Every manufacturer is obliged to maintain a complete stock of tools of sufficient size to meet the requirements of his establishment. Unless these tools are properly cared for, the investment is very liable to creep up to a point entirely out of proportion to the requirements. Perhaps no class of property in a manufacturing plant is so frequently lost as small tools. When no storage place is provided, workmen are liable to leave tools where they were last used. They are soon scattered about the shops and, because they are not readily found, new tools are purchased. A special tool room is usually necessary, though in some cases the tools can be stored and cared for in the material storeroom. In plants manufacturing machine tools for their own use, the foreman of the tool department can care for the small tools in connection with his regular work. It is also the duty of this department to keep the tools in proper condition for use. For the storage of tools there should be provided racks and bins in suitable sizes. All tools should be numbered and the sections of the tool rack given corresponding numbers. For example, the stock includes one dozen hammers of a given size and style. This tool is given number twenty and the number is stamped on each hammer. The hammers are placed in section number twenty of the tool rack. At the same time twelve brass checks are stamped with the same number and hung on a hook above the section containing the tools. [Illustration: Fig. 34. Section of Rack for the Storage of Small Tools] A section of such a tool rack, showing the number checks, is illustrated in Fig. 34. There are several methods of keeping track of tools issued to workmen. In some plants a written receipt is required for each tool issued, but this plan is not recommended for the reason that the workman should not be asked to take the time to write a receipt, or to wait until it is made out by the tool─room foreman. He should be given the tool promptly and the system employed should not cause him to waste time. To overcome these difficulties, the check system is used. There are several variations in the operation of this system, but, in the opinion of the writer, the double check system is the most practical and satisfactory. [Illustration: Fig. 35. Board on which Tool Checks are Kept] First, the tools are numbered, as described above, and a brass check provided for each tool. Then a board, divided into squares, as shown in Fig. 35, is prepared. In these squares the names or numbers of the men obliged to draw tools are written. Each square contains two hooks on one of which twelve checks bearing the man's number are hung. When workman No. 2 receives tool No. 15, one of the No. 2 checks is taken from the board and hung above section No. 15 in the tool rack; at the same time one of the No. 15 tool checks is hung on the second hook in the No. 2 square on the board.