2 idiots using my tools this week [rant]

[X1 Mike]

Hello
I have accumultated my fair share of tools over the years. I am like everyone else I get "sensative" p.o. when a tool is returned dirty or not returned at all. My twin brother and I become closer since he divorced his "over bearing" wife. He decided changed his oil last week when I was painting the inside of the garage. (motivation came from recent unemployment and garage journal got some kick *** garages) He borrowed oil wrench and gave him a filter he drives a toyota truck and I have a toyota truck same oil filter. Im still painting in the garage trying to keep everything clean and not get too much paint on the garage floor. My brother hands me the tools he borrowed they are full of oil now my hands have oil and paint on them. He is taking the hand cleaner and squirting it all over the place and walked in the garage stepped in some paint and is now making a trail inside the garage!! I told him W.T.F.? Cant you see what I am doing? He just worried about what he wants to do..Maybe Im lil ****?? But, I wasnt in the mood to help him with his car problems...Oh well he family..

Are you identical twins? Can you prove it was him changing the oil and not you? Maybe you confused the two of you and he was painting while you worked on the car.

I've often wondered if twins confused themselves with each other, now I know.

 

[caper]

I am extremely selective who I loan tools to because of similar experiences. I lent a Mac 1/2" ratchet and socket set to a friend. A few weeks later I called and he said I never lent them to him. This went on for about six months and he kept saying I never lent him the tools. Finally I lucked out and spotted my set on top of his toolbox. Turns out my friend forgot who he borrowed them from and was waiting for his brother to pick them back up. What pisses me off even more is that this actually happened to me twice and the second time I had to go over to his neighbors house to get my stuff, because he though he borrowed them from his neighbor, and when he brought the stuff to the neighbor, the neighbor actually took the stuff like they were his. I also have multiple stories of people abusing my stuff then acting surprised when I get pissed off. I guess they treat all their stuff like **** and think everyone else does too. Maybe that is why they have to borrow because they cant find or use theirs.

Chris

I can't beleive your that gullible.Your calling him looking for your sockets and you beleive him when he says "Oh,I thought I borrowed that exact same set from my brother".I'd have told him he was a lying *************.Friends like that I don't need.He's either lying to your face or too stupid to be outside without a helmet.

 

[BlindViper]

If I borrow tools it goes back spotless. If it was already spotless it goes back with beer or liquor.

 

[Happyshooter]

I never loan out tools.

A few years ago my wife, behind my back, lent our power paint sprayer to her co-worker.

Her hubby got done painting but cleaning must have been such a pain he didn't want to.

A few months later I open the case and the thing is covered in paint. Everything inside was hardened.

My wife did get on her *** and made them buy me a new one. The guy was a jack-*** when he dropped it off, so I gave him the ruined one.

Then last year my neighbor needed help installing a new door, so I went over to help. I brought my really nice jigsaw (long and boring story). Got done with it and ran back home to grab shims.

Got back and the saw was snapped in two and two of the guys were hurt from playing grab ***.

That reminded me again not to do it.

 

[JD6619A]

I lost a good hammer once, lent it some ***** who was trying to get his cement mixer on wheels hooked up to the back of his pickup. He said he'd be back in a minute. He took off with my hammer, never saw it again. Never again. If anybody asks the answer is no unless they have collateral to back it up.

 

[MarcSeattle]

Who was it that came up with the idea of a proximity lock? Walk away from your toolbox and it automatically locks. Great idea. Sounds expensive, but with people spending $15k on boxes these days maybe $500 for a lock is OK.

 

[caper]

I lost a good hammer once, lent it some ***** who was trying to get his cement mixer on wheels hooked up to the back of his pickup. He said he'd be back in a minute. He took off with my hammer, never saw it again. Never again. If anybody asks the answer is no unless they have collateral to back it up.

Kinda reminds me of the guy who came in the service station one day asking to borrow a gas can because he ran out of gas.Told him it was a $20 deposit on the can and he got really pissy.In the course of the conversation he said"but if I leave you $20 I'll have to come back with the can,I was planning to keep going".I looked at him and he finally clued into what he had said.Told him he didn't have enough money for a deposit now,try the next garage a mile down the road.

 

[mdbeck1]

Who was it that came up with the idea of a proximity lock? Walk away from your toolbox and it automatically locks. Great idea. Sounds expensive, but with people spending $15k on boxes these days maybe $500 for a lock is OK.

Somebody is selling a proximity lock for toolboxes? That could be real interesting in my life... ...maybe set the woodworking shop up with one....

My wife has a Prius and I keep telling her that when it dies I'm scavenge all kinds of cool stuff off of it. Generator, backup camera, proximity locks, ....

 

[MarcSeattle]

Not that I know of, it just seemed that a proximity lock would be great. Sounds like a business idea for someone. A call to a local auto stereo/alarm company might be helpful.

 

[arkangel06]

If I borrow tools it goes back spotless. If it was already spotless it goes back with beer or liquor.

You can borrow my spotless tools any time

 

[Bruce Lancaster]

I have a friend like Blind Viper...I love lending him stuff, as it all comes back absolutely spotless. I'm a complete slob and need someone like that to follow me around and put everything away after I work on something...

 

[Vinko]

I had the pleasure of going to Harbor Freight and buying a $12 socket set and a 7 pc. plier set for $7.99. That along, with a bunch of crappy old wrenches the SO guy gave me that he got on trade ins (a promo deal he had where you turn in any wrench and get a percentage off a new wrench), and some loose allen keys, and two 50c screwdrivers, and that's the guys new tool kit. The ridicule while one of the women in the shop gets to use SO sockets and ratchets to change out fixtures on a table, which he is confined to general jobs with Horror Freight equipment is worth it.

I haven't dealt with the guy expect to put him on tool restriction -- no touching any quality tool. Can't respect them, don't touch them.

He asked for a raise though

Just to clear up prev. posts: he's not a "mechanic" (though claims to be one coming from another country). He has done good work in the past on things. I just don't like that sneaky ********. And you guys that said "principle" of thing are right.

No one in the shop has their own tools except the 2 machinists, my father (ex-machinist) and me. Most of the jobs using company tools are for assembly. Those are Apex and Sturtevant and IR impacts.

Other jobs are warehouse, shop maintenance, general plumbing and electrical. Those, I provide tools. If I can't do those or trust others to, we call in the trades.

I don't know what the employment laws elsewhere are, most of the jobs , tools are provided for these applications (non-auto shop). The van was a shop van for deliveries and pickups.

I've yet to get the socket out. It's wedged way down there. Can't seem to get it with a pick up tool. It's an old beater truck. Drill is next, when I find the time.

 

[redbarron57]

I don't let anyone ever use my tools.

 

[tightwad_wrencher]

Loaning tools is the worst. I never loan tools any more after some family members borrowed a few small pry bars that have never returned. It's a shame there's no respect anymore. It was my own fault for lending them, you know how it goes don't lend and you're the *******, but if you do and never get them returned everyone takes a blind-eye to the situation.

 

[RedneckWelder]

People wonder why most mechanics in the US are required to provide their tools? THIS IS WHY.

Shop provided tools tend to wind up abused, pieces lost, etc. And nobody ever knows what happened, unless you have a truly effective tool control system.

 

[Strouty]

Things change a lot in 5 years.

 

[Trey T]

OP: So.... what's your solution to prevent any future headache?

 

[crewchief888]

People wonder why most mechanics in the US are required to provide their tools? THIS IS WHY.

Shop provided tools tend to wind up abused, pieces lost, etc. And nobody ever knows what happened, unless you have a truly effective tool control system.

^^^ this

i'm a field service mechanic, in a service truck

i've gotten to the point that i moved my tool boxes from the shop to home.

if i need something i know where it's at...

 

[jywilli69]

Not trying to stir anything up. I am Retired Army. When we assumed responsibility for our sections, we did 100% Layout. We inventoried everything that belong to the section and had to sign for it. If anything was lost and wasn't a field loss, we bought with a statement of charges. If you have 5 employees and 5 tool boxes, you have them lay out the tools and you create an inventory sheet of the item and a price to replace the tool. Make them sign it and keep track of the paperwork. Once they leave or quit, they do an inventory and pay up. If they loan tools back and forth, and a tools lost. Who ever loaned to tool should cough it up. You could also specify they have 48 hrs after being paid, to replace the tool or termination. I would have your supervisor do the Inventory with you and the employee, so that you are covered. If they lose a tool, I would find out if you can deduct it from his pay. If I signed for tools and know I would pay dearly if I lost a tool, I would be more careful, that is just me.

 

[sberry]

I provide the tools and have an easy to use system. I have had others want me to watch their tools so they don't mix with mine,, ha. I say, it takes about 10 mins to figure out where they are but, I don't mind the loan most of the time, people treat my stuff pretty good. Most of my friends have their own.
Some time ago I borrowed a bubble flare set from my bud, I must not have taken it back, when I mentioned it he said, its now yours,,, I bought a new one on your charge at the parts store.

 

[sberry]

^^^ this

i'm a field service mechanic, in a service truck

i've gotten to the point that i moved my tool boxes from the shop to home.

if i need something i know where it's at...

I have been down this road. When I worked for others I really had what I needed or when I was on my best game they provide everything right down to the tape measure.

 

[Trey T]

People wonder why most mechanics in the US are required to provide their tools? THIS IS WHY.

Shop provided tools tend to wind up abused, pieces lost, etc. And nobody ever knows what happened, unless you have a truly effective tool control system.

I think it depends on the work place. If you go to work at luxury dealer or high-end car shops, or even aviation, you wouldn't run into these types of issues. The client really determine the environment of the work place from top down.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I don't mind loaning out tools, probably because it does not happen too often. I lost a Snap-N-Seal F-connector tool and a nag of connectors, but part of that is my fault for not remembering who I loaned it to (I think it was one of my son's friends).

The one that pissed me off the most happened over 25 years ago. A guy asked me for a 10mm nut driver. I did not have one, but I did loan him a 10mm 1/4" drive socket and a hand spinner. 2 days later I asked if he was finished with it. When he could not find it he gave me a 10mm nut driver (that he probably swiped from someone else). I refused which put him into a snit ! I told him to go to Sears and buy the same Craftsman replacements that I loaned. Years later, the SOB got promoted several levels above me

 

[Fugio]

I may be a jerk, but this indicates a generally cavalier attitude about everything to do with work. I would keep knucklehead 1 on a very short leash.
One of the first things I tell employees is that their primary job responsibility is not X, Y or Z. It is to make the company money. If the company does not make money, there will likely be no job. So, if they think that their job is a specific task, and I ask them to do something else, they can just figure it is part of their job description. I hire mostly older guys, so it works.

Sorry to thread hijack, but for the younger folks here this is REALLY good advice for nailing job interviews. I don't waste time with background info, my likes/dislikes, skills, and other hot air. When I interview for something, I hammer home exactly how having me around will make money. It works most of the time.

 

[pop pop]

.......and then doesn't give a **** about it.

It's not about the tool, it's this! I'd show him the street.

 

[66354dream]

Just deduct it from his paycheck,he is just being an inconsiderate *** by not even trying to make it right.

 

[bcradio]

you + are = you're

 

[bczygan]

I have 3 responses when people ask if I have a particular tool.

1. Sure I have it. I'll be right over to do the job (It never leaves my hands).
2. I have one but it's broken, I can't find it, or loaned out to my brother.
3.I don't have one of those.

And I always advise them where they can get one of their very own, and tell them that every home needs one.

 

[Hootbro]

Not trying to stir anything up. I am Retired Army. When we assumed responsibility for our sections, we did 100% Layout. We inventoried everything that belong to the section and had to sign for it. If anything was lost and wasn't a field loss, we bought with a statement of charges. If you have 5 employees and 5 tool boxes, you have them lay out the tools and you create an inventory sheet of the item and a price to replace the tool. Make them sign it and keep track of the paperwork. Once they leave or quit, they do an inventory and pay up. If they loan tools back and forth, and a tools lost. Who ever loaned to tool should cough it up. You could also specify they have 48 hrs after being paid, to replace the tool or termination. I would have your supervisor do the Inventory with you and the employee, so that you are covered. If they lose a tool, I would find out if you can deduct it from his pay. If I signed for tools and know I would pay dearly if I lost a tool, I would be more careful, that is just me.

Former Army aviation mechanic myself and know where you are coming from. Having also worked now in the civilian side for close to 25+ years, that system just would not work on the outside. A private with a missing tool has more leverage on him by just the terms of his enlistment than any civilian employer/employee relationship.

 

[LB-1911]

I don't let anyone ever use my tools.

Your getting some mileage out of this 5 year old thread....

 

[Ign]

Your getting some mileage out of this 5 year old thread....

That was exactly my thought. I went thru to find what prompted a revival from 2010, but just a single sentence: "I don't let anyone ever use my tools."

Hmm, ok.

 

[Mud]

Guy I know lent his top shelf point nose pliers out a while back and they were returned to him ground into circlip pliers.

 

[Steinmetz]

People wonder why most mechanics in the US are required to provide their tools? THIS IS WHY.

Shop provided tools tend to wind up abused, pieces lost, etc. And nobody ever knows what happened, unless you have a truly effective tool control system.

It's more than that. In general, members of the skilled trades are expected to own their own tools. When I was apprenticed to the machinist trade just out of high school, I had to buy them. It wasn't easy, but it was the expectation.

 

[the gypsy]

I can not understand how someone can borrow a tool then modify it as if it were his??????
If it were me asking for a tool to modify, 1st I would ask if he had the tool I needed, then I would tell the lender my intention and last but not least I would buy him a new tool of same quality and brand if possible.
I believe this is the way to act in our society.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

I don't let anyone ever use my tools.

I don't bump five year old threads to make useless comments.

 

[arms1970]

Hello
I have accumultated my fair share of tools over the years. I am like everyone else I get "sensative" p.o. when a tool is returned dirty or not returned at all. My twin brother and I become closer since he divorced his "over bearing" wife. He decided changed his oil last week when I was painting the inside of the garage. (motivation came from recent unemployment and garage journal got some kick *** garages) He borrowed oil wrench and gave him a filter he drives a toyota truck and I have a toyota truck same oil filter. Im still painting in the garage trying to keep everything clean and not get too much paint on the garage floor. My brother hands me the tools he borrowed they are full of oil now my hands have oil and paint on them. He is taking the hand cleaner and squirting it all over the place and walked in the garage stepped in some paint and is now making a trail inside the garage!! I told him W.T.F.? Cant you see what I am doing? He just worried about what he wants to do..Maybe Im lil ****?? But, I wasnt in the mood to help him with his car problems...Oh well he family..

Glad im not the only one. My brother lost a 7/16 1/4 drive socket of mine. Left my snap on ratcheting screwdriver in the snow. Broke screwdrivers and just put them back. Naaa that's it. Youre done real simple. I bought em, you need something YOU buy them. Used my handsoap and paper towels like it was growing from a tree. Then im the ******* when I get fired up and pissed off.

 

[lutter94]

Used my handsoap and paper towels like it was growing from a tree.

But paper towels do grow from a tree........

 

[404]

I don't bump five year old threads to make useless comments.

Did your cat vomit on your keyboard again? Take it out on the cat not us.

 

[Vinko]

God, I was pissed off when I wrote this 5 years ago. I think I'm calmer now. Just don't mess with my damn tools!

 

[Monkey Milk]

Your getting some mileage out of this 5 year old thread....