At RBP, the public tool are in locked cabinets.  Customers leave an ID when they check in, and get it back when they check out.  This means they have to speak with an employee to get the tools and again to get their ID back.  This allows us to make sure everything is there before and after.  It also allows us to track how many people use the public stations and for how long, which is useful data when asking for grants and donations.  The truing stands in the public area are bolted to the bench.  Expensive and infrequently used tools are kept in an employees only area, and customers have to ask for them.  Generally, their use is supervised to ensure proper use and safe return.  The really expensive stuff, frame alignment and prep equipment, is never for public use.  Staff mechanics perform those repairs and charge accordingly.

We don't have much of a theft issue since we implemented this system.  Most of the time when we check someone out of a stand and a tool is missing, it has been misplaced by an absent minded customer and is promptly returned to it's place.

-Casey

On Sat, Apr 7, 2012 at 9:17 AM, <mfen651@aol.com> wrote:
Two comments if I may...and I am not a collective member, but I do follow this forum constantly and enjoy learning from it.

On the matter of potential tool thefts:  Sad to say...it is just a matter of the beast.  I suspect it is often unintentional, granted a truing rack is kind of hard to "accidentally" disappear, but stranger things have happened.

Two additional comments:  I used to work for a place where you had to leave a $500 deposit on account before you gained access to the tools (this was an automotive "rent a bay" business) different I know, but the point is the issues were the same.   You gave your deposit before being admitted to the work bay, and all its tools.  You had to have the shop manager inspect  your bay before they released your deposit...and still stuff walked away, and I mean substantial tools like pullers and torch heads to name a few. 

The other comment is in one of my places of work now....each worker is assigned their tools.  You sign for them when you get them, you sign for it when it disappears or is returned or replaced....and still, the tools disappear on job sites and in pockets.  We again are talking about batteries for power tools.  The tool remains but the battery disappears.  The saw frames go and the saws blades remain or vice verse...

A thought I can offer, though its not inexpensive is a GPS tag.  Each tool is assigned a transceiver (they are tiny) and they show up on the computer screen on any computer with the software and your ID.  It might be worth the investment.  


-----Original Message-----
From: MoBo Bicycle Co-op <mobobicyclecoop@gmail.com>
To: The Think Tank <thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org>
Sent: Sat, Apr 7, 2012 10:25 am
Subject: [TheThinkTank] Tool Theft

Hi Collective Brilliance! 

At MoBo, we were wondering how other bike co-ops cut down on tool theft. We check out a collection of tools to members which they sign in and out. These tools are reviewed at check in and out but that hasn't seemed to prevent tool theft. We aren't talking tire levers here; we are talking wheel dishing tools, truing stand and cone wrenches. We have turned the place upside down thinking they were misplaced but in most cases, they are gone. (Yes, even the truing stand). 

What have other bike co-ops done when they've encountered potential tool theft? What measures have you taken to stop it? 

Thanks in advance! 

Ellie Nava-Jones

--
MoBo Bicycle Cooperative
a project of The Village Green Foundation
1415 Knowlton St.
Cincinnati, OH
www.mobobicyclecoop.org
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