Screw-holding tool
After some 20 minutes spent crawling around the floor trying to find 1/2in screws refusing to go into pre-drilled holes in a length of plastic trunking I came up with the following idea for holding the screws tightly. Magnetic and patent screwdrivers had long been abandoned when I saw a short length of mains electric earth wire staring at me.
That was the answer. Just a couple of bends and I had a perfect clamp for the screws.
I have since found that the idea can be used on clocks, particularly when putting a movement back into its case. Cranked, as in the diagram, the ‘tool’ will hold the screw deep down where fingers cannot reach. For tiny screws, such as those holding platform escapements, the crank in the wire is not necessary. Of course, a small collection of soft, easily bent wires is required to cover all ranges of screws. As soon as the screw has a positive hold, then simply bend the loop back to release the wire.
Ray Burton, UK
