I hate when i lose a tool.

[Nealcrenshaw]

It messes with my whole thinking pattern,no matter what i'm doing all i can think about is 'where, the heck, is it'?

 

[J.A.F.E.]

It makes me nutso too.

What did you lose?

 

[Fedwrench]

That's not the worse part, it really ***** when the missing tool has (insert truck brand here) on it.

Or worse yet, it's a small 1/4 drive socket and you had the intake manifold off.

 

[nissan_crawler]

That's not the worse part, it really ***** when the missing tool has (insert truck brand here) on it.

Or worse yet, it's a small 1/4 drive socket and you had the intake manifold off.

Uggg, bad memories. When I was putting the 3.3L together, I was putting THE LAST SCREW in that holds the injectors in the throttle body. Hmm, I should stuff this with rags. Nah, just get it done. Yep, dropped it. Pull throttle body, use magnet, nothing. Pull intake, find nothing. Goody...pull balancer, timing belt cover, timing belt. Pull driver's head, find nothing. Pull passenger head, find it.

I just wanted to sit down and cry.

 

[Deafautotech]

Uggg, bad memories. When I was putting the 3.3L together, I was putting THE LAST SCREW in that holds the injectors in the throttle body. Hmm, I should stuff this with rags. Nah, just get it done. Yep, dropped it. Pull throttle body, use magnet, nothing. Pull intake, find nothing. Goody...pull balancer, timing belt cover, timing belt. Pull driver's head, find nothing. Pull passenger head, find it.

I just wanted to sit down and cry.

what kind of engine from?

 

[BetterDays]

The only thing worse than loosing a tool/item while working with it is putting something some place that you should remember it (safe place) and then not being able to find it.

I swear, there is a dumbwaiter the moves it from the spot to a different spot that would resemble the ship from Goonies.

 

[J.A.F.E.]

A friend and I were at a pick-a-part and I had my SO black band metric sockets with me. I bought these new and they are hard to replace, maybe not even possible to find them. Of course I dropped one. We looked for almost an hour and fortunately my friend found it. Now I have a junk yard bag.

 

[stevejh82]

How 'bout when a friend is over working on something of theirs, and you hear the dreaded metal clank into the engine bay sound. Last time I heard that sound, a week later I found the tool in the driveway. Makes you wonder how many tools have been lost that way...

 

[krooser]

i used to be a fanatic about my tools... everything in it's place, always wiped down and put away after each use. A good thing, I guess.

But after raising four sons who, let's just say, didn't have the same love for my tools that I did, I lost many of my original MAC, SnapOn and Vulcan tools that I bought in the 60's.

Now I buy mostly used stuff... I like the feel of these old tools in my hands. Plomb, Herbrand, vintage SO and MAC... and I don't feel too bad about misplacing something I paid 50 cents for... but I still don't like to lose 'em.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Uggg, bad memories. When I was putting the 3.3L together, I was putting THE LAST SCREW in that holds the injectors in the throttle body. Hmm, I should stuff this with rags. Nah, just get it done. Yep, dropped it. Pull throttle body, use magnet, nothing. Pull intake, find nothing. Goody...pull balancer, timing belt cover, timing belt. Pull driver's head, find nothing. Pull passenger head, find it.

I just wanted to sit down and cry.

I know what that's like..

Last time it happened though, i got the nut out the cylinder via the spark plug hole with a magnet.

I've had bad enough days where i just wanted to sit down and cry. One time i did. I was so freaking stressed and exhausted (pulling a 48-hour shift, last half hour) trying to get engine mounts to line up. I just sat down and had a little cry. It helped. Seemed like a ***** thing to do, but if i had the energy i would've killed someone, this was second-best.

 

[wreckercologist]

It messes with my whole thinking pattern,no matter what i'm doing all i can think about is 'where, the heck, is it'?

I feel your pain, Neal. I bought a 1/2" to 3/8" reducing impact extension from snap-on. I used it ONCE and shipped it out on an axel roll I did. That and the 12 point socket attached to it. That happened about six years ago and I'm still mad as hell about that! How could I have been so absent minded? I'm a *******!

The only thing I can say is that prompted me to be more organized(or ever closer to OCD) and fanatical in storing my tools. I now have a place for everything and can tell with a quick glance what is missing. I also forced myself to put away my tools BEFORE I release a truck. That single act has saved me several times.

On another note, if I were to get back into doing a lot of motor work, I might invest in a set of locking extensions. That seems like one way to at least curb those "sockets down the intake".

 

[nissan_crawler]

what kind of engine from?

3.3L Nissan

Last time it happened though, i got the nut out the cylinder via the spark plug hole with a magnet.

Yeah, I tried that...it was small enough to get wedged a bit between the piston and cylinder wall.

As for the tool thing...I just got done doing that, kind of. I usually lock everything in the garage when I'm not in there. Cabinets, locker, toolbox, etc. I'm not making it easy for some dirtbag to walk off with stuff.

Anyway, since I'm getting rid of the two boxes, I got their keys off the ring I keep the garage stuff on, and put the Montezuma one on. At this point, I notice that somehow, keys for two of the cabinets aren't on the ring. I look in the safe, can't find them, night stand, can't find them. I looked high and low for 1.5 hours, found them under the lip of the bottom shelf of each cabinet. *sigh*

 

[Nealcrenshaw]

I lost my NEW Proto 3/4"dr.3/4" Impact socket.I've looked everywhere i haven't even used it yet. Hopefully i can find it,or thats another $20 for another one..

I guess i should be glad its just one socket,man i probably would cry if for instance someone stole my tools.

 

[Farmrod]

Actually sat down with an old buddy tonight and this subject came up he told me in the last 6 months he has lost not one but two Snap On 3/8 drive cordless impacts and one Snap On 1/2" drive cordless impact his story made me almost want to cry those werent the only things he lost he had several other hand tools including two Snap On ratchets that were less than two days old his story about how he lost them was pretty comical from my standpoint but obviously not his

Chris

 

[Joe Mamma]

i used to be a fanatic about my tools... everything in it's place, always wiped down and put away after each use. A good thing, I guess.

But after raising four sons who, let's just say, didn't have the same love for my tools that I did, I lost many of my original MAC, SnapOn and Vulcan tools that I bought in the 60's.

This is why they puts locks on tool boxes.

Joe Mamma

 

[nate379]

I lost a 13mm wrench a while back. That next weekend I'm doing laundry and I here clunk, clunk, clunk, clunk. Yeah... 13mm wrench in the dryer.

I shipped a laptop that goes to one of our bomb test sets. Was broke and the place that fixed them is in Florida. I sent it next day air and FedEx lost it. They couldn't even get a tracking number for it. Well after I told them it was insured for $25,000 (what a new one costs) they found it in a matter of hours Cost several hundred to ship.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

It messes with my whole thinking pattern,no matter what i'm doing all i can think about is 'where, the heck, is it'?

Hey Neal, being unemployed stinks more!

 

[illmatyk]

Man,
Just the other day i did a battery on a car at work. Everything goes fine till later that afternoon, i couldnt find my 1/4" ratchet and 10mm socket. Then BAM!! I remeber the vehicle, go looking for the key and check the bay, nothing. I figured it fell out while the alignment guy was test driving the car. then i ask my co-worker next to me, "do you have my 1/4" ratchet and size 10?"...Himg: Yeah its in my box! Me: I just wanted to smack him with a pry bar!

 

[Bolster]

I lost my NEW Proto 3/4"dr.3/4" Impact socket.I've looked everywhere i haven't even used it yet. Hopefully i can find it,or thats another $20 for another one..

I guess i should be glad its just one socket,man i probably would cry if for instance someone stole my tools.

I suspect your wife. Have you checked her closet lately?

 

[Nealcrenshaw]

Nah, She knows better.

 

[krusty the clown]

I suspect your wife.

nah........it's always the butler

 

[brwbier]

I have lost a lot less since coming up with a rule for myself. Parts go on cars not tools. I try to not lay tools anywhere on the car when working on it. Its not a prefect system but I loose less now.
Brwbier

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Tote trays. I have one, use it all the time. Never do a job without it. I've yet to lose a tool since having it.

 

[r6_cannibal]

+1 on the tray Moose.
I try to keep the tools off the car, I'll be a little lax if it's spark plugs or something quick but if it's more involved like pulling the heads I'll have a tray for the tools and a magnetic bin/cup for the bolts and screws.
I'll even use the lid to a plastic bin as a tray if I need to. Anything to keep the tools off the car. Having a system helps too. I have sockets on rails right now which saved me just last night from putting everything away without realizing a 1/4 drive socket rolled under the filing cabinet.
7 years ago I lost a wrench my grandfater gave me when i was 11 or 12 and after that I started keeping better track of my tools.

 

[billymade]

I've noticed when I think I have lost something; I have actually felt like throwing up.... yeah extreme but sometimes I feel that way! LOL! Especially, if it is your Snap-On or other expensive pro grade tool. I've noticed these newer cars have so many nooks/crannies; when you drop a socket down the engine compartment, it can be really hard to find them. I've had sockets go inside unibody/frame structures; a lift really helps in this case! A magnetic telescoping tool is a must for "fishing around"; its also hard working with someone who doesn't care about your tools and just wants to get the car out as soon as possible. Your trying to get all your tools together or find a lost one and they are irritated/pressuring you to just push the car out of the bay. Stolen/lost tools can leave a imprint in your memory (even in your "gut"); even after you have replaced it... I don't know quite what that is all about but its there! wreckercologist, I can totally understand/relate to the anger of a long lost tool!
Moose, the tray idea is a good one; I have gotten into the habit of putting things away after I use them, I probably look a little looney and possibly takes more time but I believe I am losing less tools this way.... maybe just a rationalization of my OCD! LOL! I do think I need more "structure" to organize my tools so I can tell if something is missing; more trays, wrenches holders, sockets rails etc.

 

[1320stang]

I guess i should be glad its just one socket,man i probably would cry if for instance someone stole my tools.

Man,couldn't imagine losing everything like that.Just learn from it and move on!

 

[arkangel06]

I was working inside an airplane when i was done I came out noticing my second 11/32'' wrench was missing, looked everywhere for it and couldnt find it. DAMN IT

Back in the airplane took out the floor boards searched every square inch of the plane and i couldnt find it!

Turned out it was in another guys box he picked it up thinking it was his (he didnt know I had 2)

I just didnt know what to do........

 

[rhandwor]

I've spent a lot of time with a flashlight and magnet hunting them. I find most of them but not all of them.

 

[ZRX61]

Dropped a screwdriver down the inside of a P38 rad/oilcooler scoop QEC.. on the inside between the inner & outer skins. The cowl is Stainless & the screwdriver was in there was several weeks before I found a magnet strong enough to drag it out....

 

[nissan_crawler]

I was working inside an airplane when i was done I came out noticing my second 11/32'' wrench was missing, looked everywhere for it and couldnt find it. DAMN IT

Back in the airplane took out the floor boards searched every square inch of the plane and i couldnt find it!

Turned out it was in another guys box he picked it up thinking it was his (he didnt know I had 2)

I just didnt know what to do........

I've had that happen twice, tore the airplane apart, 2 shifts searching, both times I knew damn well where I put it, yet it wasn't there. After 4-5 mechanics and several inspectors looked, it was closed up.

Both times (same guy), a co-worker was in his box a month later or so and remarked "Hey! I have two of these!" Both times, I had asked him if had two of them right off the bat.

 

[oldtools]

I left a 12mm wrench in the engine after finishing up. Drove around to test it out. Then could not find the wrench. Then remember leaving it in corner of engine bay. Open it up and it was gone. Lucky it was only a craftsman. I would be depressed if it is an so.

 

[volvo420coupe]

Last winter I realized that my matco 1/2 swivel impact adapter and 21mm genius socket were missing. After much brainstorming and thinking I was able to remember the last time I had used it. Thankfully it was while doing an alignment on a truck owned by someone I knew well enough to call and ask if I could come look at his truck. I go over to his house reach under the wheel well and there it sits locked on to the control arm bolt. He said he had driven about 70 miles since I had aligned it.

Right now I am extremely upset because I am missing a whole tool kit, my blue point pneumatic fan clutch removal set. I haven't used it since about a month before getting fired from my last job, and my boss was being a ***** to me for even coming back to the shop and getting my funnels that I had forgotten, my friend is keeping his eye out for it, but I am mostly **** about having ALL my tools put away at the end of each day, and I wouldn't leave a whole kit sitting out. It ***** sooooo bad! I didn't notice it for so long because it sits in a drawer with all my other plastic cased kits and it was just real easy to not be noticed missing. GRRRRRRRR, I want to drive over to his shop and search it top to bottom like I have my own garage.

 

[Joe Mamma]

When I was young and just starting to work on cars seriously, I left some tools in my engine compartment. I finished the project, and the car ran fine.

If I remember correctly, I drove around with them in the engine compartment for a few days (maybe even a week). When I realized I didn't have those tools in my box, I thought back to the last time I used them. I was poor and really couldn't afford to lose anything. I popped the hood on my car and they were sitting right there.

There's nothing worse than losing tools, but nothing better than finding them! I thought that was my one free pass/warning. I've always been really careful about tools ever since and have never lost any.

Joe Mamma

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

I lost a 1/4 extention, 6 in snap on..... still can not find it..

 

[rebelram]

A couple years back I bought a used 2006 jeep. Right after I got it home, one of the first things I did was change the oil. It's just a habit of mine, newly purchased used vehicles get an oil change, regardless of what the dealer says about the oil being just changed! So I crawl under to see what size wrench/socket I'll need for the drain plug. What I found was a 13mm Stanley socket stuck to the oil drain plug. It was wedged on there pretty good. I got it off there and then checked to see what the problem was. The problem was a mechanic who got in a hurry. The drain plug was really a 1/2" NOT a 13mm. So now I have a 13mm Stanley socket in my toolbox with the initials "KP" on it. I do not know who KP is, but I hope he has learned his lesson by now about making sure you collect all your tools after a job. I keep the 13mm socket as a reminder to myself of "always use the correct sized tool on a bolt" and also "always collect and put away all your tools in their proper place when you are done"

 

[Mike83]

A few months ago I popped open the hood for my usual "let's see what's leaking" check. On top of the battery was my 7" needle nose vice grips! Luckily the insulation on the underside of the hood held the tool in place against the top of the battery...

If I work under the hood I only keep tools on the top of the fender cover or on a light colored towel laid out in the engine compartment. That generally helps me keep good track of them.

 

[Art From De Leon]

The best way to avoid losing tools, pens, sunglasses, etc, is to purchase the best that you can afford. You might lose something ONE time, but the cost of replacement soon teaches you to account for each and every item, every time you finish using it.

 

[rhandwor]

I lost my NEW Proto 3/4"dr.3/4" Impact socket.I've looked everywhere i haven't even used it yet. Hopefully i can find it,or thats another $20 for another one..

I guess i should be glad its just one socket,man i probably would cry if for instance someone stole my tools.

These are readily available at the flea market I always keep a couple of common sizes.

 

[kwhitelaw]

not a tool really, but same concept..

my last job was at a stereo shop...my old salesguy was always misplacing his cellphone..one day he lost it.

a year later, a car came back with a blown sub to get swapped out. pulled it out, and sitting in the bottom of the box was his cellphone.. i guess the owner had the stereo up pretty loud and never heard us calling it til we killed the battery. or the sub magnet wiped the phone dead, i dont know..

last tool I misplaced was a 1/4" 8mm SO socket in a mercedes.. I was pissed, socket woulda cost like $13 bucks.. found it under the backseat, under the sound deadening padding..

 

[yellowbox]

I was working inside an airplane when i was done I came out noticing my second 11/32'' wrench was missing, looked everywhere for it and couldnt find it. DAMN IT

Back in the airplane took out the floor boards searched every square inch of the plane and i couldnt find it!

Turned out it was in another guys box he picked it up thinking it was his (he didnt know I had 2)

I just didnt know what to do........

that is why i never borrow tools to anyone
and i hate when other people think it is theirs when they really know better