What is the weirdest spot you have set down a part, lost it, then found it days or weeks later?

On Saturday, I took the plug for the push rod of my 74 big block to install the fuel pump and now I can find the plug. Spent a few hours on Sunday cleaning the garage and can't find it. I know as soon as I buy the replacement it will show up, but it is driving me bonkers!

 

I swear I have a mischievous spirit in my garage. I misplace something and, then hours or days later, find it right there on my workbench, plain as day.

 

2 days ago I sanded and bagged in a clear Amazon bag four patch pieces for my front clip which I am rebuilding. Each piece is about the size of my hand.
THEN I made sure to place the bag where I wouldn't lose it,,,,YEAH----RIGHT

I even emptied a 35 gallon trash can to make sure i didn't toss it when I was cleaning my wife;s garage where I was working on the clip...


DAY 3......NOTHING/NADA/ZILCH...

 

I was once working on my Harley and had removed the rear wheel. While putting it back together I couldn't fine one of the rear axle spacers. I looked for hours with no luck. I ended up making a homemade one. Evidently, it had rolled down my driveway and down the street (I live on a hill), because about six months later, while on a walk, I found it by the curb at the bottom of the hill.

 

During my Vintage Air install I was messing with a large rubber grommet that goes into the firewall panel. I set it on the fender and was doing some other fitment with the AC lines and then it was gone. I knew I put it there, where did it go? I was all over that car looking everywhere. Checking every surface in the garage even knowing I had it on the fender, but thought I was losing my mind. Had the big LED lights out looking everywhere, under the car and engine compartment. Then while looking under the car I glanced at the drag link that connects the inner tie rods and there it was. Balancing right on top of the rod. That was a hour of fun . Not.

 

I set tools down and a minute later I can't find them. All the time I do this. Unbelievable.

 

You're NOT alone, in that adventure!!

 

Thank God!! I guess that Loki left my garage area and wound up at yours!!! Sorry.... I like him better at YOUR place...

 

When I disassembled my LH hub assembly to inspect and repack the bearings, I decided to clean and paint the splash shield and caliper bracket. Couple of weeks later I got back to working on the car to reassemble, but couldn’t find the bracket, thought I may have accidentally knocked it into the trash can. Bought and received a used one to replace, then went outside under the back deck, and there was the original, hanging by a wire where I had painted it. What a dummy.!

 

I have never misplaced a part or a tool.😁












Not!

 

If that is true, BIGBLOCK, then you have never USED a tool or handled a part!

Now, where did I leave those keys.....

 

Looking for a wrench I just used. After several minutes, I realize I have to get serious and need both hands to move things around, I empty my left hand of the tool I am looking for. Take a quick look around in my garage to see if anyone is looking and quickly get back to work.

I have a bad habit of absent mindedly setting things down while my mind is on something else. I wish I could get back the time I have spent looking for these misplaced objects. It feels like I have lost years.

 

I could have written this verbatim. This is my world.

 

Right on!!

 

*update* It has been 10 days with no sign of said nut. I ordered a replacement this morning, so I expect to find it within the next 24 hours.

 

Three and half years and am still losing my beer. One would think with all the practice it would not be a problem...

 

I was missing the air cleaner wingnut for a week. I found the wingnut sitting on the vanity in the bathroom upstairs.

 

This problem, like time travel, has no practical solution

 

We “losers” are a unique fraternity😂

 

On the vette i was missing one of the front fender to grill brackets..bought a new one from paragon and hung it on a peg ...it disappeared. ..bought another, put it on the peg, it disappeared. bought a third and installed it right away....the other 2 are now found....
Bought a 2nd hardtop in pieces. Took the long front stainless header trim and put it where it wouldnt get damaged or lost.....bought a second a few years later. Havent rebuilt the top yet so its right where i left it....

I used to have a tool gremlin that would take tools in the early 90s. Last time it was an issue i had made sure the socket i was using was securely on my wiper tray while i used a different one. When i went to swap back it was gone. This had been going on for years and i would get mad and throw tools and bitch and scream. I definitely had a gremlin that enjoyed the show. This time i just shrugged my sholders and went to another socket set and grabbbed another same size socket and went back to work...a few minutes later the other socket was right where i left it....my gremlin disappeared for the last 30 years.

It just started coming back in force this past year but i have about 3 or four 3/8 drive socket sets so i can find one pretty easily if it goes missing. It still happens but i dont throw tools, just grab another. Same with wrenches...got lots of them now too. I just have a huge pile by the end of the project when they all start reappearing....lol