The Ford Barn

Bill in NJ · 07-04-2017, 01:36 PM

Any body have a good way of keeping track of there model a tools ? I have been working on model a for 54 years but the tools are hard to find when I need them.

I have about 10 tool boxes with fork lift tools, truck mechanic tools, auto body tools, stain glass tools etc. When I go look for a model a tool that was purchased 35 years ago or tools I made I can not find them or have a lot of trouble finding them. I have loaned tools out to my model a friends but can't remember who there are, if they are still alive or did I get them back .

Give me some good ideas !!

michael a · 07-04-2017, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill in NJ

Any body have a good way of keeping track of there model a tools ? I have been working on model a for 54 years but the tools are hard to find when I need them.

I have about 10 tool boxes with fork lift tools, truck mechanic tools, auto body tools, stain glass tools etc. When I go look for a model a tool that was purchased 35 years ago or tools I made I can not find them or have a lot of trouble finding them. I have loaned tools out to my model a friends but can't remember who there are, if they are still alive or did I get them back .

Give me some good ideas !!

Bill I have a farm I buy screwdriver sets three at a time but for my good tools I put them in one box with a combination padlock and that's where they stay when I loan them out I keep a pad in the Box and put their name on it and this also stays in the Box and I still screwed up you're not alone in this Mike

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Synchro909 · 07-04-2017, 04:57 PM

I have a box on a shelf in which I keep my special Model A tools, many of which I made myself and painted green. When I clean up after a job, the green tools stand out and they go straight back into the Model A box. If I lend a tool to someone else, I make a note of it and hang it near the light switch. Yeh, I've lost a few but I get more back than I loose these days.

Bill in NJ · 07-04-2017, 05:24 PM

I should also say I have found model a tools lost for years but forget what it is used for ?? Tough getting old. Mom is 99 and some times I think she is in better shape then me.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 07-04-2017, 08:43 PM

Sell them the tool & buy it back when they return it. (EASY!)
Bill Stingy

denniskliesen · 07-04-2017, 10:35 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Bill Stingy, I started that years ago and now they don't bother asking...

SeaSlugs · 07-04-2017, 10:45 PM

hmm i have designated drawers around the garage for things like screwdrivers and things with handles, hammer and pry things, wrenches, plier like things, then a sepcialty drawer full of oddball stuff like gear pullers, stud removers, etc and such. Several drawers with only metric sockets or SAE, a cabinet with several shelves with homemade oddball tools. I am bad about doing a job and returning tools but every now and then i do a deep clean of the garage and put all the tools away. The self categorized drawers make cleanup easy.

Now i do have a standalone tool box full of 1/2" drive stuff, another tool box that is my mobile mechanic box with a bit of everything that travels to friends houses/junkyards etc. Then a small tool box full of basic basic tools. sae and metric allen set, sae and metric socket set with several extensions, 2 adjustable wrenches, needle nose, channel lock, and 10 in 1 screwdriver. That stays in the car for roadside repairs or out with the boat or bicycle its nice to always have tools on you.

Have another old metal tackle box for strictly drill bits that stays on the workbench as well.

What i suggest is this: clean out the garage completely - gut it, get rid of crap your no longer needing or havent used in more than 5 years and dont see a use anymore. Round up all the tools and just make a pile on the workbench as you clean up. Then focus on finding homes for things you need to keep and organize them in the garage - build shelves if you have to. Then focus on the tools and come up with some idea of organization.

denniskliesen · 07-04-2017, 10:59 PM

I have all of my tools and parts, in containers and tool boxes and cabinets. I use an app on my phone called notes. Everything is inventoried except the bolt bin which I'm going to start next week before anymore repairs to the Model A. Doing a search on my phone is easier than searching here on Ford Barn. A few years ago I had somebody show me this when I saw their garage with tons of cardboard boxes that all had a number on them.

40 Deluxe · 07-05-2017, 12:05 AM

As our tools grow older, they seem to wander off more often, then forget where their home is. Or maybe they just get exhausted and are too weak to come back. I wonder if there is a pill for this? Maybe the health supplement quacks could come up with a miracle pill for these absent-minded tools of ours!

BILL WILLIAMSON · 07-05-2017, 09:19 AM

To rid your garage of EXCESS, make a "DUMP" pile & a "KEEPER" pile & take them BOTH, to the DUMP!---Otherwise, you're jist RE-ARRANGING IT!
Changing the subjet: If we won ALL arguments & wuz ALWAYS right, WE'D BE LONELY PEOPLE!!
Bill Openspace

07-04-2017, 01:36 PM	#1
Bill in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,159	Model A Tools Any body have a good way of keeping track of there model a tools ? I have been working on model a for 54 years but the tools are hard to find when I need them. I have about 10 tool boxes with fork lift tools, truck mechanic tools, auto body tools, stain glass tools etc. When I go look for a model a tool that was purchased 35 years ago or tools I made I can not find them or have a lot of trouble finding them. I have loaned tools out to my model a friends but can't remember who there are, if they are still alive or did I get them back . Give me some good ideas !!

07-04-2017, 04:57 PM	#3
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 8,043	Re: Model A Tools I have a box on a shelf in which I keep my special Model A tools, many of which I made myself and painted green. When I clean up after a job, the green tools stand out and they go straight back into the Model A box. If I lend a tool to someone else, I make a note of it and hang it near the light switch. Yeh, I've lost a few but I get more back than I loose these days. __________________ I sometimes wonder what happened to the people who asked me for directions. Even at my age, I still like to look at a young, attractive woman but I can't really remember why.

07-04-2017, 05:24 PM	#4
Bill in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,159	Re: Model A Tools I should also say I have found model a tools lost for years but forget what it is used for ?? Tough getting old. Mom is 99 and some times I think she is in better shape then me.

07-04-2017, 08:43 PM	#5
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Model A Tools Sell them the tool & buy it back when they return it. (EASY!) Bill Stingy __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

07-04-2017, 10:35 PM	#6
denniskliesen Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: SoCal Posts: 877	Re: Model A Tools Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Bill Stingy, I started that years ago and now they don't bother asking...

07-04-2017, 10:45 PM	#7
SeaSlugs Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Central, IL Posts: 3,968	Re: Model A Tools hmm i have designated drawers around the garage for things like screwdrivers and things with handles, hammer and pry things, wrenches, plier like things, then a sepcialty drawer full of oddball stuff like gear pullers, stud removers, etc and such. Several drawers with only metric sockets or SAE, a cabinet with several shelves with homemade oddball tools. I am bad about doing a job and returning tools but every now and then i do a deep clean of the garage and put all the tools away. The self categorized drawers make cleanup easy. Now i do have a standalone tool box full of 1/2" drive stuff, another tool box that is my mobile mechanic box with a bit of everything that travels to friends houses/junkyards etc. Then a small tool box full of basic basic tools. sae and metric allen set, sae and metric socket set with several extensions, 2 adjustable wrenches, needle nose, channel lock, and 10 in 1 screwdriver. That stays in the car for roadside repairs or out with the boat or bicycle its nice to always have tools on you. Have another old metal tackle box for strictly drill bits that stays on the workbench as well. What i suggest is this: clean out the garage completely - gut it, get rid of crap your no longer needing or havent used in more than 5 years and dont see a use anymore. Round up all the tools and just make a pile on the workbench as you clean up. Then focus on finding homes for things you need to keep and organize them in the garage - build shelves if you have to. Then focus on the tools and come up with some idea of organization. __________________ 1929 Model AA - Need long splash aprons!

07-04-2017, 10:59 PM	#8
denniskliesen Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: SoCal Posts: 877	Re: Model A Tools I have all of my tools and parts, in containers and tool boxes and cabinets. I use an app on my phone called notes. Everything is inventoried except the bolt bin which I'm going to start next week before anymore repairs to the Model A. Doing a search on my phone is easier than searching here on Ford Barn. A few years ago I had somebody show me this when I saw their garage with tons of cardboard boxes that all had a number on them.

07-05-2017, 12:05 AM	#9
40 Deluxe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: now Kuna, Idaho Posts: 3,818	Re: Model A Tools As our tools grow older, they seem to wander off more often, then forget where their home is. Or maybe they just get exhausted and are too weak to come back. I wonder if there is a pill for this? Maybe the health supplement quacks could come up with a miracle pill for these absent-minded tools of ours!

07-05-2017, 09:19 AM	#10
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Model A Tools To rid your garage of EXCESS, make a "DUMP" pile & a "KEEPER" pile & take them BOTH, to the DUMP!---Otherwise, you're jist RE-ARRANGING IT! Changing the subjet: If we won ALL arguments & wuz ALWAYS right, WE'D BE LONELY PEOPLE!! Bill Openspace __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"