Workshop garotte

[mklotz]

There are innumerable designs for tools to hold screws in place until you can get them started but the one I seem to use the most is one of my own design. I call it a garrotte for obvious reasons and it's simple to fabricate in the home shop.

Mine consists of a loop of waxed, heavy-duty thread pulled through a length of 1/8" OD brass tubing.
A wire passing through the loop and anchored to the end of the tube prevents the garrotte loop from being pulled back into the tube when the ends projecting from the other end of the tube are pulled.

In use, it's looped around the screw to be positioned...

and pulled tight, thus trapping the screw.

The screw is still free to rotate about its axis. The tube is then used to position the screw while a driver seats it into whatever receives the screw.

Takes about ten minutes to make and that includes waxing the thread.

I discovered it has a secondary use. Until they perfect non-ferrous magnets, it makes a pretty good lasso for snaring small items dropped into finger-inaccessible holes.

[kbalch]

Thanks mklotz! I've added your Screw Garrote to our Woodworking category, as well as to your builder page: mklotz's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Screw Garrote by mklotz

tags: screw starter

[DIYer]

Wow, I've needed a tool like this for a long time! This is going into my list of favorites. Great idea!

[jere]

really nice! the first thing I thought of was a dog catchers catch pole. never would I have thought of applying the same idea to a difficult to hold screw

[mklotz]

really nice! the first thing I thought of was a dog catchers catch pole. never would I have thought of applying the same idea to a difficult to hold screw

Interestingly enough, it was just that device that gave me the idea for the tool. Repurposing tools used in other professions is a good way to solve many problems in the machine shop. Kitchen tools are a rich source of ideas.

[jere]

I concur , I have a laundry list of stuff from the kitchen in my garage . I tend to use the oven and dishwasher for forming and cleaning things from the garage.

[kbalch]

I tend to use the oven and dishwasher for forming and cleaning things from the garage.

So…not married, then?

Ken

[RustyWrench]

Great idea. I'll be making one. Looks patent worthy to me. (That's a compliment, not a suggestion)

[jere]

So…not married, then?

Ken

what she doesn't know...

[PhilWood2]

Now that I know it exists, how can I get along without one?