What tools walk away most?

[ArkTinkerer]

Been lurking a while here and figured I'd out myself by asking a question that's bothered me for years....

There are certain tools that seem to "walk away" from my garage/box/toolbelt. Having a wife who is pretty handy herself and two boys always into something probably contributes to this. But I find that there are three tools that seem to disappear so often I've taken to buying cheap ones so I don't feel the pain when they wander off:

1. 6 way screwdrivers.
2. Tape measures.
3. Utility knives.

What "walks away" from your box most often? Any hints to prevent it without having to lock the family out?

ArkTinkerer

 

[csmitty]

Well I don't have a family, but when I do it will be locked for sure. Heck I do it now just for piece of mind. I'm sure i'll have some older stuff by then that can be used for a general tool crib. I'm sure i've got enough ratchets to go around.

I've been trying to find a spark plug gapper. I swear I had atleast 3 of them. And just saw one the other day. I seem to misplace tape measures as well but lately they've all been where they should be.

 

[Trucky]

At the shop, the #1 "tool that grows legs" would have to be the 6" rule, followed by edge finders, end mills, and dead blow hammers. Of course, this is in a machine shop, so I'd think it would be a bit different than say, a dealership or something. Almost everyone has a "task force" el cheapo dead blow, and boy, they just make their rounds around the whole shop. I have a Lixie, so it's kind of easy to tell when they're using it. I keep a good eye on my stuff, I've only ever lost an edge finder. Bleh.

At the house, I'd say screwdrivers and tape measures. They're the first things to get used. Then after that, maybe tape and utility knives. Those just disappear...

 

[ItWasJustHere]

The thing I lose the most is the tool i'll need next. I usually end up thinking to myself, "it was just here".

This might seem like a nazi approach but maybe you can keep all your good stuff locked in your box and get one of those big box store household DIY kits in a blow molded case for them to use for their stuff around the house. Maybe seeing empty slots in the case will remind them to return the stuff.

 

[DARKSCOPE001]

When I was in school it was the drill out set. Everyone had one because stripped screws on aircraft were eventualy a big problem for everyone. So the smart kids who actually cared bought a set and put it in there box. Then the kids who just wanted an easy A would "borrow" the easy outs and they would never come back. excuses flew left and right of why it wasnt my fault or "I thought I saw ______ with it last"

I stopped loaning tools out. but ive seen kids get into my box when i was turned around for just a moment to work on something. Amazing the disrespect of some people. Then those same kids when I would go and "borrow" a tool from there box (bag, tin can, whatever) would get all bent out of shape.

Moral of the story. if you leave your box for more than 5 min lock it up.

Thanks
Sean Scott

 

[charle10]

My small screwdrivers disappear frequently, but they are easy to find because my 3yr old hasn't learned to hide them yet, last week she kept saying "aww that's cute my have it?" then put it in her drawer of the toolbox. We have 3-4 measuring tapes somewhere around the house and garage, but can usually never find one. Flashlights are another thing that always seem to be hiding.

 

[Zebu Fellenz]

Tape measures walk most on the farm, thankfully most of them seem to walk back eventually, adjustable and combo wrenches are a close second, thankfully none of these are walking out of my box.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Pliers, vise grips, and flat screwdrivers. It seems that the people who are most prone to snatching a tool of yours without asking are also the ones who do not know how to use tools or dont know what the right tool for the job is.

Upon finding my lost pliers, vise grips, and flat heads I find the pliers and vise grips are used most often for unfastening bolts and the flathead is used for.....you guessed it....prying.

 

[back2class]

At the shop, the #1 "tool that grows legs" would have to be the 6" rule, followed by edge finders, end mills, and dead blow hammers. Of course, this is in a machine shop, so I'd think it would be a bit different than say, a dealership or something. Almost everyone has a "task force" el cheapo dead blow, and boy, they just make their rounds around the whole shop. I have a Lixie, so it's kind of easy to tell when they're using it. I keep a good eye on my stuff, I've only ever lost an edge finder. Bleh.

At the house, I'd say screwdrivers and tape measures. They're the first things to get used. Then after that, maybe tape and utility knives. Those just disappear...

ANOTHER LIXIE HAMMER FAN! I thought I was the only one.
Tape Measures and joint knives. To this day in my big hand carftsman contractors box I keep 4 tapes and 4 knives and I always seem to need to replenish the stock. But this way I seldom have to go searching for one. Just use another and hope they turn up.

 

[jjjrmx5]

Pliers, vise grips, and flat screwdrivers. It seems that the people who are most prone to snatching a tool of yours without asking are also the ones who do not know how to use tools or dont know what the right tool for the job is.

LOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So true.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Trim tools. They always grow legs and f**k off. 3 have come back though, 1 is still missing.

 

[MrSnicks]

I can't tell you how many razor/utility knives and tape measures I have bought because I can never find one when I need it.

Patrick

 

[Packard V8]

Snap-on adjustable wrench

If you ever let one out of your sight, it's gone forever.

jack vines

 

[Trucky]

ANOTHER LIXIE HAMMER FAN! I thought I was the only one.

Nah I bet there's a ton of folks here with 'em. When you have to seat every part in the vise with a deadblow hammer, you want a nice one. Which is basically Lixie or Nupla for me They're a joy to use.

Snap-on adjustable wrench
If you ever let one out of your sight, it's gone forever.

jack vines

I almost thought it said "ADIOS" on the side of the wrench after reading your post... just seemed to fit right.

 

[Homespun91]

#1: Drill bits.

Tape measure.

Needlenose pliers.

My g**damn work pencils. Every stinkin' one.

I spotted one in my wife's possession...vengeance will be mine. Oh yes.

 

[canuckian]

for me

1: screwdrivers of all descriptions
2: tape measures
3: carpentry pencils
4: small slide squares

 

[archirelic]

In no particular order:

Tape measures
Utility knives
Needle nose pliers
Hammer

 

[rockchucker]

I always make the mistake of walking to the bench with a Tool from under the car. Then spend the next forever looking for the tool in the pile of Tools under the car, around the car and in the Engine Bay. When the whole time it is the only thing on the Bench! Damn!

I will have to agree on the Screwdrivers and Utility Knives. Pops was helping me out the other day and he even got off with my Utility Knife I have had with me for a LONG time. Used to be the other way around. I guess payback is a bi@#ch!


I don't know if it is just me but when I am looking for a Tool and can't find it I stop working. Even if I have 15 of the same Tool and can continue on I WANT to use THAT particular Tool that I always use for that PARTICULAR task. Damn OCD.

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

10mm,12mm,14mm sockets

 

[plinker]

When we were working on my parents house the three most common items to misplace and look for were, in no order,

Pencils, tape measures and utility knives (and when they were found they'd often need blades)

So far the only tools I've permantly lost is a 30mm 1/2 drive impact socket. No idea where it went. I also found out the other day my 6LC large jaw vise grips are missing, need to ask my Dad if he has them.

If I'm working on a project and it involves a lot of tools being out, I'll stop what I'm doing and police up all tools and get them back organized so I can find them and make sure none are missing (that and I dont have to search for something).

 

[wave180]

10mm,12mm,14mm sockets

+1, plus screwdrivers.

 

[slob]

When I was a tin knocker it was vise-grips, snips, and ratcheting box wrenches. As a railroad pipefitter it's my big channellocks and gearwrenches.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

10mm,12mm,14mm sockets

You work on Jap cars mostly?

 

[bobcatdan]

No one kind of tool, but if its in a set, ie sockets, wrenches, extractors, pieces of a puller set, if it has a spot in a tray, it is gone. It drives me nuts to have a complete set, but one piece is missing, that empty spot in the case just burns me. I wonder who takes them, I'm the only guy in the shop.

 

[oldgoat]

Screwdrivers and tape measure are the worst for me not finding. I bet I have a half dozen tapes around the garage and still can't find them half the time. Even tried buying the different colored ones in hopes of noticing them easier.

 

[crewchief888]

tapes
sharpie markers
soapstone
utility knife
pencil/ pen & my f'n notepad !!

whatever i'm looking for, i never find, but manage to find the stuff i'm not looking for

 

[Moose-LandTran]

As a force of habit, for years i've always worked with a pen on my ear, all the time.

People always seemed to need a pen, and borrowed it and it would magically vanish, and no-one had any recollection of borrowing it. Then i found shorter ones, and it seems like no-one needs a pen anymore, or notices it. Don't know why, but i bought 4 packs of them a couple months ago and am still on my first one!

 

[glenmore]

I'm finding that more often than not it is just me leaving tools in bad places. A few weeks ago I was cursing a missing 5mm allen bit only to find it under the hood on my air filter housing...right where I left it.

 

[jam022316]

Least I'm not alone

Tape measures
Needlenose pliers
Pencils
Hammers

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I'm finding that more often than not it is just me leaving tools in bad places. A few weeks ago I was cursing a missing 5mm allen bit only to find it under the hood on my air filter housing...right where I left it.

I hope you're not suggesting that we're actually at fault when our tools go missing.

It's everyone else's fault, naturally.

 

[woody 73]

Tape measure
pencils/sharpies
screwdrivers
drill bits
utility knife
electrical tape
crescent wrenches
sockets
hammers
pliers

Funny but I never seem to miss those X-mas presents (dog bone,craftsman claw wrench,craftsman nut remover,pet rock,hair tonic for men,ginsu knife,HF screwdrivers)etc.

 

[ironfist]

#1 Screwdrivers ( phillips and red robbies )
#2 9/16 sockets and wrenches

#3 hammers
#4 3/8 , 7/16 , 10mm , 3/4 & 15/16 sockets and wrenches
#5 tape measures
#6 wire strippers
#7 crimpers

 

[ironfist]

And allen keys walk away alot to 3/32 and 3/16 are the most common ones to grow legs

 

[JMN90]

#1 by far is the air gun. That darn thing never stays put!

#2 My magnet. You would think everyone in the shop would invest in a cheapo magnet... Apparently not since i have been having to buy magnets on a weekly basis.

#3 Wire strippers and crimpers.

#4 I have a magnetic work light that my co-workers have taken a liking to, all too often i find it stuck to the bottom of a vehicle where they forgot it.

 

[Indy_500]

For me, flashlights, tape measures, and utility knives.

 

[DrkMtnDew]

Flashlights (the good ones) and Sharpies.

 

[countryroad82]

Don't have a family but I let my brother have a key to my shop and my sister stayed in the front yard of the shop with a camper for a summer. Had a few things walk off due to that deal (They would go into the shop to have room for the kids to run around), changed the lock to the door, don't let anyone in without me there, no problems. Yes I'm a **** for being that way and if I ever get married or have kids I'll probably be the same way. I make money with my tools, I have paid a lot of money for my tools, I'm not going to let some jackass cost me money even if it is my own blood.

 

[wolflrv]

I have two sets of tools...the big set is obviously in the shop, but I have a small household set too. If a project in the house requires reinforcements from the shop, I have one of those round tool buckets and all tools are accounted for and returned to the shop when job is finished. That all works fine in theory anyway!!

My biggest problem is the household tools tend to float around and get left on a bookcase in the guest room and it takes me a month to find it. Luckily we have no kids and the wife doesn't usually ever pick up a tool, much less use it..so it's just up to me to remember where I left it the last time I used it...LOL!

I'm fond of blaming the whole mess on gremlins...!

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

At work: 1¼" sockets, soapstones and 5' sleever bars

At home: Tape measures, 6" crescent wrenches and small screwdrivers.

 

[TheCarbideRat]

No one kind of tool, but if its in a set, ie sockets, wrenches, extractors, pieces of a puller set, if it has a spot in a tray, it is gone. It drives me nuts to have a complete set, but one piece is missing, that empty spot in the case just burns me. I wonder who takes them, I'm the only guy in the shop.

um, the tool goblins, of course! in olden days they were called brownies.