Ideas to Inventory Your Tools

[homeputter]

Anyone have a easy way to inventory their tools for insurance purposes?

I tried, hand written, excel spread sheets, etc. but never got far since it is such a job.
My latest idea is to buy a video camera that has a external jack for a microphone. Then I could put it on a tripod and film myself while I pick up each tool and describe it with the microphone. I don't have any experience with the new video cameras. Do I need the external microphone for clear audio on playback? My Canon digital camera's video has bad audio on playback. Hard to find a cheap video camera with an external microphone jack. I hate to spend the money on a video camera if there is an easier way.

Any suggestions on a better way would be welcomed!
How have the forum members inventoried their tools - or have you?
Thanks

 

[american lockpicker]

My latest idea is to buy a video camera that has a external jack for a microphone. Then I could put it on a tripod and film myself while I pick up each tool and describe it with the microphone. I don't have any experience with the new video cameras. Do I need the external microphone for clear audio on playback? My Canon digital camera's video has bad audio on playback. Hard to find a cheap video camera with an external microphone jack. I hate to spend the money on a video camera if there is an easier way.

Use a laptop and webcam.

 

[canuckian]

I simply take a digital picture of individual tools/sets with a closeup of the model number or serial number if applicable. Descriptive video is an interesting approach as well as thorough.

 

[fr0mastaj]

I just took a picture of each of my drawers, then viewed it on the computer afterwards and entered everything i see either individually or as a set into an excel spreadsheet. I put down Brand, tool category, tool model/name, approx price

I've spent way too much money on tools

 

[MD11]

Anyone have a easy way to inventory their tools for insurance purposes?

I tried, hand written, excel spread sheets, etc. but never got far since it is such a job.
My latest idea is to buy a video camera that has a external jack for a microphone. Then I could put it on a tripod and film myself while I pick up each tool and describe it with the microphone. I don't have any experience with the new video cameras. Do I need the external microphone for clear audio on playback? My Canon digital camera's video has bad audio on playback. Hard to find a cheap video camera with an external microphone jack. I hate to spend the money on a video camera if there is an easier way.

Any suggestions on a better way would be welcomed!
How have the forum members inventoried their tools - or have you?
Thanks

if you look at my signature block below, you'll see a link to an inventory of anything of value I have. There is little more valuable in this day and age than digital proof, that's being kept in "Virtual Space" ... a disk at home, or on your computer at home isn't good enough.

I have full insurance on everything of value I have, and it's all on this virtual space. I also have a youtube video online with the same tools, drawer buy drawer.

Already once, I had to use it when my first tool box was stolen right out of my garage.

 

[Givl Reggin]

Anyone have a easy way to inventory their tools for insurance purposes?

Keep your receipts... they are more important than any video/photographs.

 

[MD11]

Keep your receipts... they are more important than any video/photographs.

^^^^



that's a given... for sure!

 

[Outlawmws]

Keep your receipts... they are more important than any video/photographs.

Useless for used purchases... and doubly useless if you have a big fire and they all go up in smoke.

Off site inventory is the only real way.

 

[homeputter]

Too late to start saving receipts for me. A lot of my tools are 20-40 years old and I was/am too disorganized to keep all those receipts.
I have "full replacement" insurance, so hope that will work along with the brand/model of each tool. A friend did not have "full replacement" insurance and the insurance company depreciated his tools like 60% - even though they were not worn at all.

 

[bbmach]

I used my film camera (remember those?) with a date stamp. Shot each draw and cabinet...

At the very least I exercised the SLR!

 

[Keep]

Just use this:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=55227

 

[JMcFly]

Just use this:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=55227

SQL for the win! I'm going to have to load that and inventory my small collection.

 

[Deception]

When I got my renters policy for theft & fire, they told me just take pictures of everything and keep them offsite. Hopefully I'll never have to use it though

Bonus - while looking through the junk drawer I found the receipts for my SK master set, iwata gun & other stuff from 9 years ago

thanks for the program!

 

[BajaBound]

Good on you guys for getting things inventoried. I have such a petty collection of tools compared to a lot of the guys here but I am proud as hell of them and would be sick they where lost. I am am going to go through all of mine and even my offroad tool bag.

 

[Sick Puppy]

I just took a picture of each of my drawers, then viewed it on the computer afterwards and entered everything i see either individually or as a set into an excel spreadsheet. I put down Brand, tool category, tool model/name, approx price

Tools in drawers can be added to, toolboxes change and all that... I'd be making a spreadsheet as you say, listing:

Brand - Tool description - Model # / Name - Date of purchase - category - file name for picture - file name for scan of receipt.

Keep it all in one folder, with sub folders for the receipts and pics. File names Would have something like Tool [description], [date pic taken YYYYMMDD]. Hyperlinks for the files for pics and receipts would be good, but then folders and computers change, and putting it onto a disc has the same effect - dead links.

Pretty OCD, but then worth it when you need it. I regard my collection as pretty small, but still in the $5k+ range if purchased new... 'bout time I followed my advice!

 

[wornoutoldman]

When you complete your inventory or while performing it. Reference the latest prices for the particular tool or nearest substitute on the web . If you have a claim you'll need more than what you paid thirty years ago to replace any given tool. I plan to start this type of full inventory and eagerly await the shocking results on replacement value in 2012 dollars.

 

[Outlawmws]

When you complete your inventory or while performing it. Reference the latest prices for the particular tool or nearest substitute on the web . If you have a claim you'll need more than what you paid thirty years ago to replace any given tool. I plan to start this type of full inventory and eagerly await the shocking results on replacement value in 2012 dollars.

A good idea. What I would add to it is a note if you were referencing a replacement brand for something that simply isn't available. i.e. A Proto ratchet replacing a Plvmb ratchet.

I recently did this for just my ratchets (no sockets or extensions), and was stunned to come up with almost $800 replacement cost for the 14 (of 20) I managed to price.

 

[HandyManny]

Keep your receipts... they are more important than any video/photographs.

Problem is that many reciepts today are printed to fade away over time and they do. Then all you have is a blank paper tape proving nothing.

 

[geologist]

Problem is that many reciepts today are printed to fade away over time and they do. Then all you have is a blank paper tape proving nothing.

Scan them. It not only provides you with a digital copy of your receipts, it gives you the opportunity to print a physical copy to store off-site with a physical copy of any photographs taken.