How do you not lose things?

[Osconda]

I will admit that some of my problem is that I'm 53 yrs old, but that can't be all of it.

So the problem is that while I'm working in my shop, I'm constantly forgetting where I layed something down at. Half the time I can't find the following; soap stone marker, measuring tape, majic marker, gloves, safety goggle, ear muffs,etc; basically anything smaller than a football.

How do you guys keep up with this stuff while working? Do you carry it around in a tool pouch? I'm constantly jumping around from task to task; marking, cutting, welding, grinding, etc., and the items I need to do each task if different.

I don't remember forgetting anything 20 years ago .

-sconda

[fjk]

I try to keep my work aas fairly clean, so the stuff I' using stands out
But other than that, I spend a lot of time looking too

Frank

[HayFarmer]

I have a place for everything and always put it back everytime I'm finished with it. In short I hyper-organize. If the tool isn't on the shelf it's in a certain pocket or holder hanging off the bench.

[cruizer]

Now I'm a messy guy, and while I used to remember where everything was, at 52 I don't anymore.

Even if I put the part back where it was supposed to be, at 52 I couldn't see it anymore without glasses. I scatter glasses around the shop, but naturally can't find any of those either.

My computer monitor got too small, so I stuck in a 42" tv lcd screen

Good thing my welder repair data bank in my brain is still functioning well.

[BD1]

I got the same concern, now 61. So, I took a 1 gallon plastic jug from anti freeze and laying flat , cut the center out . You now have a flat container like a box with sides. Now at least you loose ALL OF IT IN ONE SPOT! :
I'm trying a apron to keep all the soapstone, pencil, scriber , marker, etc. in. I did wear bibs but they get hot in the summer.
cruizer, I like the TV monitor idea !
Hayfarmer, happy for you ! I just retired so I'm FINALLY have time to do that. Problem I get something all setup and then gotta go or some other thing pops up. I am trying .

[Cgotto6]

**** organization. Its the only way. There is nothing worse than not being able find something when you need it.

[monte55]

If you want to find it, stop looking for it.

[BD1]

If you want to find it, stop looking for it.

Yea, you give up and all of a sudden it appears !!

[snowbird]

aging...such a releif to see that i'm not alone

...

To find the lost tools i painted a few in bright yellow with limited succes.

From the age of 13 years old i have bad sight in the far and then at 53 bad sight at close range, in a metal shop where everything is iron grey i would need a radar.

And the memory seems to evoluate accordingly, some times i dig in my tool boxes to find a tool i forgot about...

and the most re-occuring thing: i end up quite often with 4 right hand gloves by the welding machine and the left hand are scattered out of sight...

the list goes on...better to laugh about-it ;o)

i am a disciple of the "stop searching to find" strategy, i like the idea of the anti-freeze cut canister.

[WyoRoy]

58 and keep a minimum of 20 tape measures up at the shop...would hate to do that with every tool!

[JSFAB]

Roy hit the nail on the head,,,,, keep multiples of whatever and everything around. Several tape measures, many pieces of soapstone, etc. etc.

[aametalmaster]

I am 53 also and have 2 of everything. It never fails you look for something and grab another the first one will show up...Bob

[BD1]

58 and keep a minimum of 20 tape measures up at the shop...would hate to do that with every tool!

Me too !!!!!! Harbor freight had free tape coupons and I got um planted all over. I hope they start growing !

[WyoRoy]

Drawer right under the top of the welding table has been a lifesaver as well...laziness counts for something! Only downside is I have to remove it once in awhile for certain clamp placements. Reading glasses ONLY go down on the grinder rack, welding table or table saw...got tired of searching everywhere for them when they were needed.

As a side note, when converting my engine hoist over to air over hydraulic I had to fill the new cylinder with hydraulic oil. In the 15-20 steps from the cylinder to the jug of hydraulic oil I must have set the NEON ORANGE cylinder plug down along the way. Haven't found it in well over three years of looking. I'm glad the black one from the original cylinder was the same size.

[kevin]

i am still looking for the keys and my new flash light, at 59, its scary, my dad died with alzheimers, even with that looming over my head, i still forget where i put it down last, i think the older you get, the more you think, so when you set some thing down, you were thinking of the next step in the job or sompth,n like that