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Modeling in General
General discussions about modeling topics.
Beat the carpet monster
russamotto
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Utah, United States
Member Since: December 14, 2007
entire network: 3,389 Posts
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Posted: Saturday, July 18, 2009 - 12:14 PM UTC
Don't know if the idea of a "technique" for searching for fallen parts has been addressed before but here are a couple I use. First is to do a grid search with a flashlight. I will hold the flashlight at different angles to create shadow changes and try to create a reflection off of a photoetch part. If this doesn't work quickly or if I really need the part, I take a nylon stocking, new and in good shape, place it over the nozzle on the vacuum hose and go over the area with that. The nylon will stop the part before it disappears for good. Don't stretch the nylon because it will create gaps or run and will allow the parts to get through. It will also ruin them and create problems at home.
KoSprueOne
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Myanmar
Member Since: March 05, 2004
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Posted: Saturday, July 18, 2009 - 02:39 PM UTC
Great help idea for sure.
However, this may not be useful if your floor space looks like mine right now

Very intimate knowledge of the properties of nylon stockings though...




keenan
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Indiana, United States
Member Since: October 16, 2002
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Posted: Saturday, July 18, 2009 - 02:54 PM UTC
I model on a cement floor in the basement. Makes find small parts that end up on the floor pretty easy to find if you shine the flashlight parallel to the floor. Things that fly off onto the bench, not so much.
Shaun
Afroman
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Wales, United Kingdom
Member Since: April 04, 2007
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Posted: Sunday, July 19, 2009 - 03:08 AM UTC
I read somewhere im not sure if it was steve zaloga but he staples a blue piece of nylon faberic to the edge of the desk and drapes it over his knees so when he drops that crucial piece he can easily find it on the piece of fabric.
wombat58
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New South Wales, Australia
Member Since: March 26, 2009
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Posted: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 - 09:42 PM UTC
Very small parts that have ended up on the carpet and cannot be found with eye or torch can sometimes be picked up pretty quickly as follows;

I wrap some wide masking tape around my hand then gently "dab"the carpet each time checking the tape, nine times out of ten the part will appear stuck to the tape. Success with this depends on the carpet pile depth.
sgtreef
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Oklahoma, United States
Member Since: March 01, 2002
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Posted: Thursday, July 23, 2009 - 02:48 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Great help idea for sure.
However, this may not be useful if your floor space looks like mine right now

Very intimate knowledge of the properties of nylon stockings though...








Dang dude you been copying me.

Sweet that means work going on and not an Arm chair modeler.
sgtreef
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Oklahoma, United States
Member Since: March 01, 2002
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Posted: Thursday, July 23, 2009 - 02:53 AM UTC
Good idea I use one of the old shark Vac's which sometimes finds it out right other times not.

But sometimes after looking for another part I will find one long lost many moons ago. but not the one I was looking for.

Strange stuff carpet.
I have heard of using the stuff that Jewelers use,easy to do get some fabric at Hobbly Lobby and some Velcro put a piece on the Fabric and a piece under the desk and you have a catch all.
discordian
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New Jersey, United States
Member Since: May 28, 2009
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Posted: Thursday, December 17, 2009 - 12:16 AM UTC
I use a Shark electric sweeper. It's not a vacuum - it's just the rotating brush part of an upright vac and brushes everything into a collection tray relatively gently. Everything I've swept up has survived anyway.
And I have a dark green based multi color carpet in my modeling room.
Anything small on a dark green or tan sprue disappears like magic.
Bissel makes similar, probably others too.
pigsty
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United Kingdom
Member Since: January 16, 2007
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Posted: Thursday, December 17, 2009 - 01:46 AM UTC
Just walk around your desk in bare feet. Stuff that's too small to be spotted with an electron microscope will nonetheless be big enough and sharp enough to stick in your tender bits, and you can do the "found it!" dance (swearing optional).
jon_a_its
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England - East Midlands, United Kingdom
Member Since: April 29, 2004
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Posted: Thursday, December 17, 2009 - 02:38 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Just walk around your desk in bare feet. Stuff that's too small to be spotted with an electron microscope will nonetheless be big enough and sharp enough to stick in your tender bits, and you can do the "found it!" dance (swearing optional).




Some 20 Denier stocking on the end of the vacuum hose works.... quite often!
How you get the Stockings is up to you...
MLD
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Vermont, United States
Member Since: July 21, 2002
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Posted: Thursday, December 17, 2009 - 02:50 AM UTC
I tried the jewlers apron tirck of velcroing an apron to the bottom of the workbench worked great....

until I stood up BEFORE removing the velcro..

Now an XL t-shirt in a light color draped over my lap keeps 99% of the tweezer launches within easy reach.

jim81147
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Colorado, United States
Member Since: November 03, 2009
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Posted: Thursday, December 17, 2009 - 04:03 PM UTC
I went to the home depot and bought 2 pieces of plastic runner , like what people use to put on the carpet in high traffic areas and on stairs , 6 feet long and duct taped them together . Then I just put that over my carpet at the bench . I can find about 95% of my "launches" now.
sgtsauer
#065
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Missouri, United States
Member Since: March 30, 2002
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Posted: Thursday, December 17, 2009 - 04:20 PM UTC
If I can't find a part I've dropped, I have a simple and exceptionally effective solution..........I yell for my wife. She has an uncanny ability to find literally any part that I drop. It is absolutely amazing!
miteco20
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Illinois, United States
Member Since: June 21, 2009
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Posted: Saturday, December 19, 2009 - 09:40 AM UTC
I have one of those clear plastic spiked rug deals like you have in the car and most of my parts are gray or tan with some exceptions so I just painted the mat dark green. Anything that falls is pretty easy to pick out. Now if it flys past the safe zone and into the dangerous tannish white carpet it is past the point of no return.
The_Madhatter
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United States
Member Since: May 14, 2009
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Posted: Wednesday, December 23, 2009 - 03:07 AM UTC
My method is rather crude. If the part is not visible to the naked eye, just get down on hands and knees. I take my hand and just start smacking the floor and move in a circular pattern. Anything small and light weight will just start bouncing up. If it hits my carpet 99% of the time I will find it this way. I have also used the tape method with success.
Spellbot5000
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British Columbia, Canada
Member Since: December 28, 2009
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Posted: Saturday, January 02, 2010 - 03:23 PM UTC
Clearly the only solution is to construct a private modeling room that is lined with a seamless sheet of white anodized aluminum, with lighting setup to eliminate shadows completely.

Sometimes I really, REALLY hate carpet.
Dogwatch
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Texas, United States
Member Since: December 14, 2009
entire network: 48 Posts
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Posted: Monday, February 08, 2010 - 02:38 AM UTC
I simply put a white sheet on the floor under my table and anything that hits will show up immediately due to contrast. I do like the idea of putting some fabric between the table and yourself though. Good ideas and tips!
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