Equipment inventories?

[steviec_lj]

Ok, so with the spate of break-ins locally recently, I should really start at least a list of tools and equipment in the garage, workshop and shed.

Obvious stuff to include would be a reference number, I own a number of the same grinder. Make and model, and last but not least the serial number.

Unfortunately the serial number and reference number can both be scratched off rendering my inventory useless, but it'll give the insurance company something to go from.

It'll probably end up being an access database, and no doubt a picture of the item on a flash drive too, but I'm open to suggestions..?

 

[roofman]

pic per item plus details and then collective pics of the whole lot...thats what ive done for my insurance

 

[CRB]

Possibly not the best way, but melting a number into the casing.

 

[bump]

There's some software out there for inventories. Here's a roundup.

 

[roofman]

in my experience engraving,burning,or even painting it another colour never gets your gear back. Put all your efforts into wise security and not get it lifted in the 1st place. Ive been trading since 1979 and had loads of stuff stolen and not a single once have i ever had it back via my company logo or any kind of marks on it..Just because a pretty little engraving makes you sleep better believe me unless your 6 numbers have come up you will not see it again iff it walks

 

[Stueeee]

I was really glad that I already had a digital photo of the contents of each drawer in my tool cabinet when my workshop was burgled a few years ago. Turned out to be an effective riposte to the insurance company's "do you have receipts for all these Snap-On tools that were stolen" line -they had previously been unimpressed when I pointed out that these tools had been collected over a period of 30 years and people don't tend to keep receipts for an eternity.

The stolen tools were marked, have never turned up. The workshop contents had been insured with the same company for 12+ years without making a claim; when the renewal turned up after the burglary, they had pretty much added the claim amount to the annual premium obviously, I'm insured with a different company now.

 

[steviec_lj]

All excellent suggestions as usual folks, that's what make this forum great!

Photos are a must, and I'll tie the into either the serial or reference number so as not to confuse things too much.

Another thought, as some of my kit comes with me on sites etc, was to include a PATest column, and be able to generate notifications that it's due. Not sure, as I still need to see if my PAT software will integrate with the chosen platform so the test results are combined with everything else..

Admittedly, I'll never be as lucky as my dad was in finding the fishing gear he had lifted a few years back - on sale at hemswell with the postcode still visible. But it will give the insurance company a kick up the backside should it ever get nicked..

 

[500e]

As my dad said They steal your name as well as the tools

 

[Wedg1e]

I always think that close-up pics of tools are better than engraving them; in use they pick up marks, chips, scrapes etc. that would look nothing to Joe Burglar... but if the Police turn up a stash of stolen tools you'd only have to show them one or two photo matches for marks and they'd have to admit they were yours.

A mates's dad used to run a car boot stall dealing in tools; he reckoned he could always suss what was kosher and what wasn't by one look at the seller. Any man who's used tools in his trade (a) generally doesn't want to part with them and (b) generally wants a good price; if he was offered a chest full of Snap-On by someone who randomly shuffled a few spanners in a drawer and seemed unperturbed by selling his stock-in-trade, he'd run a mile. He was visited by several irate people determined they'd find their nicked gear on his stall, as well as the Police, but ran a good operation.

I have some spanners engraved with the original owner's name; he was a budding motor vehicle techie but got into drugs, got sacked and flogged his tools to buy the usual: he died of an overdose aged about 24. I knew his parents but I never let on that I'd ended up with his tools, it might have seemed like gloating. Whenever I use them I always think of a wasted life... as opposed to the wastes of life who would thieve another man's possessions.

 

[brewdexta]

ideally keep purchase receipts too, or electronic copies either via email from seller, ebay etc, plus scans of cash sales.

 

[visor_down]

Check out immobilise.com
can register gear by serial no. And description. Hidden RFID chip codes can also be added. Can upload receipts and photos too.

 

[bump]

RFID isn't a bad shout. You can read and write easily with an android phone.

 

[skotl]

pic per item plus details and then collective pics of the whole lot...thats what ive done for my insurance

That's what I've done with the expensive kit.

What I've not done is stick them all in a folder called "Expensive garage kit" so that I don't need to surf through 12,000 photos if/when the garage is ever broken into.

 

[ukracer]

Ok, so with the spate of break-ins locally recently, I should really start at least a list of tools and equipment in the garage, workshop and shed.

Obvious stuff to include would be a reference number, I own a number of the same grinder. Make and model, and last but not least the serial number.

Unfortunately the serial number and reference number can both be scratched off rendering my inventory useless, but it'll give the insurance company something to go from.

It'll probably end up being an access database, and no doubt a picture of the item on a flash drive too, but I'm open to suggestions..?

https://www.selectadna.co.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/nick.lwuk?fref=ts

Check this out you can not wash it off. Nick has even done a deal to get it bespoke for fishing for £29 (can still be used for tools though) and you can add your items to a central database etc etc

 

[steviec_lj]

Some good suggestions. Thanks folks.

The RFID looks interesting, although all my searches bring back are the hotel swipe cards at the moment, which aren't that inconspicuous.

Photos are a definite, as said, it'll show any distinguishing marks and scratches.

The smartwater/selectadna are both about as labour intensive as the RFID side of things, so in essence it comes down to costs.

 

[Robotstar5]

Some good suggestions. Thanks folks.

The RFID looks interesting, although all my searches bring back are the hotel swipe cards at the moment, which aren't that inconspicuous.

Photos are a definite, as said, it'll show any distinguishing marks and scratches.

The smartwater/selectadna are both about as labour intensive as the RFID side of things, so in essence it comes down to costs.

Try searching RFID tags

 

[bump]

They even come in this format. I have one in my hand. It's replaced all of my passwords and most of my keys. Not much use for tools, but gives you an idea of what is possible.