Started on a bath cabinet to go over the loo.  Got the pieces cut and thought I'd do the shelf pin holes before I assembled it.   I bought a shelf pin hole spacing jig for my last big cabinet project almost 2 years ago.  I looked all over the place for it -- on all the shelves, with the tools, in the drawers, nowhere to be found.   Did a second pass and still nothing.  Then I pulled out the various containers of furniture hardware and still nothing.  I bent down and saw a 3/4" dark piece behind the shelf that had fallen down the back and caught on the shelf below where the plywood back started.   Pushed and pulled and sure enough there it was.  Otherwise, it probably would have never been found until the shop came apart.

 

While searching, I noticed I had a lot of misc. hardware that I'd kept in the shop when most of the stuff was in the work van.  My philosophy was if I had to stop for a piece of hardware that I didn't have, it would cost me 1-2 hours to run out and get one and proceed to destroy the rest of the day's schedule.  I unloaded the van and organized it all when I decided to retire.  So a lot of threaded inserts and T-nuts, a few really long pocket hole screws, some wandering 1/4 and 5/16 nuts and bolts, drawer glides, nail-on and screw on feet, etc. etc. etc. all found a home in the box that was the rest of them.

 

 

Seems like anymore, every time I start looking for something it's like a new adventure all over again.

The easiest way for me to find something I've lost is to buy a replacement. The way it works is after I've used the replacement making it non-returnable, the old one shows up. BTW, I adopted Gunny's method of organizing drawers and then labeling everything. Now I find when I need something, rather than read the labels I still go open every drawer looking for whatever it is I'm after.

58 minutes ago, Fred W. Hargis Jr said:

The easiest way for me to find something I've lost is to buy a replacement. The way it works is after I've used the replacement making it non-returnable, the old one shows up. BTW, I adopted Gunny's method of organizing drawers and then labeling everything. Now I find when I need something, rather than read the labels I still go open every drawer looking for whatever it is I'm after.

I've never lost a tool! Misplaced quite a few, though. I have a mental check list. "Now, where did I use it, last?" That usually works. If not, it's drawer pulling time. Sometimes, it's actually where it's supposed to be. I just forget where it's supposed to be. The only drawer I'm sure of is my sock drawer.

... I usually lose things ... only to find that it's right in front of me.  ...  ... 

6 hours ago, Fred W. Hargis Jr said:

The easiest way for me to find something I've lost is to buy a replacement. The way it works is after I've used the replacement making it non-returnable, the old one shows up. BTW, I adopted Gunny's method of organizing drawers and then labeling everything. Now I find when I need something, rather than read the labels I still go open every drawer looking for whatever it is I'm after.

Hey a tip is that there is not enough room on the drawer front to put everything. So those little things I still have to search for. The worst thing about reorganizing or getting new drawers is that after that , nothing is in the same place and even the labels are different. Now if I just had time to read all those labels.

I consider cabinets and drawers "the places tools go to hide".  

Been there did that.  I have a Rockler shelf pin hole jig and I can not tell you where I last stored it.  That is also that reason I have (3) 6" rules.  Usually I know where one is at.   Danl

9 hours ago, Fred W. Hargis Jr said:

The easiest way for me to find something I've lost is to buy a replacement. The way it works is after I've used the replacement making it non-returnable, the old one shows up. BTW, I adopted Gunny's method of organizing drawers and then labeling everything. Now I find when I need something, rather than read the labels I still go open every drawer looking for whatever it is I'm after.

My way is I usually quit looking for it and continue working.  Then I find it.  That would not have worked in this case, it was really well hidden.  And it was not with the other "jigs" many of which were shop-made.  Now it's put away in the drawer with my routers (it uses a router and guide bushing to drill the holes)

 

The usual problem is "one-offs"  Something that is very unique to a process and it's the only one like it that I have.  So it has no other tools in the same genre.  If it's an electric tool, it's in my electric tool box.  If it's related to a drill, it's in the area where I keep drills and bits.  Box of drywall tools, box of masonry tools, box of plumbing tools and parts, etc.

I think I've shared this before, but this is one of my favorite tools.  It comes organized (at least until it falls and spills everything).  I've added a few things because it takes standard 1/4" hex drive inserts.   Got a Posi-drive bit (because that is what a lot of Euro-hinges use) and metric hex wrenches.    It works faster than L-shaped hex (Allen) wrenches, fits in tight spots like the back of a drawer glide, and with the ratchet can provide more leverage than a straight handle.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/GearWrench-35-PC-Microdriver-Set/1002504398?cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-tol-_-google-_-pla-_-216-_-sosmechanicandautomativetools-_-1002504398-_-0&placeholder=null&ds_rl=1286981&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4cOEBhDMARIsAA3XDRhLQ867Sygjz98kak1QqGn5xLRdNXQG39lbAH_ISjTe3vhGWv535KQaAgW3EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

I team it up with this screwdriver as they can share bits and again, being a standard 1/4" drive, I can easily get replacement or additional bits (like Torx)

https://www.amazon.com/Picquic-88101B-Sixpac-Multi-Bit-Screwdriver/dp/B00LWANR3O/ref=pd_lpo_469_img_2/136-5456557-1045513?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00LWANR3O&pd_rd_r=55a843a6-12dd-4427-a4a1-bf1a6024594a&pd_rd_w=5np2X&pd_rd_wg=6hZxE&pf_rd_p=a0d6e967-6561-454c-84f8-2ce2c92b79a6&pf_rd_r=BTV20BZWNBFD0BF4EX7W&psc=1&refRID=BTV20BZWNBFD0BF4EX7W

Got both of those! They ARE handy. I also like the PicQuik "Teeny Turner" for smaller fasteners.

5 hours ago, kmealy said:

I team it up with this screwdriver as they can share bits and again, being a standard 1/4" drive, I can easily get replacement or additional bits (like Torx)

https://www.amazon.com/Picquic-88101B-Sixpac-Multi-Bit-Screwdriver/dp/B00LWANR3O/ref=pd_lpo_469_img_2/136-5456557-1045513?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00LWANR3O&pd_rd_r=55a843a6-12dd-4427-a4a1-bf1a6024594a&pd_rd_w=5np2X&pd_rd_wg=6hZxE&pf_rd_p=a0d6e967-6561-454c-84f8-2ce2c92b79a6&pf_rd_r=BTV20BZWNBFD0BF4EX7W&psc=1&refRID=BTV20BZWNBFD0BF4EX7W

 

 

I remember that thread.  Bought one as you mentioned you liked it.  Good solid tool that I use at work and at home..