Pick Up Tools

Pick up tools come in handy for retrieving loose objects such as nails and screws in hard-to-reach or difficult-to-see areas. From telescopic magnetic pick up tools to claw-type pick up tools, there are several types available to suit different tasks and environments.

We stock these devices in a variety of forms, lengths, and pick-up capacities, so you can find the item best suited to your application. And with our quick and extensive shipping capabilities across North America, you'll soon have your chosen product in hand.

Browse our selection of vacuum, magnetic, and flexible claw pick up tools to keep your work area tidy and safe. You can read more about the types of tools available and their applications below.

What are pick up tools?

Pick up tools are handheld devices used to collect objects in tight or inaccessible spaces, such as car engines. They come in a few different types and sizes. Some have magnetic ends to help pick up magnetic materials, while others have clawed ends for grabbing non-magnetic pieces. Many pick up tools are extendable to provide further reach to the user.

Larger magnetic pick up tools can collect several objects at a time, such as bolts from workshop floors, as well as heavier items including pliers. These tools use neodymium magnets, the strongest type of magnet commercially available, to pull ferromagnetic materials into reach. Some claw type pick-up tools also feature magnetic ends for better versatility.

What are common applications of pick up tools?

Pick up tools are useful in a range of industrial environments that feature lots of small parts. An automotive magnetic pick up tool can be used to access car engine components and clear workshop floors to prevent injury, for example.

Claw pick up tools can help with clean-up operations in a range of settings too, from litter picking to retrieving items from drains. Vacuum pick up tools, meanwhile, are useful for collecting small components in electronics applications.

What are the different types of pick up tool?

Key types of pick up tool include:

• Telescopic: These magnetic pick up tools have extendable telescopic sections, so their length can be adjusted to suit different tasks.
• Bendable: Bendable pick up tools typically have set lengths but flexible bodies that allow them to bend into different positions. Some are part-flexible, while others are flexible from handle to magnet.
• Clawed: These devices feature clawed ends with spring mechanisms that are activated by a trigger at the handle. The number of 'jaws' can range from two to four. Some feature magnetic centres or ends so they can collect both magnetic and non-magnetic materials.
• Hinge-joint: A double ball hinge joint allows a magnet to rotate 360 degrees, making this type ideal for retrieving around corners or awkward angles.
• Large: Large pick up tools feature bigger, stronger magnets, enabling them to pick up several small items at a time.
• Vacuum: Vacuum pick up tools are small pen-like devices that use an internal vacuum mechanism to suck up small components.

Many devices available are a combination of multiple types, such as flexible claw pick up tools. Other accessories, such as lights and mirrors, provide further visibility and versatility in awkward spaces.

How to choose the right pick up tool

The ideal pick up tool for you will depend on its intended use. For example, bendable pick up tools with lights and mirrors are handy for mechanics who need to access small parts in engines. Telescopic pick up tools offer longer reach for inaccessible spaces, such as drains, while clawed tools are better for non-magnetic materials.

A multi-purpose tool such as a flexible telescopic claw magnetic pick up tool can be convenient if your needs aren't limited to one setting.

Order your pick up tools online with RS

We're a leading supplier of tools and parts and have the stock and shipping capabilities to match. Whether you're looking for a specific item such as a telescopic magnetic pick up tool or a kit with handy accessories like mirrors, you'll find what you need.

Browse our products online and filter the results by length, material, and more. If you have a question, contact our team. You can also find product advice and industry news on our expert hub.