Argh! Lost some tools

[ckucia]

Couple weeks ago, I started reorganizing the garage for a few projects I intend to work on over the winter.

We have some rural property in WV. It was getting late in the year and a freeze was expected, so we had to go down and winterize the camper we keep down there. So I dropped everything with the garage reorg, packed up the truck and trailer, and we ran down for a weekend.

Since it's so isolated, I bring a lot of tools. Have a nice little tool backpack (I take it to the local Pull-a-Part - its great for keeping my hands free to carry out parts). I usually pick up the little zippered pouches Ford uses in some of their cars for the service manuals. Make great pouches for holding tools at the junkyard.

I do keep a few basic tools down there during spring/summer/fall, and bring them up for the winter (curious hunters can be a problem down there). So I had more tools coming back than would fit in the backpack. And, in case we have a breakdown, the tools always go in last.

Anyhow, at some point on the way back, my wife went into the bed of the pickup - and left the tail gate open or didn't latch it all the way. We didn't discover it until the next stop many miles later. Didn't think anything fell out, but we brought back a lot of stuff for the season.

Well, as I'm wrapping up the garage cleaning now, I've been over every inch of the garage several times and I'm missing one of the pouches. Had all my deep well sockets over 15mm, a couple of extensions, my universal adapters, my favorite 3/8 ratchet and a brand new 1/4 ratchet. I haven't used any of the tools since we got back, and I'm sure I didn't leave them in WV. They must have fallen out when the tailgate was open.

All of them were Craftsman, which isn't the greatest brand, but still, they weren't junk tools and I need them for the projects.

Worse thing is I don't remember exactly what I lost. Most were assembled over the years by having a basic set and then buying onsies as I needed them.

I really, really hate losing tools.

So I got a couple sets of sockets ordered off ebay. Need to buy a couple others in larger sizes that I can remember, along with the universals and a some new ratchets. The rest I'll have to buy when I find I need 'em.

I'll probably be out a little over $100, maybe more. But it's not really the money as much as I had a set that I knew had everything I needed and nothing extra I didn't. Now I have to start over and face the possibility of having to stop in the middle of a job and run to the store to get a stupid socket or something.

I didn't realize how attached I'd gotten to the darned things.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Damn, that ***** and I feel your pain. Last year I thought I lost my vise-grips in the scrapper along with some old standing seam roofing.

Luckily, I found them a few days later. Maybe you should walk part of the area where the tailgate came down like the start of the trip or any rough road area that might have caused the tailgate to drop down.

 

[ckucia]

Maybe you should walk part of the area where the tailgate came down like the start of the trip or any rough road area that might have caused the tailgate to drop down.

I'd love to, but our place is 4 hours away, mostly on I-77, but an hour of it is on twisty state routes.

I'd spend more on gas than I'll spend to replace the tools, assuming there was a chance I'd find them.

I have been thinking of getting a door switch and wiring it into the tailgate and a little light on the dash. At least I'd know if it was open in the future.

 

[signcrafter]

That *****. I hate when I lose or can't find something. I've been looking for one of my trouble lights for two weeks now and it's driving me crazy! Most of the time I just set a tool somewhere and can't find it the next time I need it. I would go absolute crazy if I lost a bunch of tools like that. The worst part would be trying to figure out exactly what was lost! I've had some tools stolen before and it ***** trying to remember what was where. Also had a buddy leave his tailgate down and lost a set of cordless drills and sawzall and a bag of electrical tools. We went back to look for them and found a few odds and ends but someone had picked almost everything up in the 5 minutes before we realized what had happened.

 

[Neverfly]

That's a terrible thing. I'm sorry for that. I'm sure there is not one reader on here that does not feel your pain- from loss or from theft.
I've had over $50,000 worth of tools stolen in my lifetime- The vast chunk of it all in one go.

 

[captain14]

If you wire up a light indicator for your tailgate grab an old car horn too to tie in. Much more of an indicator something is open.

 

[HoosierMark]

Been there done that type thing. But God was with me. I left the new house site with the tailgate down and the chainsaw sitting on it along with oil and gas can. A mile later my brain unthaws and I pull over. All I lost was the chain oil. Boy was I lucky.
I know you lost a valuable pouch but at least you did not gain a lawsuit that it came off and caused an accident. Plus maybe the person that found it, really needs the tools. Sounds more like a good lesson in making things secure before taking off, I give my self one of those lessons about every six months or so. I am a slow learner!

 

[ckucia]

I've had over $50,000 worth of tools stolen in my lifetime- The vast chunk of it all in one go.

Ouch! That had to hurt.

I guess one good thing is that, even though I don't have a huge amount of tools and maybe they aren't top-of-the-line, I do need 'em and they have real value - especially if ya gotta replace 'em.

Perhaps I've become a little complacent over the years. I still have most of the tools I got as a teenager and you kinda get used to having them and don't really think about what it would cost to have to replace them.

I guess it's a wakeup call - just thankful the whole backpack didn't fall out the back or I'd be out many $100s replacing tools.

 

[Neverfly]

A healthy wake up isn't always a bad thing... If it were to say, prevent the loss of much more.
Even so, you took a hit, there. I hope you can replace all of it readily and with the least amount of expense possible.

 

[kingofdogs1950]

Re: Argh! Lost some tools/found some tools...

I once found a tool box (carry size) crammed full of Snap on and CM tools. I'm talking all quality tools. My guess is that it fell off the back of someone's pickup.
The box was totally destroyed but the tools were fine, scattered along the side of the road for about 200 feet.
I felt a little guilty getting all the tools for free but there was no way to figure out who they belonged to. This happened over thirty years ago and I still use the sockets, wrenches, etc. Whoo-Hoo!

Mark

 

[KellyfromVA]

When I was reading the title of your post, I immediately thought 'I wonder if he has teenage boys with cars?' Then upon reading, I discovered you actually lost the tools, they didn't just mysteriously disappear, as what happens to my tools when my kids are around.

Frankly I'm surprised the driver behind you didn't give you a call to inquire as to who will be paying for their new windshield, headlights, grille, radiator, ect.

 

[cyamaha2007]

This reminds me of a story. I was 17 driving around being a jack ***. I pulled over to the shoulder just before a stop sign. There was 3 gallons of brand new 5w30 motor oil. This was a great score since my iroc burnt oil like 2 stroke lawnboy. Just beyond the oil was a snapon top chest ( or travel chest) The thing was old but in great shape. I quickly loaded up my bounty and got the heck out of there(feeling somewhat bad). I got home and looked through the box. It was full of beautiful snapon tools. Full sets of sockets, shallow, deep, metric, sae, 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2in. It also had quite a few older handmade tools. I waxed the box and fixed the road rash then cleaned all the tools. Well later that night I went out and drove right past the stop sign. There was sign posted saying lost tools please call with info.

So I reluctantly called the number and a older man 70 or so answered. They were his and asked nicely if he could come retrive them. I gave him my address and he was going to meet me at home in ten minutes. When he got there he told me that the home made tools were all he had left from his father. He really appreciated me calling. We talked back and forth for an hour. I loaded the tool box in his truck he offered me 50 bucks i turned it down. At that point he opened the toolbox removed the homemade tools and told me to keep box and the rest of the tools. I tried to refuse but he insisted. I really care for those tools and mean more to me than all the others. Sorry for the random long post.

 

[nicksnothereman]

Couple weeks ago, I started reorganizing the garage for a few projects I intend to work on over the winter.

We have some rural property in WV. It was getting late in the year and a freeze was expected, so we had to go down and winterize the camper we keep down there. So I dropped everything with the garage reorg, packed up the truck and trailer, and we ran down for a weekend.

Since it's so isolated, I bring a lot of tools. Have a nice little tool backpack (I take it to the local Pull-a-Part - its great for keeping my hands free to carry out parts). I usually pick up the little zippered pouches Ford uses in some of their cars for the service manuals. Make great pouches for holding tools at the junkyard.

I do keep a few basic tools down there during spring/summer/fall, and bring them up for the winter (curious hunters can be a problem down there). So I had more tools coming back than would fit in the backpack. And, in case we have a breakdown, the tools always go in last.

Anyhow, at some point on the way back, my wife went into the bed of the pickup - and left the tail gate open or didn't latch it all the way. We didn't discover it until the next stop many miles later. Didn't think anything fell out, but we brought back a lot of stuff for the season.

Well, as I'm wrapping up the garage cleaning now, I've been over every inch of the garage several times and I'm missing one of the pouches. Had all my deep well sockets over 15mm, a couple of extensions, my universal adapters, my favorite 3/8 ratchet and a brand new 1/4 ratchet. I haven't used any of the tools since we got back, and I'm sure I didn't leave them in WV. They must have fallen out when the tailgate was open.

All of them were Craftsman, which isn't the greatest brand, but still, they weren't junk tools and I need them for the projects.

Worse thing is I don't remember exactly what I lost. Most were assembled over the years by having a basic set and then buying onsies as I needed them.

I really, really hate losing tools.

So I got a couple sets of sockets ordered off ebay. Need to buy a couple others in larger sizes that I can remember, along with the universals and a some new ratchets. The rest I'll have to buy when I find I need 'em.

I'll probably be out a little over $100, maybe more. But it's not really the money as much as I had a set that I knew had everything I needed and nothing extra I didn't. Now I have to start over and face the possibility of having to stop in the middle of a job and run to the store to get a stupid socket or something.

I didn't realize how attached I'd gotten to the darned things.

Sometimes aliens nick tools. They really like metal stuff. It's cool because you weren't using them.

Think I'm joking?

 

[ROB_IN_MN]

This reminds me of a story. I was 17 driving around being a jack ***. I pulled over to the shoulder just before a stop sign. There was 3 gallons of brand new 5w30 motor oil. This was a great score since my iroc burnt oil like 2 stroke lawnboy. Just beyond the oil was a snapon top chest ( or travel chest) The thing was old but in great shape. I quickly loaded up my bounty and got the heck out of there(feeling somewhat bad). I got home and looked through the box. It was full of beautiful snapon tools. Full sets of sockets, shallow, deep, metric, sae, 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2in. It also had quite a few older handmade tools. I waxed the box and fixed the road rash then cleaned all the tools. Well later that night I went out and drove right past the stop sign. There was sign posted saying lost tools please call with info.

So I reluctantly called the number and a older man 70 or so answered. They were his and asked nicely if he could come retrive them. I gave him my address and he was going to meet me at home in ten minutes. When he got there he told me that the home made tools were all he had left from his father. He really appreciated me calling. We talked back and forth for an hour. I loaded the tool box in his truck he offered me 50 bucks i turned it down. At that point he opened the toolbox removed the homemade tools and told me to keep box and the rest of the tools. I tried to refuse but he insisted. I really care for those tools and mean more to me than all the others. Sorry for the random long post.

that's a cool story!

 

[ckucia]

Sometimes aliens nick tools. They really like metal stuff. It's cool because you weren't using them.

Think I'm joking?

I better get my pile of metal to the scrapper before the aliens show up!

 

[3baygarage]

Tail gate = bad medicine my friend.
I have a friend who lost a Snap On top chest a few years ago. Don't get too upset though. He is a dealer who had sloppily packed up his flea market stuff. Somebody got a real fine deal there and it wasn't him.
On another note I recently picked up a volunteer fireman's helmet that flew out the back of his pickup. His gate was open and the thing landed in front of my car but in the next lane as I turned a corner onto a real busy street. I tried to hail him down with the horn but it wasn't happening, so I backed up about 50 feet and grabbed the helmet. Tried chasing him down and the truck was long gone.
Anyways I was able to track him down by his last name on the helmet 24 hrs. later. Found his # in the phone book . Had he been a young kid I'm sure there would've been no home # to call. Never realized how hard it was to identify an actual fire department because there was no town name on the helmet, only a number. It said "Ladder something or other" which didn't seem to exist anymore, probably due to consolidation. The guy came to my house, and even though I refused repeatedly he stuffed a cash reward in my hand. He said the helmet meant a lot to him with all their history together(I can say the thing did have a strong smoke smell) and he would have to retire it soon due to regulations. Anyhow he really was thrilled because he looked all over for the thing. I told him I was glad I could help and be safe out there.

 

[Old Steamer]

This reminds me of a story. I was 17 driving around being a jack ***. I pulled over to the shoulder just before a stop sign. There was 3 gallons of brand new 5w30 motor oil. This was a great score since my iroc burnt oil like 2 stroke lawnboy. Just beyond the oil was a snapon top chest ( or travel chest) The thing was old but in great shape. I quickly loaded up my bounty and got the heck out of there(feeling somewhat bad). I got home and looked through the box. It was full of beautiful snapon tools. Full sets of sockets, shallow, deep, metric, sae, 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2in. It also had quite a few older handmade tools. I waxed the box and fixed the road rash then cleaned all the tools. Well later that night I went out and drove right past the stop sign. There was sign posted saying lost tools please call with info.

So I reluctantly called the number and a older man 70 or so answered. They were his and asked nicely if he could come retrive them. I gave him my address and he was going to meet me at home in ten minutes. When he got there he told me that the home made tools were all he had left from his father. He really appreciated me calling. We talked back and forth for an hour. I loaded the tool box in his truck he offered me 50 bucks i turned it down. At that point he opened the toolbox removed the homemade tools and told me to keep box and the rest of the tools. I tried to refuse but he insisted. I really care for those tools and mean more to me than all the others. Sorry for the random long post.

Integrity is doing the right thing when no one is looking. That's a great story, thanks for sharing.

 

[Garage Coffee Roaster]

I'll probably be out a little over $100, maybe more. But it's not really the money as much as I had a set that I knew had everything I needed and nothing extra I didn't. Now I have to start over and face the possibility of having to stop in the middle of a job and run to the store to get a stupid socket or something.

I didn't realize how attached I'd gotten to the darned things.

That is frustrating...

having to buy tools again that could have gone for other things.

Jim

 

[the gypsy]

This reminds me of a story. I was 17 driving around being a jack ***. I pulled over to the shoulder just before a stop sign. There was 3 gallons of brand new 5w30 motor oil. This was a great score since my iroc burnt oil like 2 stroke lawnboy. Just beyond the oil was a snapon top chest ( or travel chest) The thing was old but in great shape. I quickly loaded up my bounty and got the heck out of there(feeling somewhat bad). I got home and looked through the box. It was full of beautiful snapon tools. Full sets of sockets, shallow, deep, metric, sae, 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2in. It also had quite a few older handmade tools. I waxed the box and fixed the road rash then cleaned all the tools. Well later that night I went out and drove right past the stop sign. There was sign posted saying lost tools please call with info.

So I reluctantly called the number and a older man 70 or so answered. They were his and asked nicely if he could come retrive them. I gave him my address and he was going to meet me at home in ten minutes. When he got there he told me that the home made tools were all he had left from his father. He really appreciated me calling. We talked back and forth for an hour. I loaded the tool box in his truck he offered me 50 bucks i turned it down. At that point he opened the toolbox removed the homemade tools and told me to keep box and the rest of the tools. I tried to refuse but he insisted. I really care for those tools and mean more to me than all the others. Sorry for the random long post.

That is a heart warming story, it is nice to know that the old man paid you back for your honesty. There are some people that may have taken their tools back and not even thanked you for your honesty.

 

[Daniel Dudley]

HD is having a sale on Husky ratchet sets right now. 50.00 $ will get you a nice set of 1/4 and 3/8'' ratchets.

 

[clarkebd]

*****...happened to me just last month, except stolen. I leave my garage door open as I like the breeze and sunlight. Was working on the garage floor, left one of my socket organizers out as I was using some sockets from it, and it's gone after I came inside for lunch. Was either a delivery person who happened to walk down or a door-to-door solicitor.

The set had an easy to grab handle and had about 20 sockets on it. They left the various ones that I had scattered around the floor that I was using.

We live on a cul-de-sac, nice neighborhood, never had an issue in 15 years previous. The biggest thing is figuring out exactly what's missing so I can replace it. Sigh.

 

[GreenNV]

Tools are an extension of one’s ego. They develop a personality of their own; your go-to tools for different jobs become entrenched in your mind. At times, you may look at them and visualize the accomplishments that they have helped you achieve. The assimilated value often exceeds the tool’s cost. Maybe that’s why we tool guys appreciate their significance and have developed forums devoted to their existence.

Sorry for your loss.

 

[3baygarage]

Tools are an extension of one’s ego. They develop a personality of their own; your go-to tools for different jobs become entrenched in your mind. At times, you may look at them and visualize the accomplishments that they have helped you achieve. The assimilated value often exceeds the tool’s cost. Maybe that’s why we tool guys appreciate their significance and have developed forums devoted to their existence.

.

Awesomely stated!

 

[Dugan]

Im very **** about my tools, since i have a lot of them. I know exactly when something is out of place and I will go nuts trying to find it. My friends are sloppy with them and it usually ends with a phone call of "Wheres my damn tools"... you would think in the last 7+ years of helping me they would know the arrangement... including the sockets.. the organizers are labeled for each one!

I feel your pain

 

[Paul1956]

I accumulate tools slowly and as needed. Occasionally I will
pickup items that catch my eye while browsing for something
else.

I've inherited some of my grandfather's carpenter tools and
my father's collection of tools.

Tools for me are like a collection that has been carefully put
together over the years... I hate losing any of them. I've lost
a few to the deep when working on boathouses and docks.

Watching them go down is like watching your kid drown.