In alt.home.repair, on Tue, 15 Sep 2015 18:53:06 -0700 (PDT), gary
wrote:

Thanks all for your suggestions.

I was able to loosen the screws just enough to get the lenses out of the old frames and put the lenses in to the new frames without removing the screws and having them disappear into the carpet never to be found again.

Never do something like this over carpet in the first place.

Never do it on a glass-topped desk I learned that with a pocket watch
when I was 13 years old.

Never do it with hardwood floors unless they have no cracks between
boards.

Actually it's best to use a table with a piece of one-color cloth spread
on it, to stop bouncing. Maybe sit on the floor too.

Wrap cellophane tape around your fingers sticky side out.