

 

Bill

Good for catching pritzels also .