This is the Unger 36″ Nifty Grabber, which is probably better described as a reach extender and yucky stuff grabber.
I bought one a few months ago, for around $20, and it has come in handy for picking things up that were either just out of reach, or too gross to handle even with gloves.
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I had used it to clear spider webs with a wet paper towel – 2 which were occupied and loaded with egg sacs (eew!), and to pick up things like wood cut-offs that had fallen underneath some equipment.
It seems gimmicky at first, like an “As Seen on TV” type of “MUST HAVE” home accessory, but it is a convenient tool. It looks like it’ll break if I look at it the wrong way, but so far it’s been holding up nicely.
The extension is made from aluminum, to save on weight, and the steel jaws have rubbery tips. There’s a built-in magnet, but I hadn’t needed this functionality yet.
Unger says it can pick up items as small and thin as a penny, or larger objects weighing up to 8 lbs.
Price: $18 to $20
Buy Now(via Amazon)
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I bought mine locally, as an impulse buy. I remember hesitating at the $20 price, but after what I’ve used it for, I don’t regret the purchase one bit. I might buy one for inside the house. We’ve got deep kitchen cabinets, and getting stuff from the back of the top cabinets takes more than a step stool.
Nathan
I have a cheaper version of that idea – might not be as long (story of my life right) but I use it for getting things that are hard to reach.
Which now days seems like it’s toy pieces that are behind or under things. Longer and thinner would be nice – magnet if it was say an add on or something would probably also be nice.
David
Nathan, an extendable magnet (basically an old-style extendable pointer with a magnet on the end) is cheap and would solve your magnet add-on wish. Something like: https://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-7601-Telescoping-Magnetic-Pick-Up/dp/B000NPPC00 (they sell similar things at my local big box stores).
fred
My go-to magnetic pickup tool is this one:
https://www.amazon.com/E-Z-Red-SMM38-Monster-Magnet/dp/B000XQ7H6G/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1484753041&sr=8-8&keywords=ez+red+magnetic
But this one , while not as strong, is a lot cheaper and works most of the time:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/MASTER-MAGNETICS-36-in-Extending-Flexible-Magnets-96484/203613165?cm_mmc=Shopping%7cTHD%7cG%7c0%7cG-BASE-PLA-D25H-Hardware%7c&gclid=COXczcKAzNECFYlWDQodbpoDkw&gclsrc=aw.ds
Nathan
I have a 2 or 3 lb magnet pick up tool also. I’d like to be able to trade a gripper pad our for a magnet on the gripper thingy. It might come in handy occasionally. or not.
Cr8ondt
My 5′ tall wife uses one frequently to get stuff outta cabinets etc, shes gone through a few cheapo ones and I have been(not actively) looking for a decent one for her.
fred
I’ve had this one since 2002 – paid $19.95 for it in Home Depot back then.
I have other ones too – but this one is simple and gets most light things (cereal boxes etc.) down from high shelves. It can handle heavier things too – but I don’t trust that I can grab a jar of tomato sauce without bobbling it and ending up with a mess to cleanup.
It’s now $19.97 at Home Depot :
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Unger-36-in-Nifty-Nabber-92134D/203177379
When I looked for my other pickup tool (Dramm PSTX) on Amazon – I got a listing for it at $38.95 (I think I paid $25) but also see that there is a knockoff for the Dramm and maybe for the Unger
https://www.amazon.com/Products-Trash-Grabber-Aluminum-Handle/dp/B010TFIPN4/ref=pd_lpo_86_lp_t_4?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=6K8WZXDWV219CD5CHCSN
JMG
A great choice tool for the road kill cafe… with a side of expensive pressure washer for clean up.
Charlie
I own and use both the shown style and the “As seen on tv versions 1 & 2” 2.0 version had a two position jaws.
Each has their own “best uses.”
Rich
Finally something I can contribute to lol. I have had this tool for over 10 years, it sits outside the whole time and I use it to clean up the yard and grab things that I need a little more reach on. This thing is built well and lasts. Yes I have actually picked up coins with it but they are tricky to snag.
Diamond Dave
I purchased two of these Christmas I yr ago on a special at Ace Hardware was having where they had it bundled with a shorter unit also for free. They have magnets on the plastic/rubber tongs also. I use them for a ton of stuff! You can also move the head 180 degrees!
http://m.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4334765&KPID=8248799&cid=CAPLA:G:Shopping_-_Precision_Tools_-_New&pla=pla_8248799&k_clickid=72a7b9c3-c865-429e-9fe4-19047ce2a6af
RKA
I’m trying to pictures task that’s icky enough to justify these (I disagree with your assertion that spiders and their related stuff are really icky at all). I pick up after my dog using a plastic bag, and that’s not something this would be useful for. The only thing that comes to mind in the ick category is cleaning up mousetraps (assuming they worked). I lace the attic with them every year because they invariably find their way toward warmth in the dead of winter. I turn into a 4 year old when I go up there to clean up the traps. Ick!
fred
We used to use the Dramm Ones
https://www.amazon.com/Dramm-Premium-Pickup-Stix-Silver/dp/B001P80H8G
during Boy Scout clean-up projects along roadsides, in parks, parking lots, church grounds etc. We all not only used these – but nitrile gloves too – and still exercised caution when dealing with discarded syringes, broken glass, condoms etc.
Now- for my wife and I – getting on a bit (now septuagenarians) – we like them because it avoids bending and reaching.
Art
Even though Harbor Freight may be a touchy topic, I buy some of my single use or “disposable” stuff from there such as:
http://www.harborfreight.com/36-in-pickup-and-reach-tool-62176.html
I’ve purchased only two in the last two years and it’s held up well with regular use (high reach items).
I use a separate magnetic grabber:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000RB3XBA/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
gregpost
I have something like this and I use it for when things fall behind the dryer. It saves me from moving a huge appliance. I also use mines to knockdown Wasp’s paper nest after I spray them. It comes in handy for a few other things too.
Justin
I’ve done my share of garbage pickup when first starting out in the trades. These tools are great for picking up little bits and bobs without having to bend over all the time. I used a 42″ pretty regularly. If you want a heavier-duty one (with a heavy duty price), Grainger sells them for trash pickup and their made for constant everyday use.
DaveVB
Because my main use is for picking up trash from the seat of a zeroturn, I prefer the pistol grip type. It seems like you lose a good 8″ having to grip this one the way you do.