Lost Tools Found: Organize, Recover, Clean, & Service

One of the biggest worries on any car builder’s mind is budget. Good parts don’t come cheap—and neither do good tools. I don’t know about you, but I cringe thinking about all the replacement tools I’ve purchased, misplaced, and purchased again over the years. That’s why you should set some time aside, during this dreary post-holiday-but-still-winter season, to give your tool cache a little love. Get that garage or shop in order, take some inventory, and toss what’s just taking up space. Who knows? You might find a lost tool or two in the process.

Here are some tips to get you started.

Get Organized

Easier said than done, yes, but still necessary. The truth is, even if your shop isn’t particularly messy, it’s still a good idea to give the whole thing a once-over. Are there any problem areas that stick out to you as “junk collection” zones? Maybe it’s time to start thinking about some new storage solutions or a different work space layout.

While you’re tidying, clear an area for yourself to set aside any broken or worn-out tools you find along the way. And instead of just creating a random “keep” pile, go ahead and make an actual, physical list of what tools are staying. Keeping a log of your inventory can help you stay organized, which in turn can help you save money.

This applies to parts, chemicals, and other odds and ends hanging around the shop. If down the line you can’t find it, you can always check the list to confirm that No, you’re not going crazy and Yes, it is here somewhere.

Recover Lost Tools

Speaking of lost tools, I think we can all agree that hand tools are particularly adept at disappearing. Remember to check behind shelves, under toolboxes, and in the bottom of spare parts bins. Additionally, if you’re a DIYer, chances are you’ve taken on a number of jobs around the house. Which means those tools love to show up under sinks, in cabinets, behind the toilet, and in a variety of other strange places.

Even if you only use those tools for your project vehicles, I can tell you from experience: Your car eats tools. It’s far from uncommon to find a wrench or socket laying under the hood, under the seat, in the bed, or even in the center console.

The point is, before you go out and buy more tools, take a few minutes to check the oddball spots. And don’t be afraid to call up your buddy who “borrowed” your favorite torque wrench three months ago. If you don’t get it now, it’s going to end up making his list of keepers.

Prevent Lost Tools

A great thing to keep in mind is loss prevention, especially for bigger and more valuable tools. A product like the Milwaukee® TICK™ Tool and Equipment Tracker is a device that attaches to your tool, letting you track it via your smartphone. Pretty cool, huh? So is the way it works.

Every time the TICK™ comes within 100 feet of anyone who has the One Key app downloaded on their phone, it updates the last known location of the tool it is connected to. That way, if the tool becomes lost or stolen, you can mark it as such in the app, and when anyone with the app goes within 100 feet of it, they’ll receive a notification that you—the original owner—is looking for it. It’s like a digital lost and found service!

A similar device is the Tile Mate. While it also has a “community find” feature that recruits fellow app users to help you recover lost items, it also has a “ring” function—so you can beep it like you would a cordless phone. Additionally, the Tile Mate operates in a 200-foot Bluetooth range.

Clean & Service Broken Tools

Hand tools, power tools, and other equipment will all fail at some point. But this doesn’t necessarily mean they need to be replaced. Not all lost tools are lost causes!

If, when organizing, you set aside all the tools that appear to be at the end of their life cycle, first determine if anything is covered by warranty. If not, consider what is and isn’t serviceable.

“Tools grow dull. And when they grow dull, they are set aside. And when they are set aside, they rust,” points out Popular Mechanics in this really handy guide to restoring rusted old tools. “To rescue old tools requires patience, sturdy abrasives—and vision.”

It’s true, a lot of serviceable tools are simply replaced because the job can be confusing and even a little intimidating. This is especially true for bigger equipment and power tools. All the moving parts and potential failures sound daunting. But, hey, so was your first project car, right?

Not only is tool repair a great way to teach yourself new pride-inspiring skills, but it can also save you hundreds of dollars—if approached smartly. The general rule of thumb is to follow the 50% rule.

This principle simply states that if the repairs of an object exceed 50% of what it would cost you to just replace it, then just replace it. For example, if it’s going to cost you $75 to replace a $100 tool, just buy new. It’s important to consider how technologically old your tool is as well. If what you’re using isn’t even offered in stores anymore, it could be a sign that it’s time to upgrade.

Prevent Broken Tools

Consider implementing a “tracking system” for tools, advises Ryker Hardware, a small manufacturer of high-quality saw blades. “When your tools reach a certain number of usage hours, take them in for a check-up and tune-up. This can help you catch problems before they become serious problems, so you can make small repairs as opposed to large replacements.”

As auto enthusiasts, we constantly walk a fine line when trying to save money. Restoring lost tools to their former glory, whether that’s by repairing them or just physically locating them, is a great way pinch a few pennies in the long run.

Just remember: junk is junk! So, start replacing those cheap tools with ones you’ll actually want to find and repair.