...after I quit looking for it.
I distinctly remember wrapping the shaft in Gorilla Tape to protect it during sandblasting. But when I was ready to blast the thing it wasn't to be found. Finally I dug another one out of the parts pile and used that. Today I was working in the barn and noticed something on the floor. At first glance it looked like a railroad spike, but it was this. One of these days I'll also find the transmission bands I bought in July, and the brass oilers I know I have somewhere, but it won't be when I'm looking for them.
I don't know which is worse, loosing parts that you bought or finding parts you forgot you bought! I am good at both.
Steve; Just wait until you get old!
If I'm looking for a part, book or something for cooking and can't find it because it's "Hiding in plain sight", I take a small high powered LED flashlite and look look only in the beam of light.
It can only get worse
Sincerely
Jim Weir
Well, I am now the proud owner of two valve setting tools...forgot I bought one sometime this year, happened to come across it still in the package after doing some housecleaning out in the barn during the violent winds this afternoon. Boy that barn can really sing a tune!
I've used the light beam across the floor trick many times. Especially when looking for small dropped rivets or screws. I lay the light on the floor then turn it to make arc. The added shadow or highlight makes small pieces easy to spot.
Two days ago I went out on the dock to charge the boat battery. Alas no receptacle to plug the charger into.
Yesterday I went to Home Depot and bought wire, electric box, waterproof cover and 110 receptacle.
Today I gathered it all together along with misc. screwdrivers, drill, bits, etc. to install.
When I got out on the dock I found a 110 receptacle on the next piling over.
I think that qualifies for a graduate degree in CRS. ;o(
Whew !!! I thought it was just me.
I find that you don't ask yourself where you placed something but rather where would you now put it for safe keeping for the next time and you don't want a dose of C-R-S.
There is logic behind this...
I know I have something, might have even had it last week but alas, not to be found anywhere...
So I order new or go buy new...
And say to myself 'where can I put this so I won't forget for the next time?'
When I go to put it there in this unique and novel new space, I discover it usually has a friend already occupying the space
Soooooooo....eliminate all of the frustration, just think where you would put a replacement rather than where you placed the last...and if anything like my experience, you find the original.
Ahhh, but how many of you have a bumper sticker verifying your CRS????
Here is a problem I have. I figured it out last month when I was rebuilding an engine. I think of the next thing I want to do and while thinking ahead, I will lay down a tool or a part. Later I can't remember where I laid it. The secret is to think "in the moment". Whenever I lay something down, I need to think about what I am doing right now. Then after that is done, think ahead. Easier said than done.
Norm
One good thing about CRS is that when you do your once-every-twenty-year cleanup of the garage, you find all kinds of good stuff you didn't know you had. It's like Christmas!
I find that if I don't return a tool to it's proper place when I'm finished with it I spend a LOT of time looking for it the next time I need it.
It's quicker to put it away now than to look for it next time.
Bob The problem is remembering where the proper place is.
After working out of two stuffed small roll around tool boxes for 10 years I bought a new big one and can't find anything.
Rest of the story -
My wife has been saying that she would like a big red tool box in the kitchen for a few years.
I finally bought her one during a trip to Harbor Freight.
I added a cutting board to the top and it has become the central point in the kitchen.
In fact it is very useful.
Every time I passed thru the Kitchen I felt "tool box envy"
Finally I broke down and got myself one for the garage.
Now I can't find any tools.
I know they are there but can't remember which drawer I put them in.
Sometimes Bigger isn't better.
Fred, I experienced the same when doing some consolidating and organizing in my shop.
I have for years kept certain tools in the same place but now since it's organized I'm lost and can't find anything.
Progress?
Hey, at least I know how many screwdrivers I have since my wife opened that drawer and counted all of them. Oh you don't want to Know.....
Fred
You need to use some tape and magic marker and mark the drawers.
Bob G
That's great, If you can remember where to put them.
Bob
Tim,
I had a bumper sticker but can't remember where I put it. :-)
Bob It would have to be 3 inch tape with BIG letters cause I can't see much anymore and the bi-focals make it worse.
Rick Gunter, I know exactly what you mean about it being like Christmas! But for me, it doesn't take twenty years, more like twenty days! It is fun finding things that I didn't know that I had though. Now, what do I do with all of the stuff that I have bought that I already had? Dave