[MachineShop] Your thoughts

[jpanthes at comcast.net]

Absolutely agree with your observations but cannot offer an ADULT solution.

 

I hate it when I find broken equipment. Then have to take my time to FIX or replace so I can behave like an ADULT.

 

Am sorry that I cannot add a solution.

 

Best Regards,

 

Dr. Opto

 

From: Machineshop <machineshop-bounces at quelab.net> On Behalf Of Denis Muradov via Machineshop
Sent: Friday, August 15, 2025 12:53 PM
To: MachineShop Information list <machineshop at quelab.net>
Cc: Denis Muradov <denis.muradov at gmail.com>
Subject: [MachineShop] Your thoughts

 

I'm running in to an issue. People are "borrowing" things from the machine shop and not returning them. To give an example, the vacuum cleaner has so far lost the hose and the small parts attachment. 

 

 

The issue I have with this is the following:

 

1) A person can borrow a single part and reduce the utility of something significantly. 

 

2) I takes a lot of time to try to find this stuff. In my case if I'm working on a project I become then saddled with having to extend my stay because parts that I needed to finish cleaning are now missing. 

 

3) These parts are rather of a specific fit and hard to replace. A hose can be made to fit, which is what we have now, but it's not the correct hose. Any workarounds cost significant time. 

 

4) Replacement parts, if they exist, would come out of the training budget. This means that people that didn't pay in to the shop get to benefit from people that do. 

 

 

Potential solutions:

 

1) SIgns. Though in my experience these do not work.

 

2) I can put tools in to cabinets and put a combination lock on them to prevent people from borrowing those tools. Certified users would have the combination. The issue I see is with vacuum attachments and other similar accessories that can not be locked up.

 

3) Putting tagout locks on all equipment with a plug. This "could" deter people from borrowing them, and their parts.

 

4) Badge reader on the door, a number pad combination pad or just locking the main door with a key. This might solve the issue, but could potentially introduce new ones. The most obvious one is that in case of an emergency (someone screaming from the shop) how would outside help get in? I know that the two person rule should take care of this, but it's still a concern. Maybe an occupancy sensor (or a few) that unlocks the door if someone is inside, with a generous delay? 

 

 

 

This issue has always existed with the shop. Previously the "solution" to this was to keep the parts list down and not replacing parts that break or go missing. I am not a fan of this approach, because it also affects training.

 

 

 

Your thoughts? 

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