tool inventory today

[toplessHO]

I gathered up the 4 or so 5 gal buckets of tools in the garage and put them all back in the tool boxes.
Im not happy about the outcome.... My sons been using them alot,hence the bucket storage vs proper place. Quite a few missing sockets and wrenches
from full sets, Im sure some havent been lost recently but the attrition rate seems to grow daily.For now hes on garage restriction,as has been before
but I cant get everything done by myself. Im thinking of giving him the shopping list with missing items and have him replace with same brand etc,and then lift the restriction. Most of the sockets,wrenches etc are in organizers so one can immediately see that they are MIA.I hope that I can find replacements for the USA made Craftsman reversible gearwrenches.Anyone got any partial sets
of metrics? also missing a couple gearwrench brand and a few Craftsman sockets and combo wrenches.

 

[jakemac]

Probation sounds like the right idea. So does a SPECIFIC shopping list. Any tools on the list that he gets wrong, go into another toolbox that will become his AFTER he properly completes the list.

Point him in the direction of the local used tool store, pawn shops, flea markets, craigslist, and yard sales. This will (hopefully) teach him the value of tools, how hard it is to find just the right tool, and some responsibly to take care of the tools that he borrows.

In the meantime, I'd take a look at fixing the locks on the tool boxes in the garage.

Back when I was contracting, I had a 1 strike and you're out rule. I made sure that anyone that I worked with was terrified of touching my tools without permission, and that they took care of them when they were in their care. They were also required to put the tool back in my hands, or let me see them put it back in the toolbox when they were done. Tools left laying about were grounds for the Wrath of God raining down upon the transgressor.

I don't know how old your son is, but it's never too early, or late, to teach them respect for other's, or their own, possessions.

 

[logical]

Is this a teenager or a 30-something son? Tools don't vaporize, even outside a tool box. Where are they going?

Lots of people on here have or will help you (or your son) find what you are missing but we'll need to see a detailed list.

 

[toplessHO]

Is this a teenager or a 30-something son? Tools don't vaporize, even outside a tool box. Where are they going?

most likely in the mud at the pic and pull but Im guessing some have migrated to his work only tool bag thats at work. He will look tomorrow,and may get a partial reprieve

 

[RedneckWelder]

I'll give you the same advice as I gave my uncle about his boy- he needs his own tools.

Once he replaces them, he needs his own tools to work with. Depending on his age and funds, either he pays for them entirely or you can optionaly help him out through something like matching dollar for dollar for a basic set of tools.

I will say though that if I tossed all my tools in buckets I'd be loosing them too. I have to have mine organized in my box so I can do a visual inventory at the completion of a job.

 

[unslow1]

Maybe for a gift at some point buy him something like a Kobalt cube. They have a lot in them and each has it's own spot. It is very obvious when one is missing. They are also easy to pick up singles for replacement. My first was a similar Craftsman set. Stanley and Husky also have them.

 

[metalart]

let him dig through a few pawn shop random socket and wrench bins for a couple of hours.... Should teach him to be more careful. Plenty of good usa made tools to be found.

 

[unslow1]

let him dig through a few pawn shop random socket and wrench bins for a couple of hours.... Should teach him to be more careful. Plenty of good usa made tools to be found.

That's how I replaced most of my missing ones. I just made a list and went to a few pawnshops. I kept that list in the car for a couple of months.

 

[LXCam]

My son and I went through this phase too and man it was not good. For a short while he was hanging out with the local partier kid riding BMX bikes. Pretty soon I was missing every 17mm and 11/16" wrench, socket I owed plus a few other things. So not only did the garage get locked down, but so did he. I then got him his own set of tools to do bikes and skate boards with. Now he stays out of the shop unless I'm around and no matter what, all tools get put back at the end of the day.

Guess this is my pay back for de-tooling my pops..LOL!

 

[steed andersen]

As a kid I had to come up with any and all tools I needed. It really gave me a great appreciation for their value. It also made me the most feared tool nazi in our shop. LOL

 

[Moose364]

Don't feel bad my son is the same way, from 10 to 14 he was better than me about wiping down the tool's and putting them back in the racks in there proper place, turned 15- to now at 22 he will lose a tool while you watch him, last year was the Breaking point he lost a almost brand new Milwaukee M12 drill. so locked all the Boxes went and got new tool Boxes for the stuff I didn't have room for, told him if he need's tool's go to HF. I know it sounds a little mean, but at the cost of tool's and getting my blood pressure up was doing me no good,

 

[sac02]

Lost an entire drill?

 

[Red996]

I was the same way when I was a kid. Regrettably I lost a few of my dad's tools or left them outside where they would rust. I had no idea either monetary or utilitarian value of a nice set of tools or how to keep them nice, despite the way my dad got on me about it. I thought he was just being a *****. When you're young it's hard to respect what you dont have to work for. If he's working, especially if he needs tools for his job, he should first take responsibility for the lost tools and only then continue to work with your tools. But everything gets put away at the end of the day and he needs to start working on getting his own tools.

 

[AV tinker er]

Lost an entire drill?

I spewed water I was driving reading that....

 

[Wanna Ride]

told him if he need's tool's go to HF. I know it sounds a little mean, but at the cost of tool's and getting my blood pressure up was doing me no good,

Doesn't sound mean, not at all. It teaches kids that if they lose YOUR tools, then they have to replace them. Not just tools, but anything else as well. It teaches boundaries, appreciation and responsibility.

Too many parents don't do, as you are doing. That greatly contributes to the lessons of respect for others, and not just property in the garage. Good on you for good parenting!

Harbor Freight sounds like a great, economical option for aspiring garage-owners.

 

[67King]

A few thoughts:
1. Cut him a break, you are assuming it is his fault, but you may be mistaken. We all tend to blame others for these kinds of things, then go on to find that it was our fault, after all.
2. If he has his own car he is working on, either make him buy his own set of tools, or even better, get him a bit set of Husky or CM or something of acceptable quality, maybe starting with this, http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-Mechanics-Tool-Set-185-Piece-H185MTSN/203203976?N=5yc1vZc22x, for his birthday if coming up soon, or maybe just because he is your kid and if he's turning his own wrenches, because you appreciate that he's putting forth an effort, and isn't a spoiled brat.
3. If you keep your stuff in buckets, rather than laid out in an organized manner, you are asking for lost tools. I don't have an issue losing the tools of mine that have a very specific place, like sockets and wrenches. I lose screwdrivers, which are loose, all of the time. I loose tools from my tool bag that I take to the track way too often, too.
4. When I was in college, I had folks borrowing tools all of the time. I eventually put up a grease board in my room, and any time a friend borrowed a tool, he had to sign it out up on the grease board. Completely eliminated my issues with non-returned/lost tools.

 

[dlcwent]

My father did the same to me as a teenager. After working in his shop over the weekend, there were some wrenches missing. I was told that I was to replace them immediately. I did and never lost another one of his tools. I later found his wrenches in the glove box of my car. I still have them today and they are very cherished.

Give him a list and let him figure it out.

 

[Cdstahlman]

A lot of the U.S. Craftsman sets are getting clearanced out at your local sears (170 and larger piece sets for under 200$).

I always used my dads tools when I was younger, but when I got married and moved into my own home I started with a craftsman 99pc set, and slowly bought the obscene amount of tools I have now.

I'd say buy him his own small set for a birthday or Christmas gift, or have him purchase his own set to use.

I agree with having him replace those he lost though with either new, or used equilivents.

 

[Steevo]

I spewed water I was driving reading that....

You were driving reading that??????

 

[jim1987]

This is exactly why I have my own tool box and tools now. They're mine to loose or do as I want with. I quickly went from just a 26" top craftsman box, with the very bare Hodge podge of basics. To a 44" stack, to a very well stocked 56" stack. The only thing, ironically , that I need to borrow from my dad is the 18v dewalt drill that I may use 3 times a year. Which, especially being bright yellow, I won't ever loose. And have the respect and common sense to replace immediately if I ever damage it.

Great satisfaction in having what I need when I need it. Especially compared to my friends boxes, or lack there of.

Op, if your looking to get him his own set, I have a very nice stanely tool kit I don't need that's still brand new. Bought it for something and ended up not needing it. Pm me if you're interested.

 

[toplessHO]

so anyone have an incomplete set of reversible USA Ratcheting Craftsman metric wrenches they want to part with?
above^ thanks but not buying him anymore tools...done

 

[AV tinker er]

You were driving reading that??????

Auto correct, should have said "drinking".... It was early and I couldn't sleep.