Its ironic that a wife would find her husband (me) willing to actually perform construction-related activities on the weekend when men typically want to just relax. So, I found just as ironic that I was willing to engage into the activity which required me to drill a bunch of 1/4″ holes into s-l of 4×4 lumber.
No problem, I’ll just attack the job with my handy-dandy corded drill and teach the wood who’s boss. Ok, the one power tool of mine that I know I spent good money on is the one power tool that is presently MIA. I’ve seach my home, top to bottom, and I never lend out my power tools unless I bought something that I deemed a throwaway (one-job tool purchase). So, when the dear wife (not me) comes home ans asks why I didn’t do this little honey-do chore I can say, the dog ate it (just like the school home-work).
Do you think she’ll believe me? Worse yet, if I run out and spend $100-150 on another corded drill do you think she’ll believe me when I say I can’t find the one I had? This is a lose-lose situation, here. lol So, how many of you lose your power tools?
Replies
velcro gloves..never lost a tool yet.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Tommy, can you hear me?
Why look here?
I can't say I have ever lost a power tool, a few sockets into engine bays that have never been found. Everything else that seems to be MIA is the direct result of a family member who uses, loans or otherwise does not replace in its proper area a tool they have moved. My electric impact is currently in that category as well as my favorite 16oz plumb curved claw hammer. I hide the sawsall from the DW or I just know she will create another home project I don't have time for.
Have you asked your dearly beloved or kids about the missing drill?
I've spent most of a week -- not full time, of course -- looking for a 1/4" drive 3/8" socket. Found it in the cuff of my other pants the day after I bought a replacement.
I've lost power tools, but never for longer than a few hours, or at most a couple days. Some small hand tools have been on the mental search list for many months, like a favorite cat's paw that finally turned up on top of a window head jamb.
About 30 years ago I used to work with a woman who's about 9" taller than me. She was always putting things like putty knives on surfaces high enough that she could see them, but I couldn't. That was'nt so bad, all I had to do was ask, "Linda, where did all the putty knives go?"
There's nothing that pi__es me off more than having to stop doing useful work and waste time searching for something I'm sure I have.
-- J.S.
I understand your frustration, Between the kids and wife and occassionaly myself finding those mislaid tools can be a lesson in patience. Its been awhile since I lost anything by theft. And all of that has been mechanics tools kept in a vehicle for emergency repairs. But no matter what it has been it is maddening to be relieved of your tools. Lost and misplaced items can be frustrating but only place to vent the anger in that case is yourself or atthe last user and in my case usually a relative.
The number of horizontal surfaces absorbing tools is thankfully stable at present. (Unlike the washer/dryer's voracious appetite for socks). What I find so disturbing about the process over the lost item is my attitude and consternation .
You'ld a thought I lost a best friend or a good dog, when one of these pieces of metal and plastic go astray. Furtermore, the grouchiness factor goes way beyond reason when it is a loved item like the nippers, screw gun, or jack plane.
Bet you could rent one for $30/day, or heck, buy a bunch more drills so you can keep each drill bit and driver in it's own drill.
I have two cordless and 3 corded drills--could use a few more <g>.
$30/day? I can get one for $30 at HD. In fact, that is exactly what I will have to do.
Lost a power tool, as in, it wasn't stolen but I don't know where it is and will have to buy another one?? I guess it that's going to happen it's best that it's a $30 HD drill.
I don't put stolen beyond the possability.
"heck, buy a bunch more drills so you can keep each drill bit and driver in it's own drill."Came close to this today...three of us worked together installing kitchen cabinets and we each had a couple of cordless drills along. One with a phillips for pulling doors, one with an 1/8" twist bit for face frame pilot holes, one with countersink, one with a T-10 torx for trim screws, one with a T-15 torx for cabinet mounting scews, and one with a 3/16" centerpoint for handle screw holes. No changing bits (and only occasionally changing batteries).We installed a big (28 cabinet) kitchen in a day, like clockwork.
best way to find a misplaced tool ....
go out and buy an exact ... or better yet ... much more expensive replacement.
The lost one will suddenly appear.
yes ... I have lotsa "back up" tools ...
Jeff
Jeff;
Had occasion to try that system out. this time it didn't work.
About a month ago, the DW 14A screwgun turned up missing - funny, it was right after we had cable installed. Looked and looked for two more weeks, gone. Ordered a new 18v, and the old one still hasn't appeared. Unless it's like one of the pocketknives they're talking about finding in the other thread, I guess it's gone.
Oh well, it gave the "wife" a present to buy for my birthday...
If you are like me, the drill is most likely exactly where you put it. The problem is, you just can't remember where you put it. ;)
"Preach the Gospel at all times; if necessary, use words." - St. Francis of Assisi
Steve, I actually admitted to my wife that it was probabl;y just that! I speculated if turning 40 last month meant my brain would not consciously hide things from me even though they were right in front of me in order to get out of doing certain chores.
No luck. Even the wife searched up and down the house and couldn't find it. I bought a crappy B&D $40 drill that almost couldn't do the job.
Maybe the grill ate it.
-zen
Its possible. I am more included to believe it was taken, though. Now, I have grilled the last eight days running with plans to grill tomoday, too. At least my tummy will be happy.
Hi there, losing power tools can be frustrating, especially when you need them for a project. You might want to try retracing your steps or checking in places where you may have used the tool last. Also, consider labeling your tools or keeping them in a designated spot to prevent misplacing them in the future. Good luck!