Has this ever happened to you?

I definitely know the feel!  Did that several times with Brian show purchases until I built a database and tools also.

Ron

Yes, I've done it. Even had a couple of duplicate engines once upon a time. Haven't done it with wives yet, so that leaves entirely new opportunities open.

Gerry

All the time when I put things in a safe place......it's safe alright since no one can find it !!!

It happens all the time, lol. That is how I ended up with over 20 tape meaures

Bob

What NYC428 said - many times.

I’ve found myself with enough extra tools over the years I’ve been able to give each of my boys near complete sets of the basic stuff - pliers, screwdrivers, wrenches and so on. 🤷

Curt

I made a living with my tools for many years. I bought replacements as they wore out. Nowadays, misplacing something around the house is a different story.

Murphy's Law guarantees that as soon as you buy a new tool, the missing one will turn up.

As you get older, you learn the spots where you put things away. You also get smart enough to put things away in the spots that you use.

And, Yes, I still have a few lost things from many years ago. As I find them, I sell them because I didn't miss them.

Peter - At least your level won't 'spoil.'  By way of explanation, on occasion (probably when I'm daydreaming about the next train I want to get - lol) I've been known to put the jar of instant coffee in the Fridge and the milk picture in the Pantry cupboard (instead of vice-versa) after making myself a cup of coffee.  🤔

Having said that, after being teased about it by my wife I decided from now on I'm going to put Bailey's Irish Cream in my coffee instead of milk to avoid a recurrence.   😉

Happy 'training' Peter and I hope you're enjoying retirement!

Happens all the time, I just discovered I have three optical digital tachometers, I keep putting them away and then I need one and can't find it!   It doesn't help that since moving to my new place everything is reorganized and I don't have consistency in where things are "stored".

Oh yeah, I now have 3 tape measures. I even stopped a friend from making a purchase of a Lionel Gon because I told him he already had 2 at home.

A home relocation is a great way to disrupt a well-established "locator" system.

Such was the case for me when I could not locate a stash of parts in a specific plastic container; ordered their replacements from LIONEL at a cost of $200; and, later discovered the stash six months after the replacement parts had arrived.

My most recent favorite is a missing ratchet handle, 3/8" socket, and short extension.  I last used them to install a wall-mount for my bedroom TV, but found it necessary to buy replacements when I couldn't find them for another job.  Where could I have left a ratchet handle, short extension, and socket after installing the bracket in my bedroom???  It's been a year so I've stopped looking for it. 

@Putnam Division posted:

Has this ever happened to you? I bought this level to help put up the large layout........then, when the time came to put up the club layout, I couldn’t find it. I search and search and said to myself, “It will turn up.”. After a week or so, I went out and bought another........ Guess what? Now I have two!  

Peter, I have the same story except with carpenter's square.  I had a 12" x 18" square and needed it in the basement.  Nope, searched everywhere it "should" be but couldn't find it.  So, off to the hardware store.  Returning home with the replacement, I pulled into the garage and right there in front of me, hanging from the shelf unit in the garage, was the original square.  If I hadn't stopped the car I would have run into the stupid thing.

Obviously while I was gone, the square transported itself from its hiding place to the shelf support so it could mock me upon my return.  I fixed it's wagon, I left it hanging there and proceeded to use the new one from then on.  I win!

@CP BOB posted:

It happens all the time, lol. That is how I ended up with over 20 tape meaures

Bob

Exactly my first thought! At this point, I have one in almost every room in the house, as well as my cars. I can never find the danged things.
Another is the little nut driver adapters, for putting a socket on my drill or impact gun. I’ve bought half a dozen sets, no clue where they are.

All the time! I have 3 of those fancy stud finders in my tool box. Or is it 4?!

Good story Peter and so true. Mine was caulk guns. Could not find one after a day or so. Would make a trip out and buy another one. Now I have a stockpile of them. And it also happened with some of my tools.....Paul 2

Yep. Do it more often as I get older. I knew I had an extra battery strap for the boat. I couldn't find it so I ordered a new one. As soon as the new one arrived I found the old one. Now I have an extra one.  Now if I can only remember were I put it so it would't get lost???  LOL.

Jim D

No, Peter, you need two levels.  the red one is only good for N-S orientations and the yellow for E-W.  You are missing the grey (or is it blue) one for all the orientations in-between.

The funny thing about 'misplacing' tools and other things is that at the time you put the tool/thing down, you think to yourself, 'oh, I'll remember where I'm putting this - its obvious' or 'I'll come back later and put this in its "right place"'...  I entered the CRS (Can't Remember, uh, 'Stuff') phase of life a while ago.

My father, in his mid 80s, was still doing "projects" around the house.   Whenever he needed tools, he drove straight to Lowe's and bought them.  After his little project was done, he stuck his tools in whatever closet corner was closest.

When he died at age 92, I had to clear out that huge house where my parents had lived since 1959. 

I found four(4) four-foot levels.  All were made of metal and expensive.  I took took of them for myself and gave the other two to my brothers.

I also found a Dewalt reciprocating saw, and a huge Dewalt Circular saw, in their original plastic cases, stuck up in the eves of the Attic.  The looked NIB.  He probably used them once.

Mannyrock