workshop floor

[Gravity Aided]

http://www.matsmatsmats.com/home/garage-basement-floor/
I think the rubber flooring is your best option here. Cushiony for the time you are standing, and catches dropped bits as well.

 

[gbb]

While you have no specific floor covering / material etc.....when you drop something, as it falls, fix your eyes on the floor. As anything moves through your fixed gaze, the brain will find it much easier to follow. If your eyes are darting round, frantically trying to follow it, the detail is lost, it becomes impossible to see anything small on the move.
Its not fool proof, but it does increase the chance of seeing it in the first place, and which direction it goes off in.

 

[themosquitoking]

This ^^^^ plus stop making noise immediately and listen. Ears are very good at determining direction of travel.

 

[fossyant]

While you have no specific floor covering / material etc.....when you drop something, as it falls, fix your eyes on the floor. As anything moves through your fixed gaze, the brain will find it much easier to follow. If your eyes are darting round, frantically trying to follow it, the detail is lost, it becomes impossible to see anything small on the move.
Its not fool proof, but it does increase the chance of seeing it in the first place, and which direction it goes off in.

Then you still can't find it until total garage strip down ! Never happened once.


Just lots of times !

 

[Yellow Saddle]

This is the story of my life. I solved it by putting a big square of artificial lawn under the workstand. It all gravity-sucked items on the spot. It also makes you think you are in the great outdoors.