Have you guys ever taken a tool inventory of all your gear?

I'm in the process of documenting it all. I loan crap out all the time and decided to keep track a little better.

Just wondering if anyone has ever done this


Dr. B

I've done it, but not to track loaning out of things.

I entered all my stuff into an MS Access database that the wife created for me. I log what it is (category, location, and description), date purchased and place purchased, and price paid vs. replacement cost. When I got done, I had to up my household contents insurance level to cover the replacement value of my tools. Between my tools, and our other contents, I may need to start looking at a seperate policy to cover things, as I have raised the coverage to the maximum amount allowed by my insurer to cover the house, and its contents in my current policy. It actually surprised me at what I have invested in tools.

yep, with pictures for insurance. As for loaning tools, I give 3 options:

1. Leave me with a tool of equal or greater value.

2. Leave me cash equal to the value of the tool.

3. Leave me your driver's license and a credit card.

Even at that, I had one guy break my tool, and took over a week and still hadn't replaced it. I traded his tool in on the snap-on truck for what he broke and told him if he wanted his tool, he could pay the snap-on lady for it.

I've been meaning to do this for insurance reasons as well.

As for loaning out tools... Anytime I do so I always write down on my marker board who, what, and when so that I know who's tree to go barking up when it's not there later.

Often I take pictures of the garage and tools even if I don't get anything new. If anything it's another copy and shows I still own said tool(s). Each tool box gets a picture then each drawer. Lately I've been adding a picture of the recepit just incase. I don't know when or how much I paid for some of the equipment so this helps. I put them on a CD and update my picasa every once in awhile. I like the online because I can email pics instantly if need be but also check models and part number if need be. For instance if I'm at work or something and find a great deal on a part or accessory and need my model number or specs I've got it right away online where ever I am.

I only loan tools to folks I've known at least five years. One guy who I've known for a lot longer than that knows to not even ask as he has a bad habit fo borrowing tools and not starting the job.

My tools secure a note, they're inventoried. Also, if you work with them every day, I'd be surprised to find you couldnt' recite the contents fo each drawer by memory. I know I can, but I've only been using some of them for 40 years.

I've done a videotape walk through of my shop, zooming in on serial numbers and opening drawers, etc, but I've started a spreadsheet with purchase values. It's a decent sized number right now, and I haven't even hit the toolboxes yet. :laughing:

Once I get some numbers, I'm going to check with my insurance agent and probably have to up the policy.

I just take pictures of everything. No list --- but I should make a list.

My neighbor came over last night and asked to borrow a tool -- He half joked and said I need to get lil' check out cards like they used to have at the library. :D That might not actually be a half bad idea. But my best idea is to just not let anyone borrow anything.

Once I get some numbers, I'm going to check with my insurance agent and probably have to up the policy.

Don't be surprised if your agent tells you the limit is $1200 and any more will require a commercial policy.

BTDT

When I wasn't running my shop, waiting to move in here, it was Hell to find someone to write a policy for my tools.

I took pics of everything. I also have all my receipts and if I lost them my tax guy has copies of everything.
I have all my tools covered for free under my work policy, even all the tools I have at home:D

Even at that, I had one guy break my tool,

Sounds painful, and ghey....:flipoff2:

My neighbor has a dry erase board above his tool boxes that he writes the name and tool for borrowers on. He only loans to close friends, but this helps him remember where they've walked off to. And, he's the type of guy that if you screw him on as much as a $1.00 screwdriver, he'd never speak to you again - the money isn't the issue for him.

Also, if you work with them every day, I'd be surprised to find you couldnt' recite the contents fo each drawer by memory. I know I can, but I've only been using some of them for 40 years.

You know your good when your not even looking at the box and a buddy asks where something is, and you can tell him the exact drawer! :D

You know your good when your not even looking at the box and a buddy asks where something is, and you can tell him the exact drawer! :D

Bottom drawer, in the back (don't see it), under the rag.. ooh there it is s:flipoff2:

My neighbor has a dry erase board above his tool boxes that he writes the name and tool for borrowers on. He only loans to close friends, but this helps him remember where they've walked off to. And, he's the type of guy that if you screw him on as much as a $1.00 screwdriver, he'd never speak to you again - the money isn't the issue for him.

Sounds like a stand up guy to me. Tolerance of morons has gotten us where we are today. Hold people responsible for their actions.

I keep a picture log of almost all my major tools in an online photo album, but I need to add serial numbers and model info as well.

As far as loaning tools, it's pretty easy- don't loan out your stuff to people you don't trust. Right now, my bender is loaned out to a friend's shop (where it lives 95% of the time) and I've been using another friend's plasma cutter for over a month. My nitrogen charging setup and other little tools get passed around constantly. Never once have I worried about my equipment while it's loaned out because I know the people borrowing it would make it right if something bad happened. If I don't trust someone enough to loan them a tool, I just tell them I need to use it, which is true anyway.

Sounds like a stand up guy to me. Tolerance of morons has gotten us where we are today. Hold people responsible for their actions.

Actually, he's a real bastard and will readily admit to it. I don't know why he and I are friends - maybe only due to proximity... However, I've grown to respect his knowledge and appreciate his freindship; you just gotta understand some of the things that are gonna come out of his mouth aren't gonna be pretty.

Have you guys ever taken a tool inventory of all your gear?

I'm in the process of documenting it all. I loan crap out all the time and decided to keep track a little better.

Just wondering if anyone has ever done this


Dr. B

many never make it back to the tool box

my tool box r two small so it just pull up on the top shelver

i try to keep up to date picture of all my drawers for insurance.. but no written inventory

I almost never loan out tools, as most of my friends just bring their projects to my shop. I find it's better to have them do the work at my place and possibly misplace the tool on MY property rather than theirs.

I haven't actually gone through and listed every tool I own, but I did take photos of everything a while back. It's a lot faster to just open each drawer and snap a pic than to write it all down.

Don't be surprised if your agent tells you the limit is $1200 and any more will require a commercial policy.

BTDT

When I wasn't running my shop, waiting to move in here, it was Hell to find someone to write a policy for my tools.

I have a $40k one on my garage, tools included. agent didn't blink an eye. (american family).

I have a $40k one on my garage, tools included. agent didn't blink an eye. (american family).

Good! I was saddened when I found out that the great agent we had left me high and dry with a $1200 limit. The guy who wrote my Inland Marine Policy that I made clear I only wanted until we moved to the new house, they automatically renewed it, I didn't pay, they turned me over to collections, I told the collection agent to go fuck themselves as I paid for what I wanted and they auto renewed it.

The agent called whining that he was gonna have to pay for my policy because I didn't. I told him that when I say I want three months of insurance, I want three months of insurance and I don't want to have to do his job to cancel it when HE renewed it when I made it clear what I wanted.

I have more tool insurance than I have liability insurance! When the shop moved to the residence, I was able to get what I wanted from the agent my wife wanted.

FWIW-I just added another truck to our policy. Liability for six months was $25! At that rate, I can finally afford to insure all of my trucks!

I almost never loan out tools, as most of my friends just bring their projects to my shop. I find it's better to have them do the work at my place and possibly misplace the tool on MY property rather than theirs.

Yup. And them coming to me lessens the chance of forgetting to bring a needed tool.


Andy

I've done a videotape walk through of my shop, zooming in on serial numbers and opening drawers, etc,

This.
I have detailed video of everything I own.

I have pictures of every drawer, every piece of equipment, every cabinet, everything that can get stolen. I have copies of pictures and so does my dad. All my tools are back in Michigan in my parents summer place garage, I made sure they were covered under their home owners. I wish I had more receipts because it makes it much easier to claim stuff. I've slowly started acquiring a second set of tools to keep in Alaska and everything I have here will probably be bought new, i'll keep my receipts back in the lower 48 incase my house burns/ gets broken in to.