Shop finds

[HowardH]

Like a lot of you, I have had more time off lately so I have been busying myself in the shop.  We moved into our current house almost 7 years ago and I really haven't done much shop organization and I'm going to try to go through it since I have added a lot of new stuff since then.  I have been finding tools in weird places that I forgot that I had.  That has caused some consternation as I now have duplicates of a number things. . How about you guys?  How much accidental duplication do you have? 

 

[Sparktrician]

It's almost inevitable that I'll not be able to find one item, so I go out and buy another of the same thing.  When I get back to the shop, I'll find the original item that I couldn't find within 10 minutes.  Can't blame my dog - she doesn't know how to unlock the tool boxes.  Can't blame a mischievous spouse - I fired the last one many years ago. 

Quite a few years ago, I decided to clean the mechanism in my Herbrand 1/2" drive, 18" ratchet.  I very carefully disassembled it, but the detent ball spring decided to escape with a "sproing".  I looked everywhere, but couldn't find it.  Herbrand went out of business years prior, so I couldn't buy a replacement.  OK, I put the cleaned parts in a zip-lock bag and taped the bag to the ratchet handle.  15 years and two moves later, I was cleaning out one of my roll-around tool cabinets when I found a loose spring in a drawer.  There was no question as to where it had come from, so I reassembled the ratchet with some good lubricant.  That was over 30 years ago, and the ratchet is still with me, and is working perfectly.  Since that incident, I make a point of disassembling ratchets and the like inside a large zip-lock bag that manages to contain random escape attempts. 

 

[Mario Turcot]

For me it's the little things, like paint tape. Each time I need it, I can't find a roll. At this day I have 7 or 8 rolls all inside a systainer. NOW I know where the paint tape is  [big grin]

 

[jeffinsgf]

At one time I had three sets of everything...we had two road show set-ups and my personal tools at home. When we stopped doing the Woodworking Shows, everything ended up back in the shop, but then we moved...twice. Now I'm trying to organize my shop to be at least a little bit efficient, and as I get out and set stuff up, I am finding that I have at least 3 of darn near every hand tool imaginable. Knowing that, it still amazes me that there are things I know I have (possibly 3) that I cannot find no matter how diligently I look.

Other times, I'm standing there with three of something, knowing that I should give away or sell at least two of them.

 

[sancho57]

I have had the opposite happen to me. Everytime i rearrange the shop  lose things and cant find the. Evenafter I bought a label machine.

 

[Bob D.]

For me it's the little things, like paint tape. Each time I need it, I can't find a roll. At this day I have 7 or 8 rolls all inside a systainer. NOW I know where the paint tape is  [big grin]

I would take a lesson from COVID19 and practice tape distancing. Stash each roll in a different place. That way you have 7 chances of finding one of them vice one chance of finding all 7.  [big grin]

 

[pixelated]

i have come to the conclusion that certain tools exist multiple dimensions and so will randomly come into existence here and then disappear and show up on my analog's workbench in some other reality. Some tools are more prone to this than others, for example, I "own" about 5 utility knives, but at any given time, I can only find 1, two if I'm lucky.

 

[HowardH]

i have come to the conclusion that certain tools exist multiple dimensions and so will randomly come into existence here and then disappear and show up on my analog's workbench in some other reality. Some tools are more prone to this than others, for example, I "own" about 5 utility knives, but at any given time, I can only find 1, two if I'm lucky.

Tape measures for me.  Got a bunch.  Can never find one.

 

[Bob D.]

Channel-locks for me. They're never around when I need them but I have at least 6 pair in various sizes.

 

[kevin clifford]

I was always taught that:
Two is one, one is none and three is for me.
Redundancy is a good thing. I probably have 12 utility knives and can't keep track of them. Some tools just seem to disappear. Tape measures, utility knives and pencils most often.

 

[kmickey]

You must have worked in USN/USMC aircraft squadrons.

 

[FestitaMakool]

Folding rulers, pencils, small screwdrivers (Pinkie size) and now FT measuring tapes.
5 or more (Even doble that) is my way of having at least one at hand. I have 3 work trousers, carpenter type (I notice most of you don’t use these over there) wich I vary all after what I’m doing. They all have ready-filled pockets with these essential items  [smile]
I’ve advanced a little and added a canvas apron as well, of course outfitted with the same items. Really, an apron or trousers you’ll hang till next time you step into them with these important tools (of your choice) actually works - all tools in a regular space of your choice. I learned this from my well organised uncle who’s a carpenter as well as a cabinet maker. Good tip.. I swear by ”Snickers“ and ”Blaklader” two Swedish high quality brands. You’ll probably have ”Carhartt”?
As for those other items, I’m a bit lost now, too much in cardboard boxes after moving house. I know I have stuff, but after a half hour looking I give up and buy new before caving in [scared] Reading your posts make me a little calmer - thank you! I’m not alone!

 

[Alanbach]

[member=396]HowardH[/member] - This one’s for you! I know, I have a problem and there are probably 10 more scattered about the house and in various tool bags.

 

[Alanbach]

[member=61230]pixelated[/member] - and this one’s for you!

 

[Alanbach]

Great and their both upside down...sorry!

 

[jjowen]

We must use different parts of the brain when we are looking for something and when we are putting something away; we look for something, but can't find it so we buy another one. Then we go to put the new one away and immediately find the old one.
When I am looking for something, I have taken to imagining that I have it and I want to put it away. That is where it is!  [tongue]

 

[jjowen]

i have come to the conclusion that certain tools exist multiple dimensions and so will randomly come into existence here and then disappear and show up on my analog's workbench in some other reality. Some tools are more prone to this than others, for example, I "own" about 5 utility knives, but at any given time, I can only find 1, two if I'm lucky.

I think Heisenberg developed his uncertainty principle when sorting out his workshop. I could be wrong.

 

[jeffinsgf]

I really feel a lot better about my diminished capacity after reading this thread. I no longer feel so lonely.  [blink]

 

[HowardH]

i have come to the conclusion that certain tools exist multiple dimensions and so will randomly come into existence here and then disappear and show up on my analog's workbench in some other reality. Some tools are more prone to this than others, for example, I "own" about 5 utility knives, but at any given time, I can only find 1, two if I'm lucky.

I think Heisenberg developed his uncertainty principle when sorting out his workshop. I could be wrong.

I thought you were referring to Walter White.  8) 8)

 

[mike_aa]

Just before this thread started I had to order another accessory scraper for my LS 130 to replace the new one I have that has somehow disappeared from my basement.  So do you think it went to another dimension, soon to magically reappear at a later date?  [eek]