The Really Useful Stuff You Can Get From Aldi Thread

**Redline** · 29-05-2018, 20:45

Guy's reference to useful magnetic pick up tools reminds me of an error I made in my (admittedly very light) refurbishment of my Alfa 2.5 back in the day. From a visual appearance I decided it would be a good idea to replace the scores of scruffy, rusty allen headed bolts on the plenum, cam covers and inlet manifolds. Wouldn't it be nice to have some stainless parts that start off shiny and stay shiny......

Well yes, until you drop one of them down that bit of the V between the heads and then find that the stainless bolts and washers are NOT magnetic.

Note to self... the practicality of magnetic retrieval of small parts far out weighs the aesthetics of stay shiny steel....

**Normb666** · 29-05-2018, 21:54

That's where Aldi score again - double-sided sticky pads you can attach to the end of your magnetic thingy. Gotta be accurate tho or else all you pick up is fluff and archaeological evidence of years of shite

**Guy Mayers** · 29-05-2018, 22:11

Or something else I got from Aldi a year or so ago. A long flexible magnetic pick up tool, with a light in it too but with a press button on the end that pushes out 4 claws to grab onto non magnetic wayward crap! Now that has proved really useful more thAn once!

**LPH_UK** · 29-05-2018, 22:20

Originally Posted by Redline

Guy's reference to useful magnetic pick up tools reminds me of an error I made in my (admittedly very light) refurbishment of my Alfa 2.5 back in the day. From a visual appearance I decided it would be a good idea to replace the scores of scruffy, rusty allen headed bolts on the plenum, cam covers and inlet manifolds. Wouldn't it be nice to have some stainless parts that start off shiny and stay shiny......

Well yes, until you drop one of them down that bit of the V between the heads and then find that the stainless bolts and washers are NOT magnetic.

Note to self... the practicality of magnetic retrieval of small parts far out weighs the aesthetics of stay shiny steel....

There's a 5mm stainless bolt sat in the vee of my engine.....

**Guy Mayers** · 29-05-2018, 22:56

Originally Posted by LPH_UK

There's a 5mm stainless bolt sat in the vee of my engine.....

I can recommend a tool to pick that up. Or a hoover with a bit of small diameter hose pipe? Not something you want to leave anywhere near a belt run!

Guy

**LPH_UK** · 30-05-2018, 11:02

There were 2 on there but I got one out. Can't seem to find the other. I have a small inspection camera that I keep meaning to use to have a look. Maybe it's fallen out!

Engine won;t get started until end of June probably, so still time to find it.....

**Guy Mayers** · 17-06-2018, 19:22

Okay, not Aldi but Asda this week - Holts Tyreweld 400ml for £3.50 a can? Well I need some for the slave wheels as only one is currently holding air....

Guy