I know this thread is old, but I thought I would pass this on. I fully expect the cost is far more than most shops could justify, but I thought it was interesting never the less: Proto RFID RFID-embedded hand tools.
 
Ron
 
http://www.cribmaster.com/Press_Releases/ProtoID_Release_Final_1_.pdf
On Wed, Apr 11, 2012 at 11:00 AM, Joshua Hoffman <joshua@healthykidsinitiative.org> wrote:
It's nice to hear everyone wanting to revive the human spirit by trusting people with bike tools. It reminds me of a quote to live by.  

The chief lesson I have learned in a long life is that the only way to make a man trustworthy is to trust him; and the surest way to make him untrustworthy is to distrust him and show your distrust. -- Henry L. Stimson

That said here is one model of the chainring+cable+tool solution in action. NOTE: see how the cables can slide back-and-forth through the attachment device... key to saving on cable. http://bikefixtation.com/products/public-work-stand It's not about distrust it's about human nature... we're often forgetful and sometimes desperate. 





On Tue, Apr 10, 2012 at 9:20 PM, Angel York <aniola@gmail.com> wrote:
Do you have any pictures of the chainring+cable+tool solution in action?


On Tue, Apr 10, 2012 at 10:58 AM, <christopher@holisticcycles.com> wrote:
We have two types of tool sets, One is on a wooden board hung on hooks with marker outlines. This is more of a rental space for longer repairs. The other set is hanging from a 20" wheel at the top of a stand, Each tool is connected to a chain ring with a cable and hung off the rim. Quick repairs can be done, tools end up in pockets and the chain ring lets them know a weird thing is in their pocket. At the end of the day only hard core thieves steal tools. We had scrappers steal two repair stands. Bolting things down is a good idea 

Christopher Wallace
Holistic Cycles
140 Harrison St
Oak Park, IL. 60304


-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [TheThinkTank] Tool Theft
From: "Bob Giordano" <mist@strans.org>
Date: Mon, April 09, 2012 10:29 am
To: "The Think Tank" <thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org>

We paint tools, and put a grinder mark on them, such as a 'FC'. We put
trust into people and almost every tool gets returned.

We have 8 colored tool boards with colored tools. At some point we might
paint all boards and tools just one color.

We decided living with a tool taken now and then is quite easier than some
kind of checkout system.

Specialty tools are sort of similar, and the really expensive tools have
to be asked for.

-Bob g, Free Cycles Missoula

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--
Joshua Hoffman 

Safe Routes Organizer 
Rosedale Development Association
Rosedale Healthy Kids Initiative
1403 S.W. Boulevard
Kansas City, KS 66103



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