Always asking to borrow my tools...

[DieselRiver]

Theres this guy at work who has his own toolbox and he has mostly HF tools, i have mostly Snap On and Craftsman tools. He doesnt keep his box locked nor does he care if anybody goes into his box, I on the other hand always keep my box locked and nobody goes in it unless i say they can, and he's always asking to borrow my Snap On tools and it seriously irritates me, i dont want to be mean by saying no, but i just dont borrow out my tools, what should i do about this?

 

[Professur]

Just say no.

 

[BK13]

He's not concerned with being rude in constantly asking to borrow yours...

 

[jd_1138]

Just say something like "I need to keep my tools in my box in case I need them."

 

[Filson]

Just say no.

+1

He has his own tools, and he has his own tools at work for a reason... To use them to earn his living. I normally wouldn't directly just stomp out a "No" to someone about whatever the issue is, but rather say no in a point-the-issue-back-at-them style. "Hey can I borrow..." "*Chuckle a little* Don't you have your own **** to earn your pay?"

It's a bit of a slap, but does a couple things at once; it tells them no, it might add a little bit of guilt to their minds for asking (and help them not ask others in the future and start holding a little more value in their own tools), and it makes the chance of you looking like less of an *** (to him, not everyone else who understands your situation) by redirecting the ownership of his issue (of not having descent tools for the job at hand) back to himself.

I would feel ****** (and have) for asking to borrow a tool. If the guy were to make a point of it that I don't have all the tools I apparently need to earn my pay, I would feel like a smaller person inside for not covering my own damn needs, and with having been told no in-directly because it's my own damn issue, I would be more hesitant to ask someone else, and put more pressure on myself to step up with what's in my tool box.

 

[bcradio]

Been discussed quite a bit here on how to handle this. Here is a link to help you search the topic:

https://www.google.com/#q=site:http:%2F%2Fwww.garagejournal.com+%22borrow+tools%22&safe=images

Lots of good info on here.

 

[balane]

When he asks to use your tools ask if you can use some of his paycheck.

 

[Trey T]

How many times has he done it really? What's the frequency and what type of tools?

As long as the person is responsible with your tool (return on time), I think sharing a bit goes a long with relationship in a work place.

 

[Tripp2012]

If you have to borrow it more than 3 times you need to buy it. Was always my answer to people.

 

[Trey T]

I've never been in a non-professional "servicing" environment, but is that how you really say it to your co-worker, though?

If you have to borrow it more than 3 times you need to buy it. Was always my answer to people.

 

[zkling]

I'd just have a friendly chat with him. Maybe he doesn't realize the burden he is being. Ask him why he always needs to borrow xyz. You might be surprised by the answer. Sounds like he and you are just from two different mind sets.

 

[Tarheelgarage]

theres this guy at work who has his own toolbox and he has mostly hf tools, i have mostly snap on and craftsman tools. He doesnt keep his box locked nor does he care if anybody goes into his box, i on the other hand always keep my box locked and nobody goes in it unless i say they can, and he's always asking to borrow my snap on tools and it seriously irritates me, i dont want to be mean by saying no, but i just dont borrow out my tools, what should i do about this?

 

[Professur]

How many times has he done it really? What's the frequency and what type of tools?

As long as the person is responsible with your tool (return on time), I think sharing a bit goes a long with relationship in a work place.

For the first week, perhaps. After that, He knows the job, and he knows what tools he needs. Not my job or yours to supply them. If it's a wildly unusual tool ... maybe. But it sounds like the guy has the tools ... just crappy ones that don't work as well as the OP's.

 

[Bigplum]

Go bat **** crazy , say the voices are back in your head ,
keep muttering "I will not kill again" then have a evil giggle

He'll soon stop coming near

 

[kiatech]

tell him to go home and dont come back untill he has the right ****.

 

[Professur]

Go bat **** crazy , say the voices are back in your head ,
keep muttering "I will not kill again" then have a evil giggle

He'll soon stop coming near

Another story ... I used to leave a well thumbed copy of Guns and Ammo in my in box at the office. Never found anyone using my desk while I was out for some reason.

 

[bestatv]

Ask him if you could bang his wife.

 

[Exceller8]

Simple as "Sorry, I don't loan out my tools".

 

[zkling]

Ask him if you could bang his wife.

I've met some people that would say, sure no problem to that. So you might want to use caution with that one.

 

[espyking83]

Charge $3 every time he borrows it, if he asks why tell him it's incentive for him to start buying his own ****.

 

[DieselRiver]

I've met some people that would say, sure no problem to that. So you might want to use caution with that one.

I might just try that

 

[SteveCh]

I have been around long enough now that I can say there are several categories of things I won't loan out, period, and they include tools, guitars, trucks, my airplane, and my chainsaws. PERIOD. I am polite about it, but they do not leave my control. And, yes, I am speaking from painful experience.

I like to think I am not a complete jerk: I often, very often, "help" people using those above-mentioned categories with my own stuff. Example: last month, drove fifty miles with three chainsaws and cut down three storm-damaged trees at a friend's house. But lend him the saw, uh uh.

 

[Farmall450]

Charge $3 every time he borrows it, if he asks why tell him it's incentive for him to start buying his own ****.

This is SO stuff we're talking about, better make it $10.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

If you have to borrow it more than 3 times you need to buy it. Was always my answer to people.

This was a rule at a place i worked. And if you didn't buy it after the 3rd time the boss would buy it for you and dock your wages. There was almost no tool-borrowing in that shop.

 

[WildwoodChuck]

If you don't mind loaning the occasional tool then I suggest you pass on what I learned. You loan the specialty tool needed until the next time the truck comes around.

...I was out of High School and started wrenching full time at a 76 turned TA Truck stop. I was told by 2 guys in the shop that had each been wrenching professionally for over 25 years that I should be putting 20% of my income back into tools because the tools provide the income. They just like patrickn’s mentor told me buy general mechanics tools from Sears and specialty tools from the truck. I bought Craftsman and Truck tools from Mac, Matco and Snap-on. When I had to ask them for a specialty tool they loaned it to me as often as I needed it until the next time the truck came around and they “suggested” I buy my own. There were a few times when I was off when the truck came around and they “got the tool for me”. They held it in their box but it was on my account.

 

[MFolks]

I had something similar happen to me. I was working a "Temp" job at NASNI (Naval Air Station North Island) Coronado California 10+ years ago, helping doing a "Refit" of the DSRV "Mystic". I used to leave my tool bag overnight, as it probably weighed 15 pounds or so. Came in one day, and couldn't find my "Cleeco" tools. One of the workers decides to "Borrow my tools, and forgot where he left them. That night when I left the tools went with me. That night, the supervisor asked where my tools were, and I told him at home.

He demanded I bring them back(a 1 hour round trip), as his worker had no way to do the work. I said "Bring my tools back, so he can do the job"?? From that day on, all the tools came home with me, as for the other worker, he bitched and moaned, that I took away the means for him to do his job. Gee, how mean of me.....

 

[tweedlestan]

Interesting first few threads from DieselRiver.

 

[Heavy tech]

Maybe don't say anything and pick one of these:

If he doesn't get the hint then further action is required for sure.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[wornoutoldman]

Unzip your fly and tell him "first things first".

 

[methomas70]

Bring in a small bucket of rusty **** tools. Next time he asks, point to the bucket and say, "sure, help yourself."

 

[BDT/NWMN]

This sounds like a worker who came to work at a GM dealership as a line technician...

His tools:
a claw hammer with one broken claw and a loose handle.
a set of generic wrenches.
a few no brand bent screwdrivers.
a cheapo socket set.
a common pair if pliers.
a cheapo tackle box to hold them.

And his the idea that he is such a nice guy that he can work out of everyone else's toolboxes.

The Snap-On dealer shows up with a trade in Snap-On roller on the truck... Nice enough box; so he bought it on the payment plan, and lined his tools inside......

Well!!!!!!!!!!!! his borrow mode line was wearing down to a few threads with fellow workers..... I worked next to this fellow, and like you are feeling now is how I felt then.
I was getting tired of chasing down MY tools when I needed them, and being the nice guy that I am (ya, really) , I held my tongue, and only mentioned "minor" quips of suggestions about putting my stuff back.
The straw that broke the camel's back was the day he borrowed my Snap-On test lite. I asked him where my test lite was and his jaw dropped open "Opps, I must have left it under the hood of that car I finished before dinner"..... My reply " They are $40, when Snap-On comes tomorrow, you can get me a new one". Pissed, he head out the door, and returned 45 minutes later with my test lite......
I then told him that this loaning business has gotten old, and I am sick and tired of chasing my tools down when I need them... I bluntly told him he would have to buy his own tools; and suggested trading that Snap-On box off for some tools.....

It was NOT my job to try and figure out what this guy was thinking people owed him,,,
It was NOT my job to be supplying him with free tool usage.

This guy is not part of an elite group;; Co-workers, family, neighbors, and friends have spurred special trips to retrieve a torque wrench, camshaft bushing driver kit, grinder, shop manual, pressure washer(broken from freeze) semi trailer(big loss), stereo receiver, two air compressors, porta power set, coolant system tester, tractor, wrenches, chains, gear pullers, money, vehicles.....

I have a soft spot for helping people out, or should that be, played for a sucker....
This **** left a bitter taste as far as loaning AYYTHING out.....
It is ok to be a nice guy
But, to be a nice guy to yourself; don't be a sucker.

add a cement mixer to the list,,,another maddening story that is still not resoulved.

 

[the gypsy]

Just tell him this Italian quote.
"If lending something was a good thing Men would lend out their Wives."
Now wait for a reaction.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

OK,,, here is my Newest smartass quip that will be posted in my shop: 2-19-2014


My toothbrush and my tools have something in common;;

No, You will not be borrowing my toothbrush; either..

 

[Supe]

Lock your toolbox. Tell him 'shop's shut bro'. At least he has a proper toolbox though. What sort of tools is he routinely borrowing?

 

[Aetsh]

If you need to borrow more than twice, you're obliged to buy your own.

 

[Dberglind]

If you have to borrow it more than 3 times you need to buy it. Was always my answer to people.

That's pretty much my personal policy. I borrow something 2 or 3, I should probably own it.

 

[spoonsports86]

yea i dont loan tools no more.

after working at a shop for 4 years and loosing (aka borrowed) most of my toold even tho they were not the best ones, i still made a living with them. now i keep my tools with me at all times or at home when i am not using them

 

[basspro]

I dont mind borrowing with my coworkers at all, they can use anything they want of mine, but they always ask and I do as well. I know I will get the tool back. I tell them to set it on top so I can put it where I want it, its never been a problem.

 

[Steroblan]

Maybe don't say anything and pick one of these:

If he doesn't get the hint then further action is required for sure.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I had a similar Snap-On sign on my tool box that read: "I make my living with Snap-On tools. Please don't ask to borrow them!

 

[DieselRiver]

Lock your toolbox. Tell him 'shop's shut bro'. At least he has a proper toolbox though. What sort of tools is he routinely borrowing?

Mostly my SO long handled double box wrenches or SO pliers, but when i bring a new Snap On tool or two in and he see's me bring them to my toolbox, he'll say "Oh nice to know if i need one of those i can borrow them sometime". . Not only does he always ask to borrow, but he also routinely steals tools if you leave your box unlocked, or takes some of shops tools.