Project Solutions: Keeping Track of Screws

When working on a project, more than likely screws will be involved. Even though they are necessary for keeping most things together, they can be a nuisance at times. The project can get frustrating real fast if you can't find the proper screws or even worse, lose them. Here are some simple tricks and ideas to try next time you are working on a project. You will want an easy way to keep track of all the screws and easy clean up too.

Tape

When working on a project, more times than not, I lose the little screws to the item I'm working on. Some of the screws can be really tiny and once they're lost, it's almost close to impossible to find them again. Unless walking barefoot across the floor and getting stuck by one is considered finding them.

To make my job a lot easier, I take some masking tape or double-sided tape and use that to stick the screws to when I'm working. This way I don't lose the little suckers and I know exactly where they are when it's times to finish up the project. The project was a hit and I walk away happy, so to speak.

Cardboard

This is another nifty way to keep track of screws when you're working on a project. Just get a piece of cardboard and keep it nearby, when you need to put the screws aside, just poke them through the cardboard and they will stay put until you need them again.

This is also how I store a lot of my screws. I line them up on the cardboard according to their size so when it's time to use them, I know which ones I need. I don't have to go digging through a can or jar to find the ones I need. You can store the cardboard on a hook in your shed or garage or just slide it into a drawer, whatever works best for you.

Bonus

I learned this neat little trick from my Dad. When you spill a bunch of screws on the floor, instead of picking them up one-by-one or trying to sweep them up, use a magnet. Take the lid from a jar and hold the magnet over it and the magnet will attract all the screws to the lid. Now all you have to do is hold the lid over the jar and release the magnet. All the screws will fall into the jar and you're done.

Try some of these easy tricks and you won't ever have trouble keeping track or cleaning up screws again when working on a project. Keep it simple and organized.

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Sources: Personal experience