OMG Don't let your neighbor help you help him...

[Whitworth]

My neighbor is an absolute great guy, friend to the family, and super generous. So how could I say NO when he wanted to help me while I repaired a broken nail gun he brought over to my shop.

Rhetorical question, I didn't and couldn't say no.

Within 2 minutes he's grabbing the best tools in my arsenal - Wera, Cornwell, Matco, Wiha - and beating on them with hammers, using a wood chisel (nice one) as a pin punch, clumsily using cheater bars on wrenches, and making a huge mess of my work bench.

To top it all off, as he leaves he says " I'll bring this back" as he walks off with a nice T handle Bondhaus hex wrench (part of a set)

Next evening he brings the hex wrench back, along with a home made apple pie!

 

[PT Doc]

Tough. Let your inner voice speak. Sometimes you just have to say no out loud.

 

[slip knot]

Remember how your dad used to swat you on the back of the head when you were screwing up? This is the time to use that skill now.

 

[Jarhead0408]

Yeesh...Agreed. That's a tough one. I don't know how I'd phrase it, but somehow I'd get the point across that I'll fix it, but you have to let ME fix it.

I'd be willing to teach him how to use them though. Maybe make the offer to teach first. Go over how NOT to use the tools.

 

[53chevy5]

I think you did the right thing, sometimes it hurts to see you nice tools getting used as hammers but at the end of the day, a good neighbor beats nice tools every time.

 

[Jarhead0408]

Remember how your dad used to swat you on the back of the head when you were screwing up? This is the time to use that skill now.

Yep. You stand beside them and wrap your arm around their shoulders...that way your hand is close enough to whop'em upside the head.

 

[TylerSteez]

That was painful to read, some people who don't wrench or have experience with hand tools just see, "I need pointed object, chisel will work" instead of asking where you keep your punches. Good on your part but the next time he comes over id be a little more stern with him when he starts doing questionable work, your tools are your investment and it sounds like you could teach him good techniques instead of the bad ones he's developed

 

[Roberts210]

Sometimes humor works best to get one's point across. "Hey Tom, my tools are still trying to recover from the beating you gave them last week."

 

[Fretters]

Tell them to pop it down on the bench and you'll get it sorted later on in the day, when you have a moment. It's a subtle way of shoving them out of the door and leaving you to do the work in peace, and alone.

If you do let someone use your tools, let them use the crappy ones or just warn them that it's pain of death if they knacker something up. Not as subtle, but gets the point across. You have to, at some point, learn that magic word: no.

 

[bcradio]

Why were you using cheater pipes on wrenches to fix a nail gun?

 

[bmxdad]

Tell him not to do that ... show him what to do, and how to do it.

 

[firworks]

Why were you using cheater pipes on wrenches to fix a nail gun?

His neighbor is Tim the Toolman Taylor.

"Now we just need to use an alley key to open up the chamber and inspect the anvil"
"Yeah, you could do it that way. But what do we like?" MORE POWER "That's right so what you should really use is this 3/4" breaker bar with a cheater pipe, 3/4>1/2 1/2>3/8> 3/8>1/4 adapters, and this 3/16" socket. It's got chrome molybdenum, it's heat treated pressure forged Ho ho ho ho"
"I don't think so Tim"
"Al I think I know how to-" *Nailer fires and nail pings around knocking over the camera*
"Al looks right into the camera and frowns"
*LAUGHS AND APPLAUSE*

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Tell him not to do that ... show him what to do, and how to do it.

Yea, just explain these are big $$$, and you love your tools. I have a proper tool for "x" application and say you're more than happy to use that right tool.

 

[ssentt]

There's a right way and a wrong way to use a tool. Point out the injury he could be subjecting himself to by improper use of said tool, then proceed to point out the damage also to the tool he is causing.

 

[CJM8515]

Things like this are why I wind up fixing whatever it is myself or I make the other person my helper.

 

[LXCam]

Maybe I'm just a total **** but I wouldn't have hesitated for a second to say..ALL STOP, here ya go bud, I got this for that and that for this and one of them for those, wait a minute scratch that, I got three of them for those but you're welcome to beat the holy hell out of this one.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

This story reminds me of not only when people ask to borrow my tools, but also my knives. Boy do I love watching someone use my knife for a screwdriver, pry bar, scraper,etc. No, my sebenza is not a 455$ screwdriver for your kitchen cabinet handles.

 

[CNGsaves]

Fool me once . . . shame on me.

Now, don't get fooled again being nice.

Next time he's over, have combination lock on toolbox & say you've "forgot" combo !!

 

[bczygan]

No one knows I even have tools. If they've so much as seen me using a rake, and ask to use it, it's been broken or loaned out.

That solves that.

Bill

 

[larry_g]

If he is going to do surgery, then you have to be the assistant handing him the tools. You should be the only one retrieving tools for him to use. Let me guess, you have them all on display on pegboard. In my shop they are in boxes with little chance for someone to find the wrong tool.

Your shop, your rules.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[anndel]

Just say NO, but I'm shittin you man. Who could not refuse homemade apple pie?

 

[PJNJ]

Seven or eight years ago I'd finally reached my limit of "nice guy patience" with people using my stuff and most importantly, my tools. I have had more than a few expensive tools (that I really liked) "borrowed" only to never have them come back (a Makita miter saw) or come back trashed - a Craftsman 3 ton floor jack. A lot of hand tools disappeared over the years also. So I started practicing the word "no".

Now NO ONE BUT NO ONE uses them other than a select few. Even then there are certain of my tools that I don't let anyone use - for example my Skil wormdrive saw and corded Milwaukee Magnum drills. Since I started saying "No", neighbors have asked and one even sent people (complete strangers to me) who were staying with her over to ask to borrow and use my tools. I had a simple answer for all of them - "No, I am sorry but I don't lend my tools to anyone". After a while, people stopped asking.

I'm sorry but I bought good tools to make my life easier not other peoples. Heck, I don't even let anyone into my garage anymore to even see what tools I have.

 

[Monkey Milk]

I think you did the right thing, sometimes it hurts to see you nice tools getting used as hammers but at the end of the day, a good neighbor beats nice tools every time.

NOOOOOOOOO! This is like saying it's ok to use a micrometer as a c-clamp.
Do the right thing and educate the man.

 

[R.Anderson]

I honestly would have no problem telling him (kindly) to stop and show him the correct way and tools to use for tasks. My thinking here is he is a good friend of yours so why let him look/sound like a idiot using tools improperly? Unless he knows how and just does not give a **** about your tools and then in that case I would be questioning how good of a friend he is.

But any ways my real question is what kinda nail gun requires a cheater bar on wrenches to take it apart?

 

[countryroad82]

One of my favorite phrases when trying to work with non-tool people is first laugh to ease the tension, then say 'you're killing me son, let me show you an easier way'. In most cases it works out fine and little to no damage is done to my money makers. Now if I see a screwdriver being used as a prybar or one of my body hammers being used to hit anything other than sheetmetal, I'll freely admit a freak out is in order!

 

[J king]

Reminds me of my neighbor using my garage and tools to replace a valve cover on his 300 ford straight 6. I was helping him since he wasn't a mechanic at all.We pulled cover off and the drains were all plugged.motor was full of sludge.he never changed oil,only added.
Anyway I tell him we need to clean as much of that crust out as we can.He starts picking and scooping. I head in the house to get coffees and when I come out I see him blowing the head out with air. I looked up and my white drywalled ceiling was splattered with black crud!!! All spotted up.. Looked up and shook my head. He saw me and said he would clean it. I went to town and came back with parts and he smeared that **** into a 5 ft circle!
That was the last time...

 

[SkunkWerX]

Perhaps let a sign (or two) say what needs to be conveyed?

 

[taumac]

Reminds me of my neighbor using my garage and tools to replace a valve cover on his 300 ford straight 6. I was helping him since he wasn't a mechanic at all.We pulled cover off and the drains were all plugged.motor was full of sludge.he never changed oil,only added.
Anyway I tell him we need to clean as much of that crust out as we can.He starts picking and scooping. I head in the house to get coffees and when I come out I see him blowing the head out with air. I looked up and my white drywalled ceiling was splattered with black crud!!! All spotted up.. Looked up and shook my head. He saw me and said he would clean it. I went to town and came back with parts and he smeared that **** into a 5 ft circle!
That was the last time...

What ever happen to the ceiling?

 

[taumac]

My neighbor is an absolute great guy, friend to the family, and super generous. So how could I say NO when he wanted to help me while I repaired a broken nail gun he brought over to my shop.



Rhetorical question, I didn't and couldn't say no.



Within 2 minutes he's grabbing the best tools in my arsenal - Wera, Cornwell, Matco, Wiha - and beating on them with hammers, using a wood chisel (nice one) as a pin punch, clumsily using cheater bars on wrenches, and making a huge mess of my work bench.



To top it all off, as he leaves he says " I'll bring this back" as he walks off with a nice T handle Bondhaus hex wrench (part of a set)



Next evening he brings the hex wrench back, along with a home made apple pie!

I would say nicely let me show you how to do it.

 

[winlinmac]

Solution: buy a cheap tool set and advertise to the neighbors this is all you have. Cheap tool sets = Loaner. Neighbors borrow or fail to return is on them. At least a peace of mind is still there at the end of the day.

No point of telling the neighbors what you use to do work around the house. And if the neighbors are picky, cover up the logos on your quality tools to avoid confrontation, ha. Cheers

*To add on, I have an old, really old 1960's Craftsman toolbox, partially rusty, perfect habitat for storing the old rusty tools. Hand over the toolbox to the neighbor and exclaim, "Enjoy!"

 

[Notgrownup]

Secret tool box with the nice stuff.....

 

[coldh2o]

My neighbor is an absolute great guy, friend to the family, and super generous. So how could I say NO when he wanted to help me while I repaired a broken nail gun he brought over to my shop.

Rhetorical question, I didn't and couldn't say no.

Within 2 minutes he's grabbing the best tools in my arsenal - Wera, Cornwell, Matco, Wiha - and beating on them with hammers, using a wood chisel (nice one) as a pin punch, clumsily using cheater bars on wrenches, and making a huge mess of my work bench.

To top it all off, as he leaves he says " I'll bring this back" as he walks off with a nice T handle Bondhaus hex wrench (part of a set)

Next evening he brings the hex wrench back, along with a home made apple pie!

I don't understand how any of that happened while you were right there? And you were the one doing the repair?

 

[Fretters]

And if the neighbors are picky, cover up the logos on your quality tools to avoid confrontation, ha.

If they're picky about what they use, they should be buying their own tools.

 

[J king]

What ever happen to the ceiling?

Lots of scrubbing.A couple coats of paint and all gone. Pain in the *** tho.

 

[winlinmac]

Then the neighbors should stop being cheap and invest
I can almost bet they have quality tools in their toolbox as well, but they don't want to put the slightest dent to show usage. Some tool owners are collectors, others are true users. I can almost assure, that the majority of us are true-users.

If they're picky about what they use, they should be buying their own tools.

 

[J king]

Same guy borrowed my beater to haul firewood. Only rule was keep the glass in it..
Came back with the back window missing!! ; (

 

[mdbeck1]

I honestly would have no problem telling him (kindly) to stop and show him the correct way and tools to use for tasks. My thinking here is he is a good friend of yours so why let him look/sound like a idiot using tools improperly? Unless he knows how and just does not give a **** about your tools and then in that case I would be questioning how good of a friend he is.

But any ways my real question is what kinda nail gun requires a cheater bar on wrenches to take it apart?

Most of my neighbors are really good people. This would be my response.

...or let them give YOU a hand fixing their stuff.

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

I don't / wouldn't do tool work with anyone who I am concerned about giving them a back-of-the-head slap for doin' it wrong. If I'm not that kinda comfortable with them, then they WILL not be working with me. Period. I'll easily do it FOR them, but they will not be allowed close enough to touch the tools. I'm not a jerk, either, I will also gladly teach anyone if they aren't competent / familiar with the right practices.

 

[77thor]

Hmmmmm.... Apple Pie!

 

[Whitworth]

I don't understand how any of that happened while you were right there? And you were the one doing the repair?

It was a bit late in the day, and cold in the shop, and he needed it done as he uses it for work, - hardwood flooring and that type of stuff. So I couldn't say 'I'll fix and get it back to you.'

The way I would have approached it is put the nail gun in a vise, take a look with a flashlight with what's wrong, find the right tool..... etc.

I don't even turn my back for 1 second and he's grabbing everything that is a wrench or could be used as a wrench and trying to disassemble it with 1 hand holding the nail gun and 1 hand holding a tool while trying to break loose some nuts. Scraping and slipping around on top of the workbench getting nowhere fast.

Turns out a nail had folded over and jammed the drive pin. When I show him how easy it is removing fasteners with the part held in the vise, he suddenly loves the vise. But he doesn't know right to tight left to loose with the vise handle. All the while I'm saying "slow down bud", "I think that's the wrong size, bud", "you don't want to do it that way, bud"
I resisted "are you out of the fuggin mind, A hole !!!!!" for the duration, and though he pushed my OCD to the limit, I cleaned up and worked on finding the humor in the situation afterwood.