Tool Organization

[mman1506]

Are team is planning to purchase are own set of hand tools but we have a bad habit of loosing tools that aren't bolted down. So how does your team store and organize there tools? Are there any specialized hand tools that you would recommend?

[Boe]

This year our team started including a set of tools for every person who joined the team (with a slightly higher entrance fee cost) We included in the set all of the common hand tools we use (box end wrenches, small socket set, all key set, and screwdriver) The students get to keep their tools after they graduate. After getting the tools we were then responsible for keeping our own tools safe. Any tools left out were put into the team toolbox to be claimed by the student who lost them or donated to the team if never claimed. This has helped out tremendously over build season because thier was a set of all of the common tools for each member. All the students have a designated spot in one of the shop cabinets where they can store there tools or if they desire they can bring them home. The plan is that your first year on the team your entry fee is slightly higher to accomadate the tool set, but years after that your entry fee is even less then our pre handtool set for each student price. We plan on continuing this for years to come as it has greatly increased how organized the non student owned tools were over the season.

[mman1506]

Originally Posted by Boe

This year our team started including a set of tools for every person who joined the team (with a slightly higher entrance fee cost) We included in the set all of the common hand tools we use (box end wrenches, small socket set, all key set, and screwdriver) The students get to keep their tools after they graduate. After getting the tools we were then responsible for keeping our own tools safe. Any tools left out were put into the team toolbox to be claimed by the student who lost them or donated to the team if never claimed. This has helped out tremendously over build season because thier was a set of all of the common tools for each member. All the students have a designated spot in one of the shop cabinets where they can store there tools or if they desire they can bring them home. The plan is that your first year on the team your entry fee is slightly higher to accomadate the tool set, but years after that your entry fee is even less then our pre handtool set for each student price. We plan on continuing this for years to come as it has greatly increased how organized the non student owned tools were over the season.

Wow that seems really effective. We don't have a entrance fee currently so we might get complaints if we added it but we may have to steal the idea for our core build team

[EricH]

If you have a chance, get a rolling toolbox. Lay out all the tools in the box's drawers. Then cut foam to the shape of the tools (shadowboxing). If you look at the toolbox at the end of the night, and a space is empty, all hands on deck to find the tool. Whoever had it last pays for a new one if you can't find it.

[Gregor]

Originally Posted by EricH

Whoever had it last pays for a new one if you can't find it.

I agree with everything but that. Unless you suspect they're stealing from the team (in which case you have a bigger issue), you lose tools, just like you lose matches, as a team.

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Gregor

I agree with everything but that. Unless you suspect they're stealing from the team (in which case you have a bigger issue), you lose tools, just like you lose matches, as a team.

The way I look at it is this: If a team member has and is using a tool, they are responsible to either put it away properly or hand it (and the responsibility) to another team member when they finish. If the tool cannot be located at the end of the day, someone did not take their responsibility seriously enough. Some sort of penalty is probably in order, as a reminder that this is serious. It doesn't have to be getting a replacement (cordless drills can be expensive, for example, while Allen wrenches are cheaper), but it could be something like extra time on shop-cleaning duty (more chance to find tools that went missing) or maybe some extra fundraising if the team does fundraisers.

[Boe]

Originally Posted by mman1506

Wow that seems really effective. We don't have a entrance fee currently so we might get complaints if we added it but we may have to steal the idea for our core build team

with already having a entry fee not many people complained, before this year it was 100$ to join but now it is 125$ i believe and 75$ for members who already have a set. Plus you could opt out of the tools if you wanted i believe (for people more interested in marketing and non build related stuff. One of the main selling points if i recall correctly was you pay more put you get to keep them once you graduate

[pmangels17]

Our team has one set of tools, and we keep them in locked toolboxes. We also keep our travel tools separate from our regular tools, so we aren't missing things at competition. Many of our students have personal tools as well (I have 2 calipers and a micrometer, among other things). We keep our tools and personal safety glasses in our own lockers. But mostly, as long as everything is locked away when you aren't there, and you don't leave personal stuff on the bench, things won't get misplaced very often.

[spydan]

I haven't personally seen any tools go missing from our shop. Of course things will break (I have broken a tap before), but they get replaced, no big deal. We have a large rolling tool chest in which we store all non-power tools (except for the heat gun.) Everyone just knows that the tools have to get back in our room. We have labels on each drawer for what should be in it (I especially like the 7/16 drawer!) We color code the sizes of wrenches and nut drivers. The tool chest is right next to the door, so it is easy access since we take over the entire third floor of our school when we work. We store smaller parts like sensors, bearings, screws, rivets, etc. in two tiered part boxes. We have a student that really likes organizing and keeping things clean; it works out really well for us. My favorite equipment in the shop: a high quality screw driver set. Sure having a mill, lathe, 3D printer, etc. is nice, but you are missing out if you don't have nice screwdrivers. One last tip for organizing, we have two of this type of table with these accessories added (except for the drawers). We have one table with two desktop computers and a TV (the CAD table) and the other (the programming table) with one desktop, several laptops, and several programming things.

[DonRotolo]

We have 3 toolboxes, all equipped exactly the same. The tools from each box all have the same color tape on them, so we know where they belong.

Maybe once a week I walk the shop and take all the tools not put away, and the team loses them for a few days. Not having tools in the middle of the build season is effective at convincing students to PUT STUFF BACK WHERE YOU GOT IT. Dangnabbit.

[Victor4400]

In my team we organize some tools like this. I know that there are missing some tools but I took the photo when we were working

[safiq10]

Our team was talking about doing this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OPSbF6kM9k

[craigboez]

Originally Posted by safiq10

Our team was talking about doing this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OPSbF6kM9k

Just FYI, these boxes are pretty expensive, about $80 each.

[sanddrag]

I recommend the Harbor Freight 44" 13-drawer tool chest. It's a great buy. Very solid unit.

[mman1506]

Originally Posted by sanddrag

I recommend the Harbor Freight 44" 13-drawer tool chest. It's a great buy. Very solid unit.

If only harbour freight shipped to Canada. Princess auto is close but lower quality. Anyone have any experience with this chest http://www.princessauto.com/pal/en/T...inet/8477739.p?