Hi Terry, For item #3 on your list, there is a grabber available that sounds like it may assist you in your task of retrieving bits of wood from the gap. It is similar to a remote flash control for a camera - long and thin, and sometimes flexible. You hold it between your 2nd & 3rd fingers and press the spring-loaded plunger with your thumb. The other end a three-fingered retractable claw that extends out as you press down with your thumb. As you let off with your thumb the claw retracts and grabs whatever you aimed the thing at. I'm not sure what the proper name for the tool is but any good hardware store should sell them. Good luck. - Matt
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