For finding and fishing out a dropped nut or washer under a sink or behind a fixture, pair the Ullman HTC-2 telescoping inspection mirror (2-1/4-inch round head, extends to 36-3/8 inches) with the Ullman HT-1 telescoping magnet for steel parts or the 23-1/4-inch Ullman No. 16 spring claw for brass and plastic parts. A GEARWRENCH 83104 6-inch magnetic tray keeps the rest of the parts from rolling away. A magnet won’t pick up brass, copper or plastic, so carry the claw too.
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These tools complement each other in a plumbing kit. A longer reach alone does not establish that a tool or recovered object can pass safely through an opening.
Four tools for four different jobs
| Tool | Job | Main check |
|---|---|---|
| Inspection mirror | View a hidden surface | Head clearance, angle and lighting |
| Telescoping magnet | Retrieve a suitable magnetic object | Material, contact and return path |
| Mechanical claw | Grip a reachable small object | Jaw opening, grip and retrieval path |
| Magnetic tray | Organize parts during work | Stable placement and part retention |
A mirror helps you find the object; it does not retrieve it. A tray helps prevent another loss; it does not replace either pickup tool.
Ullman HTC-2: a round inspection mirror
Choose Ullman HTC-2 when a 2-1/4-inch round mirror can enter the available space. The maker describes an adjustable head (ullmandevices.com) and telescoping handle; this is an unlighted mirror.
Skip it when the opening cannot accommodate the head, you need built-in lighting or the job needs a recorded view rather than a reflection.
The maker’s Amazon link resolves to B000GTR0GM. The checked standard new offer showed stock with HTC-2 in the title.
The current Amazon listing title describes the 2.25-inch round mirror, matching Ullman’s description. Confirm the collapsed length if storage space is critical; Ullman lists it differently in two places.
Check Ullman HTC-2 inspection mirror on Amazon →
Ullman HT-1: telescoping magnetic pickup
Choose Ullman HT-1 for a small suitable magnetic object with a clear contact and retrieval path. The maker lists a telescoping shaft (ullmandevices.com), grip, pocket clip and POWERCAP around the magnetic end.
Skip it for a part the magnet cannot attract, an object you cannot contact securely or any load whose recovery requires a different controlled method.
The maker’s Amazon link resolves to B000JXPBLG. The checked new offer showed stock, with matching HT-1 model and part fields.
A stated pickup capacity is not a promise for every surface, angle or obstruction. Check the actual small part and path rather than choosing only by a headline lifting number.
Check Ullman HT-1 pickup tool on Amazon →
Ullman NO.16: a flexible mechanical claw
Choose Ullman NO.16 when a reachable object can be gripped mechanically. The maker describes a flexible shaft (ullmandevices.com) and plunger-operated jaws on this 23-1/4-inch tool.
Skip it if the jaws cannot open around the object, the object cannot be held securely or the return path is smaller than the gripped assembly.
The maker’s Amazon link resolves to B000B5Y7JY. The checked new offer showed stock with manufacturer part No.16. A separate retail model field reads 9-41322; confirm the delivered maker identification and configuration.
A flexible shaft helps with routing but does not establish that the tool can pass through a particular drain bend. Assess the full path before inserting it.
Check Ullman NO.16 mechanical pickup on Amazon →
GEARWRENCH 83104: magnetic parts tray
Choose GEARWRENCH 83104 for keeping small removed parts together. The maker describes a 6-inch round magnetic tray (gearwrench.com) with a swiveling plastic rim and horizontal or vertical mounting on suitable ferrous surfaces.
Skip it when there is no secure location or when parts need individually identified, clean or sealed storage.
The checked standard new Amazon.com offer showed stock and model 83104. Confirm the tray and rim are sound before loading it.
Place the tray so a bump, moving door or hose cannot dislodge it. Test stability with the intended parts before relying on a vertical position. Do not assume every item is held by magnetic attraction.
Check GEARWRENCH 83104 parts tray on Amazon →
Read a hidden label without guessing
Plan the mirror position and lighting together. A bright reflection or an awkward angle can hide a character even when the label is technically visible.
For a heater data plate or component number, transcribe the full identifier and verify it again. Keep a question mark for an unreadable character rather than silently choosing the number that seems likely.
Do not use a partial reflected label as the sole basis for ordering a safety-related replacement. Find an independent way to confirm the appliance or part identification.
If a saved image or a view around a difficult route would be more useful, our inspection-camera guide covers another tool category. A camera’s own access, lighting and environmental limits still need checking.
Recover a dropped part without pushing it farther
First establish where the object is and whether you can bring it back through the opening. A narrow tool can reach a location from which the object itself will not return.
For a magnet, confirm attraction to a suitable accessible part. For a claw, check room to open the jaws and keep hold during withdrawal. Brass, plastic and other nonmagnetic parts may need mechanical retrieval.
Do not use the tool as a probe to push blindly through a trap or obstruction. Stop if the object moves farther away, the tool snags or the grip cannot be maintained.
Our P-trap guide covers related drain components. Whether controlled trap access is appropriate depends on the actual installation and condition; a pickup tool does not eliminate that assessment.
Separate inspection from proof that equipment is safe
A mirror provides a limited visual view. It does not prove that a circuit is de-energized, a pipe is depressurized or a gas connection is sound.
Keep metal pickup tools and mirror shafts away from exposed live electrical parts. Use the required isolation and verification procedure before work near equipment hazards.
Do not put ordinary tools into operating machinery or an appliance just because the handle provides distance. Establish a safe work area before reaching into it.
The CCOHS hand-tool guidance (ccohs.ca) emphasizes using the intended tool, inspecting it and avoiding electrical work with tools that are not designed for it. These inspection and retrieval tools are not presented as insulated electrical tools.
Keep clean parts, dirty tools and job records separate
Choose a tray location before removing the first fastener. Keep parts from different assemblies separated and identify orientation where it matters to the applicable service procedure.
Do not mix a tool recovered from a dirty drain with clean replacement parts. Follow the appropriate cleaning and contamination controls for the materials and work area.
A magnetic tray is an organizer, not a substitute for a closed parts container during transport. Assess whether a small item could escape when the tray is moved or the work area is cleared.
Before closing a cabinet or appliance, account for the tools and removed parts. Record a damaged or missing component rather than assuming an unmatched fastener is unnecessary.
A practical buying checklist
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- Define the task. See, retrieve or organize.
- Measure the opening. Include the head, jaws and recovered object.
- Check the route. Straight reach, bends, obstructions and safe withdrawal.
- Identify the material. Confirm whether magnetic attraction is useful.
- Plan the view. Head adjustment, light and whether a record is needed.
- Verify the exact tool. Complete assembly, current model and any separate accessories.
Inspect the mirror, joint, shaft, jaws or tray before use. A tool that extends normally may still have a loose head or damaged retention mechanism.
For the plumbing bag, choose complementary tools around actual jobs. The smallest tool that reaches safely and controls the part can be more useful than a larger kit with several functions you cannot use in the available space.
Frequently asked questions
Will a magnetic pickup retrieve a brass or plastic nut?
Do not rely on magnetic attraction for a nonmagnetic part. Use a suitable mechanical method and verify a clear return path.
Can a flexible claw go through every drain trap?
No. Check the tool, open jaws, recovered object and complete route. Do not force it through an obstruction.
Is the HTC-2 mirror lighted?
No. Plan suitable separate lighting and check whether the head fits the opening.
Does a mirror prove an appliance is safe to work on?
No. Use the equipment’s required isolation and verification procedures before reaching into hazardous areas.
Is a magnetic tray a secure transport box?
No. Assess retention and use an appropriate closed container when parts could escape during movement.
How we chose
This document-based comparison makes no hands-on testing claim. We checked current maker descriptions and CCOHS hand-tool guidance. On October 14, 2026, the four linked standard new offers showed stock; the mirror, magnet and claw ASINs also matched the destinations of the maker’s own Amazon links. Confirm current package identity and condition. Read our selection method and about Plumbing Picks.
Primary sources
- Ullman HTC-2 (ullmandevices.com): round unlighted mirror and maker-linked Amazon destination; conflicting collapsed lengths omitted.
- Ullman HT-1 (ullmandevices.com): telescoping magnetic pickup and maker-linked Amazon destination; no universal pickup guarantee.
- Ullman NO.16 (ullmandevices.com): flexible mechanical claw and maker-linked Amazon destination.
- GEARWRENCH 83104 (gearwrench.com): magnetic tray, mounting and rim; no scratch-free guarantee adopted.
- CCOHS hand-tool guidance (ccohs.ca): general inspection, intended use and electrical-tool limitations; no US compliance claim.