Sureshot
ALLIANCE MEMBER
My future SIL wanted to borrow some tools. I told him I was OK with the daughter but the tools were off limits. Didn't go over well with the daughter.
letting family use tools
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zuk123
Well-known member
In my mind, anything I loan I consider as a flat out gift. If I wouldn't give it away, I don't loan it.
That's for money, tools, anything. Once I hand it over, I don't usually think about it again. If it comes back-- great.
This attitude keeps me from loaning anything important, and cuts down the mental stress of worrying about it.
I do NOT tell the borrower that though!!
I try to buy used good quality for the price of cheap ****. That helps if I have to write something off too.
If I need something, I usually buy it. If it's a one off use, I buy the cheapest that will get the job done. This means I have some specialty stuff to loan when it's needed, that I consider fully paid for and used up.
I try to buy good stuff when I see it cheap, even if I don't have an immediate need for it. I'll use it sooner or later.
Lately I've been stocking up on yard tools. I have 2 new neighbors that are young kids starting out. I WANT them to be able to maintain their houses! If they ask, I loan to them. (And that's why I don't have to find a place to store my wheelbarrow, the neighbor is 'storing' it .
)
Putting together a cheap "throwaway" set of loaner tools might be your only option to keep peace in you home. And if they have no respect for tools, they probably won't know that you are only loaning them disposable cr@p.
Good luck.
zuk
That's for money, tools, anything. Once I hand it over, I don't usually think about it again. If it comes back-- great.
This attitude keeps me from loaning anything important, and cuts down the mental stress of worrying about it.
I do NOT tell the borrower that though!!
I try to buy used good quality for the price of cheap ****. That helps if I have to write something off too.
If I need something, I usually buy it. If it's a one off use, I buy the cheapest that will get the job done. This means I have some specialty stuff to loan when it's needed, that I consider fully paid for and used up.
I try to buy good stuff when I see it cheap, even if I don't have an immediate need for it. I'll use it sooner or later.
Lately I've been stocking up on yard tools. I have 2 new neighbors that are young kids starting out. I WANT them to be able to maintain their houses! If they ask, I loan to them. (And that's why I don't have to find a place to store my wheelbarrow, the neighbor is 'storing' it .
) Putting together a cheap "throwaway" set of loaner tools might be your only option to keep peace in you home. And if they have no respect for tools, they probably won't know that you are only loaning them disposable cr@p.
Good luck.
zuk
NineFingerFury
Well-known member
My dad and I swap tools a lot. My neighbor is a mechanic and let's me borrow specialty tools he has at his home shop. He's really cool about it because he knows I don't have the money for them sometimes.
Completed agree with this. If expensive tools mean I have to be a jerk I,d rather have inexpensive tools.
I let family and friends borrow or use any tools or equipment I own. My only rule is that they ask first and return it in the same condition as when they borrowed it. They all know if they take without asking or damage a tool then they are banned.
purplezr2
Well-known member
Son in Law
cburnscrx
Well-known member
Yep, I feel the same way.
BDT/NWMN
Well-known member
Shadetreeism at it's best... Guys like your brother belong under a shade tree, because sooner or later he will destroy more than a few tools... How about the nut who was going to use a shop vac to **** up some gasoline, the jokers who were under a car while raised with a floor jack, the dude who blew the sidewall out of a semitruck tire when an excessive amount of either was used to seat the bead,(shop bought a bead seater, and this dude still uses either), the goon who used glue on a cracked propane line (failed and caused a fire).. The list goes on,, Shadetreeism belongs under the shade tree, and hopefully that shade tree will be far away from a shop that could burn or other vehicles that could be crushed or oversprayed or other workers or bystanders that could be injured.... Whew... There are books available on the proper use of basic hand tools. If they lack the basic knowledge of using tools, there is no way they belong in a shop without supervision
Cedge
Well-known member
I have a young 27 yea old BIL who wants to learn to maintain his own vehicles, but has very limited tools. He's very respectful, doesn't mind hard work and he listens when wiser heads speak. I've come to trust him with my tools, as long as they never leave my garage. The kid doesn't abuse the tools and they are always cleaned and put back where they belong when he is done. I recently broke a tool while assisting him with one of his cars. To my pleasant surprise, a new one was in its place the next evening. He brings his own consumables and offers to pay when we use something from my stock.
The kid is the ONLY one I let use my tools, including my own kin. I have no problem with him working out of my boxes, as he's proven that he's worthy.
Steve
The kid is the ONLY one I let use my tools, including my own kin. I have no problem with him working out of my boxes, as he's proven that he's worthy.
Steve
zakmartin
Well-known member
My brother's owed me $50 for a tool I sold him 3 months ago. Every couple of weeks, I remind him and he says he'll get it right to me. At this point, I'm guessing I'll never see it. I think my wife's more pissed off about it than I am. Last time I reminded him about the money, he went on about some trip to Disneyland he owed his kids. I told him if I didn't see the money by the end of February, he wouldn't be welcome in my garage anymore, which would make that 50 bucks look like chump change compared to what it's going to cost him to take his car to a garage every time he needs work done on it. He said he understood, but I guess he didn't. Oh well, it makes my life easier, anyway. I think I'll give his wife a call today and ask her to mail me a check.
Mohawk Dave
Well-known member
Sounds familiar to "A Bronx Tale". Gotta ask yourself, is it worth 50 bucks not to have him come back? YMMV.
I have several friends that are also now on GJ and they can use my tools...but that is about it. I say they are on GJ, b/c once you are on here, you never look at tools the same way again.
themiller
Well-known member
I'm overly protective of my stuff; but do offer to help others on my schedule and terms. If it can't wait - I suggest they purchase on their own and go to town. I understand that sometimes the stars just line up and something breaks even when used "correctly" - but I want to be there to see it so there are no hard feelings.
I'd rather see a $500 tool of mine broken when being used correctly than a $50 tool broken because of shadetree practices.
I'd rather see a $500 tool of mine broken when being used correctly than a $50 tool broken because of shadetree practices.
mmack66
Well-known member
wtf?
Yeah, that last part just came outta nowhere.Armstrong1720
Well-known member
Guys i struggled so hard to get my snappy mac proto matco and other great tools. Now why would i loan them out. I can not stand for a tool to even be laid on the ground im very very very picky I just cant see loaning them out. Now we have a baby girl due june 27 th. im already dreading the day her boyfriend or husband wants to borrow. If they dont like it they can leave !!
64Trvlr
Well-known member
It's March, it looks like he made his decision in Feb. Why call his wife?
Of course they are welcome to use my tools, it's family. Any family member that has something that I do not and that I need would do the same.
djb2
Well-known member
I see some shopping trips to H-F in your future...
At work I keep a set of cheap H-F screwdrivers out on my desk, along with a few other tools. The screwdriver sets are occasionally free with coupon, or $1 on sale. At that price, you basically couldn't pseudo-borrow them fast enough to upset me.
Curiously, it turns out that a disposable screwdriver can almost never be permanently loaned out.
For $100 you could have a useful set of nice looking tools. Just mentally write them off. They aren't your tools, you are just the tool librarian. Loan those out and never be stressed. Or, if you really need more of a mental reward, spend an extra $10 on pink glitter paint then loan them out.
I have only a handful of Snap-On level tools. Most have sentimental value (a few from my grandfather). But those that don't, and the rest of my tools, I'm happy to loan out to family and my close friends.
My closest friend lets me use his garage to work in, and any tool I like.
While I was growing up I'm sure I've broken 10x more of my parents and siblings stuff than I remember. I wouldn't hesitate to loan anything to them, even if I suspected that it wouldn't come back. The point is that my friends and family are each worth way more than any tools they could borrow and lose.
Family, basically my dad only (nobody else would need them), will lend him anything and him visa-versa. He has a fairly good collection and is what I mostly learned with (I had the basics for myself from like 5 or 6 years old though lol) but in the last few years I have gotten quite a bit more than him and have a more complete garage...what happens more than anything is I will accompany the tools to help do the job.
As for other people, friends, co-workers...I've so far lost a cheap code reader to one coworker who gave me $30 back for it (about $10 short of it's value but w/e) and had a multi-bit screwdriver and pair of pliers (cheap) stolen when they were left with some coworkers to watch at a customers site. No loss really. Did lend out a stud-finder that took 3 months to come back, but at least it came back.
Basically for these situations, I will lend to those I have basic trust for (ie know them well enough) and if they are good, then will continue. But screw me once and that's it, you're cut off permanently. I also avoid lending any of my extra valuable or easily breakable (if you're a retard) tools. A $10 loss is not a big deal in the grand scheme of things, but break my $300 tool and I will be pissed. You can really tell who your true friends are very quickly when you lend things.
As for other people, friends, co-workers...I've so far lost a cheap code reader to one coworker who gave me $30 back for it (about $10 short of it's value but w/e) and had a multi-bit screwdriver and pair of pliers (cheap) stolen when they were left with some coworkers to watch at a customers site. No loss really. Did lend out a stud-finder that took 3 months to come back, but at least it came back.
Basically for these situations, I will lend to those I have basic trust for (ie know them well enough) and if they are good, then will continue. But screw me once and that's it, you're cut off permanently. I also avoid lending any of my extra valuable or easily breakable (if you're a retard) tools. A $10 loss is not a big deal in the grand scheme of things, but break my $300 tool and I will be pissed. You can really tell who your true friends are very quickly when you lend things.
crewchief888
Well-known member
for the most part if i get a request to borrow a tool
it leaves i my hand, and returns in my hand.
sis in law is the only one who's ever asked to borrow anything, she had just bought her 1st house, they were cleaning, painting, changing out outlet and switch covers, ect.
i went over and did the stuff o her, knowing i'd probably never see my tools again,
not i dont trust her,and she wouldnt try to steal anything, stuff just seem to get "lost" around her....
friends know better than to ask to borrow tools, most of them are professional mechanics of one kind or another
i'll help you do it, or even do it for you,
but when i leave, my tools leave with me.
it leaves i my hand, and returns in my hand.
sis in law is the only one who's ever asked to borrow anything, she had just bought her 1st house, they were cleaning, painting, changing out outlet and switch covers, ect.
i went over and did the stuff o her, knowing i'd probably never see my tools again,
not i dont trust her,and she wouldnt try to steal anything, stuff just seem to get "lost" around her....
friends know better than to ask to borrow tools, most of them are professional mechanics of one kind or another
i'll help you do it, or even do it for you,
but when i leave, my tools leave with me.
oilfieldtrash4
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 5, 2012
- Messages
- 490
This.
My family is dysfunctional but if I needed to borrow a car it'd be no issue. Hand tools.. They'd probably give them to me.
Seriously? Evidently people see you as an easy mark. Either learn to say no or get used to being sh*t on.
d.mcfarland
Well-known member
Agreed with both of these! My father or grandfather can do anything they wants with anything I own. They gave much more than I could ever give back. A good memory is much better than a damaged tool. A good story or lesson is even better.
mmack66
Well-known member
Man up Ado Annie, and cut those moochers off, and make them pay for any tools they lost or broke.
I have always told my wife's family (mine family doesn't live near), they can borrow any tools i have as long as they bring them back as soon as they are done with them. In 31 years of marriage, i don't think they have ever failed to bring one back, usually the same day, but the next day for sure, unless they called me and needed to keep them longer, and that's fine. I guess i'm the minority, but i haven't had a problem at all. And she is from a family of 5 kids.
Coach James
Well-known member
I think you're getting a bit ahead of yourself on worrying about the boyfriend/husband Armstrong.
There are maybe three people I would loan tools to, but they are also the type that would never ask to borrow any. My dad can use anything he wants. He's given me a lifetime of help worth more than all my tools combined.
Coach
Hghgrad
Well-known member
Nope. I have one friend that is allowed to borrow tools. If he breaks something, he replaces it. All my tools come back cleaner than when they left.
No family is allowed anywhere near my tool box, except my dad...since I used his stuff while growing up. I'm sure he takes much better care than I did at 10 years old
No family is allowed anywhere near my tool box, except my dad...since I used his stuff while growing up. I'm sure he takes much better care than I did at 10 years old
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Todd.Brock
Well-known member
We all worked on our cars at our rental garage. They came to socialize and use the lift. Everyone knows I'm a tool *****. I'm cool with the guys using my tools. Most respected my tools. Every once in a while, I had to remind someone that my adjustable wrench or 80tooth ratchet is not a hammer...!!!!! And a screwdriver is not a pry bar, or something to beat with a hammer...I had to temper my mouth when I knew that someone only had a ratchet in their hand and I hear hammer noises!!!! Gets me boiling to this day! I was cool with borrowing, drag them all out, get them dirty, use them, etc... Just use the proper tool for the job. Lord knows I have the right tool for the situation!!
My neighbor borrows my tools. I said I have two rules. 1. Don't abuse it, if you need another size come get the right one. Bring them back is the second. It hasn't failed me yet.
My neighbor borrows my tools. I said I have two rules. 1. Don't abuse it, if you need another size come get the right one. Bring them back is the second. It hasn't failed me yet.
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methomas70
Well-known member
A good friend of mine, whose specialized tools I've borrowed (then cleaned & promptly returned) many times over, asked to borrow my pickup truck to move a BBQ grill. I said sure. I gave him a milk crate full of tie-downs and a moving blanket in the truck to use. Since he was going less than a mile he didnt secure the BBQ grill. The first time he slowed down to make a turn, the grill rolled forward and smashed the rear window of my truck.
He told me about it as soon as he returned it to me. He taped it up with cardboard immediately. He then called the mobile glass repair service to come out to my house the next day and install an exact replacement OEM window on my truck and he paid for it over the phone.
He's a responsible guy and a good friend. He just got lazy about using the tie-downs and moving blanket because it was a short trip. Ended up costing him over $400 to get a free BBQ grille. Lesson learned.
Another friend of mine said, "I guess you won't ever lend your truck to him again."
I replied, "He can borrow it again any time he wants. He screwed up, he feels terrible about it. But, he made it right."
I'd have done the same for him, or anyone else.
He told me about it as soon as he returned it to me. He taped it up with cardboard immediately. He then called the mobile glass repair service to come out to my house the next day and install an exact replacement OEM window on my truck and he paid for it over the phone.
He's a responsible guy and a good friend. He just got lazy about using the tie-downs and moving blanket because it was a short trip. Ended up costing him over $400 to get a free BBQ grille. Lesson learned.
Another friend of mine said, "I guess you won't ever lend your truck to him again."
I replied, "He can borrow it again any time he wants. He screwed up, he feels terrible about it. But, he made it right."
I'd have done the same for him, or anyone else.
BellyUpFish
Well-known member
Anything I own, my immediate family members are welcome to use. That's about as far I loan tools.
Any friend, family member, or coworker is welcome to use any tool of mine. For the most part I receive the same kindness from all of them. I've never really had a negative experience with loaning stuff. I suppose if someone asks for a screwdriver I might be subconsciously inclined to give them a craftsman instead of a snap-on. At the end of the day it's a tool. Maybe not cheap and maybe not easy to immediately replace, but a tool nonetheless. I'd rather have someone I know use the correct tool to do a job safely than be at risk because of my selfishness.
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Thinking about it more I realize that I wouldn't know a fraction of what I know about mechanics if I hadn't been allowed to use the tools of others. I owe a lot to coworkers and friends who've given me open access to their collections. The least I can do for them is return favor. From my point of view giving others looking to learn the same opportunity I had is simply the right thing to do.
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Thinking about it more I realize that I wouldn't know a fraction of what I know about mechanics if I hadn't been allowed to use the tools of others. I owe a lot to coworkers and friends who've given me open access to their collections. The least I can do for them is return favor. From my point of view giving others looking to learn the same opportunity I had is simply the right thing to do.
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ckadams00
Well-known member
My opinion is they are going to use them anyway (the wife is, what am I going to do, buy tools and then tell her she can't use a hammer?) - so rather than be a hard *** I have my expensive tools in one area and the "go to" hammers, wrenches, drivers and pliers in an easy to find cabinet. They get borrowed, abused, used for things they weren't intended for, left in the house and not put away, etc. I could ***** and fight about it, but I decided (must be getting older) to just be accommodating and help fix things or lend a tool whenever they ask.
If I used these for a living I am sure I would feel differently.
Armstrong1720
Well-known member
Sir im already getting my 2yr son tools together for him I already got him a nice 1/2 socket set together. Because i wont let him play with my tools at the shop. Lol my mind is made up. My dad is ok but i chew him out if he lays a wrench on the shop floor to hard. But future son in law hell no. I did not raise him I have to have everything on hand and ready for when my trucks come broke down or maintaince. If my future son in law wants tools i have he should have started buying when he was 16 like i did
shocksandstrutz
Well-known member
i agree with this, my son is 3, already has his own set of tools, basic tools, but when its time for fixing things....hes got his own and knows that . he goes right to his toolbox and get his.
i love my kids, but they will have their own tools, no one else touches my tools unless they are in dire need, and most of the time they just bring it to me and i fix it so i know my tools are put back.....
get this, my BIL was over one night having a drink in the garage while i was working on a car.....he grabbed a 1/4 deep socket outta my drawer and said he forgot his one-hitter at home (i dont smoke mind you) i was like...are you serious? and he walked to the side of the house and did his thing, couple days went by and was walking on the side of the house...looked down. saw my rusty socket laying ther on the ground....i was pissed, that was the last tool borrowed out of my toolbox
Conductor562
Well-known member
Practically every tool I own (with very few exceptions) has a lifetime warranty. If it gets broke, I'll get it replaced. Going through the warranty process isn't enough of a pain to lead me to be a **** to my family or close friends. I have multiples of most things and I'll surely loan out my old Kobalt wrenches before I will my Proto's, but with the exception of my father in-law who's proven he has no desire to return anything he borrows, it's not worth being an *** to people I care about.
AndyA
Well-known member
Family doesn't really have much to do with it.
I have one friend that gets the keys to the castle, but no family members that do.
It all depends on who they are and how they'll treat the tools.
For questionable loans, I ask for a full price cash deposit. If it doesn't get returned or gets damaged, you bought it. In that case the tool comes back quickly, or they don't have the cash in the first place. I don't mind helping someone out, but I won't be abused.
I have one friend that gets the keys to the castle, but no family members that do.
It all depends on who they are and how they'll treat the tools.
For questionable loans, I ask for a full price cash deposit. If it doesn't get returned or gets damaged, you bought it. In that case the tool comes back quickly, or they don't have the cash in the first place. I don't mind helping someone out, but I won't be abused.
zakmartin
Well-known member
Definitely. I love my brother, but he's been ripping stuff off from me since Star Wars first came out and he traded my action figure collection for an AC/DC record.