HGTV's J. Pickens Shares A Smart Hack To Keep Small Tool Parts From Getting Lost

The first person to discover a magnetic rock must've believed that magic was to blame. Knowing what we know about magnets now, they're still pretty magical. There's a good chance you've already discovered how useful magnetic knife racks can be, but they're far from the only type of magnets that can make your life more convenient. Add some smaller magnets to your list of tools every homeowner should have, and put their superpowers to work during DIYs by using them to hold tight to tiny metal things. Drill bits, screwdriver heads, screws, and nails all roll exasperatingly and tend to hide in dark corners or in the grass. J. Pickens of HGTV fame shared an ingenious tip for keeping those elusive pieces in check. A paper plate backed with a cluster of small but powerful magnets is Pickens' smart solution for reining in these rolling bits and pieces.

Try out this trick the next time you're getting ready to work on a DIY home improvement project. Grab a paper plate, and attach three or more adhesive-backed magnetic disks (like these from Flexible Magnets) to its underside. Add more magnets if you're using the plate to hold a larger volume of items. The wide surface of the plate lets you grab hardware and small tools with ease while also preventing frustrating messes and lost objects.

Pickens' trick is ideal for when you're in the middle of a project and have a tabletop nearby to rest the plate on. But so often, we're climbing a ladder or working somewhere without a horizontal surface that can hold a plateful of hardware. Magnets can still give you a hand in these situations. Just slip one inside the pocket of your tool belt or apron where you hold your nails and screws. The magnet will keep the fasteners consolidated and prevent them from eluding your fingers when you reach for them.

It's not hard to find work gloves or wrist bands equipped with magnetic strips to hold tools. But if you already have work gloves you love, just give yours an easy and cheap upgrade. Glue a strip of magnetic tape or a few magnetic disks to one or both of the gloves' cuffs. This is the perfect way to make sure those two drill bits you're always switching between stay close at hand.