Locking you tool box in your home garage

[Jsf721]

My Co2 detector went off, fire dept. responded and there was no CO2, just a faulty hard wired detector part of Alarm that called central station. The detector that was about 3 years old as the whole system was replaced after hurricane sandy.

My wife set up a service call and the Alarm company came out to replace the detector. (I have a maintenance plan on the system)

Ended up being a bigger job as they need to re run wire. OK, they came back on a day I was working.

I got home form work and find my workbench and tools have all be used.

My stuff is in disorder, items in wrong drawers and I'm not 100% sure if stuff is missing. I never plan on having my tools used by anyone else at my home so I don't lock it. This is my second incident.

Wire bits all over the workbench and floor.

No cameras on the garage and I guess I'm just here to vent.

Called alarm co and they said our guys have their own tools are you sure it want someone else? I said I guess the guy who installed the new co2 that left the packaging and wire clippings on the workbench was some other random guy.


I need to re organize the drawers as this guy must have been looking for a tool I don't have as the screw drivers what have their own drawer are not mixed with wrenches and on and on.

 

[Farmall Cub]

The fact that there was jobsite debris left around makes it unprofessional. Chances are, someone like that would also use your tools.

 

[Ilikeike]

I wouldn't really like the fact that they used my tools without first asking,
but I'd mostly be upset that they didn't have the curtesy to clean up and put my stuff back.
Having worked on aircraft for a few years,my tools are all stored 5S,I know if something is out of place anywhere in my home shop area.

 

[Kensgarage]

Spend a day learning your system from head to toe and maintain it-do the work yourself. It's not rocket science.All of your manuals can likely be had online.Customer tech report can be a good asset too.
I had a %^$& ing nitwit install mine and came back 3-4 times before it was half right. I didn't call the fifth time.I got to studying.I've since modded it many times. It rocks now .

 

[G_P]

The top of my box is too full to even close the lid due to taller items in there.
But I would be livid if a contractor just started using my tools. Ask and I will likely say yes, but to just use them without permission is highly unprofessional.

 

[bobcatdan]

In your case, I'd call the company and rasied a fit. Now I did work in customer's shops and would only touch their tooling if they gave their blessing. When I left, beside a fixed machine, it was if I was never there. As for locking my tool boxes, next to never do. At home if I'm in the middle of project, stuff is lucky to be put away, let alone locked up.

 

[AA/FC]

Wow, that takes balls for a service guy to use his customer's tools and workbench. I would call that company back and demand to speak with the service guy who worked at your house. If that doesnt work, ask to speak with the owner of the company.


As for locking my box in my home garage..... never. I can't even shut the lid completely because my socket set is multi-level (custom made) and is too tall. However, I recently found out there have been a few home burglaries in my area.... Maybe I should reconfigure my box so I can get it shut and keep it locked.

 

[Marc Benjamin]

I'd be ticked too!

I always lock all my lockables just in case the garrage door get's left open which happens on occasion. I just don't want to chance someone walking by and seeing a coupke of SnapOn (despite being ancient) toolboxes wide open.

Now there are some tools outside on the bench just in case someone needs something when I'm not home.

 

[canuckian]

yep anything I don't want walking away gets locked up. I have a few random tools left out that I wouldn't care if they got lost but even at that, if I discovered my shop and tools were used without my knowledge, someone would have some 'splainin to do! I make a point to be around when service guys are there so I'll likely never have to worry about that anyways. Old habit from working in prisons for most of my adult life I guess.

 

[Soslow]

I don't lock mine but I probably should. I have more money in tools than guns and the guns are always secure.

 

[MichaelBikel]

This is why I keep an inventory, yes i'm that crazy. It's probably unnecessary as I don't have too many to keep track of anyhow, it's a list I could keep in my head. I don't usually lock up unless I know someone is coming into the space.

 

[pepi]

My Co2 detector went off, fire dept. responded and there was no CO2, just a faulty hard wired detector part of Alarm that called central station. The detector that was about 3 years old as the whole system was replaced after hurricane sandy.

My wife set up a service call and the Alarm company came out to replace the detector. (I have a maintenance plan on the system)

Ended up being a bigger job as they need to re run wire. OK, they came back on a day I was working.

I got home form work and find my workbench and tools have all be used.

My stuff is in disorder, items in wrong drawers and I'm not 100% sure if stuff is missing. I never plan on having my tools used by anyone else at my home so I don't lock it. This is my second incident.

Wire bits all over the workbench and floor.

No cameras on the garage and I guess I'm just here to vent.

Called alarm co and they said our guys have their own tools are you sure it want someone else? I said I guess the guy who installed the new co2 that left the packaging and wire clippings on the workbench was some other random guy.


I need to re organize the drawers as this guy must have been looking for a tool I don't have as the screw drivers what have their own drawer are not mixed with wrenches and on and on.

Never heard of such a thing, but I know what I would do, inventory my tools, take pictures. Send a bill to the ***** for any replacement tool, of the exact manufacture. Followed with a billing for rental and clean up of the rest. This post is the most ridiculous thing I have read yet Private property is just that private.

Or cancel the payment made to the clown, he/they totally walk all over you. Do not be a ******** wimp. I would defiantly NOT let this go...

BTW did he bang your wife also?

PS if someone does not have the tools to do their job............ they do not know how to do their job and should not be doing it.

 

[a990dna]

Everything gets locked if a stranger is working in my garage alone - or with someone else.

many of those workers are fly-by-nights.

.

 

[Tenex]

My situation is not the norm, but I always keep my box locked. Right now it sits in my parents' basement while I'm away at school and I don't want anything to go missing. My dad is farily forgetful and his toolbox is a complete mess. I'd be livid if I came back to mine being in the same condition.

 

[PoorOwner]

I never let anyone perform work when I am not home.

Just curious, for small shops e.g. couple lifts and one owner and maybe another guy working. (As opposed to dealerships)
Do they lock the box when closing?

 

[Bob-B]

My boxes get locked when ANY contractor is working at my house and I'm not able to be there for the duration. If there is an emergency, I'm the 1 who will be at the house for response.

 

[zkling]

Some people...Was your wife at home when the service call took place?

 

[Boost Creep]

i lock mine purely for the fact that if theres a break in i want to make it a bit harder to get to them. i figure they want to be in and out of there as quick as possible and if theres a bigger hassle of trying to open a box after getting in they might skip it.

 

[rodsnratfinks]

I never let anyone perform work when I am not home.

Just curious, for small shops e.g. couple lifts and one owner and maybe another guy working. (As opposed to dealerships)
Do they lock the box when closing?

When I worked in a small shop, I locked my box and was very protective of my tools. It offended the head tech, but I didn't want to have some random customer from off the street steal my stuff, or be a target in a break in. Most guys don't though. I've worked in shops with eight or nine techs and none of them lock their box.

i lock mine purely for the fact that if theres a break in i want to make it a bit harder to get to them. i figure they want to be in and out of there as quick as possible and if theres a bigger hassle of trying to open a box after getting in they might skip it.

Me too. This is the way to go, imo. I never leave the garage door open either. In my city, nice neighborhoods are relentlessly targeted for theft. If they don't know you have it, they likely won't try.

 

[bczygan]

Check your fridge and pantry. He probably fixed himself a nice meal too.

I would be calling the president of the company, making a formal written complaint, asking it to be put in his personnel folder and asking for compensation (At least a few months of service).

Otherwise, this guy will do the same at every customer's home.

Bill

 

[anndel]

I'd be pissed too. Usually I lock my tool cabinets if a contractor comes to do any work (very rare). The only person I leave my tools unlocked is for our family friend who's a handyman/carpenter since we trust him. If he needs to borrow a tool and I'm not home he calls me at work.

Sorry to hear what happened to you. Lock it from now on as the next guy might take some tools home.

 

[jhelrey]

I also lock mine. If something goes missing, I cannot blame anyone but myself.

I also do it in case someone breaks into my place. They can't use the tools to get into the house, etc.

 

[shanny19]

Guess I'm an oddball. I took it as a complement when i got home and learned that a plumber (switching from electrical range to propane) admired my tools, asked the wife for permission to use one, and spoke nicely of my stuff.

 

[BikerDad]

Guess I'm an oddball. I took it as a complement when i got home and learned that a plumber (switching from electrical range to propane) admired my tools, asked the wife for permission to use one, and spoke nicely of my stuff.

Key aspect highlighted there....

 

[zakmartin]

I'd get the guy's name and have a P.I. run a $100 background check on him. If he has a record, go to the company along with a list of every tool that's missing. If they blow you off, call the media. Every other channel has some consumer protection nitwit reporter who loves to do stories on companies like these.

If their employee truly did abuse and/or steal your property, you need to make them pay for it. Don't walk away from the situation with your head down. Go full-on Robocop on their asses.

 

[JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN]

I have way too much money invested into my box and tools, they are locked always, unless I am using them. I made a little hand carry tote for my wife that has cheap USA made common tools in it incase she needs something for around the house.

 

[themiller]

I would never lock my stuff in the garage but the garage is always locked.

 

[wvrailroader]

My boxes are always locked for several reasons:

1. I have young kids and don't want them in my toolboxes where there are knives, picks and other sharp objects.
2. I want to make them as hard to steal as possible if someone gets in the garage.
3. If someone gets into the garage, I don't want them to be able to use my tools to make it easier for them to break into the house from the garage.

I only have one exception to borrowing my tools and that is a close trusted friend who not only has a key to the garage, but keys to all my boxes as well. I would be mad as hell if someone came in and used my stuff without permission. My wife would never let anyone use my tools - she knows the investment I have in them and how well they are taken care of.

 

[chiz1180]

I keep my mechanics box locked, just because I still live with my parents and it makes sire that anything that comea out of it gets put back. that box probably only acounts for half of my tools though.

chiz1180

 

[royesses]

I always lock my toolboxes. Never know when a pos thief is going to break in. I want to make it as hard on him as I can and use up his time so the alarm company can get the police out there. Limit your losses that way.

 

[bwitt]

So what does this hoser do when he's at a house with no tools? Does he just say, "Sorry, you don't have the tools I need so I can't fix your alarm." Unreal...

 

[fsae0607]

Oh hell no. I'd be raising hell with the company.

I normally don't lock my box since I'm the only one that goes in there. My attached garage is always locked, but there's no access to the inside of my house. My wife has her own little toolset in the utility drawer in the kitchen, so she has no need to go in mine.

 

[MikeF2316]

I don't normally lock mine, but if some contractor was going to do some work while I wasn't there, I would. That would mean unloading the top and stashing the stuff that's there in a box.

I don't want to trash electricians because I'm sure some (most) of the guys on here are good, but in my experience they don't clean up. I've had stuff done at work and left a garbage can right there, and gone back and found cuttings on the floor actually leaning up against the garbage can. Best one ever was filling out a survey after getting a phone system installed, and saying we'd never use them again because the workers left cuttings right where they fell. The guy called and offered to send someone over to clean up, but by then it was 2 weeks later...

 

[RRmech]

I used to lock up my tools, because my teenage son would 'borrow' them, and then use them *WRONG, in every way possible!?

*A 1/2" drive ratchet is NOT a hammer, nor a screwdriver a pry bar???

When he moved out of the house, my surviving tools had a party................................

 

[atthebeach]

When someone is on my property doing work, I always stay with them for a couple of reasons. First, I may learn something by watching the work being done. But secondly, if I am missing something the next day, I will know that it is just a matter of me misplacing it; not theft. Contractors also seem to be very diligent about cleaning up their messes when the homeowner is present.

 

[logical]

I'd get the guy's name and have a P.I. run a $100 background check on him. If he has a record, go to the company along with a list of every tool that's missing. If they blow you off, call the media. Every other channel has some consumer protection nitwit reporter who loves to do stories on companies like these.

If their employee truly did abuse and/or steal your property, you need to make them pay for it. Don't walk away from the situation with your head down. Go full-on Robocop on their asses.

Maybe we should back up to figuring out if there is anything missing.

 

[70Swinger440]

I absolutely put away and lock up all of my tools everyday, even if I'm working on something that is not finished. If someone breaks into my garage, I want it to take longer for them to steal my tools. My tools are organized, so that at a glance, I can open a drawer, and tell if something is missing. No one uses my tools without permission.

I try to do all the work at my house myself, but if I do need an outside contractor, I stay at home and hang out with them all through the job. Usually, I can learn something, and I'll help out if need be.

 

[Ponchoguy]

My Co2 detector went off, fire dept. responded and there was no CO2, just a faulty hard wired detector part of Alarm that called central station. The detector that was about 3 years old as the whole system was replaced after hurricane sandy.

My wife set up a service call and the Alarm company came out to replace the detector. (I have a maintenance plan on the system)

Ended up being a bigger job as they need to re run wire. OK, they came back on a day I was working.

I got home form work and find my workbench and tools have all be used.

My stuff is in disorder, items in wrong drawers and I'm not 100% sure if stuff is missing. I never plan on having my tools used by anyone else at my home so I don't lock it. This is my second incident.

Wire bits all over the workbench and floor.

No cameras on the garage and I guess I'm just here to vent.

Called alarm co and they said our guys have their own tools are you sure it want someone else? I said I guess the guy who installed the new co2 that left the packaging and wire clippings on the workbench was some other random guy.


I need to re organize the drawers as this guy must have been looking for a tool I don't have as the screw drivers what have their own drawer are not mixed with wrenches and on and on.

If it has a lock, I have the key and I use it. Period.

 

[SantaAna12]

First: Is something missing? If your not sure....sorry....but the answer is no.
Second: Are you going to--or do you perhaps have to--use these guys again? Yes? Then make an even keeled complaint about the mess. No? Relationship over. Move on, and consider locking your tools.
For those that are not familiar with "craftsman" that don't have the right tool and leave trash on the job......you are living right! Go buy a lottery ticket. Or....get real.
Back to the main issue.....if something is missing....I would get their email.....send a request for payment......if not....small claims.
Good luck.

 

[Empty Pockets]

My tools are stored in my basement workshop, all locking boxes are kept locked. There are 3 sets of keys, mine, my wife's and my #2 son's. If they use any tools, they are not allowed to put them back, there is a plastic storage box on my bench, I'll replace them when I get home.