A week or so ago I posted about my problem with a pair of
pliers which slipped into a cavity through a narrow opening.
I have now retrieved the pliers, and for those of you who
helped with useful advice I have written below a bit about
the process. Many thanks to you guys.

From Pep Boys, the auto parts store, I purchased a moveable
mirror on a metal wand about 15-20" long. I also purchased
there a magnet (first tested to ensure it would pick up a
comparable sized pair of pliers) on the end of a flexible
metal wand, again about 15-20" long. Each cost about $6-7.
From an electronics store I purchased, for $12, a small LED
flashlight.

I tied a string to the flashlight, and lowered it, along
with the mirror on the wand. I didn't mention before that
the hole through which I had to work was at the end of a
very tight crawl space, so there was no opportunity for
another person's hands to help me. With the string in one
hand, and the mirror wand in the other, I tried
unsuccessfully to locate the pair of pliers in the cavity.

Next step was mounting a drop light over my shoulder with a
100w incandescent bulb in it, and just using the mirror.
That was better, and I saw where the pair of pliers was.
Then I inserted the magnet wand, and that proved difficult
since everything in the cavity was steel/iron and the magnet
was pulled around. Eventually I was able to make contact
with the pair of pliers, and move it around on the floor of
the cavity.

Then I was able to pull it directly upward toward the
opening. As I tried to pull it through the opening it came
off the magnet. I tried a few more times and then when it
got near the top I used a pair kitchen tongs to reach in and
grab it and pull it farther up until I could grasp it in my
fingers.

One happy camper.

My next project is to fabricate a semi-permanent cover for
that opening, with some small holes in it for ventilation.

Thanks again guys.

--
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CWLee
"I appreciate those who walk out from the edges with
torches or even in the dark with their hands out in front
of them. We need those explorers and weirdos. I am
so grateful when I find that I am not the first." - Sally
Amsbury.