Logging all tools for insurance purposes

[gad5264]

I am in the infinite stages of recording all tool information for an inventory program and wow what a task. I read an internet article a while back that said you should record any tool that has a single purchase value of >$25.00 or has a serial number on it. I started last night and after 3.5 hours I logged 98 items that I will be listing in my inventory program. Time consuming but well worth the effort I am putting into it I hope.

[final_t]

Not a bad idea. Also check your home owner's insurance policy to see if they cover loss and/or theft for such items, esp. if they consider the garage as part of the house or not.

[Tundra_Man]

Good idea. I probably should do the same.

[Tom Miller]

The thought of inventorying has crossed my mind a couple times. Especially for "smaller" items (chisels, hand tools, etc.) that hover around the $25 mark, I've considered taking pictures of multiple items; nothing "staged", just snap shots of open drawers, etc.

Anyone go this route?

Regards,
Tom

[gad5264]

Thanks Tom, I corrected it.

The next stage of my process is to accumulate all of the operators manuals and put them in a 3 ring binder and store some place other than the shop. My cousin had his garage broken into while on vacation several years ago and he is the type that does not save receipts for anything. The owners manuals were his only proof of having the tools. I am also going to take pics of all tools in drawers that I do not record. The home inventory program that I have also has a place for attachments and I am now accumulating pics of all items off the net and will take individual shots of what I can't find there.

[Thom2]

The thought of inventorying has crossed my mind a couple times. Especially for "smaller" items (chisels, hand tools, etc.) that hover around the $25 mark, I've considered taking pictures of multiple items; nothing "staged", just snap shots of open drawers, etc.

Anyone go this route?

Regards,
Tom

I just started doing this over the weekend, Dad and I had got to talking about insurance claims and what-not and it got me to thinking. I have a real good idea of what big equipment I have, but I have a 31 drawer rollaway that's pretty well packed and would have no clue where to start making that list in the event something would happen.

At least with a snapshot of all the open drawers, it gives me a really good reference point to work from. I'll also go thru the rest of the shop and photograph everything else as time goes on. I think the most important is the small stuff that you even forget you have.

[LarryG]

Good thread. It reminds me that one of my justifications for purchasing a digital camera last fall was to inventory not only the stuff in my shop but also everything in the house. I've not gotten started on either. It's time. It's past time. Probably will be one of those jobs that I'll need to chip away at, piecemeal but persistently, until it's done.

My idea was and is to do it in Excel, with links to photos from the descriptive cells. Or, since I've been looking for an exercise by which to learn Access, maybe I'll use that. Then burn a CD and put it in the safe deposit box.

[cwsmith]

I set up a database log in my Access (part of MS Office) program and have all my power tools logged, including SN, date of purchase, price, and power and features. Often questions come up on some of the forums and I found it advantageous to pop up the DB and check on the specs for a particular tool.

I haven't taken pictures yet, so that's a great idea. As soon as other priority projects with the new house are finished I'll have to do that.

I have a couple of vinyl file pocket, with velcro fastened flaps. I bag each manual and keep it there. The reason for the 'bagging' is that I've found old manuals are often like sponges, they soak up any humidity and begin to smell moldy. Also, should any accidents happen (short of fire), the vinyl and poly bags will keep moisture and dirt off the manuals.

CWS

[just4funsies]

Some of my tools got ripped off a couple of years ago. What saved my butt was that I had saved and organized all my owner's manuals. That was all the insurance company needed to pay the claim.

[rickd]

Good thread. ......My idea was and is to do it in Excel, with links to photos from the descriptive cells. Or, since I've been looking for an exercise by which to learn Access, maybe I'll use that. Then burn a CD and put it in the safe deposit box.

hi guys,

i had the same thoughts a few months ago and found a home inventory spreadsheet at the ms excel site. i modified it for my workshop to include all relevant data for my tools - including pics.


i've started an inventory(type, serial no., manufacturer, date purchased, cost etc.) of my workshop including pictures of all my tools - it's a time consuming project but i think it will be worth it once i'm done. i've been using an excel spreadsheet that i got from the microsoft excel site and just modified it a bit to suit woodworking equipment information.

you can view the information contained in the spreadsheet and download it free here:

workshop tools inventory program - ms excel

if you find it useful to you, feel free to share it with anyone else also.

[Wood_workur]

Some of my tools got ripped off a couple of years ago. What saved my butt was that I had saved and organized all my owner's manuals. That was all the insurance company needed to pay the claim.

lets go run off some manuels...

I should inventory my tools too, but I have so much stuff....

[JSUPreston]

FWIW, I am a DBA, and if you are going to use Access (or any database for that matter), you are definately better off linking to the pictures than putting them in the database. The database will run a lot faster with links, and obviously will be much smaller.

[DUD]

I have mine on an excel program, I also burned it to CD and LOML has a copy in Her desk at the bank. Bill

[TheRic]

I have thought about doing something like this, but just thought it was the computer geek in me. Glad I'm not that crazy (yet).

Does anyone have an Access database one that I can use / borrow / see. Don't feel like re-inventing the wheel. THANKS

How do you log combo packs, is it one item or 5? How do you put the cost down on a combo pack? What if you don't know the cost of an item (they only sell it in a combo pack, or special 1 time thing). How about tool purses / cases that came with it?

How do you log screwdrivers, plirers, chisels, etc? I would think a socket set would be 1 item.

The more I think about this the more I think I need to have a couple of drinks to sort it out

[mschrank]

My plan is to just save a copy of this. and show it to the insurance company.

By the way, I live at 1000 Douglas Fir Place, and I'm pretty sure my shop is unlocked