Efficiency Methods
An Introduction to Scientific Management

CHAPTER VIII STANDARDIZATION OF EQUIPMENT (Continued) B. The Tool-Room The model tool-room is the subject of even a larger number of recent articles in engineering periodicals than the store-room, articles well illustrated by photographs. Many establishments are pleased to call attention to their beautifully-ordered tool-depart- ments, which indeed form good advertisements. The idea of having a store of tools, of which careful account is kept, is comparatively new. It is obviously very unsystematic for the workman to be left to hunt up any tools he wants somewhere in his workshop, to bother the foreman for them, or to borrow them from his neighbour. All that has been said about the muddle and waste caused by having materials squandered applies still more to tools. While the workman is hunting for a tool the machine stands idle. Again, the want of system leads to making the wrong thing “ do,” which plan is the worst enemy of efficiency. The first reform would be to put each man in charge of a complete set of the tools he needs, to give him a proper place to keep them, and to make him responsible for them. Then, at least, he will